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Submitted by
hillcountry12
a Cross Country Rider
from Southwest Virginia, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Makes you go forward. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot remove the chain easily in stock form. I ride hard and so chain stretch has been noticeable. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | '03 GF Tassajara and custom XC Trek 8500 | | Bottom Line: | I have this chain on both of my bikes. I have about 1500 miles on the chain on the Tassajara and although it is now way beyond its stretch limit, it still works flawlessly. I lube/clean after every ride, and everything is fine. I purchased my bike new from a local bike shop who built the bike. My local bike shop does pro work so I agree with others that the negative press about this chain braking may have to do with people who aren't as competent as the bike shop people.
However yesterday I torqued the chain on my Trek after about 600 miles on the bike. I was at a stoplight riding to a trail and when I started a link bent sideways. It must have been between shifts (although I thought I was in gear). This is a good chain if you get the Sram Powerlink for it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from New Mexico
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | WWW | | Strengths: | Its a chain. It shifts well, and has had no problems. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't come apart easily or without tools and needs replecement pins to put back together. Not as easy as power link | | Similar Products Used: | Many shimano chains. | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper HT. XT setup with XTR rear derailer. | | Bottom Line: | There is a lot of bad press about this chain breaking, but I hate to say it might be the idiot factor. I read the instructions and installed the chain facing the correct direction and have had no problems. Also, I used the special pin supplied to join the chain instead of a regular pin already in the chain. If you can get one for cheap, I see no downsides. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lucas
a Weekend Warrior
from santa barbara, ca, us
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | worked for 3 days! | | Weaknesses: | worked for 3 days. | | Similar Products Used: | any other chain? | | Bike Setup: | new trek 6000 | | Bottom Line: | came with a new trek 6000. snapped on me 3 days after buying the bike. no good. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RacerXMan
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, OZ
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Oxford Falls/Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | it worked for 2 rides | | Weaknesses: | Sub standards strength. Need for specific joining pin (the connex joining process is superior. | | Similar Products Used: | Wipperman Connex 9X1 | | Bike Setup: | RacerX, XT Build, | | Bottom Line: | Shimano chains are sub par. It's not a lot of extra $$$ to get quality chains, and I'm not sure why you would buy shimano.
There are far better joining mechanisms than (e.g., connex) shimanos, and it's the only chain I've had catastrophically break (and destroy the rear mech). The use of a specific joining pin is not good - I like the joining link as you can get the chain off really easily for maintenance, cleaning, etc.
Also, this means that if you do need to repair the chain during a ride, you better have a joining pin - otherwise you may not be able to do a good repair (which I've been able to do multiple times with other chains).
I've used a variety of chains over the years. I will never buy a shimano chain again.
Seriously... don't risk losing a bunch of riding time, and damaging your kit with a sub par Shimano chain. It's not a whole lot more to get quality... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | NONE!!! | | Weaknesses: | Snaped 3 times in 4 days! way over priced for that quality! | | Bottom Line: | NEVER BUY THIS CHAIN! (unles you like braking chains in the middle of a ride) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Krueger
a Cross Country Rider
from belmont, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | It looks like a chain. | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't work like a chain. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Cinder Cone | | Bottom Line: | It sucks. I have ridden bikes all my life and never had a chain break on me, in the last two weeks i've broke it twice. Don't buy it and if it's on your bike take it off and get a real chain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Village Idiot
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything I can Ride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | .....I could install it | | Weaknesses: | It broke 3 times on first ride | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Ti Hardtail, Raceface Cranks, XT/XTR drive train, Speed Dream Wheels | | Bottom Line: | Would have worked better if I used dried dog poo. THis chain was installed correctly, and broke mutiple times on first ride. I simply kept repairing the chain until I culd get to the LBS to buy a new one (SRAM).
Poof! my troubles go away. I weigh 200+, couldnt torque the chain at all on mild (short) hills. Why buy a chain that I can't load even when im not shifting? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Kirkland
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | barn burner | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | Not much | | Weaknesses: | Broke on the first ride | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bottom Line: | I installed this chain on a friends bike. I've always used SRAM chains and had good luck with them, but I decided to install a Shimano on his bike due to some shifting problems he was having. I felt that the slightly narrower chain might prevent some of the problems of ghost shifting that he was having with his XT cassette. Bad move. In the work stand the bike shifted flawlessly and the narrower chain did seem to stop the ghost shifting, but as soon as the guy put the power down, the chain self destructed. He didn't even make it to the first hill when the thing exploded and took his XT rear changer with it.
