Best Chains ?

[Yammer]

I need to replace my chain. Went through a SRAM PC-99 in about 4.5 months. What chains have people had good performance with?
I am 200 lbs and ride pretty aggressively. I sometimes use alot of torque on the drivetrain and maintain my chain pretty well.

Thanks, Pat

[Aaroneous]

Anything SRAM is better than anything Shimano, but you already know that...
:D
You don't wanna know where I get my chains...

[Magic]

Pat, you should use a Rohloff chain. They are not cheap but last longer than any other chain I've used. When I was racing I could get almost two seasons out of one. Or you can go the cheap route and keep buying the cheap SRAM chains and replace them every other month or so. But I would go with the Rohloff. Hope this helps.

[Yammer]

Yeah I was actually leaning towards a Rohloff SLT 99 MTB chain. They are $55 on cambriabike.com.

Where have you purchased yours at? andy LBS's carry these?

Thanks, Pat

[Wolfchimp]

Rohloff would be a good direction. Shimano chains are decent but they are pretty rigid so they tend to snap easily. A slight difference in metals allows SRAM chains to have a little more stretch. They tend to wear out a little faster but they are less likely to snap as easily. I am about 190 and I have always ridden SRAM. I go through about one chain every season. One of these days I may have to lay down the cash for a Rohloff too.

[Magic]

Any local shop in town should be able to pick one up for you. QBP has them or they use to. But I find them cheaper on the net. I have never had a Rohloff fail me yet. I check it from time to time with my chain stretch tool from Park, and it looks like new all the time. They seem to last longer than anything else out on the market.

[Aaroneous]

http://www.bikepro.com/ad_copy/chain.html

BikePro has Rohloffs for $35 - cheaper than an XTR/Dura Ace...

[Magic]

Good find Aaron, that's a great price for a Rohloff chain. I might just have to stock up on them for that price.

[Yammer]

http://www.bikepro.com/ad_copy/chain.html

BikePro has Rohloffs for $35 - cheaper than an XTR/Dura Ace...


BikePro is out of business. The phone number is now owned by BeyondBikes.com and they said that they don't think anyone is importing Rohloff chains anymore. I don't think that's true, but anyway that great price is not available...

[Aaroneous]

BikePro is out of business. The phone number is now owned by BeyondBikes.com and they said that they don't think anyone is importing Rohloff chains anymore. I don't think that's true, but anyway that great price is not available...

Yeah, after I posted that I was poking around and noticed their site is all hosed up too... Oh well, I tried...

[steef]

However, the BikePro site is a great source of information for older components.

[manual63]

Getting 4.5 months of use out of a chain if you ride aggressive and are 200 pounds is pretty good in my book. Make sure you keep it well lubed and so on, but this would be about what I would expect anyway. Sure, $55.00 chains are really nice, but are they that much nicer and will they last that much longer? Something to think about.

[Magic]

Yes Shad, the $55.00 dollar chain is far better then anything out on the market. You can't get a better chain than a Rohloff. Like I said before, our old race team used them and not one problem with them. So with that being said, I will continue to use the Rohloff chains. Or as I stated you can keep using cheap chains and replace them every other month. But I would rather pay more once and get a great chain. Just my two cents.

[Magic]

After doing some research, the Rohloff chains are no longer imported to the USA. People have been finding them on ebay. If you still dought this chain, check out the reviews over on MTBR.com. I'm still looking for this chain because I need 3 more. If anyone finds them, post up please.

[soupboy]

My PC-99 broke on its 7th ride...sucking even more....at night. Granted, I'm big and was torqueing on it but still not acceptable.

Personally, any of the SRAM PC-59/58 chains are solid in my book. I ran one for two seasons on a gearie and then used it for another full season on my SS. I weigh about 250# fully geared and lay down some serious twist. Oh yeah, I rarely clean my bike/drivetrain unless it was a really muddy ride. Lube it properly with Dumond Tech when new and you should be golden for a while.

Right now my SS has an uber burly Wipperman (Connex) SS/BMX chain. Heavy but highly unlikely I could break it. Finally had to clean it and add lube after a full year of winter and summer riding.

My failed "light" chain experience will not be repeated. Saving a few grams on your most stressed component probably isn't the best place to spend your money.

Before you spend that much on a Rohloff I'd give the SRAM 59/58 at go. If for SS use the 58, otherwise go with the 59. Connex also makes some sweet colored chains for SS/BMX rides.

[manual63]

4.5 months sucks...

