This was the only video out of many that helped me out. Those new Shimano master links are crazy tight. Positioning the master link and holding the back wheel was magic!
This was so helpful! I was getting infuriated trying to get it to click into place... I have a chain tool but no clamping tools and the hold wheel and pedal method worked like a charm, thank you
You're so right about the Shimano Quick link being a tight link to close, it was struggle and a half to get it to lockin... should be renamed Shimano Gorilla links.
I was sweating trying to close one of the new shimano links for an hour, then checked your suggestion with a pedal and it worked like a charm! Thank you
Thanks you so much for your video! I was out of bike because my old chain broke and I didn’t have any pliers to put my new chain and your video was so helpful! The rear brake option was the best for me :)
I switched to the Wipperman links (for 11 speed - 12 speed isn't available yet) when i switched to wax lubes. Huge money saver as the links are reusable.
Thanks mate. I'll go for the tool option to close the link because I couldn't do it at all. Had to push a pin link of part of another chain and piece it on the new one. Would rather have the old 'cut to fit' chains where you just pushed the pin out of your new chain. Measured it to the old chain, made the new chain the same size then simply pushed the pin back in. Those quick links are a bloody curse.
The Connex tool free ones are brilliant. Used them for years and never had a problem. I don’t know why people use the ones that need tools to install or remove.
Used sram links, Kmc links and a connex link. All work relatively easy after opening and closing a few times. Tried some no name cheap 11spd links. Like 70cents/piece cheap. They open and lock way easier, but also get bent easier and don't last as long IME. Connex ones last...well pretty much forever and are easy AF to use.
Pro tip for the frustrated. If you're using a cheap link, like one that came with a cheap chain tool, you may be struggling against poor tolerance/finish. I took several hours fiddling around with mine. Then I went over the flat surfaces with a small piece of 600 grit sandpaper. After that I was able to mate the link and snap it into place witho
He is was pedalling, using his hand, backwards, so it made it unnecessarily misleading. The direction the chain travels going forward should match the arrow.
The "uncomfortable" methods and tools are easily useable after wrapping fabric around them or putting fabric between your hands and whatever digs into your hands. A hand towel works the best for me for it's bulky thickness.
Should also highlight that the width of the link should match manufacturer specifications. Connex 11 links are 0.1mm wider than Campagnolo 11 speed chains causing all sorts of shifting problems. You'll save yourself a lot of headache if you make sure the links are the right size.
There are diffrences in 8 x 9 sp chains ( 8 sp are 7.1 or 7.3 mm pin - they need diffrent links, simmilar situation in 9 sp chains. Shimano and kmc are 6,6 mm but sram has 6,8 mm pin. So, this video ( and knowledge ) is very poor.
Incredibly helpful. tried everything to get the quick link to come together after fitting a new chain. Nothing! couple minutes on your video and standing on the pedal and POP.
Exactly man. The old 'push links out' chains were far better. These quick links are an F'ing disaster. Admittedly I didn't have the connecting tool so after ten minutes of sounding like Gordon Ramsay with tourettes. I threw the quick link to fuck. Pushed a pin link off another chain and joined it that way
Wow that’s such a good idea, I don’t have the tools but you can for sure force them to snap in place with the pedals. I spent an hour trying to get them links in place and I gave up, but I’ll used your method if not fuck it, I’m getting the pliers lol
Is it necessary to fit rollers to the quick link? the one I bought does not include the chain rollers. Every link in the chain has a roller on the pins so it would seem to make sense for the quick link to have them. Any advice? thanks.
The SRAM links are supposed to be directional, but on both sides of the link the arrow points toward the pin, so when installed the arrow is pointing one direction on the right side of the chain, the other way on the left side. So does it really matter? I carry KMC link on rides just in case and those things are not directional and slide into place by hand. Seems too easy but they get you home in a pinch.
1:07 this is slightly confusing - you say the missing link should point in the direction of travel, but the video shows the chain being pedalled backwards! Could easily be misinterpreted.
Respect. However on several link you only need to position the link on the crank so that it's lifted (like a wave) and then tap it with whatever is at end. Voilà, it's open.
My pin went in great but now the little nub hanging out of link. Its small enough that its hard to grip with needle nose pliers to snap it off. Any suggestions? Thanks
Have you tried the technique shown in the video of putting the new quick link at the top, putting the breaks on and standing on the pedal to use the force of that to pull the link closed?
You made it look so simple. Don't think it shows in the video. But you need to bend the link with the pins inwards. Doesn't need too much force for the pin head to to slide into the hole.
the new quck UG50 is incredibly dificult to use on a new chain. I have bought spare quick links which havetwo identical halves. Dont use the new design.
I just realized that he was pedaling backwards. That's why the arrow was going backwards. When you're riding, though, the bottom of the chain will be going the other way and so will the arrow.
Thanks for info. btw: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I really appreciate this. The reason I looked for this video was because,, whilst stripping down a very old Raleigh 531, I couldn’t find the standard split link until I noticed an odd looking link which was clearly some new-fangled way of doing things. Can someone out there please tell me why this Shimano link is necessary. I’m 60 and have been stripping bikes for 52 of them. I never had a “U”- type spring clip split link fail on me, and it was dead easy to remove and replace. Now you need a special tool. What gives? I think I already know.....