I've been working on bikes for a number of years and I've never seen anything like it. I've read similar comments from other riders, but always take them with a grain of salt because some people have a hatred of anything Shimano, but I have to admit that my experience will be a very short one. Back to SRAM. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Saby R
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Perform that way XT product should | | Weaknesses: | Can't be removed without puting a new pin | | Similar Products Used: | No name chain... | | Bike Setup: | Yes, it's set-up allright | | Bottom Line: | I keep this chain very clean and well lubed (Prolink) and have not had any problem what so ever. I am very pleased with it. Would I buy it again? maybe I would try SRAM since they can be removed with ease... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sninky
a
from Manchester uk
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | None What So Ever | | Weaknesses: | Snaps like a crunchy kit kat | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Spesh Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | rubbish,absolute crap
not only did it break 4 times in two rides along flat ground.
The second time it tore my front mech to peices.
this is the third shimano component to fail on my bike within 6 months DO NOT BUY | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Unkie Dumo
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones that say NO BIKES ALLOWED :o) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | The Local | | Strengths: | NONE!!! | | Weaknesses: | EVERYTHING! 2 breaks in 2 weeks! It's a real POS. I wasn't even cranking hard when they broke, just a nice solid spin. | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM sucks too | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V-1000, RaceFace cranks, Easton stem, Selle Italia saddle, Mammoth and 521 wheels. XT disc | | Bottom Line: | These things blow goats. Please, for the sake of the world and your poor chain tool, don't buy this poo. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gunnar
a Cross Country Rider
from a cross country rider from Estonia
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | xc | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | local store | | Strengths: | Smooth shifting,long life | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | ig-90 | | Bike Setup: | Trekk 6000 | | Bottom Line: | I've had my bike 3 yeas now and changed the chain every year (after like 3000 km) and I think its normal. I have never broke any chain, still, I dont think that im easy rider, so I dunno whats a problem. I even didnt understand why someone needs a chain tool at home. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Bear, DE
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fair Hill, MD | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Strong. | | Weaknesses: | It rusts, even with maintenance pretty easy. | | Similar Products Used: | Ch...Ch...Chains... All my life. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Race, XT setup w/Rolf Wheels | | Bottom Line: | It's a chain. And you need a chain to go forward. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Nieman
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Wayne, IN
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Warsaw | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Various | | Strengths: | Very smooth shifting. Decent life. | | Weaknesses: | The one time use replacement pins are a hassle. | | Similar Products Used: | Sedis. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed with XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I've been using Shimano chains for as long as I can remember. I too had a problem with snapping chains in the beginning, but like the earlier user said, YOU HAVE TO USE THE ONE TIME USE FIXING PINS. These chains are swaged on the pins so unlike other chains, you cannot reset a main pin after you have pulled it. Also, 8 speed and 9 speed use DIFFERENT PINS. Keep a stash of a couple and you should be fine. Unless you beat your bike to death, you can get a year or more out of one of these.
As for shifting, the other makes just aren't as smooth. They tend to skip and hop more, and misshifts are hard on the knees. So, learn how to use Shimano chains, and replace them as needed, and you'll find that they stack up against just about anything. Plus they are always available pretty cheap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Tymchuk
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | None what so ever | | Weaknesses: | snaps with no effort at all | | Similar Products Used: | sachs | | Bottom Line: | This garbage chain caused me to have to be pulled home by my wife(I was in such a hurry I left my chain tool on my workstand)and missed one of the local trails being in the best shape in three years so I only got to ride half of it. The chain just exploded under moderate force on a short steep climb. Bad Bad Bad | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | It does shifts smoothly | | Weaknesses: | weak pins | | Similar Products Used: | I'm gonna try SRAM | | Bike Setup: | GT XCR1000 with full XT | | Bottom Line: | I broke the chain twice in a week, the first time because of a poor shift and I'm partly to blame for it. First thing friends asked when told was "Is it a Shimano chain?" I guess that's their rep, anyways, I fixed the link and on the very next ride, the pin completely sheared off on a wheelie (on flat pavement). I'm gonna pick up a PC68 and give that a try :( | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy
a Racer
from farmington mi
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | island lake | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle and fitness | | Strengths: | mm....it makes ur bike go | | Weaknesses: | mm,i dunno bout weight, cuz i havnt really compared...but...i had it for 3 months, and the pins come out, and it snaps, and you cant warantee something liek that, unless it like explodes, and its not a very good chain | | Similar Products Used: | low end shimano | | Bike Setup: | homegrown 8000 | | Bottom Line: | this chain is ok if your fire road riding, but not racing, it just cant take it...its jsut not worth the money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DONALD
a Weekend Warrior
from NEW YORK
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | DONT KNOW IT LASTED 15MIN | | Weaknesses: | NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO LIST | | Similar Products Used: | SACHS | | Bottom Line: | BOUGHT THE BIKE ON A WED TOOK IT FOR A RIDE THUR AT 5:15PM BY 5:35PM I WAS WALKING THE BIKE BACK WITHOUT A CHAIN.I'VE NEVER HAD A CHAIN SNAP SO EASILY.DO YOURSELF A FAVOR LOOK AT ANOTHER CHAIN BEFORE BUYING THIS ONE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mad monkey
a Weekend Warrior
from Redfield
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lite, stiff, strong | | Weaknesses: | until you pull a link, then it never stays | | Similar Products Used: | All low end shimano | | Bike Setup: | Vrx, 7000 | | Bottom Line: | The thing is great, till you need to work on it, then after that you need use the original insertion pin to keep it from breaking on you. Do yourself a favor and buy a sachs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Bedford, UK
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Rapid gear changes in fair weather | | Weaknesses: | strength, operation in muddy conditions | | Similar Products Used: | Sachs | | Bottom Line: | Shimano appear to have spent too much time trying to perfect gear changing in the workshop and not in the muck that most of us end up riding through.
