How to remove a SRAM Powerlink without tools in seconds (not suitable for PowerLOCK links) 

Got to love these videos! My road bike has an Sram chain with Powerlink on it, and it was installed by my local bike shop. I wanted to find out how it goes together and comes apart because I'm planning on upgrading the derailleur. After five minutes of pulling and pushing I decided to do a search for info, and found your video. Went back outside and had it apart in seconds. Thanks, MTBtips!

you can also use an oxy-acetylene torch to remove it, or cut the frame in half - whatever is bothering you, torch it.

Been faffing for an hour and no RU-vid videos said to squeeze. So easy thanks, such an important point. Just with my fingers. 🙏❤️🙏

Snapped a chain on tonights ride. Was about to call it quits until I saw your video. Your advice was a ridesaver! Thanks.

Lifesaver! Some fella was telling me to use pliers on alternate sides of the link. Tried for ages, nearly wrecked the chain! Cheers

Saved my life and so much frustration!!! ❤ thank you from 2024!! 😊

Had this on my 15 year old mountain bike. Removed and cleaned today - first time. Not quite as easy as you show but glad I know for next time. Also reminder that there is inner and outer link to ensure it is under tension correctly. Ordered a few replacements.

Everyone shows how to remove powerlink on superclean or even new chains, which is no big deal at all. Let chain settle for approx. 500km ride in harsh environment and let dirt stuck in links; for chain cleaning use only usual chain cleaner, nothing more. Then try remove powerlink again. Stuck, right?

Jeez you make that look so easy, I struggled and cursed and damaged a pair of pliers over half an hour trying to get my power link off earlier today!

Thank you so much for this video. I've been trying for the last hour to get this apart and in 30 seconds the chain is off, even with arthritis in my hands. Thanks again.

Yep, that was the problem, Stan. The black SRAM links are 'Powerlocks', not Powerlinks. Powerlocks are 10 speed and are a one-time use item, which can only be removed by chain tool (or grinder, bolt cutters, blow torch as others have suggested!) Silver and gold coloured 7, 8 and 9 speed 'Powerlinks' are the only removable SRAM links. Cheers! ~ Chris

This does not work for 10 speed chain. It locks so stiff.

Thank you! After messing with it trying to forcefully push links together, now I know the trick!

This worked for me, after I used a pair of pliers and a screwdriver. Convinced to buy the master lock tool.

I just threaded the chain, connected it and then realised the chain route was wrong. I had no idea how to separate it. Great Information

Powerlinks are available for 7, 8 & 9 speed bike chains. Then there's the PowerLock for 10 speed set-ups. Your local bike shop should have some Powerlinks in stock. If not they should be able to order them in, or you can order them online from any of the big online bike shops. :)

THANK YOU. My bike chain came with one of these and for the life of me I couldn't figure it out. Never would have thought you have to pinch it.

Thanks man! I saw this video right before i gave up with my wrong chain and i couldn't open it again! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

chain degreaser and gentle squeeze did it! thanks a million, didn't need to use violence on nearby guilty objects

A little trickier with greasy hands and chain but still a lot easier than trying to split the chain the traditional way which is what I was about to do before I saw this vid. Thank you and have a like.

It helped me to understand the concept ( min 1:16 ) but mine was so stuck I had to use thin pliers to press both sides together, had also tried to insert 2 small screwdrivers and push them together, still could not get enough pressure on those pins to slide ..Thanks !

it worked as u explained after i tried hard with plyers and not opening.. Thanks mate!

Fantastic - I couldn't get powerlink off no matter how hard I tried - until I saw this vid! Thank you.

SRAM changed the design of their master links when they went from nine to 10 (and now up to 11) cogs. The reduction in chain width from nine to 10-speed necessitated a redesign of SRAM’s master link. Eight- and nine-speed chains use a PowerLink, which can be reused. SRAM's 10 and 11-speed master links are called PowerLocks and are not to be reused.

Brilliant, glad I checked youtube before getting brutal on it

Holy flip, this actually works! SRAM PC-951 chain. Thanks!

