Sram Powerlock Connector Chain Links for Eagle 12 Speed Chains (1 x Chain Link)

Product Information

Now, to get on with the show, an important question (read to the end to find out why it’s important) came in from retired RoadBikeRider founder and Team RAAM record holder, Ed Pavelka. Since he handed over the RBR reins almost exactly eight years ago, Ed, now 72, moved south and still rides lots, averaging 12,000 miles a year. “It’s more fun during Florida’s winters than in its long hot summers,” he notes. Ed’s Important Question Since the cassettes on modern bikes are equally wide from 8 to 12 speeds, the chain has to get thinner on denser cassettes or its outer links will rub against the adjacent cogs.

While Wippermann Connex and just about all 8 and 9-speed links can be removed by hand, the rest require an element (or a lot!) of force. A dedicated tool is worth owning if you plan on re-using a link. There’s no shortage of master link pliers on the market. I tried and compared all that are pictured. Note how the Park Tool on the left features jaws designed to open and close links, while the Topeak on the right can only be used to squeeze (open) links. The Unior (right) was the highest quality tool tested and a pleasure to use, but it’s only good for opening links.

Industry proved

Those with older eight or nine-speed chains should find success with using KMC, SRAM or Wippermann links on just about any chain of the same speed. For that reason, you may experience some stiffness, but it shouldn’t be too noticeable nor a problem. Universal Chain Links

Great question, Ed! I wasn’t 100% sure myself, because I have reused about every connecting link going. So I decided to go straight to SRAM for an answer. I reached out to Road Marketing Technical Rep, Nate Newton through SRAM’s online link Newer 11 and 12-speed links are much the same as those 10-speed links, and most are designed to be closed once. Shimano, SRAM and KMC (one variant) sit in the “non-reusable” corner and recommend replacement if removed. However, there are endless reports of people who have successfully reused these links without issue, myself included. If you’re willing to chance it, then pay close attention to the force required to install the link. As Win Allen suggests, “I have reused the Shimano link with much success, but only if it still has a tight fit when re-installing it. If there is any question it gets replaced.” It’s still too early to tell about absolute cross-compatibility for newer 12-speed links, however, Adam Kerin of Zero Friction Cycling suggests he has customers using SRAM Eagle 12-speed links (a mountain bike product) with Campagnolo 12-speed chains without issue. According to Kerin, “SRAM Eagle chains are 5.26mm wide, Campagnolo 12-speed are 5.15mm, seems the 0.11mm difference is fine.”Bicycle chains’ width differs according to the number of speeds that the bike has. More speeds require a narrower chain because there are more cogs on the cassette/freewheel. Note: Wippermann has a unique re-usable “Connex” link that does not require any force to close. See our video above or Wippermann’s instructions for correct use.