I have been a Sachs user for more years than I care to remember, I even remember non indexed gears and rigid frames! Every couple of years I try out an XT chain from Shimano and so far have been disappointed each time. As so many reviewers have commented they do tend to break if the rider is over 10 stone (140lb)even if fitted correctly. What is more they are terrible in the mud, as the rear block and jockey wheels start to clog and the lumps and bumps that help gear changing in the dry become your worst nightmare. The chain jumps and hops about the rear block at random with horrible grinding and mashing sounds.
Sachs chains may not change gear in the dry quite as well but maintain consistancy through thick and thin.
Bottom line, if you are a lightweight rider who will only ride in fine weather then the HG90 will be your friend forever, if like the rest of us you are not super model thin and you wish to ride in extreme conditions then buy a Sachs chain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Tennessee
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Shifts incredibly fast with an XTR/raceface drivechain. | | Weaknesses: | Breaking chain does in fact require the use of new pins. And there are now 8/9 speed compatibility issues with these.Pricey to pay for a chain. | | Similar Products Used: | Sachs, KMC supershuttle | | Bike Setup: | Jamis dragon, custom build. | | Bottom Line: | The whole trick to the shimano line is to baby that link when you first install it. Make sure that the new pin is perfectly aligned and isn't stiff before you break it off. I have ridden pretty hard with this chain without breaking and Im a sloppy shifter. Shifting speed is lightning quick, and trouble free. Now, of course I am completely afraid of taking the chain off for any reason, but I don't forsee any reason to in the future anyways as long as im degreasing and lubing up with white lightning every once in a while. All in all a pricey, but excellent chain for any 9 speed drivetrain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Little Rhody
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Arcadia- Mt Tom | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | So far- so good.... | | Similar Products Used: | other shimano | | Bike Setup: | GT Xizang Ti, 00 Marzocchi, full XT, odd and ends Bontrager/Thompson Elite/Kore | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that it has not broken on me.... knock on wood. I ride pretty hard, but am pretty light, so that has to even out somewhere. Put this on when I changed my cassette and chain rings, and had no problems after they got worn in together in about 50 miles or so. Going to be interesting to see what happens when I put on my new Middleburn chain rings....
Also, I find that sometimes (not all times) real good maintenance of your drive train will make it last an incredible length of time. If you break down your drivetrain with an engine degreaser every once in a while, or after a particularly dirty ride, it will take out all the grinding particles that get caught in the built up lube. Just be sure that you pay attention to environmental issues with this stuff- it is not the most kind thing to do to your lawn, water supply, etc- so be enviro-conscious... That granular stuff is resposible for breaking apart your drive train. Then dry and relube. It will look like new, especially if done regularly. Mine is a year old, and you could not tell that I did not install it yesterday- versus a friend of mine who never does that and has broken two chains in the past 5 months. Can't hurt! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matthew magill
a Racer
from ashland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | toothpick | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | hmmm..this is a post to let you know there is a difference. '99 HG=junk '00 HG=perfection | | Weaknesses: | '99 it breaks it stretchs...its the incredibly new '99 HG 9 spd lets make the consumer a guinea pig again trick! | | Similar Products Used: | '00 okay this is my 2nd bike and it has the same chain but its newer and it stretchs, gets bumped over logs, super abused from shifting. I tested its total stretch and its still in spec of new and its 6 MONTHS OLD!! I dont get it | | Bike Setup: | '99 Raleigh m600 & '00 G.F. Big Sur both LX/XT 9spd | | Bottom Line: | If you have a '99 9 spd get the '00 chainrings and rear derailuer setup wit hthe newer chain and all your 9spd woes will disappear. The '00 9 spd is dead reliable (same chain in 8 months of ownership), the '99 I went through 4 chains in 6 months and put up with constant adjustment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a Weekend Warrior
from State College, PA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | good finish
enhances shifting
not overpriced | | Weaknesses: | weakness
low durability | | Similar Products Used: | PC55, PS58, PC41 | | Bottom Line: | This is the last time I will use a Shimano chain. All three times I have given them a chance they have broken the same way, the plates bow out and let the preceding link go. I think all the convoluted shifting ramps on the chain are weakening the plates lateral strength. I am going back to Sachs/SRAM chains and never straying again. I'll even switch out the chain on the new road bike I am picking up soon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Vinton,VA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Apple Orchard Falls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | So far none! | | Weaknesses: | Broke chain on the 3rd ride during a climb. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano 8speed chains | | Bike Setup: | Next LP 20/32/44T;ESP 9.0SL;XTR 12~34T 9speed; | | Bottom Line: | Either bad luck, poor chain installation, or cheap chain. I'll keep riding it until it snaps again. Then I may have to go with a beefy'er chain. Not going to bash on this product yett. We will see what happens. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaromir
a Racer