Tried for 10 Minutes with a pair of thin nose pliers to no avail, googled this and then back to the bike, 1 minute later with no tools it was off. Many thanks.

thanks, great video. I was confused at first until i saw your reply below - its worth highlighting (again and again, as I keep forgetting) that as you say this is the correct advice for the powerlink (gold) As you say below, the SRAM powerlock (black) is different (one time use, not removable by hand). Part of the confusion maybe that SRAM often supply new chains with the powerlock, and folks find videos like this, but its on a different link That said, after using the chain for a while I find even the powerlink is hard to remove by hand, so buying the special link pliers to open the link may be worth it

Worked on well used PC-951 on a road bike that saw many hill climbs. Thanks!

Excellent, John. Good to hear. You're more likely to look after your chain better, now that it's easier to clean. Enjoy. ~ Chris

Thank you so much. I had so much trouble with my link since I mounted the chain incorrectly. I found the technique as I loosened the chain and got the link off with my fingers.

Had a new chain on too loose and thought it was a lost cause until I watched this video. Thanks!

I'm on the trail and this really helped me out thanks

Well I was pissin around for about half hour trying to undo this the other day, many thanks for the vid !!

This is the trick, I had to replace an old Sram PC-850 (8-speed chain) which came with a powerlink. I couldn't get it off and I had the chain tool handy so I could size the new chain correctly so I just used the chain tool on an ordinary link which of course worked. Later I tried all kinds of tools and tricks to get the old powerlink apart and it seemed to be stuck fast. Then I found this video and tried the "squeeze" technique and it popped apart using only my bare hands.

This just save me a pile of time moving the chain to a new frame. Well done. Thanks

I remember when this was possible. with a 9-speed chain.

you sir are a god right now. thank you so much.

Thank you. Very informative. You saved me the expense of that 'special' tool they tried to sell me at the bike shop. :)

Thanks so much, had tried various cables, wires and tricks to pull the parts together..who knew I had a SRAM link like this. Still, was not as easy on mine as you showed but it did finally work!! THX :)

@mtbtips Your right it is a black link on a 10 speed hollow link chain. I'll have them do that if they can. Thanks.

Yep. Solid advice. Clean the chain as much as you can first otherwise you're only making hard work for yourself, Groovers. ~ Chris

Thanks for the tip,very useful. I found this video very handy and straight after watching was able to do this to my downhill bike.

Thanks ! Never done this before. I ended up dismantling my full suspension bike to try to get the chain off 😄 🤣 should have watched this video first 🙈

Jeez was at this f'kn thing for 20mins trying to get it loose before YT saved me. Thanks Chris!

That work unless the chain is dirty, before you try that chain must be super clean. Any grain of sand or grim in between the link is gonna make it hard or impossible to remove without the tool.

@mtbtips thanks! I did find that out though never got around to posting back! Normally I always over estimate the chain and then take out a link or two later utilizing the powerlink. So this time that idea was a bit of a waste. Taking a link out and relinking it always creates a weak point in my book. Shame with a new chain.

I want to give you a high five or a hug. Your choice. THANK YOU

A big THANKS from Germany.

Thanks so much, removed and added a chain in minutes!

Mate, if you can't access proper chain cleaner (which is a bit of a luxury and a rip-off anyway) just use diesel, mineral turps, kerosene, or methylated spirits. Just be sure there's no flame or sparks nearby :D Most dishwashing liquid works well, too - that's usually only two rooms away! But you need to get rid of any residue, so always wash the solvent out of the chain afterwards a couple of times with slightly soapy water, then final water only rinse and sun dry before lube. Cheers ~ Chris

this is not for 10 speed or 11 speed chains, i can say first hand it will not work on 11 speed. kmc's 10 speed chains are removable by hand with some serious twisting/squeezing, but sram's powerlink's no go, best bet is to get channel locks or vice grips, fold a link over and pinch it in a way to separate the two

Clutch my man. 10 seconds if not less!!!

