Submitted by
beandeanscene
a Cross Country Rider
from Nelson BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2009
Strengths: This chain is solid. I purchased a IRD 790 Elite chain while touring the West Coast. I purchased it in Canon Beach and installed it there. The chain shifts smoothly, stays clean and runs well.
Weaknesses: I think that chain users that did not install this chain correctly probably snapped it. I have ridden up the steepest hills in California including San Francisco with this chain and have had no complaints. I have put 1000 miles and is still not stretched.
Similar Products Used: I have used Campagnolo, Shimano, and Sram chains. Probably the best for a Shimano set-up.
Bike Setup: Rocky Mountain Sherpa- Rocky Mountain ETSX 50
Scott Cr1 -Musing
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Submitted by
Jack Copley
a Cross Country Rider
from clarks summit, pa, USA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2007
Strengths: Strong, lite, super smooth
Weaknesses: None really
Bottom Line:
I used the IRD hollowpin 9spd chain. It is the first chain I have put on my 29er that didn't snap at least once. I weigh 270lbs. I am about to finally replace it. It is stretched beyond what it should be. But it has been the most dependable chain I have ever used. It was also my first hollow pin. All the chains I have snapped have been solid pins. You figure it out. This chain rocks!
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from California
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2006
Strengths: Flawless, good shifting, never any issues
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Cambria told me this was the only chain they ever sold that they never had to warantee. Not a single chain. They also said the IRD's chain warentee is lifetime on anything but streching. Never needed to test that claim.
Bike Setup: 04 Kona Kikapu with Marzocchi DJ3 front fork, Fox Float Rear.
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Submitted by
Ivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan/Vermont
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2005
Strengths: Great looks, stays clean somehow, smooth, and strong.
Weaknesses: Does take a while for the chain to break in, i.e. squeeks at first, it'll take a week or so to get the lube to penetrate properly.
Bottom Line:
Can't say the quality on my bike so far, still getting replacements for the new frame, odd demnsions. But, have had the chain on my old XC bike, Univega Alpina 600 turned Urban Assualt. If your'e worried about strength, then do not use the snap link, use the pins already in the chain. The snap link is what causes all the problems. I've never seen a chain stay this clean, after all I gave the bike to my brother with the new IRD, he hasn't taken the greatest car of it, and it's smooth and clean. Wonce the leader is finished with altercations to have proper sized parts fitted to it I'll be expecting the same qualtity in both their drive train components.
Bike Setup: Leader frame, Black Elite, Avid 7", Mavic wheels, Fire XC, IRD chain & Cassette, shimano mixed drivetrain, and Truvativ cranks.
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Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Rural Retreat, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2004
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: Teflon coating, rollers
Bottom Line:
Like others have said the teflon is a joke. But my beef is how quick the chain itself wore down. I'm not an everyday hardcore rider so it was even more disgusting to me considering the price paid. I replaced it with a PC-99 SRAM. They cost about the same and there is no comparison. The SRAM chain is the best I've ever tried. Never going back to IRD.
Official reply from IRD: For those few of you who have had bad experiences with our chain, we apologize. We want to let the public know we back our product's design and workmanship fully. If our chain breaks, we will send you a new one. So please contact us. Most companies won't warranty a broken chain. In our efforts to continually improve our product, we have also developed new improved 9 and 10-speed connector links that work better on the 11t cog. And we have introduced a strong hollow pin 9-speed chain. E-mail your comments to interlocracing@aol.com
Submitted by
Brad W
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, oh USA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2003
Strengths: Teflon=Smooth
Weaknesses: IRD CHAIN=PIECE OF CRAP THAT SNAPPED TWICE ON ME IN 2 WEEKS.
Bottom Line:
So when the guy at Jenson USA (Not blaming Jenson, they kick a$$) told me he could substitute the IRD cassette for the XT they were out of at the same price it seemed like a logical move to get a teflon chain. I hate logic, I failed it in college and should never use this tool for my decision making process again. I snapped the chain on a gradual incline the first time and though "Well this can happen, maybe I was in the wrong gear". But when I snapped it the second time on a paved bike path I thought "Wow that really hurts when you snap a chain and bach your knee into your headset", then I thought "Glad it wasn't my balls" But seriously this chain is a piece of junk and if they would have had this review on the website before I bought it well I might have my diginity back, because at the moment it snapped the second time I was passing this hottie running and when you snap a chain it really makes you look like an idiot.