I never had a chain on a geared bike last me longer than that. I had Shimano and SRAM chains......both wore out rather quickly. It's one of the reasons I am all SS now. The only bikes I have with gears is my BigHit and my road bike I never ride. My P.2, On-One, and my BMX bike are all singles.......and the chains don't break.....:)

[soupboy]

you cross-chain like a mofo! ;)

Shi+mano is awful...why they still don't have something as simple as a Powerlink is beyond me. I've never broken a Powerlink but I've killed plenty of Shi+mano chains.

I never had a chain on a geared bike last me longer than that. I had Shimano and SRAM chains......both wore out rather quickly. It's one of the reasons I am all SS now. The only bikes I have with gears is my BigHit and my road bike I never ride. My P.2, On-One, and my BMX bike are all singles.......and the chains don't break.....:)

[Kingbozo]

What is the word on the Wipperman (sp?) chains?

[Kosk]

I'm with soup on this one. I run SRAM, the power-link rocks. I've seen several busted shimano chains, and lots of finicky shimano drive trains. I have some SRAM chains that are 3 and 4 years old, never broke one. Yeah stuff stretches, but there is a limit to how much and how fast, once you break the chain in it won't stretch that much more over time,so your chain rings, cassette/cog, and chain are all happy, as long as you can keep the chain alive. It won't hurt you to save the few links you take out initially and splice them in later if you break some. I've spliced a SRAM chain dozens of times using the original pins while adjusting SS gearing, and never had a failure as a result. I get YEARS out of a drive train. Replacing chain/cassette/chain rings every season is for people with extra cash to blow and suckers for marketing.

If you had deep enough pockets, you could create a chain of alternating inner-link/power-links, it would be way stong! (The power link is the strongest link in a SRAM chian)

That's just my opinion though, I've never broke a chain and have never had a problem keeping a drive train running smoothly. Maybe just dumb-luck, who knows.

[Magic]

The Wippermann is a good chain also. That's what I'll be switching to if I can't locate some Rohloff's. The Connex chain is a good choice. And I'm with Soupboy on the Sh^tmano chains. They don't believe in the Power link system. Typical for that company. Plus The Connex comes in Stainless Steel which is a nice touch. But I'm still looking for the Rohloff.

[Yammer]

I confirmed that CBO has some inventory left this morning.
Are they really worth spending twice as much on?
I'm faced with buying a mid grade SRAM vs. this Rohloff as twice the cost...

http://www.cambriabike.com/Shopexd.asp?id=17721

Patrick
* save me one!

[soupboy]

and spend the difference on good booze.

I confirmed that CBO has some inventory left this morning.
Are they really worth spending twice as much on?
I'm faced with buying a mid grade SRAM vs. this Rohloff as twice the cost...

http://www.cambriabike.com/Shopexd.asp?id=17721

Patrick
* save me one!

[soupboy]

http://www.connexchain.com/

When my current one perishes...which should be awhile...I'll get a pimpy colored one.

[Magic]

Thanks Pat for finding them. I have placed my order, now I can die a happy man knowing that I have a new Rohloff coming. Thanks again.

[Yammer]

:cool: No Problem.
I'm taking Soupboy's advice and buying a SRAM PC-950 and some
... err I mean some Jagermeister.

[jitterjepp]

I like the SRAM chains. I've busted so many Shimano chains I don't care to see one ever again. I also like the SRAM masterlinks. I always carry a master link and if I bust a chain I just throw in one of those. I've only had that happen twice on the SRAM chains in almost three years. The shimano chains have to be relinked and it is just a pain to do that on the trail and it seems like I can never get it just right.

[The Hammer]

I'm with Shad on this one. 4.5 months on a chain in the conditions you desrcribe. What's wrong with that. That's basically a season. Of course the time on the chain isn't as important as the milage on the chain and conditions it was used in. If you ride in mud, what lube you use, whether or not it gets cleaned when it's dirty and the condition of the rings and cogs all play a role. If you replaced your chain once but didn't replace the middle ring and cassette the new chain will wear much faster. One important point about people breaking chains is that a worn chain is going to be more likely to break. Also, on a Shimano chain if you install the special connecting pin incorrectly it will break. If you use a chain beyond it's wear limit you can't fault the chain if it breaks. Shimano's new chains have a 360 degree peen on the pins. Finally, the Rohloff chains require their expensive chain tool to peen the chain pin. Plan on purchasinf that tool if you try Rohloff chains.

[Yammer]

4.5 months on a chain in the conditions you desrcribe. What's wrong with that.

What's wrong is that, given how responsible I am about shifting and maintenance... 4.5 months sucks in my opinion. Especially for how much these things cost. The SRAM PC-99 is like $40 online which put's it up around $60 at a LBS and for that money it should last more that 4.5 months. My season isn't over yet, I expect to ride into November.

