[Matt D]

Are Shimano chains compatible with SRAM Power Links?

QBP says for Power Links "2000-2002 SRAM chains only," but I'm not sure if that's BS or not. For instance, I believe it's KMC that makes a Power Link ripoff for 6.6 mm chains (9spd). Aren't both SRAM and Shimano 6.6 mm?

With this in mind, Power Links *should* work, right?

 

[DßR]

yeah, i'm pretty sure they do work. I haven't done it myself but there's a lot of dudes on here who have, and say it works fine...

 

[zane]

I know people who've done it, and I'm going to get a power link today for my shimano chain. Hopefully it works, I'll post the results when I'm done.

 

[Old_Dude]

On my road bike I have a Shimano chain & it works great with the SRAM PowerLink - zero problems.

 

[Matt D]

Thanks guys, that's what I figured. I'll try it on my trailbike first and get some miles on it before putting one on my DH bike. I'd rather find out on XC trails it doesn't work than finding out right before some hard pedals before a rock drop.

 

[zane]

Update- I just put a power link in my 9 sp shimano chain, works just fine and dandy like cotton candy. And I can take off my chain really easily now.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Well, as an experiment, I tried a Power Link on my Shimano SG-92 chain. It worked for a couple weeks and then disappeared when I was hopping a log.

Back to the Shimano pins.

J

 

[SpuTTer916]

hrm, that is scary... I just put my powerlink on a brand new Shimano 7701... no problems so far (4 rides on it) but now you've got me worried. I'll try to stay away from logs.

Its just so damn easy to clean with the power link.

 

[zane]

I haven't heard any more powerlink horror stories from shimano chain owners than I have from sram chain owners, so I really wouldn't worry about it. They'll break just as easily on either chain (not that they break super easy or anything)...

Plus, my friend was running 4 power links in a shimano chain on his old bike and had no problems at all. He had it that way for well over a year- he just kept replacing the broken shimano links with power links.

 

[-dustin]

Originally posted by johnbryanpeters
Well, as an experiment, I tried a Power Link on my Shimano SG-92 chain. It worked for a couple weeks and then disappeared when I was hopping a log.

Back to the Shimano pins.

J

it seems the only way it could disappear is if it was joined properly. it was a 9sp powerlink with a 9sp chain, right?

 

[SpuTTer916]

Man, we were shuttling today up in Auburn and my power link came off going down a really rocky section.

I was using the XTR/Dura Ace Shimano 7701 with the Power Link off of my old SRAM PC99...

I do not recommend doing this!! This could have hurt me pretty bad and I escaped without too much damage. I will be using Shimano pins from now on...

I have to anyway, because my power link was nowhere to be found..

This may be that the 7701 is a little skinnier or something, no sure. Never had problems with the power link on the SRAM chain.

Please be carefull if you do this.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Originally posted by the Inbred
it seems the only way it could disappear is if it was joined properly. it was a 9sp powerlink with a 9sp chain, right?

Yes it was nine speed link with nine speed chain. Kind of hard to join improperly. Either it clicks in or it doesn't. The only thing I can figure is that grinding over the log did it. Anyway, I don't feel inclined to repeat the experiment.

I have a SRAM chain and another link that I'm going to try the next time I need a new chain, just to try one out.

J