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Submitted by
rider
a Weekend Warrior
from fort collins colorado USADate Reviewed: March 12, 2012
Strengths: i ride in the mountainous front range with lots of climbing and rocky descents. this is by far the best chain i have ever used. very reliable. easy on and off for cleaning. it is pricey but you get what you pay for. also, it helps to clean and lube any chain for it to last.Bottom Line: great chain and i'll go buy a new one soon given current chain has a lot of miles on it.
Favorite Trail: maxwell and many others nearby
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At: performance
Similar Products Used: shimano
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
boogieman johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from somewhere, njDate Reviewed: September 18, 2011
Strengths: Zero problemsWeaknesses: none yetBottom Line: I bought this chain right when changes done in 06 and rode hard in CO for a few weeks, then parked it while I had surgery. Now after years of rehab and being able to ride without pain I have put some tough miles on it, shifting in steep inclines-including cross-chaining short term if needed, to not walk. After 732 miles on it, it may need replacing soon, but only failed me once. It was my fault. I hastily mis-snapped link together. Nothing gets 5 chili's unless I don't have to wrench it....ever. sorry I am a wrench by trade
Favorite Trail: hard choice
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$33.00
Purchased At: don't remember onlin
Similar Products Used: sram, suntour, shimano, kmc
Bike Setup: KHS Team alite, SRAM X0, some bars, eggbeaters, and a bell
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
FirsTracks
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, AKDate Reviewed: July 28, 2011
Strengths: Easy on/off with PowerLink, good shifting, light & durableWeaknesses: None that I've foundBottom Line: This seems like some weird parallel universe of reviewers, as the many descriptions of chain breakage are completely at odds with my experience. I've been running PC-991 chains or its PC-99 predecessor for over 10 years now, after wearing out the Shimano XT chain that came on my Sugar and deciding to try the SRAM to go with my SRAM driveline and to get the ease of use with the PowerLink. I liked it, and have run only these chains on that and my subsequent bikes. I am 6' 3", 190 pounds and am a strong, aggressive rider, but I have never broken a chain in about 15k miles of riding in nice or nasty Alaskan conditions, on road and off. This includes high-stress hammering up climbs and over ledges and big root balls on the mtb, or standing and powering over rollers in the big ring on the road bike. I can't square that away with the cases of breakage being reported, and think this chain is getting a bum rap.
I do take decent care of my gear (not just the chain), so as not to find myself walking out, but nothing particularly unusual. I usually run the Hollow Pin chain on the road, and the stronger Cross-Step chain on the mtb's and snow bike. I hose off the chain when muddy, and keep it well-lubed and running quiet (using BoeShield T-9 lube as my current favorite). I check the stretch periodically and replace the chain at 0.75% stretch to preserve my more-costly front chain rings, usually getting 800-1000 miles on the mtb chains and 1800-2000 miles on the road. I don't shift the front under power, but do shift the back under fair power. I run X.0 twist shfters and can jump multiple cogs at one time, but do avoid running full-cross chaining. I've broken freewheels and torn off rear deraillers on trail hazards, and have been able to fix things on the trail more easily with the PowerLink, but have not broken a chain. Just regular use in daily riding, and excellent shifting and reliability with the X.0 drivelines.
What's not to like? I go through a couple of chains every year, and have just ordered a couple more to get me through this season. I bought them on Ebay as usual, and am confident that they will continue to work well.
Favorite Trail: Everywhere
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At: Ebay
Similar Products Used: Shimano, older SRAM generations
Bike Setup: Intense 5.5 EVP with SRAM X.0 driveline, 9-Zero-7 fat bike with SRAM X.0, Fisher Sugar 1 with SRAM X.0, Specialized Roubaix Pro with Ultegra
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
blazin396
a Cross Country Rider
from Warrensburg MODate Reviewed: March 4, 2011
Strengths: light weightWeaknesses: sram chains break easilyBottom Line: I have ridden Sram chains mostly but everytime I start to putthe power down the chain breaks. The last two times I went to push up a hill at speed the chain broke and I went flying into the ground, these chains have sent me to the hospital twice I am about to send my bill to sram lol.
