SRAM Power Links?

[pirate]

So, I broke my chain last night at Patapsco, and had to add another Power Link to fix it. It worked fine and all, but it got me thinking... Is there a limit to the number of Power Links you should have in your chain, before you throw in the towel and get a new one?

[dcraider]

So, I broke my chain last night at Patapsco, and had to add another Power Link to fix it. It worked fine and all, but it got me thinking... Is there a limit to the number of Power Links you should have in your chain, before you throw in the towel and get a new one?

Two may be too many?! I'm sure if you contacted SRAM customer service they'd tell you to buy another chain. If it were me I'd make the entire chain out of powerlinks.

If your chain is old, based on the number of miles, you may wanto to replace it. Otherwise ride it until it breaks again and see if it will hold another link. Afterwards if it continues to break, replace it.**

**This happens to be my opinion, others will tell you to buy a new bike, probably a 29er singlespeed.

[Dirt]

It is definitely time for a fully rigid 29er single speed. SRAM power links are nothing more than a cry for help. ;)

BUT SERIOUSLY FOLKS....

I don't think I've ever seen a SRAM power link fail. I imagine there is a downside to having too many on your chain, but I never encountered one. When I was riding a gearie, I had a stretch of time when I was snapping chains all the time. (long story... it was a weird shifter setup). By the time I figured it all out and I stopped snapping chains, I had 6 power links on that chain. I rode it for close to 400 miles before I switched the bike back to a single speed. You're welcome to borrow that chain if you want to. Just return it when you're done. ;)

Pete

[hophead]

I had one break on me at Lodi. Of course, the only time I forgot to bring a spare along (pounding head on desk) and it was a night lap. I guess that's not too bad considering that I've used them for years and have them on all of my bikes. Eventually one had to break.

Oops, I lied. No powerlink on the road frankensinglespeed.

[redneckp3ngu1n]

The only disadvantage i can really see is that they may streach more than normal links. Im not positive but they seem to use alittle less material than normal links which may make them streach more.

[hophead]

The only disadvantage i can really see is that they may streach more than normal links. Im not positive but they seem to use alittle less material than normal links which may make them streach more.
Cyclists often speak of chain "stretch", as if the side plates of an old chain were pulled out of shape by the repeated stresses of pedaling. This is not actually how chains elongate. The major cause of chain "stretch" is wearing away of the metal where the rivet rotates inside of the bushing (or the "bushing" part of the inside plate) as the chain links flex and straighten as the chain goes onto and off of the sprockets. If you take apart an old, worn out chain, you can easily see the little notches worn into the sides of the rivets by the inside edges of the bushings. With bushingless chains, the inside edge of the side plate hole that rubs against the rivet has a smooth radius instead of a sharp corner. This probably contributes to the greater durability of bushingless chains.

-Sheldon Brown

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

[redneckp3ngu1n]

Thanks for enlightening me on what chain stretch actually is hophead :)

[liltommy]

I decided to revive this thread rather than start a new one.

This was wierd.
At the Catherine Furnace ride ,I had, what I thought was my chain break. I saw though that the power link had just come apart. It didn't break, it just wasn't connected togather anymore. It looked fine but rather than chance it I replaced it with a new one I was carrying. An hour later I had the same thing happen to the new one.

I've never had this happen before and am wondering if it was the particular way I was riding out there. I was using my small chain ring (which I hardly use) and am powering up over the rocks. I rarely ever get out to play on rocks and am wondering if the style I use is bad for a power link.

Yeah. I know. Sounds like BS but I've never had one do this before and for it to happen twice on 1 ride is wierd.

Anybody?

Tommy

[Squirrel Girl]

Tommy, you're just plain weird.

OK, now that we've cleared that up. ;)

Thanks for giving me one chance to get just a few minutes ahead of somebody during the entire day.

Seriously, curious question. I wonder what the answer really is.

[dirtychain]

I know with the PC1 SS chain you have to be sure to install the plate "completely" into the grooves in the pins or the plate can pop off. I know this from a hasty trailside repair and subsequent "plate pop off". I hate plate pop off :mad:

[rmac]

I've got a least 3 & maybe 4 powerlinks in my current chain. When I finally get around to replacing it (obviously worn out), I hope I remember to pull the p-links & throw them back into the camelback.

[jabberwocky]

The only times I've broken a powerlink has been trying to shift under power. It seems that if the link is near the derailleur when you that (and therefore gets a lot of sideways force) they will pop apart. But I've broken regular links doing the same thing. If you shift under power, you will break chains.

One thing riding a singlespeed has helped me with is chain breakage. I started riding my Wily around this time last year, and I don't think I've broken a chain since then. When I find myself in a position where I'm in too high a gear now, I tend to stand and mash rather than trying to downshift. So I seem to be easier on chains. I'm also a bit lighter, which probably helps too.

[middle-ring]

Power links are bomb proof...must be user error.

[liltommy]

When the links came apart I wasn't trying to shift, just trying to heave all of my 240lbs into 1 stroke. This was the first time that I've ever had a chain come apart on me on the trail. I can't say it broke cause it really didn't.

seeyall