from Prague, Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | best chain I ever used | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose IBOC with Marzocchi Z3 | | Bottom Line: | Hey, all you guys complaining about the breaking of this chain should let someone pro put it on your bike. If you can't put it on right, don't do it, 'cause if you do, it's gonna break. And also, if some of you guys (especially "racers") cross the chain and don't know how to shift the right way complain?? First, try to learn how to shift and how to clean the chain..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russell
a Racer
from Baton Rouge
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | How easily it breaks | | Weaknesses: | Quality, Strength | | Similar Products Used: | Sachs | | Bike Setup: | Y2K Trek 8000 Full XT components,USE XCR seatpost | | Bottom Line: | This chain caused me to come in last at a race today. I broke one before the race warming up then another during the first lap of the race. I had to run back to the start and grap Klein Mantra that is a demo bike at the shop I work at. Shimano chains SUCK!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alec Davies
a Weekend Warrior
from Saundersfoot
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tenby town!!!!!!! | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
It's not thats the bloody problem | | Weaknesses: |
Everthing | | Similar Products Used: |
Sach | | Bike Setup: |
LX casset, derailer | | Bottom Line: | Dont buy this poor peice of Shimano Sh1t. It will well and truely screw up your bike. I had mine for 31 days when one of the pins put in by shimancrap came loose. This then stuck into my mech riping it round 160 deg. This in turn bent my hanger and my frame (a brand spanking new Azonic DS1). What a load of ass suking wank stained maggetas. I now need a new mother fecking bastard frame. Please let me give it a minus | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RvB
a Racer
from Enschede, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
shifts very well, looks cool (?), lasts | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
sachs chains, dura ace | | Bike Setup: |
dura ace 8 spd cassette, shimano LX 22x32x42 rings, xtr derailleurs, 18 aluminum frame | | Bottom Line: | This is a very good chain. People saying that shimano chains break should realize that lots of pros ride with these chains and I never see pros breaking their chain, so they are probably doing something wrong. Install it right, don't shift with extreme power on the chain. Best chain is the dura ace 7700 btw... really tough! 5 chilis for dura ace, 4 for this one... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mario A. Javier C.E.T.
a Weekend Warrior
from Oakville, ON Canada
Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kelso Conservation | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Reliable, Strong and nice looking | | Weaknesses: |
Expensive | | Similar Products Used: |
Cheap chain made by other. | | Bike Setup: |
Joshua X0, RS Judy and SID, Raceface crank and chainrings, Shimano XT drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | I had this chain now since Summer of 97, when I installed the Raceface chainrings. I ride on local trail every other day in the summer and Cycle-Ops trainer in the winter. I ride for 1 hour of hard riding and sometimes 3 hours on weekends. I have just checked the clearance and wear of this chain a few days ago and I see very little of chain stretched. Advise to all you riders who are having so much problem with this chain. (1) Make sure that the chain matches with your cassette, for example do not use HG90 if your cassette says IG or vise versa. (2) Do not change to low gear when you are in the middle of a steep hill, the load on the chain is extreme at this point, If you need to change your gear, make sure you do not put a lot of load on the rear wheel. Move in forward a bit to raise the back wheel and then changed. This may be just common sense but I feel some of us may have forgotten it. By the way, try cleaning and lubing the chain every other ride and make sure that there are no oil residue to attract dust and sand. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
the great oz
a Cross-Country Rider
from chattanooga, tn
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
tsali | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
looks pretty | | Weaknesses: |
This piece of dung breaks constantly | | Similar Products Used: |
sachs | | Bike Setup: |
klein attitude, judy xc, full XT | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy this chain if you weigh more than 140lbs. It may be ok for guys with pre-pubescent girly legs, but not for a man. I meticulously clean and lube this thing and it still snaps all the time under a load. I've owned 3 of these and i've finally learned my lesson. DON'T BUY A SHIMANO CHAIN. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Palmer
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very strong!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
Hard to clean..... | | Bottom Line: | OH YEAH!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Ridge Tr. | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
An excellent chain. Shifts great, silent. Excellent workmanship. Long lasting. | | Weaknesses: |
Special pins, bulged sideplates make chain maintenance difficult. | | Similar Products Used: |
Various Sedis and Daido chains. | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Killer V-HT with full sized Deore XT components. | | Bottom Line: | If you take care to assemble the chain properly, it will be durable. I use a Craig Superlink on all my bikes to easily remove the chain for cleaning and relubing. Everyone raves about the Sedis chains (or whatever they are called now), but every Sedis I've had was noisy and exhibited crude workmanship; although I do like the fact that the new ones have a SuperLink like masterlink. Everyone also lambastes Shimano for requiring a special rivet. Well, I see no engineering reason why the other manufacturer's chains shouldn't as well. Once you push a rivet through, the peening is removed on that one side and the hole in the side plate will be enlarged; regardless of that kind of chain you have. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian T
a Weekend Warrior
from Middlesex NJ
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
cheep | | Weaknesses: |
weak | | Similar Products Used: |
Sach | | Bottom Line: | The factory fresh set-up lasted a year untill it stretched.