Bike Setup: Rockhopper Pro, only stock component left is the frame.
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Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Lowell, MA USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2003
Strengths: It stays a bit cleaner when lubed w/ wax-based formula
Weaknesses: Weak strength of chai &, snaplink II
Bottom Line:
This chain snapped on me twice in the first 5 rides. Once was at the snaplink and it was rendered useless. I replaced it with a SRAM gold powerlink. The second time one of the links blew apart. This is unacceptable and I'm replacing the chain with a more durable model. It's back to PC99 for me, and I *really* wish I had a Speedhub on my XC bike:)
Bike Setup: Specialized SWorks Epic w/ Shimano XT/XTR 3x9
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Submitted by
none none
a Weekend Warrior
from somewhere
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2003
Strengths: This a review of the black lighting.
Weaknesses: Breaks
Bottom Line:
This chain is junk. It broke the first time I rode with it. I figured it was just a fluke untill it broke a seconfd time. Dont wast your money. Also the teflon is a gimmick its wears off after the first ride.
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003
Strengths: This is a review for the Black Lighting Chain. Absolutely None, with the exception the tin to carry small parts around.
Weaknesses: This product is GARBAGE, it skipped all day and did not matter what gear you were in. The chain did not come with a master link either and had to pin together. I emailed IRD and never got a response back from them. Why am I not surprised. I put my PC-99 chain on and not a problem what so ever, and put this piece on and it would skip along like a school girl.
Bottom Line:
Do not buy this chain, it is garbage. If IRD is reading this I hope you can fix the problem, even though I will never buy your product again(Not even the beautiful Scandium road bike).Go waste your money on a nice dinner and avoid the headache.
Bike Setup: Russ Denny hardtail,King hubs and headset,thomsom, Paul,raceface,XO, basically fully loaded
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Submitted by
John Galante
a Cross Country Rider
from New Windsor, NY USA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003
Strengths: Easy to install with snap-link connector. Smooth running on larger cogs. Teflon mix with Black Lightning black finish is cool.
Weaknesses: Would not work on smallest cog on rear cassette (IRD Black Lightning) without skipping. NO adjustment would help. Replaced with OEM Shimano chain and that works(ed) fine
Bottom Line:
Thought this would be a good match with IRD cassette, and a nice upgrade frm HG-73 OEM. Just could not get it to work without skipping on smallest cog - especially in area of chain just after Snap-link. I messed with it, and XT RD many times before giving up and returning to original chain, which runs smooth with no problems. Will skip using this chain in the future - bought an HG-93 as back-up when OEM wears out.
Bike Setup: Jamis Dakar XC Comp - stock with Tru-vativ Team SL cranks, XT FD, IRD B.L. Cassette
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Submitted by
Beats Daily
a Weekend Warrior
from Oshkosh Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002
Strengths: this is the best chain on the markwt for beating your kids with. It'll leave a welt on them youngin so big that it'll make a whip look like a feather. I have tried other types of corporal punishment on my youngin, and so far this chain works the best.
Weaknesses: you have to grease it up a lottle ot make it leave a good mark.
Bottom Line:
by far the best beatin tool on the market. If your into slave labor from your kids, this is the way to go. 2pac4ever.
Bike Setup: Trek STP400 (L) full custom. DT 240 hubs,Mavic 517,DT spoks,XTR,SRAM,IRD,Rockshox SID,USE,Flite,Roox,Bontrager,Titec,Maxxis,Continental,Avid component mix.Total weight 22 lbs
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Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Silver City, NM
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2002
Strengths: Price, non shimano, company
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Great price. When I bought them the company was great for support and getting back to me on other questions I had about some of their products, but lately I can't find their web site. I've gone through 2 annd am working on the third. I bought the elite series.