Favorite Trail: Rim Trail
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At: Freeride Bike and Sk
Similar Products Used: sam 951 and sram 971
Bike Setup: 2010 Raliegh Talus 8.0 with reba dual air rtl, kenda nevegal tire, sramn 990 cassette, truvative stylo, crank brothers egg beaters,
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Camdonite
a Weekend Warrior
from Poplar Grove, ILDate Reviewed: September 19, 2010
Strengths: Quick-linkWeaknesses: QualityBottom Line: I rode about 5 miles with this chain before I broke a link. I had my bike professionally tuned up and lubed a day before I took it out and a half an hour in it broke. Buy SRAM cassettes, not their chains.
Favorite Trail: Rock Cut State Patrk
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At: Online
Similar Products Used: Shimano CN-HG74
Bike Setup: Giant Talon 29er2, SRAM X9 Derailleurs, SRAM X7 Shifters, SRAM PG990 Rear Cassette, stock Shimano Crankset
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Velcro39
a Weekend Warrior
from Central MaineDate Reviewed: September 15, 2010
Strengths: Strong, reliable, quietWeaknesses: Price? Totally worth it, though.Bottom Line: This is the first chain I ever had on this bike. Used it intensely for almost 5 years, broke once or twice. Next to no maintenance the whole time. Finally replaced it because it was old, loose, noisy, and rusty. I had so few problems I picked up the exact same thing to replace it. Still haven't had any problems. I'll keep this one maintained and lubricated though.
Favorite Trail: Bangor City Forest
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$44.00
Purchased At: Ski Rack Sports
Bike Setup: 2005 KHS AM1000, SRAM X9 all around
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
mattalrob
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, EnglandDate Reviewed: March 29, 2010
Strengths: Strong, easy shifting, reliable, powerlink means easy to take offWeaknesses: None that I'm aware ofBottom Line: First of all, I just can't understand the criticisms of this chain from the other reviewers. Unless it has been fundamentally changed in the last few months, then they seem to be writing about a completely different chain.
All I can say is that I have ridden literally 1000s of miles on these and they have never let me down. The powerlink is such a simple idea (so simple that Shimano still stick to old-fashioned link pins) and makes taking off and cleaning the chain simple.
Admittedly I do try to look after my chains, in terms of keeping them clean and lubricated, as well as trying to avoid shifting under pressure (more so as not to jump the chain than avoid wear). But I'm a heavier rider and give these things a fair pounding.
I've just bought two more chains and will report back if I have any issues - I'm off on a 500-mile tour in July which should give it a good test!
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Similar Products Used: Shimano HG93 & HG73, SRAM PC971
Bike Setup: Cannondale F800 Lefty
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
romr
a Downhiller
from San DiegoDate Reviewed: February 27, 2010
Strengths: Quicklink.Weaknesses: Everything else.Bottom Line: What a piece of crap guys. I built my Santa Cruz with this piece of crap because it was on sale at PP. I bought 2 of these. Basically I get on a ride and when you need it the most when you're cranking up the hill the stupid thing fails and breaks, at first I thought it was the quick link, however, after further inspection I saw that it was a pin that had just popped out. What a freaking bummer trying to fix this piece of crap while on the trail. So I did, came home checked everything and double checked it. Fast forward 10 rides and sure enough while pumping air into my tire I glance at the chain and half of a pin is out with one of the links hanging loose. I proceed to spend the next half an hour in the parking lot trying to fix this stupid thing, luckily I had a whole new link and just replaced it after removing the bent as hell part. So everything is great now right? WRONG! As I'm going up the hill, the exact same freaking place it broke the first time, the freaking thing breaks again!!! ARG! Unbelievable! I gave up, just coasted and "skateboarded" my bike down from the trail; consider this your fair warning what a piece of crap! I'm giving it a chili only because I can't give it -20!
Favorite Trail: Mission Trails
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At: Price Point
Similar Products Used: Shimano, so much better.
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Heckler AM, XO everything. XTR Front Derr. Fox 36 VAN RC2, DHX5.0
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
mfennell
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, NJDate Reviewed: October 5, 2009
Strengths: DunnoWeaknesses: Breaks.Bottom Line: Just logged onto MTBR to see if anyone else had the same problems I do. Lo and behold, I am not alone! I just broke another one of the things yesterday, starting from a top on a steep hill in the granny. C'mon! Always the same failure mode - one of the plates pulls off.
I am not a maintenance zealot, granted, but wipe down and lube the chain every other ride. In 15 years of road and mtb riding, I've broken two Shimano chains. In 2 years of using the SRAM 991, I've broken three of them. I'm going back to Shimano.
