Re: Shimano chain question

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Sep 11, 3:33 am, "Neal" <N...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I just got a used very low mileage bike with a Shimano Ultegra 10 drive
> train. I noticed the chain is connected opposite of what Shimano
> recommends. The connecting pin is on the trailing part of the link instead
> of the forward position. Is this anything to be concerned about? I have a
> Wipperman connecting link from my Campagnolo 10 setup (not the ultra narrow
> chain). Can this be used with Shimano? This is my first experience with
> Shimano after riding Campy equiped bikes since 1974.

I just looked at one of my bikes and it is setup as yours is. I never
noticed. It has survived my 230lbs stomping up hills no problems. I
wouldn't worry about it. I believe the Wipperman links are of
marginally different widths for Campy or Shimano 10-speed. I'd ratehr
have the un-approved Shimano pin than a wrong sized Wipperman. I've
used the Wipperman on my Ultegra (6600) bike and it seems to me like
it made a lot of noise and caught the front derailleur a bit, so I
dropped it.

Joseph

[David Bonnell]

> > I just got a used very low mileage bike with a Shimano Ultegra 10
drive
> > train. I noticed the chain is connected opposite of what Shimano
> > recommends. The connecting pin is on the trailing part of the link instead
> > of the forward position. Is this anything to be concerned about?

Speaking as someone who has snapped an Ultegra 10 chain, I would
proceed with caution (regardless of how it is put together). The
chain I snapped only had about 1000 miles on it, but I can't verify if
it had anything to do with how the chain was attached (it came with
the bike and I knew nothing about 10-speed drivetrains or orientation
of pins at the time). Suspiciously, the offending link was adjacent
to the original connecting pin but the pin was not the point of
failure. The fact that I was gearing up going up a hill was likely a
contributing factor, even though I do make a conscious effort to
reduce the load when up-shifting.

> I just looked at one of my bikes and it is setup as yours is. I never
> noticed. It has survived my 230lbs stomping up hills no problems. I
> wouldn't worry about it. I believe the Wipperman links are of
> marginally different widths for Campy or Shimano 10-speed. I'd ratehr
> have the un-approved Shimano pin than a wrong sized Wipperman. I've
> used the Wipperman on my Ultegra (6600) bike and it seems to me like
> it made a lot of noise and caught the front derailleur a bit, so I
> dropped it.

Uggh. Not what I want to hear...I just bought a couple of these links
and was really hoping that they would solve some of my (very dirty)
drivetrain issues. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to install
one yet...a couple of same-day blowouts have forced me onto my 8-speed
steed. I've had great success with 8/9 speed PowerLinks. Cleaning up
my MTBs is a snap with these things (well, more like a twist, but I
digress...)

Cheers,
Dave

[joseph.santaniello@gmail.com]

On Sep 11, 2:09 pm, David Bonnell <dbonn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I just got a used very low mileage bike with a Shimano Ultegra 10
> drive
>
> > > train. I noticed the chain is connected opposite of what Shimano
> > > recommends. The connecting pin is on the trailing part of the link instead
> > > of the forward position. Is this anything to be concerned about?
>
> Speaking as someone who has snapped an Ultegra 10 chain, I would
> proceed with caution (regardless of how it is put together). The
> chain I snapped only had about 1000 miles on it, but I can't verify if
> it had anything to do with how the chain was attached (it came with
> the bike and I knew nothing about 10-speed drivetrains or orientation
> of pins at the time). Suspiciously, the offending link was adjacent
> to the original connecting pin but the pin was not the point of
> failure. The fact that I was gearing up going up a hill was likely a
> contributing factor, even though I do make a conscious effort to
> reduce the load when up-shifting.
>
> > I just looked at one of my bikes and it is setup as yours is. I never
> > noticed. It has survived my 230lbs stomping up hills no problems. I
> > wouldn't worry about it. I believe the Wipperman links are of
> > marginally different widths for Campy or Shimano 10-speed. I'd ratehr
> > have the un-approved Shimano pin than a wrong sized Wipperman. I've
> > used the Wipperman on my Ultegra (6600) bike and it seems to me like
> > it made a lot of noise and caught the front derailleur a bit, so I
> > dropped it.
>
> Uggh. Not what I want to hear...I just bought a couple of these links
> and was really hoping that they would solve some of my (very dirty)
> drivetrain issues. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to install
> one yet...a couple of same-day blowouts have forced me onto my 8-speed
> steed. I've had great success with 8/9 speed PowerLinks. Cleaning up
> my MTBs is a snap with these things (well, more like a twist, but I
> digress...)
>
> Cheers,
> Dave

Cleaning the chain was a messy enough job that I did it infrequently
anyway even with the added ease of the Wipperman. So the noise was
enough to get me to go back. The catching the der, and the sometimes
hugely loud CLONK when shifting in the rear was the deal breaker.
YMMV.

Joseph

[Qui si parla Campagnolo-www.vecchios.com]

On Sep 11, 6:09 am, David Bonnell <dbonn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > I just got a used very low mileage bike with a Shimano Ultegra 10
> drive
>
> > > train. I noticed the chain is connected opposite of what Shimano
> > > recommends. The connecting pin is on the trailing part of the link instead
> > > of the forward position. Is this anything to be concerned about?
>
> Speaking as someone who has snapped an Ultegra 10 chain, I would
> proceed with caution (regardless of how it is put together). The
> chain I snapped only had about 1000 miles on it, but I can't verify if
> it had anything to do with how the chain was attached (it came with
> the bike and I knew nothing about 10-speed drivetrains or orientation
> of pins at the time). Suspiciously, the offending link was adjacent
> to the original connecting pin but the pin was not the point of
> failure. The fact that I was gearing up going up a hill was likely a
> contributing factor, even though I do make a conscious effort to
> reduce the load when up-shifting.
>
> > I just looked at one of my bikes and it is setup as yours is. I never
> > noticed. It has survived my 230lbs stomping up hills no problems. I
> > wouldn't worry about it. I believe the Wipperman links are of
> > marginally different widths for Campy or Shimano 10-speed. I'd ratehr
> > have the un-approved Shimano pin than a wrong sized Wipperman. I've
> > used the Wipperman on my Ultegra (6600) bike and it seems to me like
> > it made a lot of noise and caught the front derailleur a bit, so I
> > dropped it.
>
> Uggh. Not what I want to hear...I just bought a couple of these links
> and was really hoping that they would solve some of my (very dirty)
> drivetrain issues. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to install
> one yet...a couple of same-day blowouts have forced me onto my 8-speed
> steed. I've had great success with 8/9 speed PowerLinks. Cleaning up
> my MTBs is a snap with these things (well, more like a twist, but I
> digress...)
>
> Cheers,
> Dave

We have sold dozens of these links for shimano and Campagnolo 10s
chains and have not seen what was mentioned...so YMMV, but we think
they work great.