Campagnolo built their reputation on peened-pin chain connections because a properly driven pin provides the strongest possible joint in a bicycle chain. That approach works when you've got the right tools and experience, but it makes routine maintenance like deep cleaning or cassette swaps more involved than they need to be. The C-Link connector addresses that by giving you a quick-link style system that meets Campagnolo's standards for strength and precision while making the chain serviceable without specialized tools.

The connector is manufactured from C67 nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel, which is the same high-tensile material used in the outer link plates of Campagnolo's 12-speed chains. The nickel surface treatment matches the chain's finish and resists corrosion. When you install the C-Link, the two halves snap together with enough retention force to stay secure under load, but you can separate them by hand when you need to pull the chain for cleaning or drivetrain work. That's where the practical advantage shows up—you can remove the chain in seconds rather than driving out a pin.

The design maintains correct chain articulation once installed, which means the links move through the derailleur pulleys and wrap around different-sized sprockets without binding or creating stiff spots. This keeps shifting consistent across the cassette and prevents the kind of hesitation you sometimes get from improperly joined chains. The connector weighs one gram, so it adds negligible mass to the drivetrain. Each package contains a single connector, which is what you need to join one chain. Installation requires cutting the chain to length with an appropriate chain tool, then snapping the C-Link into place at the ends.