to splitting sram powerlinks? I thought these things were designed for ease or use? what am I doing wrong I just cant seem to separate the 2 pieces???

It's dead simple. Push the plates together and slide apart.

thumb on either side slide apart dont push from outside that link if you know what i mean..

……… buy shimano next time 😉

by pus the plates together you mean if u were looking at the chain from the top you would excert pressure perpendicular to the length of the chain?

Hmm I wonder who hasn't cleaned their chain for a little while?

Clean all the muck and dirt out of the holes and around the pins *wire brush?* Then try, might be a little easier

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7781

ahem 🙂

if yer chain's kacky it can be difficult

I keep a bit of bent coathanger in my backpack with a few spare chain links & another powerlink

If you've never used one before, practise with the chain nice & clean first

……… buy shimano next time

it came free with my sram casette, and I just measured my old shimano chain and it is over 1% stretched.

Is it better to just bin the powerlink and use a standard link? I have some spare as I shortened the chain.

Turn the counterside topwise.

If you've never used one before, practise with the chain nice & clean first

its a brand new chain 😯

that right squeeze together perpendicular to the chain line then push the two 'half links pins' towards each other, towards the bigger holes in the powerlink plates.

Edit, God that sounds like nonsense….

Turn the counterside topwise.

fuzzy wuzzy was a woman? 😆

Use the force.

pinch the side plates together ( across the chain) then slide them apart along the chain
– does that make any sense?

http://commutebybike.com/2008/01/05/review-sram-power-link-chain/

+1 the grimy chain isn't easy to separate and as the op knows, the brand new powerlink isn't easy either. Sunday wobbler – he speaks the truth, even if it doesn't seem to make sense.

Edit: +1 on TJ's comment. 🙂

I find you have to bend the whole thing one way, then the other then give it all a good jiggle to break the seal, especially on 8spd ones.

Seriously just buy the tool. For £12 it saves so much stress, and you stay clean!

thanks guys I got the bugger, sore fingers though, will probably buy the tool to join my other collection of expensive 1 time use only tools!! 😀

Seriously though, whats the advantage of this link?, can I just take it out and replace with a normal link? It seems like a "weak link in the chain"?

A wee trick is while you push the plates between your thumbs, hold each side of the chain between your little finger and hand to remove some of the tension in the chain.

the advantage is its quick and easy ( once you have the knack) to take the chain off without tools. I have not found them a week link – even on the tandem.

Love 'em myself – never use a chain tool anymore apart from getting the correct length on a new chain

Organic, the joining link is probably the strongest link in a SRAM chain, the regular links are the crap ones IME

ok Ill keep it then, but I think Ill carry those spare links I took off and a chain tool just in case!!

Whenever I split one I'm always thinking of Ronnie Barker "Just J-J-J-Jiggle it, Granville"

Actually excluding allen keys and a track pump the link tool is probably used the most in my collection. You can whip the chain off in seconds to clean it (bung it in a plastic bottle of fairy liquid and shake). Because it's so easy you'll do it more, potential making your chain/drivetrain last longer.

I have had one occasion where the powerlink has popped open whilst practising bunnyhops. Think I was in a gear that was applying flex to the chain though (1×9 with DSS chain device) They are not fool proof but I wouldn't use a chain without one.

when you put it back on, think about undoing it again. I find it easier if I put my links back left handed rather than right handed. Or to put it another way, my left hand moves towards me and to the right. My right hand moves away and to the left.

Only started using 'powerlink' type things since going to KMC chains. Is the SRAM one the same as the KMC one?
The KMC one is dead easy to do, although the first few times I did it, I made it more difficult by pushing the two halfs together too hard as I was trying to slide them apart.

Close your eyes and imagine it's a bra.

theyw ere designed to stop old people biking 🙂

If it's stuck, add some chain oil to soak in and after a minute-gently try the above and sme twist and shake when you press the plates in.

It will release even if it's stuck.

Also use gloves to allow a good grip (keep your hands clean)

i really cant believe there is a £13 set of pliers especially to undo a powerlink that should be easy.

as above its like undoing a bra, one hand, no line of sight, just a twist/flick and its done.

I wonder if Organic has had any luck yet?

Looks out of window…

Yep, he's freed it now…