Pat

[Magic]

Finally, the Rohloff chains require their expensive chain tool to peen the chain pin. Plan on purchasinf that tool if you try Rohloff chains.

This statement is false. I have used Rohloff chains for 15 years and never once have I had a problem using the Park chain tool with this chain. Just take care in what you are doing and it all works fine. Glad you found a chain to your liking Pat.

[The Hammer]

Sorry Troy. I realize that the way I wrote that may have been confusing. What I was saying is that you need the Rohloff revolver tool to PEEN the chain pins, not to connect the chain. I mentioned this because it's what Rohloff recommends. The connection will be stronger if you re-peen the pin thus getting the most benefit out of the chain. There are all kinds of ways to wrench on bikes. I usually go with the manufaacturer's recommendations first.

[SpecHR55]

I think SRAM makes one thats called the PC-990? I dunno the exact name but its nice;)

[The Hammer]

ignore:laugh: :laugh:I screwed up on this post.

[The Hammer]

This statement is false.
Kind of a harsh reastion. I was just trying to help. I must maintain that the statement is true though. The park chain tool will push pins in and out on a Rohloff chain but it won't peen the pins like I was talking about.

[Magic]

Just posting the facts. Like I said I've used the chain for a long time. And as you already corrected your statement, I'll leave it at that. Don't poke a sleeping dog. The Park CT-7 chain tool is all you need for the Rohloff chains. I have never peened the pins after I have used the chain tool and have not had a problem. :D

[Trevize1138]

What about the wisdom that all chains will wear out over time and the best thing to do, possibly, is always go with the cheapest chains and just replace them a couple times a season?

[Magic]

I said something to that fact in the begining of this post. But to each his or her own. Remember it's just a chain, right?

[manual63]

I am just going to run the cheap SRAM chain I am running. When it has issues, I will just replace it with another cheap chain.....seems to work for me. I can't see spending $55.00 or more on a chain and then spending even more on some tool I need for it......then again.....what does it matter what I do......I just ride because that's what it's all about.

[berrywise]

What is the word on the Wipperman (sp?) chains?

A friend of mine swears by their stainless steel chains. He loves them. I never have seen the justification for the price. If ya want to be super trendy go with the hand made titanium chain they make. I think shop cost for it is 200 dollars.

[SpecHR55]

The only way i would run a $200 chain is if a sponsership gave them to me, $200 buys you a top of the line Deralluier like a X.0 or a SAINT. Remember deralluiers are the base of the tranny the chain isnt.;)

[Tetreves]

::ahem::

"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link"

I think this applies to all chains, young or old, short or tall, fat or skinny.

Oh, and a singlespeed has less links in its chain. Therefore the probability of having a chain break decreases slightly.

"You are the weakest link, goodbye."

[Tetreves]

I'm going for the dick award. I mean jack. :D

[Trialsaddict]

I'm not going to read up on the last 40 something posts, but in my experiences of breaking many chains, KMC is the best way to go. ****mano sucks. Stainless are dece, but if running 9spd for example, get the X9 stretch proof. Make sure to use the quick links as well. I do not suggest pushing pins in and out with tools anymore. Depending on how you ride etc, replace as needed. I wouldn't go for the cheapest chains though, unless you only ride XC on the soft side.

[Aaroneous]

I gotta agree with John on the KMCs - 'specially now that they've got the SRAM-type link. I got the 8sp X-something (X8?) on a couple bikes, and they shift real purty-like, even with all Sh!momo shifty bits, and they're like $15 max...

The last couple chains I bought at Ax-Man - monster 1/8" blue-steel KMCs with nice brass bushings for $4. They're actually $2, but you have to buy two and put them together to make one long enough for a bike... Try one on your SS!

Oh man, the guys at Erik's are gonna kill me now...

[The Hammer]

I came across this on mountain bike action.com. It seems excessive to me but just goes to show that there are many different opinions about how often you should replace a chain.

http://mbaction.com/detail.asp?id=1441

[Primo Tiki]

I checked that link on MTB Action. Does anyone actually replace their chains that often?

[nigel]

I replace the chain on my Mtn bike every 1500-1800 miles, cassettes i do every 2 chains. Road bike chain gets replaced every 2000-2300 miles and cassttes every 2 chains. I only use Dura Ace chains for both mtn and road.

[drmrboyalex]

I have had many bikes over the years (up until recently only one was any good.....my haro bmx bike) and i never changed my chains unless they broke. But thats just me.:p And now that i have a decent bike i will prolly change em more often.