Hi everyone, I’m reaching out because I’m having an issue with my bike chain. I’m running a waxed 11-speed Shimano chain on both my gravel bike and my road bike. The chain is closed with a quick link. I stripped the chain and cleaned it thoroughly with Silca degreaser before waxing.
On my road bike everything works perfectly and the chain runs smoothly. However, on my gravel bike the quick link becomes stiff, which causes skipping on the cassette or derailleur. I noticed it even more during my last ride, probably because it was colder.
I removed the chain and the quick link, then installed a KMC quick link (before that I used a Shimano one). I have the same issue with both quick links. I even shortened the chain, so it’s not just those specific links. In the photo you can see what I mean: the quick link doesn’t sit straight, it stays slightly twisted.
What should I do? Do I need a new chain, or did I do something wrong? Chain and quick link match (both 11-speed). On the road bike everything is fine. On the gravel bike I have exactly this problem. Could you please help?
The photo was taken after rewaxing the chain with liquid wax because I have to leave spontaneously tomorrow. I should have taken the photo earlier.
Thanks and ride safe!
by LimeMelodic4490
4 Comments
Bend chain side to side in that area, I’ll probably loosen up.
I usually don’t wax the quick link.
Take the quick link off and swab out the excess wax that is gumming it up. The quick link tolerances are different from the other links in the chain, and the wax is getting into spaces that are little too tight to manage its viscosity.
In addition to not waxing the quick link I use a lighter to melt the wax out of the chain holes (or whatever they are called) that hold the quick link. Could be worth a try