12 speed quick links

[JakobM]

any recommendations for cheap but good 12 speed quicklinks from AliExpress? The Shimano ones are a bit more expensive and I am not sure if they are fake or not. Then there are multiple other options from Risk, ztto and the likes.

[alfiomotrambo]

It depends on the chain you use. I use Shimano exclusively and am more than happy to spend €20 for the original quicklinks. It's the only piece that holds the chain together, and I want to be sure I'm getting something quality. https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005008396260456.html

If you want the cheaper version with a single quicklink https://it.aliexpress.com/item/32943262335.html

Alternatively, there are brands like SUMC https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005004005484157.html which I think are good, but I've never tried them.

[CycOps]

IMHO the drawback with Shimano chain links - besides the high price - is that Shimano states they can't be used more than once. I use bath waxing for my chains, so I need to open and close the chain link regularly.
Therefore I can recommend YBN chain links. Good price, absolutely reliable. And YBN allows they're closed and opened multiple times.

[Dan S.]

any recommendations for cheap but good 12 speed quicklinks from AliExpress? The Shimano ones are a bit more expensive and I am not sure if they are fake or not. Then there are multiple other options from Risk, ztto and the likes.

Just get YBN quicklinks, you can get them from your local bike stores, at least here in Europe, and they are super cheap. I found them on Ali, but they are pricey there. In my country (Czech Republic), you can get them for like 2 USD per pair.

[JakobM]

I am using Shimano chains. I am fine with reusing the Shimano quick links 3-4 times.
Quick links in the bike store are very expensive here in Switzerland (like 8-10€ each)

I will try the YBN ones.
 An extra advantage is that I thought about upgrading the jockey wheels and the new ones are not compatible with narrow Shimano quick links.

[hubba]

I like to use Connex quick links on waxed chains. You can re-use them unlimited amount of times and need no tools to install.

[Vaclav]

Last year I switched to waxing my chain and used a single Shimano 12‑speed quick link for the entire season. I reconnected/disconnected it around 30 times without any issues—no failures, even under sprint loads.

[Dan S.]

I like to use Connex quick links on waxed chains. You can re-use them unlimited amount of times and need no tools to install.

YBN quick links are also multi-use. I used one for the entire season. And that was reused many many times.

[Leo.D]

One detail worth mentioning: YBN links are fractionally wider than the Shimano equivalent. you might get a light tick as the link passes through. Nothing that affects function, just something to listen for before you assume your indexing is off. The Connex link hubba mentioned avoids this entirely, but they cost about 4x what a YBN costs and for waxed chain rotation that adds up fast.

[Dan S.]

One detail worth mentioning: YBN links are fractionally wider than the Shimano equivalent. you might get a light tick as the link passes through.

Oh really? I have noticed a slight tick from time to time, but only in the middle of the cassette. But funny enough, when I used Silca wax and a 105 cassette, it was dead silent. But since switching to a different wax and Ultegra cassette, I have this middle cog issue. Will defo check this.

[CycOps]

One detail worth mentioning: YBN links are fractionally wider than the Shimano equivalent. you might get a light tick as the link passes through. Nothing that affects function, just something to listen for before you assume your indexing is off. The Connex link hubba mentioned avoids this entirely, but they cost about 4x what a YBN costs and for waxed chain rotation that adds up fast.

Good to know! That's just true for 12 speed, or also 11 speed?

[crazyravr]

I use these. Typically get about 5 disconnects per link and then replace. Replace when they are weak to click. Cheap and effective.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005038509544.html

[Merry]

any recommendations for cheap but good 12 speed quicklinks from AliExpress? The Shimano ones are a bit more expensive and I am not sure if they are fake or not. Then there are multiple other options from Risk, ztto and the likes.

Not 12S but 11S Riderace (they sell 12S). No issues, works perfectly fine on my HG701 chain.

[alfiomotrambo]

I've got this https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005038509544.html let see how they are once they arrive

[fat-tony]

I've got this https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005005038509544.html let see how they are once they arrive

They seem a tiny fraction wider than the shimano, so sometimes making some clicking sound.