How to use chain quick links: Pro tips for removing and installing a chain with a joining link

Make chain removal and installation an absolute cinch by using a quick-link.

While using a chain tool is the traditional way of removing or installing a chain that method has its pitfalls and a badly joined chain can be extremely dangerous if it fails.

A chain joining link, or quick link, takes away any uncertainty resulting in a flawless connection every time, quickly and requires no specialist tools. They are perfect for quick and easy roadside/trailside repairs too.

Check out our guide to using a quick link, removing and installing a chain.

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[jeffreycolindavies]

I fiddled with my chain for an hour before resorting to looking at this video on YouTube. It took me three minutes to fit it having seen how to do it by a professional thank you very much indeed

[Bye]

Super tip for reassembly. I would have missed my Saturday morning ride had it not been for this video. Thanks!

[edwardjereb]

Bravo! I struggled for over an hour trying to install a quick link. Then you came along with your funny little tension reducing tool and your method of using pedal leverage to close the link. I watched and rewatched another video where the presenter authoritatively directed me to use the pliers designed to remove the quick link to install it. He even smoothly showed a video of such. Thank you for allowing me to rehab a very nice mountain bike to add to my stable.

[jflee]

I have thought I’d made a mistake when sizing my new chain. I followed park tool’s instructions, but it looked like I’d cut it too short. When you mentioned putting the chain on the smaller cog, I found out that my chain was easy to connect and actually was sized correctly. Thanks so much!

[tomjoad]

thanks for clear way of explaining of how to install that "quick link".

[boldclub-dg]

👏Excellent explanations and video. I watched several other videos, but most of them either missed an important part or didn't know how to explain it. Thank you for making my day with your clear instructions on changing to quick links. 👍

[davidbolton]

Using the pedals as leverage to fully lock the link is a great tip. Must easier and more effective than the Master Link pliers. Thx!

[THX]

Thanks for breaking the chains of my ignorance on this subject.
Full speed ahead Captain❤❤😂

[cchemmes-seeseeart]

A long twistie tie can also be used to hold the chain ends, leaving a few links on either side to drop down. My quick link slid in place just while rotating it to the top. I sensed there would likely be some expert tip to do this the EZ way... sure enough. Great video. Blessings. Peace. Love wins. God is good.

[davidpotts]

Great tutorial..my first attempt without paying the bike shop..thanks 👍

[larrymendoza]

Thanks! Great video - I couldn't figure it how to do the final lock (I thought I was the Weak Link 😉 but the pedals proved I was wrong!

[Mazon]

Great video, the rotation direction indikator on the link help me 😊

[larsh]

Excellent video. Just ruined the outer plate on a chain replacement using the old pin style connections. Will defintely change to quick-links instead.

[rodb]

Tried using the pliers and was taking too much effort. Glad I found this video.

[canica]

Thank you so much for this video...it was the best explanation regarding the chain installation and how to lock the quick link...really appreciate it. Got yourself a subscriber. Cheers...

[johnryan]

Awesome. Just setting up my zwift with a new chain.

[spsallidas]

Great clear video thanks! But can you explain how you can use a quick-link if your chain breaks on the road? Presumably it won't have broken *at* the quick-link, so would you need an old-skool chain-splitting tool to get the remains of the snapped link off the chain?

[DaveGoodrumMusic]

Amateur tip here. If you need to take it apart, but don't have the special tool (his joining link plyers at 6:07 mark) to squeeze together, you can try to use needle nose plyers instead of the joining link plyers. But they will slip out constantly and you can hurt yourself pretty badly. Instead, just take a small piece of nylon string and thread it into the chain around the two chain pins (thread through the spots where the joining link plyers normally would go in), and tie the ends together to make a loop. Then tighten the string by twisting an allen wrench or some other metal tool until the links squeeze together to free themselves. Voila.

[jonunwin]

Thanks, that was very clear and easy to follow 👍

[etiennerobert]

Thanks for the tips ! I didn't have the good plier 🙏🏻😉