Customer Reviews

Park Tool MLP-1 Master Link Pliers

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I needed this tool for quite a while. I can often get apart Wippermann Connex link apart with bare hands after much effort, but I find an SRAM link nearly impossible to get apart. With this tool they come apart easily. Note the fine print on the package where they tell you that you should pinch the sides of an SRAM link together with your fingers as you use this tool to avoid damage to the link. FWIW, I never used master links before preferring to take apart or put together a chain by pushing out or pushing in a pin with a chain tool. From what I've read that isn't the best idea with the narrower modern chains where the pins are peened over after they've been inserted. The thought of 2.5 chains worth of recumbent chain breaking apart under pressure converted me to use master links. This tool makes it much, much easier.

At first, I hated buying a tool like this. I had a chain breaker, I had pliers, needle nose Vice Grips, all sorts of stuff. I told myself "No! You can open those by hand!" And mostly, I could. Master Links, however, can be stubborn. I had to do a lot of pre-cleaning to a chain that i wanted to remove so that i could clean it just to get the master link to open. Then, finally, I put on a new 9 speed chain and had to take it back off to remove some links. I tried almost every tool I had and wound up cutting myself before just springing for a set of these master link pliers. I don't regret it. It makes opening these chains so easy that I'm thinking of starting to use SRAM chains or at least master links on all of my chains. It sure beats spending a couple bucks on a rivet every time I want to open one of my Shimano chains... Yeah, it's possible to open most master links with your hands or your hands and some rags or some other ad hoc tool... but just buy the thing. The frustration it can save you from is priceless.

I just switched to SRAM Powerlinks last year after having several chains break using the Shimano HG replacement pins on XTR chains. I like the master links much better and the fact that you generally don't need a tool to remove the chain is a big plus. That said, sometimes it can be difficult to open the master link when it's been used a while and/or grit and grime work their way in. I've successfully used needle nosed pliers to make it much easier but sometimes they slip and I've always been concerned about potential damage to the rollers. These pliers are made for this specific job and work great. They are well made so they should last for as long as I'm able to ride so I think they are well worth the money. Like one reviewer already stated, if you're using SRAM Powerlinks, be sure to squeeze on the sides of the link to prevent damage as per instructions from both SRAM and Park.

I resisted buying these for some time after knowing about them b/c I'm just an individual and not a shop. How often would I need to break my chain, even with 2 or 3 bikes in the stable? But now I'm kicking myself for not having bought them long ago. I struggled for hours and hours on those rare occasions when I needed to break a chain, tearing up the skin on my fingers and doing a lot of sweating and cursing and, the last time I tried it, still not getting the MasterLink open! I had to break the chain the old-fashioned way, with a chain tool and pushing out the rivet, etc. Breaking the MasterLink with these pliers is like cutting warm butter--they make life so much easier. I had thought I could simulate their action by using my own pliers or some other home--made idea: that was a stupid fantasy. The space between the inner plates on a chain, esp a 9-speed chain, is much too small to fit anything useful in there. These pliers fit perfectly and do the job effortlessly. And for the 12 bucks or whatever they cost here, they're absolutely worth it.

This tool pays for itself the first time you use it. Remove master links in seconds instead of fumbling with a dirty chain.

Trying to squeeze and pull master links apart is a pain, this tool makes it painless.

Another great quality tool from Park.

This is a single purpose tool and bring from Park Tools, is of the same high quality as their other tools. I used it on several SRAM, and a wipperman chain with no trouble at all. I'm a commuter and I'm hard on chains, so when I go to open these master links, I needed a tool like this to get them off the bike. Before I bought this, I was using shop pin tool to just open the chain up. But of course you can't reuse the chain if you do that.

So highly recommended for the home and shop bicycle mechanic.

Makes disassembly and reassembly of a chain with at master link quick and easy. Trying to squeeze the chain together prior to having this tool was a real pain.

I remove and clean my bike chain weekly so this is a great, handy tool to have. I used to have to fight the master link but no more!!! Master link comes right off.If you remove your chain often then this is the tool to have. Stop fighting your chain and buy this tool. Note: buy park tools since most are MADE IN USA!!! Support American workers- not the Chinese.

This is a wonderful product and does exactly what i need it to do. I can always trust Park Tool.

Tool works as expected. Doesn't work to reattach the master link - I use a pair of channel lock pliers to put the link back on.