Got the L.B.S. to put on another with my one year free service.
First ride it broke and bent my front derailer.
The L.B.S. replaced it.
The new one broke 3 times in 2 rides.
I got a Sach (51?).
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: April 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sweetwater is close | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Uh.. it works? | | Weaknesses: |
Uh.. it doesn't come in powdercoat or ano? | | Similar Products Used: |
Yeah, other bike chains | | Bike Setup: |
Stumpjumper 97 model XT r. der. and XT 11-28 cog | | Bottom Line: | Umm.. let's see.. well this chain looks just like any other bike chain you've had so I won't describe it to you. It works just like any other chain you've had so I won't explain that either. I clean mine every weekend ( I use the bike to commute too )or after a ride in the rain. I don't take it apart, I just bathe it in White Lightning. I got abt 1900 miles on the chain. It's seen dust, water, mud, horse apples, occasional sapling. Always worked. Ano chains would be kewl... really... hehe. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross-Country Rider
from Carlsbad, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | SHIMANO AVENGER I'm sorry that your pencil legs can't generate the torque to break a stick but I was calling this piece of crap chain for what it is. Why don't you race out and find yourself a clue. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Frost
a Cross-Country Rider
from Watertown, MA
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bow Ridge @ Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Works fine, for awhile | | Weaknesses: |
Breaks easily, special pins are a pain in the neck. | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs PC-91, PC-51. | | Bike Setup: |
GT Tequesta (more or less), XT cassette, Real chainrings | | Bottom Line: | Right off the bat I found the special pins annoying. Hey -- if all the other chain manufacturers can manage chains that are strong after breaking and rejoining, what's up with Shimano?In any case I ran the thing through mud and grime and ice and stuff and it worked great for about two years, finally failing in service (5 miles out in freezing weather, of course).Surprisingly it didn't fail at a break/rejoin point, either with or without the special pins (I rejoined it both ways depending on whether or not I had the pins laying around). It broke right in the middle where it had never been touched. I thought for sure it would break where I rejoined without the special pin, though I've done a bunch of repairs on various chains both with and without the pins and never had one break at such a point. Maybe the pins are just to make the repair harder to screw up? It's certainly a lot easier to rejoin with the pin.2 years' wear out of the chain before it broke is nothing to stick your nose up at, but I've also never had a chain break in service before or since; usually the chainrings die first. Not so with this chain, and that's something of a disappointment.I wish I could say that the break was unusual, but I can remember far too many rides that were interrupted by broken Shimano chains. Are they just so popular that odds are that a random broken chain will be Shimano, or is there a reliability problem here? I'm guessing the latter 'cause I've never seen a Sachs break in service and they're pretty popular too -- especially as a replacement for people who have broken a series of Shimano chains.With all due respect to the pro-Shimano mechanic who says that these breakages are mechanic error I'd have to say that if they're that finicky they're not that great a product. In my own case it broke at a virgin link -- it could not have been mechanic error. It could have been normal wear, however: that chain had seen a lot of action.Anyway I replaced the chain with a PC-91 which was totally trouble-free, but which I only ran for about a year before replacing the whole drivetrain and going with a Sachs PC-51 (can't see why the -91 was worth the extra money).The new Sachs chains have this funky master link that you can break and join with your bare hands. Talk about convenient! I can now remove the chain every time I clean the bike. We'll just have to see if it holds up in the long term.In the final tally I'll take a chain (one of the Sachs series) that I've never seen break in service, and which has a nifty bare-hands link that makes service a breeze, over special pins and dubious reliability.3 chilis for a product that gave me 2 good years of service before breaking. It looses part of a chili for breaking in service and the rest for being a pain in the ass to work with.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SHIMANO AVENGER
a Racer
