Dura-ace/xtr Chain Cn7701 ?????

[Rat]

I use "Finish Line cross country Wet" I tried their dry lube but it doesn't seem to work as well or last as long.

I know people can't really answer about the degreaser as I don't know what's in it. But AFAIK spray on degreasers should be ok, they seem to be fairly commonly used when I search google for "mtb chain cleaning".

O.K. your starting to talk me round with the connecting link

So generally do you put one connecting link in the chain for cleaning removal, and carry another spare connecting link for repairs on the trail in case of a broken chain ?

 

[Cave Dweller]

I use "Finish Line cross country Wet" I tried their dry lube but it doesn't seem to work as well or last as long.

I know people can't really answer about the degreaser as I don't know what's in it. But AFAIK spray on degreasers should be ok, they seem to be fairly commonly used when I search google for "mtb chain cleaning".

O.K. your starting to talk me round with the connecting link

So generally do you put one connecting link in the chain for cleaning removal, and carry another spare connecting link for repairs on the trail in case of a broken chain ?

Yep.

You should buy a new connecting link each time you change the chain, so you end up with spares.

I carry a spare joinging link incase it breaks, 2 or 3 shimano joining pins, 4 links of chain, chain breaker and pliers to remove the end of the pin. I carry all that in a little pounch in my camel back when DH'ing or XC'ing.

If you chain snaps it is better to replace with proper chain and pins, i wouldn't want to run any more joining links then is required, they are the weakest link in the chain.

 

[Rat]

i wouldn't want to run any more joining links then is required, they are the weakest link in the chain.

Well wouldn't no more than required = none ? As you say they are the weakest link.

ATM I clean my old chain on the bike and don't use a connecting link. I have upgraded my chain for a better/stronger one so I hopefully don't break it while racing, not that I ever had any trouble with the old one. Yet everyone is recommending that I put a weak link in it on purpose prior to it breaking.

Ahhhhh, now I'm talking myself out of a connecting link again LOL

I think maybe I'm beyond help, woot I'm a teapot

 

[cam-o]

This thread has come along at a great time for me.
I just minced a SRAM 9spd chain and have bought (but not yet installed) a Shimano HG to replace it. Any idea if I can put the SRAM quick link into the shimano chain? chain width and pin size the same?

 

[wombat]

they are the weakest link in the chain.

It's funny that you mention this actually.
Am I the only one who has broken plenty of chains, but never broken a joining link?

 

[Cave Dweller]

It's funny that you mention this actually.
Am I the only one who has broken plenty of chains, but never broken a joining link?

I have never snapped an xtr chain but it did come undone at the connex link. I always check my chains for stretch and change before they get bad, so that is probably why i haven't broken one yet.

I could only find half of the connex link when it happened (that took a good 10 mins of looking on the ground) and it didn't look broken. My assumption is that it just came undone. I was going through a very rocky section at that stage, it is possible that the chain got slack enough that it went backwards against itself and disengaged.

Anyway, it has only happened once and i am still happy to use them, but i would only use 1 per chain.

 

[udi]

I've been using a KMC joiner link for the last 6 months or more, and it's nice because it's not a funky shape like the Wippermann... it's the same shape as a normal link. You do need pliers to unclip it though, not sure if the wip and sram are tool free?

In the 6 months i've used it I haven't had any issues whatsoever - no breakages, no coming undone, nothing. My friend who uses the same one did have it come undone on one run but I suspect it might have been an install issue, or just the same as what CD mentioned - going through really rocky section etc.

Rat - I think the biggest advantage is how easy it is to take off and clean, and because it's so easy you'll do it more, and extend the life of the chain. A clean drivetrain also = smoother and crisper shifts, and less likely for stuff to go wrong. I am also VERY pessimistic about getting ANYTHING on my discs so I would hate to have to clean the chain on the bike - taking it off means you completely eliminate that issue.

camo - Yes, the sram joiner link will work fine with the shimano chain. If any dramas, grab a KMC - $6 or so.