Bicycle Chain Master Links: Tips & Tricks KMC Shimano SRAM

Bicycle Chain Master Link Tips
00:07 Chain Orientation (directional vs non-directional)
01:14 Master Link Orientation - Directional
01:51 Master Link Orientation - Non-Directional
02:15 Lubrication of Master Link Pins
02:24 How to Install Master Link
04:09 Connex Master Link Reference
04:23 One time use Master Links
04:35 Re-usable KMC Master Links
05:34 How many times is "re-usable"
06:26 Removing a "re-usable" Master Link

We look at some tips for using a master link (also called a quick link) when installing or replacing bicycle chain. The same procedure is used for a road bike, mountain bike, touring or single speed.
1. First note the when you install or replace a bike chain, some directional, i.e., they will have writing only on one side which should face toward you. This may be due to the fact that the chain is asymmetric allowing it to slide more easily on the ramps of the cassette cogs. Check the instructional insert that comes with the chain. Other chains are identical on the front and back and are therefore not directional and can be installed with either side facing you.
2. The master link may also be directional. It may have writing only on one side which should face toward you or it may have an arrow such as seen on this 11 speed SRAM master link. The link should be placed on the chain such that the arrow of the plate FACING YOU points in the direction of chain movement.
3. A KMC master link has no arrow and the 2 parts of the link are identical such that either side can face you and you need not be concerned about direction.
4. After installing the correct length of chain and chain hook (see our video on chain installation and chain replacement), apply a drop of light lubricant to the pins of the master link and install on the chain keeping in mind what we mentioned above about direction.
5. Carefully remove the chain hook, turn the pedal slowly as you shift to the large chain ring. Grab the brakes and push down on the pedal to get the master link pins to move from the inner portion of the link toward the outer part of the link. You'll hear it snap in place. Check that both side of the master link pins are engaged properly at the outer part of the link.
6. Reference for using a Connex Master Link. Note: For Connex master links see our video. These can be easily installed and removed by hand and are made for a number of different chains and speeds. On certain chain they can be a little noisy but work excellently.
7. Most master links that come with your chain are for one time use only. That is that they should not be removed and replaced during the life of the chain.
8. If your chain does not come with a master link (some Shimano chains come with a special rivet) or you wish to remove the chain at intervals for cleaning, KMC makes re-usable master links for all speed chains (Shimano, SRAM, KMC and even Campagnolo). Be sure to buy the correct master link (chain compatibly) that is compatible with the speed and make of the chain you're installing. When we say removable, we mean it can be removed and replaced during the lift of the chain but should be discarded when the chain is worn.
9. KMC does not state the number of times the masterlink can be reused during the life of the chain. We at tony10speed prefer to clean the chain while it's on the bike. However, should you decide to remove the chain for cleaning by removing the master link, we suggest you keep it to a minimum (3 times is our preference during the life of the chain). Be sure to replace the masterlink chain link when the chain is worn and time for chain replacement.
10. Some master links (for SRAM 9 speed chain and some KMC 9 and 10 speed chain) can be installed and removed without special tools. However, most 11 speed link that fit 11 speed chain and 12 speed link, fit very tightly and can not be removed even with the trick of using an old cable or shoe lace wrapped around the link as shown in some videos. Here you'll need an additional tool for missing link removal. I prefer the Park Master Link Tool MLP-1.2 (missing link removal tool). We show you how to use this missing link removal tool,. It also can be used for master link installation.

[joeschmoe]

Bringing the link to the top in the big chain ring is what finally got the link to snap into place. Thanks for the tip!

[steve.b.]

I'm replacing the chainring, chain and cassette on my pavement pounder/commuter this weekend. This video came along just in time! Thank you.

[BillGunn-mq]

MANY thanks Tony. Every second of it interesting and informative. Even just having a short piece of wire to hold my chain together (while I worked on it) saved me an hour of frustration. Thank you !

[char]

Thank you Tony. Your video was helpful to a guy who hasn't worked on a bicycle in decades.

[Cyclingbrian]

Thanks for the video. I haven’t had to use a power lock in a while and was trying hard to squeeze the link and slide them together (for a 11 speed). It’s a simple procedure but it would not slide together. Your instructions regarding using the brakes and pressing on the pedal solved the mystery. Now locked in.

[matthewcrockatt]

This is a brilliant video! What a great tip for fitting a quick link without specialised tools - this is what YouTube is all about.

[laurengoebel]

Great tip for locking the new master link! I was pulling and pulling and pulling on the master link tool to no avail. One firm press on the pedal with the brake engaged and "click!"

[owenomalley]

I was really struggling to get this to fit and this trick worked! Thank you so much for the video.

[derelictxci]

Thank you sir! I was stumped on how to fully lock the link together.

[LALNatalieG]

Thank you! Just the detail I needed to see regarding the master link, which most all of the other videos I reviewed glossed over. Very helpful for a first timer!

[eduardvanderhoeven]

Thanks Tony. I ordered quick links and did not managed, to get it fixed on the chain. After i did see the example ( oil on quick links plus the push down on the pedal, it did work.
Thanks a lot Tony. It saved me money but also feels great i fixed the chain on the bike. As you advised: i checked how the quick link fits correctly.
Greetings from Holland

[tykem]

OMG that pedal trick worked like a dream...thank you! i was about to blow my back out trying to set the master link....thank you!!

[knkaboy]

I spent hours to fit this in and Tony's trick has worked in a minute. Thank you for this video! It is greatly appreciated!

[HeyGuy]

I’ve learned a lot by binging on your uploads. Thank you much

[vmao]

Brilliant way of installing the master links. Thank you!

[Reddit-Riff]

Thank you for the tip on installing the chain link; it was very helpful.

[nivea]

Perfect explanation, many thanks for this!

[sidshel]

I know its a few years late to comment. however something people don't know is that if you push the sides of the link to each other it makes it very easy to install and remove. I never have to use a tool since I learned this

[AlexHatlevig]

Thanks so much! I’m learning how to do my own bike maintenance and this really helped me out!

[carltonarts]

Very good video. Very neat trick using metal wire for holding the chain while working on it.