Thank You Man, winter time is good for take care. all goods from Poland

the best bike tip yet. thanks man.

thanks mate just saved me hours of pain...

@thegallery The ten speed black SRAM links are 'Powerlocks'. You can't undo them guys. You can only undo the 7 - 9 speed 'Powerlinks'. ;)

omg... dude thanks a lot... i was going mad trying to open that link

thanks!!! that was a nice short instructional, just did what you said, worked fine.

Man and I was monkeying around with pliers for minutes! Thanks for the tip :)

worked with ten speed kmc quicklink, 11speed now it does not budge

That's what you need to do for a PowerLock (Black - 10-speed). You shouldn't need to do it for a Powerlink (7, 8 and 9 speed links) as you could damage the link, but hey, if you're stuck that method will work. Cheers! ~ Chris

Works. Squeeze. Rub. Freedom.

Cut both ends of a spare spoke, push it through the chain to compress the link from both sides and squeeze by hand. cheaper than the park tool and way faster than fighting it..... if you can master the movements

excellent video that saves a lot of time.

thank you man, was starting to get crazy over here haha

Great video. I am in the process of replacing my original chain (a bit rusted though well lubed) for a new one with the powerlink in order for easy removal for cleaning. What solvent would you recommend for cleaning the chain? I read about too many options on the internet from mineral spirit to diesel or kerosene. Which one would you recomend? hardware stores don't sell chain degreasers where I live, and I haven't heard of kerosen either.

Helpful video, thanks!

Best how to remove a powerlink vid! Thanks

Thank you...thank you! This tip made my night!

So is your bike a 9 speed? How do I choose how many speeds when buying a sram powerlink for my bike?

Fantastic!! Thank you so much

Best tip ever. Thanks!

Nice tip, next challenge is to remove it without getting your hands dirty, cheers

@repairdrive Bummer. I'm guessing yours is not a gold 9 speed Powerlink that the video is designed for?? Sounds like you have one of the black ones that lock instead of link. When the shop gets it off have them replace it with a removable gold one.

is there something Im missing here?, sram pc830 chain with power link, mine wont budge, pushing them together with fingers - nothing, then with pliers either. I notice that in the video the guy was able to put the link back the sameway, when I installed mine I had to put pressure on the chain to get it to click in........

Thanks, that was so much easier after watching your video😊

My thoughts: this seems like bs but i'll give it a go. No way it's that easy. HOT DAMN IT WORKS! You little beauty!

brilliant, cheers buddy. just gonna try that now!

DIsnae work Chief. Youve got Holy Hauns.

This is how my old chain worked (took me a while to realize you have to squeeze them). The master links on my new chain have a bump that locks them and makes this impossible to do :(And worst thing is, the chain is too long and I don't have tools to shorten it nor to open it and put the old one back.

thank you. easier than i made it out to be

So ive had a hard time getting the link to lock, had to wiggle and use quite some force and then couldnt remove it. Now ive used a chainbraker to get it off again and refitted a new powerlink. Seems this new one goes on and off very easy like it should so for everyone struggling there might be some bad batches of these powerlinks.

Hi how do you find out what size you need for your MTB. Without having to take it to a store to find out ??

Does this work with kmc 10 speed chain power link because mine won't move at all when I try this, thanks

thank you so very much...if you're ever in indianapolis...drinks are on me.....

@repairdrive yeah I'm squeezing and feel like my fingers are going to rip apart, but I can't budge the black 10 speed one.

thank you thank you thank you for taking the time to save me alot of time. .

Thank you so much, it works

so easy when you know.. thanks!!

Awesome, worked great

nice video. great presentation!

Get the KMC 10speed master links. They work well and are easily removable.

Great video. Perfect.

Thank you for Showing that its very usefull

were can i get one of them and are they ok on any bikes ?

You're a star, many thanks!

I cant get that to work even with pliers mate. Need more detail ... pc951 power link

Does this work with the KMC master link, too?

Awesome. Ride = Saved. ~ Chris