My fingers!!!

[lingus75]

Powerlinks are great, when broken a few times, but the first time its so tight I still havent got the chain of first time and my thumbs are in pain! Any first time tips before I smash something up?

[Parrot of Doom]

Push the 2 plates of the powerlinks together, between your thumb and forefinger - together, as though you're crushing the tooth of the cog that would be in it. Not along the length of the chain, but across its breadth.

They'll come away instantly after you've done that.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Friday 9th October 21:56

[BOR]

Put the chain on the smallest gears, front and rear, this takes the tension of the chain.

Use a zip-tie or piece of wire tied between the links before and after the power link, and pull tight. The powerlink is now not under any tension at all.

Squeeze and slide links apart.

[Master Mischief]

Buy some Park Tool Master Link Pliers from CRC for £12.99 (but wait for stock first).

Or if you insist on giving them business Wiggle have them for £13.20 in stock now.

[Parsnip]

Buy one of the wipperman (sp?) links - much better design and far easier to deal with than a powerlink.

[pdV6]

Parrot of Doom said:

Push the 2 plates of the powerlinks together, between your thumb and forefinger - together, as though you're crushing the tooth of the cog that would be in it. Not along the length of the chain, but across its breadth.

They'll come away instantly after you've done that.

This ^ but also note that keeping your chain fairly clean helps.
A build-up of road grit can easily jam the plates and stop them moving easily.

[prand]

Master Mischief said:

Buy some Park Tool Master Link Pliers from CRC for £12.99 (but wait for stock first).

Or if you insist on giving them business Wiggle have them for £13.20 in stock now.

What's up with Wiggle? I've always had good service and prices and range is good. Or is it because they are now big and successful it's ok to hate them?

[Master Mischief]

prand said:

Master Mischief said:

Buy some Park Tool Master Link Pliers from CRC for £12.99 (but wait for stock first).

Or if you insist on giving them business Wiggle have them for £13.20 in stock now.

What's up with Wiggle? I've always had good service and prices and range is good. Or is it because they are now big and successful it's ok to hate them?

Bloody hell, that was a bit strong! I have no idea why you would think that I would hate a company simply due to their success?!

I do not like wiggle because, in my experience, their customer services department is pants if they make a mistake and they always did (and still do??) hide their number making it impossible to resolve an issue promptly. There are a few other irritations with how they conduct their business when compared to CRC but I will probably just be accused of moaning.

In my opinion Wiggle are just a little bit more greedy and less willing to help than CRC. I do not mean on prices as they are fairly comparable.

Maybe I should not have put my original comment or should have expanded on why but I did not expect such a reply.

Sorry if I caused offence.

[lingus75]

Parrot of Doom said:

Push the 2 plates of the powerlinks together, between your thumb and forefinger - together, as though you're crushing the tooth of the cog that would be in it. Not along the length of the chain, but across its breadth.

They'll come away instantly after you've done that.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Friday 9th October 21:56

That pretty much sorted it, comes apart easy now. It seems a much simpler/cheaper way than buying those bloody Shimano pins that per unit cost loads.

[pdV6]

Master Mischief said:

I do not like wiggle because, in my experience, their customer services department is pants if they make a mistake and they always did (and still do??) hide their number making it impossible to resolve an issue promptly. There are a few other irritations with how they conduct their business when compared to CRC but I will probably just be accused of moaning.

That's odd.

I've used Wiggle a fair amount over the years and have never found them to be anything but exemplary. In my experience, they've never cocked anything up and on the occasions when I've ordered the wrong kit, they've happily taken it back no questions asked.

[Master Mischief]

pdV6 said:

Master Mischief said:

I do not like wiggle because, in my experience, their customer services department is pants if they make a mistake and they always did (and still do??) hide their number making it impossible to resolve an issue promptly. There are a few other irritations with how they conduct their business when compared to CRC but I will probably just be accused of moaning.

That's odd.

I've used Wiggle a fair amount over the years and have never found them to be anything but exemplary. In my experience, they've never cocked anything up and on the occasions when I've ordered the wrong kit, they've happily taken it back no questions asked.

I really like CRC and have had the same service from them that you talk of from Wiggle. I have heard of problems with CRC but I buy a LOT of stuff from them without issue. The few times that I have used Wiggle have not been quite a smooth as CRC and once was like pulling teeth.

I use Evans as my back up to CRC if they are out of stock or do not stock the item that I want. Again, very smooth and professional but I am aware that others will disagree significantly!

I guess it comes down to personal experiences but with so many players in the market there is no room for even slightly less than perfect service IMO.

The worst ever was RJC X-Treme. I emailed and phoned (leaving voicemail on mobile and landline) several times for a full set of Middleburn Hardcoat Rings and bolts as Middleburn recommended them when I could not find the sizes I wanted anywhere else. This was June and they still have not returned my numerous calls or email for approaching £100 worth of business. Madness!!