current gen q45 chain quick link

[camineet]

Hi all,

I'm looking to strip the factory grease for waxing and gather that it's necessary to install a new chain quick release link whenever removing and reinstalling a chain.

I can see that my recently acquired stock q45 is an 11 speed, so I'm assuming that the chain is a normal 11 speed chain right?

So, I've ordered these and want to ask you guys if there's anything I'm missing about this plan.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803958600437.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.6c3a1802S4K6Oq&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Also, wondering if the chains on these bikes are any different from standard chains. Such as, does the q45 stock bike ship with a chain that's somehow altered from a normal off-the-shelf chain in terms of link count? Do they remove some of the links or even add some? Curious about that.

 

[CruzinCambridge]

Eleven speed chains are pretty much all the same. I've used a SRAM chain on my Shimano and vice versa. I think Cruzbike ships with SRAM. 12 speed gets finicky... but 11 less so.

That said, I can't vouch for an ali‐express chain. A chain snapping at speed under load would be less catastrophic on a Cruzbike than a diamond-frame bike, but still not fun. Spring for a SRAM link for an extra couple of bucks. I get the fancy YBN links because they are warranted for 5 uses where the others tell you they're only good for one. They're likely good for more, but the lawyers know something.

Lastly, my Cruzbike has a longer chainstay than a DF bike. To replace the chain, I needed a few extra links from a second chain. I got three chains to make two... which is a good practice so you can swap chains quickly and always have a bike to ride instead of waiting for your wax to heat up.

 

[camineet]

Got it thanks for this feedback!

 

[CruzinCambridge]

Forgot, KMC makes a good chain and quicklinks that are less expensive than Shimano and SRAM and they make an 11 speed. Looks like the Q is now made with Microshift which is cross compatible with Shimano and SRAM. Also, forgot to say, waxed chain is the best - clean and quiet - but you have to keep on top of it and rewax every 300 miles. 200 if it's wet. Having two chains makes it much easier to change more frequently.

 

[camineet]

Thanks I'll open a new thread to ask a question about stripping the factory grease.

 

[CruzinCambridge]

Check out the article on the MSW site. Not much more to say.

MSPEEDWAX | Molten Speed Wax - How To Clean Your Bicycle Chain Before Hot Waxing

Learn how to clean your bike chain for maximum chain wax longevity and performance. Ask our experts your chain cleaning questions. Purchase chain waxing products.

moltenspeedwax.com

 

[kizarmynot]

What's your plan for stripping? Until the Silca "system" came around I used chemicals. It worked but took a long time and of course generated a lot of waste. I started using Silca products in early 2023 and would not go back. I tried the chip product on my most recent chain and have been very happy with the result.

 

[camineet]

good to know the Silca product is a good option. I'm currently soaking in mineral spirits 3 times for an hour or so each and will follow it up with rubbing alcohol and see how it feels. Then a trip to the fire department to get rid of waste.

 

[JerseyJim]

+1 on Silca Super Secret Waxing system. The boil bag makes it simple to wax a chain. I haven't used the new Silca chain prep, but I will be trying it soon. Also KMC's "Missing Link" chain connectors can be reused - If there's any doubt, it says so on the package. Unofficially, you can reuse other chain couplers - at least I have done so without incident with SRAM and Shimano chains. Just use some care and sense. If you see a re-used link is stretched or deformed in any way, replace it.