Favorite Trail: hartshoren
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At: Speedgoat
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
PDXJeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, ORDate Reviewed: October 4, 2009
Strengths: smoother shifting
strong enough for a 200 lb rider, 30 lb bike commuting.Weaknesses: noneBottom Line: The stock chain was a SRAM PC-971. I was not happy with the shifting. Performance had a deal too good to pass up to upgrade to the PC-991. I've put 2100 miles on it between April and Oct in Portland, OR; plenty of rain. It has been lubed regularly, but not cleaned as often as it should.
The bike is going for a tune-up and needs a new chain. I like this chain and will replace it with the same model this weekend.
I'm 200 lbs, my bike is 30 lbs w/o saddle bags. I climb the steep hill in the Riverview cemetery on most days. No issues with strength other than my legs ;)
Favorite Trail: roady
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$31.00
Purchased At: Performance
Similar Products Used: SRAM PC-971
Bike Setup: '09 Trek Portland - stock drive train
SRAM 950 cassette, Shimano 105 rear derailleur,
FSA Gossamer Triple crank, Shimano Tiagra front derailleur
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
alembicf1x
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CADate Reviewed: September 9, 2009
Strengths: shinyWeaknesses: weak master linkBottom Line: This chain broke on me twice at the master link. First time I thought it was due to a worn cogset as the chain was slipping on steep climbs. I was able to put it back together and replaced the cogset, everything was good for a couple of hundred miles.
Second time it broke it wrapped around my cogs and ripped my X-O derailleur clean off the bike.
Fortunately, SRAM was good about covering me on the chain and the derailleur. Unfortunately, I have lost confidence in their chains and will be looking elsewhere.
If you have tiny little matchstick legs and ride flats only, this chain may be adequate for you.
Favorite Trail: braille
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Bike Setup: chi chi deluxe
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Geist262
a Cross Country Rider
from PA USADate Reviewed: June 4, 2009
Strengths: Sram PowerlinkWeaknesses: Very weak chain.Bottom Line: This chain was supposed to be really good and it was on sale. It was more than I usually spend on a chain. I broke it 3 times in a week. All three times I was climbing. I was NOT shifting under load either. The chain just doesn't hold up well at all. I don't recommend this chain to anyone.
Favorite Trail: Ho Chi Minh
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At: Price Point
Similar Products Used: Shimano and older Sram chains
Bike Setup: Ibex Asta
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
comptiger5000
a Weekend Warrior
from Connecticut, USADate Reviewed: May 23, 2009
Strengths: Seems strong enough, shifts smoothly, quietWeaknesses: Haven't found any yetBottom Line: Good, solid, well priced chain. I am light (130 lbs), but have been using this chain for about 10 months now, and have put several hundred miles of both road and trails on this chain. As long as you keep it clean and lubed, it shifts beautifully and shows no signs of stress or impending failure.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$27.00
Purchased At: JensonUSA
Similar Products Used: Sram PC-871
Bike Setup: 2006 Giant Yukon with lots of mods
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
atomicAdam
a Downhiller
from oaklandDate Reviewed: May 18, 2009
Strengths: it works if you take care of itWeaknesses: priceBottom Line: I feel compelled to write this review. This chain has such a bad rating on MTBR yet I feel it is really user error.
I found my PC-991 when pushing up the hill at a Southridge race. The master link was missing and the chain was dry as a bone.
I picked it up, cleaned it off, lubed it, and have been using it for over a year since.
I lube my chain and clean it every week, or twice a week depending on how much I get to ride. I used this chain in Whistler for 3 straight days of riding in the rain. I've used this chain and it hasn't been an issue ever.
You know why, because I lube my chain and take care of it. I know others who have PC-991 chains, who lube them, and they've never had an issue.
I think the 2.19/5 ranking for this chain is completely unfair and is probably do more to incorrect set-up - sloppy shifting under undo stress, or poor maintenance than anything the chain has done.
Favorite Trail: pac-town
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: on the side of the h
Similar Products Used: other SRAM chains
Bike Setup: canfield F1
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
TTTURNER
a Cross Country Rider
from La Quinta/Idyllwild CADate Reviewed: May 13, 2009
Strengths: Easy cleaning.Weaknesses: Too soft. Doesn't shift well with Shimano or SRAM cassettes.Bottom Line: Sram has dropped the ball with this chain.
Favorite Trail: Buhoff
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At: Pricepoint
Similar Products Used: Shimano XTR
Bike Setup: Turner Flux, XTR, Mavic SL Disc
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