Can you add extra links to a Shimano 12 speed chain.

[Webbo2]

it all depending on what "should" means, as there is a bit of slack each way with chain length / derailleur capacity
If 54 is optimum, have you actually tried it (very gently with you off the bike) on big big in its 53 links guise?

I'd like to bet a virtual sausage sandwich that your RD will still be fine on 53 links.

53 does not like 52 x 34. If fact it jams, however I will not take you up on said sausage sandwich being a veggie😏

 

[T4tomo]

53 does not like 52 x 34. If fact it jams, however I will not take you up on said sausage sandwich being a veggie😏

In that case (as well as standing corrected) IIWU I'd be starting with a 55 link chain as 54 links is right "at the limit".

The virtual sausage sandwich shop* caters for veggies so help yourself!

*Its next door to Club Tropicana.

 

[Webbo2]

In that case (as well as standing corrected) IIWU I'd be starting with a 55 link chain as 54 links is right "at the limit".

The virtual sausage sandwich shop* caters for veggies so help yourself!

*Its next door to Club Tropicana.

There were 54 links on the old chain as I got out of the bin to count the links when I realised my mistake. This was the chain that came with the bike from new.

 

[T4tomo]

There were 54 links on the old chain as I got out of the bin to count the links when I realised my mistake. This was the chain that came with the bike from new.

That regardless I would still go with 55. All those safety links add upto to a cost saving for a manufacturer!!

Just the same as you should check every bolt on a new bike etc

 

[Paulus]

There were 54 links on the old chain as I got out of the bin to count the links when I realised my mistake. This was the chain that came with the bike from new.

When I replace chains I lay the old one along side the new one. It is quite easy to see where the new chain should be broken without the need for counting the links, and maybe miss counting.

 

[T4tomo]

When I replace chains I lay the old one along side the new one. It is quite easy to see where the new chain should be broken without the need for counting the links, and maybe miss counting.

Same here, or hang them from the same nail / length of wire, presuming I'm satisfied the length of the old one was optimum!

 

[Alex321]

When I replace chains I lay the old one along side the new one. It is quite easy to see where the new chain should be broken without the need for counting the links, and maybe miss counting.

But surely then you end up with a new chain that is longer than it needs to be, because the old chain will have elongated (that is why you are replacing it!).

 

[T4tomo]

But surely then you end up with a new chain that is longer than it needs to be, because the old chain will have elongated (that is why you are replacing it!).

Oh Jesus.
Yes I had a chain that had elongated by the equivalent of 14 links once!

For the avoidance of doubt this isnt true @Alex

 

[mrushton]

But surely then you end up with a new chain that is longer than it needs to be, because the old chain will have elongated (that is why you are replacing it!).

They don't stretch by that much. And it's not stretching it's wear on the rollers and bushes.

 

[richardfm]

When I replace chains I lay the old one along side the new one. It is quite easy to see where the new chain should be broken without the need for counting the links, and maybe miss counting.

You are assuming the old chain was the right length.

 

[Alex321]

They don't stretch by that much. And it's not stretching it's wear on the rollers and bushes.

Which is why I specifically didn't use the term stretched.

And it is enough on a chain with 114-118 links (which most road bikes will have) to make a difference of a link.

 

[Dadam]

Try joining two quick links directly together. You will see the problem. Plus you are splitting and joining the chain four times instead of two if the chain goes mid ride. Plus 12 speed quick links are only meant to be joined once. Best just carry spare links in your toolkit, not fitted in the chain.

No I've never tried it. As I said I was just musing. Would the problem you mention be that you need an inner link to join them? I must admit I only just considered that, but easy enough to get a spare inner link to join them surely, such as from any leftovers from a new chain. I'm not seeing the issue otherwise.

What happens if you've forgot your quick link removal tool?

I'd use the mini pliers I always carry. I've done it before at home before I had the special pliers and it was a bit fiddly but not too hard. But yes ideally carry the proper tool.

You also need a chain breaker with you as you need to remove the other half link to get to two female ends....

Goes without saying surely? If you're trying to repair a broken chain with a quick link you'd need one in any case.

In case it wasn't clear, I wasn't suggesting this half-baked idea of mine might be a tool free solution. I totally get that it is probably not worth the downsides but it was just an intriguing idea.

 

[Paulus]

You are assuming the old chain was the right length.

If it had been on the bike for a while, x amount of miles without problems, I would assume so.

 

[T4tomo]

In case it wasn't clear, I wasn't suggesting this half-baked idea of mine might be a tool free solution. I totally get that it is probably not worth the downsides but it was just an intriguing idea.

My point was your suggestion to carry the spare /extra quicklink "on the chain" for convenience was somewhat "odd musing", as its only one of 3 things you need to effect the repair. It would be odd to have two of those in your saddle pack or whatever and not the 3rd. Further more, if you carry the quicklink as per normal, you only need one extra tool - the chain splitter.

Maybe tape you spare quick link to your chain splitter if your worried about it going astray!
I have a little poly bag with various speed quicklinks in it, just in case anyone's who I'm riding with goes and to cater for the same saddle pack serving my whole fleet of bikes, 5-11speed.

So far my *only chain disintegration was on my front doorstep x2 within 5 mins, followed by full chain replacement, no idea what had happened over winter but the chain didn't like it!

* a long long time ago I bust a chain on a mountain bike, but was in some woods in walking distance of home, so I wasn't bothering to carry a spare anything

 

[T4tomo]

And it is enough on a chain with 114-118 links (which most road bikes will have) to make a difference of a link.

It isnt - they have 114-118 half links.

At the rule of thumb of 1% stretch/elongation that's only a half link. anyone not being able to tell the difference between an inner and outer plate/link shouldn't be let near a chain breaker.

Plus if hung up / side by side you can see the elongation along the length and pulled the old change up/back a bit a half way to line up the links.

I think you knew this really