from NEWPORT NEWS, VA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | What a bunch of pole-smoking choads! I've worked in a bike shop for several years and have installed untold Shimano chains. I have never, repeat never had a customer come back with a broken chain. Obviously the fat, lazy and stupid American is alive and well. The problems these low-brow types are having with chains are not a Shimano problem but one of installer error. Chains have to be installed by someone who knows what they are doing--or save yourself some money by not paying a shop the labor and keep blowing chains apart! If we the intelligent public are lucky maybe you morons will rack your balls on your stem and be rendered sterile. That way society as a whole can only become smarter with your DNA out of the gene pool. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross-Country Rider
from Carlsbad, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | Snap!!!!! Snap!!!!! Snap!!!!! This is the worst chain I have ever owned. Three breaks in one ride and five in the two weeks I have owned the bike. I think I will start riding with a stainless steel chain if I can find it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Ausura
a Cross-Country Rider
from Newport News Va
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I have worked in a bike shop for several years as a bike mechanic, and have seen just about everything on a bike break at some time or another. The common denominator with most product failures is not a defect with the product, but rather, abuse or improper installation. By far the greatest cause of chain failure is improper installation. If a chain pin is not perfectly centered, with equal protrusion on both sides of the link plates, the chain WILL fail. If, while the chain is being installed, the pin does not line up with the link plate hole, the plate will be damaged. This too will cause the chain to fail. Most people also don't know how to use a chain tool properly. If you use the tight link remover, instead of the pin remover/intaller to install the pin you will damage the chain. Ive seen broken HG-90s 70s 50s and Sachs chains. They all broke because someone didn't know how to install them. Chains are not rocket science. There is not much to go wrong, but you still hear this I was just riding along when.. bullshit about eveything. Chains are no exception.
Ive put several thousand miles on an HG-90 and have never had a problem. So has just about everyone else I know who rides.
If you follow a few guidlines when installing a chain you should not have a problem.
1. Use the right chain. HG, IG, and nine speed chains are all different.
2. Inspect the chain out of the box for un-centered and tight links.
3. Properly install the chain with the right chain tool, and right part of the chain tool(not the tight link remover!!!).
4. Maintain the chain like you maintain anything else on your bike. Clean and inspect it regularly.
5. If you take your Shimano chain apart, and remove the pin completely, replace it with a hyper-glide replacement pin. Don't ever try to put the pin back in after it is all the way out.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Campbell
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
scablands cow trails | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Shifts smoothly,
looks beautiful. | | Weaknesses: |
Special link pulls apart. | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs PC 61 | | Bike Setup: |
Stumpjumper/XT/Judy | | Bottom Line: | This is a beautiful chain which shifts smoothly and is very quiet. The downside?... the special pin comes undone. I bought the chain a month and a half ago and have about 300 miles on it. I was just gently spinning around about to climb a hill when the pin separated and jammed into my XT derailleur, blowing it to pieces.I am, shall I say, a little disappointed. Back to Sachs for me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Watson
a cross-country rider
from ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: February 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The only chain I've ever had fail in service was a Shimano one. I'm not sure which model, HG 70 I think. The side plate came off the rivet (as opposed to the plate or rivet breaking). I replaced it with a Sachs/Sedis which did not change quite so smoothly but lasted longer.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Otter
a cross-country rider
from Alaska
Date Reviewed: February 17, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
People must not review chains unless they break?
I have only had one chain break, it was a rusty old thing on my bike as a kid...I think my dad got that chain second hand...
Anyway, I have yet to have a Shimano chain break. They shift well whe properly lubricated. I keep my chains lubed baby, maybe thats why they last me, but then it could be because I only weigh 155 lbs(?).
