Accidentally removed a pin 1 link set early. Can I use a pin to provide the links needed or is the chain trash? This bike sees daily use along with cross races, gravel and light single track. Prefer the safe route/avoiding increased chances of chain failure. It’s a quick link equiped Shimano chain that I messed up. Thank you.
HI @Michael_Mccarraher if you’re on an 11-speed setup (or lower), you can easily get away with re-adding the remaining links using a connecting pin (see pages 68 and onwards, in the pdf in the link below), and removing the intended amount. If you’re on a 12-speed setup, then Shimano doesn’t really produce pins for those anymore, so your only option is an additional quick link. The use of multiple quick links can be pretty divisive, but ymmv.
What I’ve done in such circumstances is just to use an additional quick link. I’ve had zero problems with that. Indeed, there are videos of people making an entire chain out of quick links, and that works (although it’s an expensive way to make a chain!)
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Have done this on both 10-speed and 11-speed (don’t ask why I made the same error twice) and worked out OK with no noticeable issues during use
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Have done this on 12-speed Eagle and not had any issues. I think Seth’s bikehacks on youtube tested a chain made entirely from 12-speed quicklinks without an issue.
The issue with having multiple quick links on a single chain is knowing which one is the one to break; else they’ll all wear randomly, increasing the risk of chain breakage mid-ride…
Yeah sure. SRAM links do have a tiny number on the side that you can write down somewhere to help you remember which not to break but not ideal if you are out on a ride.
I reuse my links. When they stop “clicking” together I replace them.
I’ve been using quick links for years and break them for chain waxing. Against advice. I’ve never had one separate or break - ever. I’m probably tempting fate but it’s never happened to me.
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For me, I avoid anything more than 2 pairs of quick links per chain, and even then, it’s usually only when a quick-linked chain breaks mid-ride. I’ve found, with my abysmal memory, anything more than 2 pairs of quick links and I’m liable to forget which is the pair that I’d break when waxing, etc.
I just mark the quick link that I never want to remove with an X with permanent marker. Works well and stays on for hundreds of miles and wax jobs…
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