Well, no problems yet, I like mine fine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Stewart
a cross-country rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 3, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
These reviews are getting pretty heated, its only a chain. I had the same shimano chain for 8 years - 3000 miles touring Europe, 1500 miles in Austraila, 1700 miles in New Zealand, 500 miles in Californa and countless miles Mt Biking in the Western US. I have had every type of bike problem and breakdown imaginable but never a problem with the chain. I finally replaced it because my cogs and drive train were totally shot. One of these days I'll actually get to use my chain tool but it hasn't happened yet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: February 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Shimano chains suck. End of story. I've only ever had two of them, but they only lasted a month between them. I think they are in the match-making game:- Here Mr. Scrotum, meet your date for tonight Miss. Stem. Ouch. Need I say more? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brij lunine
a weekend warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I fund the HG-90 chain to shift a little more smoothly than its seidis counterparts, BUT it's more expensive, harder to dial in, the special pins are a pain, and wears out more quickly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a cross-country rider
from Alabama
Date Reviewed: January 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought a Trek 8000 a couple days ago and had the shop upgrade the XT derailleur to a ESP 9.0SL. Things were great on Day #1. Well, day #2 I was climbing with the granny and heard a load horrible sound (not to mention my bike stopped). The SHIMANO chain had broken, wrapping around my NEW 9.0SL and pulled it into my spokes. That damn chain wasted my derailleur, 2 spokes, and bent my replaceable derailleur frame connection. Sachs will drive all my bikes in the future. P.S. 5 burners to the great bike shop who asked no questions and had it looking/riding like new! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jas
a cross-country rider
from Nottingham, England
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had the HG-90 chain on my 857 for approximately 3 weeks, and as I was riding along I noticed that it was coming apart! I have never had a chain do that before, either it was already faulty or Shimano chains are not very good. A Sachs PC-91 graces my 857 now and I think it is the best chain money can buy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Onno Baack
a weekend warrior
from Holland
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Can anyone tell me how to break a chain ? I have been riding my bike for more than eight years and never, never broke a single chain. I have always been using shimano chains (HG-90) and never had one single problem with it. Treat four drivetrain with a little feeling!!!!! Shimano's hyper-, inter-, super- and whateverdrive does not mean that you have to shift gears under full pedal power, no, in some cases it is an option. This chain did what it supposed to do and never let me down, expect more???? I'll give it five........ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Bowles
a racer
from keedysville, Md.
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The HG-90 has Never let me down! I ride and race in all conditions on very technical terrain with no problems. Lets put it this way, in the 1998 24 Hours Of Canaan all four bikes were running Shimano HG-90's. Neither mud, rain, nor snow could stop the train!
Keep your chain line as straight as possible. Stay out of the small cogs unless your in the 3rd chainring. Extreme chain lines will fatigue any chain until it breaks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CCS
a cross-country rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Regarding the HG90 chain: I bought this chain on the recommendation of the bike shop guy at the local bike shop and at the time thought I was upgrading. I accompanied the changeout with new Black Spires chain rings, the cassette was in good shape. Let me put it simply, this chain absolutely sucks. After it broke twice in the same ride I heaved it into the woods and hiked out. Of course it tore up my new chain rings along the way.I went to the trouble to always have extra subpins and a chain tool. Partway into a ride it starting sucking repeatedly. After numerous getoffs I finally saw that it was twisted like a pretzel. I hate working on the bike in the woods but apprreciated the fact that the subpins made it easier than on a standard chain. So having repaired it I started climbing a rooty hill out and the damn thing broke again. How can Shimano who does most everything so well have such a delicate useless chain with their name on it??!!I would sooner have my daughter go out with Bill Clinton than put this crap on my bike again. In short, if you want to get out of the woods leave the Shimano chain in the bike shop. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DougMan
a cross-country rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
On my sister's bike, a Mongoose, was installed an IG-90. Our ignorance to chains pleagued us that day. We took off the chain to clean up everything before our long ride later that day. Not knowing you can't use the same pin you take out, I pushed the pin back in. And we went riding.She was about 50 yards in front of me when I say the chain hit the ground. She got off and hell some pretty unlady like language. She was pissed off. I was pissed after we found out that you can't use the same pin on a Shimano chain. What a pain in the ass! We didn't replace it with Shimano.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a cross-country rider
from New Jersey, USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I used this chain for over 750 miles and never had a single problem. It needed to be replaced and I just purchased an IG-90 because the LBS was did not have the HG-90. So far the IG-90 works just as great as the HG-90. I'll stick with Shimano, best chain for the price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a
from AK
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just completed a bicycle touring from Prince Rupert to Jasper to Seattle, 6 mountain passes, totaling 1800 miles in a little less than a month, bike and gear weighing 50 kilos. I used a shimano chain and it came apart 3 times and broke twice. I will never use a Shimano chain again even if they paided me to. I used a Sach chain while touring Europe in 96, no problems. Replaced the crapy shimano with a sachs and it shifts even better. Shimano has great products but their chains are JUNK -5 chillies. Shimano get your stuff togather! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a racer
from Netherlands
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I really don't know what is the problem with Shimano chains, I had a HG90 for 4000 KM, never let me down. Now I changed to KMC, even smoother in shifting.I have a PC-51 on my 24- speed MTB (RALEIGH), it does not shift as good as the Shimano, so probably change it with a Shimano or KMC chain.
I noticed the Sachs chain outer link is flat, and the shimano + KMC ones have outward bent outerlinks, so probably more pace for shifting.Just no bullshit, i stick to my Shimano and KMC chains | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a cross-country rider
from Wellington, CO
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have used shimano and sachs chains both with good results. With the shimano, you just have to be very careful when installing a new pin and never use the same pin twice. This keeps me from having chain breaks too often. I give the HG-90 4 chilis for quiet, smooth running, and good price, but minus 1 for having to buy a special pin everytime. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
READ THIS!!!!!!!!
a cross-country rider
from BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
SHIMANO CHAINS BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUY A SACHS AND SAVE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!! SHIMANO CHAINS SUCK @$$!!!!!!!!! SACHS SHIFT WAY FASTER AND SMOOTHER AND THEY ARE WAY MORE DURABLE TOO. I HAVE BENT A SHIMANO CHAIN IN THE PAST WITH NO EFFORT TO DO SO. THEY ARE PIECES OF SHIT. THEY BLOW FAT GOATS FOR WOODEN NICKELS!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John OKeefe
a weekend warrior
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had this chain for 5 months now. It has brocken 3 times, and has eaten away at my cassette and chain rings. The last time it broke I slipped and sconned my head on the handle bars, then proceeded to wipe out on a corner which was made up of hard clay and embedded pebbles. 5 weeks later my leg has still major swelling and a scar that will remain there for life. I ask the shop keeper for a strong and reliable chain, he suggested this one. It rusts really quickly and for a small fortune I was very disapointed. Lessson learned, forget Shimano chains, go for SACHs, they are cheaper and more reliable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martoise Leftonian
a racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I don't know what all you guys are talking about when you say this chain sucks.
I have raced eight times with this chain and I haven't noticed even a slight performance
decrease. This is probably the best chain I've ever had. Good job Shimano. I am
sticking with this chain from now on. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross W
a weekend warrior
from Golden,CO
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The shimano HG90 broke twice in one month! SUCKAROO!! As soon as there was any dirt around, especially wet types, the chain would bind and either break or jam. i'd never trust this type again. Shimano should redesign the chain or take it off the market. There should be a zero rating for this chain. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bengt Ohlsson
a weekend warrior
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been luckey, my shimano chain held together for
almost three whole months and then it broke during a race and i shure got to feel what dirt tastes like (it´s not wery good to eat)i´m happy i didn´t die WARNING! The shimano HG 90 chain is deadly WARNING!
Use Sach M90 it realy realy works ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Massimo Cavalli
a racer
from Miami florida
Date Reviewed: February 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bad chain. I had to change 2 chains in the last 2 months and i take care of my bike, no more shimano chains.I think that before was a good chain, never had a problem until last year, it's not the same, it's probably a good chain for a city bike or for a shopping bike.Forgive my english and ride . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Moon
a weekend warrior
from Wellington
Date Reviewed: January 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently bought a HG90 and at first thought it was a good chain. It shifts nicely and runs very quiet. Two things that piss me off about this chain it that it's rusts very quickly and that after two rides there are gauges in it already. I just bought a new rear cluster yesterday and already the poor thing as been beaten by the chain. I used white lightning as lube (recommended by the shops) and thought this might solve the problem. All in all it's not a bad chain. But for the price I think a Sachs is a better choice. Sorry Shimano you lost the chain war with me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Ferrell
a cross-country rider
from Huntington WV
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
First off just let me say that mountain bike equipment is going to fail. I don't
care how much money you pay for it or how good its suppost to be. Things will break. Especally
when they are on a MB. We ask for increasingly light components
to take increasing punishment. It gets to a point however where failure rate out ranks how much
weight you save. Case in point, my Shimano HG-90 Chain. When I got my bike, a Schwinn S-20, it came with a
IG-30. Not a very High Grade chain but it did the job. Yes it broke a few times over the 97 riding
season but it worked reliably enough for me not to complain about it. (The 97 season for me was
about 1000 miles on and off road with one race.) At the end of Sept. I noticed that my drive train as
a whole was pretty much worn out from the riding. So I replaced the rear cog set, chain etc.. I
decided to get XT and an HG-90 chain. By most accounts a good choice. A good choice except
for the chain. Since the end of Sept. I have been able to ride only a few times. (Short days suck and
cold weather suck!!!) But it seems like I break my HG-90 chain every time I go out. Given it
doesn't break everytime but it is breaking enough to make me notice. So, what does this say to me,
first, expensive, light race gear isn't really worth it. Who cares how light your chain is if it breaks
everytime you get on the bike. Second, the cheeper Shimano stuff seems like its stronger. Hmmm,
lighter = weaker, heaver = stronger, I think I'm on to something here. Third, Shimano chains might
just suck across the board. To be fare though, I have only had one HG-90. I might try another some
day just to see if mine had a defect. In light of this I think I'm going to try a Sachs chain. My riding
partner has one of the low end Sachs chains and I have a hard time recalling the last time he broke
his heavy, low end chain. In conclusion remember this, light is usually weaker and light is always
more expensive. So be sure your light stuff has what it takes or you will be pushing that bike home.
| | Overall Rating: |
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