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Submitted by
Vlad
a Cross Country Rider
from Cluj Napoca, Romani
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | Real tough, I use it with a Power Link and is awesome | | Weaknesses: | it's consuming real fast (about 1500km) | | Similar Products Used: | HG: 53,73,93
CN7701 (xtr / dura ace) | | Bike Setup: | Specialized, Reba, Hayes Brakes, Xtr Drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | cross coutry rider/racer. don't know what else to say ... think you don't wanna know more about the bottom line just about the chain, well Use any shimano chain with a Sram Power link, it's awesome, and it's not breaking
cheers | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Wayne
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | red | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | It works | | Weaknesses: | None worth reporting | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | Chains need be measured for stretch. The guy below complains because 1.5 year old chain breaks?!?!?!?!?! Buy a chain checker and replace the chain when needed and you will never have a problem. Leave a 1.5 year old chain on a MTB and your just asking for trouble | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Borut Kuk
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Purchased At: | CS Eurotrade | | Strengths: | Good shifting | | Weaknesses: | Shimano pins | | Similar Products Used: | HG73, Sachs/Sram hollowpin | | Bike Setup: | XT+Hone | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT USE SHIMANO PINS FOR PUTTING IT TOGETHER!
I use on other bike for a year 73, same problem! In first 15 minutes chain breakes!
Shimano has verrrry stupid way for putting chains together so I used Sram's GOLDEN EYE for ultimate connection. Works perfectly! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin p
a
from nova scotia
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | It will do for a temp. chain. | | Weaknesses: | This thing should go 1500 miles easy without breaking; but it doesn't (road, trail or whatnot). | | Similar Products Used: | one that didn't break (Shimano) | | Bike Setup: | GT outpost 2000, yeti grips, stock drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | This is the last Shimano chain I dare to get. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Euzent
a Racer
from Palo Alto, CA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | skeggs point | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Any place cheap | | Strengths: | Accurate shifts on XTR drivetrains | | Weaknesses: | pins cost too much money to repair chain if needed | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur Full XTR | | Bottom Line: | Well I have broken some of these chains, but always as a result of something going wrong besides the chain. But I used this chain and its equivelent models since 9spd cassets first came about. On all shimano bikes the shifting is near excellent. Reliability has been excellent as well, but I must note that I am very meticulous about maintaing my bike. So my chain is almost always cleaned and lubed (which make every chain work and last longer) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Downhiller
from Windsor, Ont
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | TriCycles | | Strengths: | Well, None. | | Weaknesses: | Ive broken this god forsaken chain 7 times in a month, it was fine for a year, then it just kept breaking and not always were a repaired it.. Junk. | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 890 with XT/XTR everything | | Bottom Line: | Dont get this chain, and if your bike comes with it, replace it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Shimano Name | | Weaknesses: | Breaks way too often.
Requires expensive replacement to pins to fix. | | Similar Products Used: | Sachs | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper hardtail with XT 9 speed drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | I received this chain (technically the HG-93) with the Shimano 9-speed upgrade kit from Performance Bike and have had nothing but trouble with it. It has broken on just about every ride, usually towards the beginning of a steep climb when I am pushing hard. I weigh 165, so I don't think I am being unreasonable in my expectation that the chain shouldn't break, especially when my old 8 speed Sachs chain broke maybe 2 or 3 times in the 3+ years I beat on it. Every time the Shimano chain broke, the link pin pulled out of the side plate and the plate bent. On the plus side, the chain has not broken where I repaired it with the Shimano pins- it is always someplace new. At $2 a pop for replacement pins it won't take me long to have spent the cost of a new chain on replacement pins, so I am going to order a Sachs or SRAM chain today and toss the Shimano in the trash. I am still a fan of Shimano components, just not their chains. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William Hobby
a
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Granite Quarry | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Light, shifts well | | Weaknesses: | Breaks very easily | | Similar Products Used: | stock chain | | Bike Setup: | Trek 920, Bontrager Mustang Rims, Hutchinson Python Tires. XT drive train componentry, Easton carbon handlebar, Shimano 989 pedals, Selle Flite seat, Ritchey Comp stem, Rockshox seatpost, Truvanti Stylo crank | | Bottom Line: | I am not absolutely convinced to my theory. But it is in my mind plausible that Shimano has intentionally let the design of the chain weak so that when it breaks it has a calculated probablity of damaging other componentry, primarily derailers. Thus the bike rider must purchase again the derailer or such sooner than the time it would have to be replaced under normal wear.
My weight is 215 pounds, and maybe the chain is designed for a much lighter rider, possibly 130 or less.
The chain has broken repeatedly and this week it took out my front derailler.
I like most Shimano components, but will never buy another chain of theirs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Crack'd Helmet, Tryon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Shifts nicely with shimano components, not too much chain suck. | | Weaknesses: | Keeps coming apart! Broken my front derailer twice, and my rear derailer once! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM PC69, Shimano HG | | Bike Setup: | gt i_Drive 5.0 2001, Judy 100, shimano XT/LX drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | Well, I love just about any Shimano component. This is the first Shimano component I'm dissapointed in. I've used the HG chain on my other bike for years with no problems. So, the first day I use this chain, it comes apart! So, I order a special Shimano compatible chain tool (great, now I need a special new chain tool...) and the chain works well for about two months of hard ridin'. Then there's this horrible crunch and one of the links started to seperate and it took the front derailer into the chainrings. Well, I had a spare front derailer...then a couple of weeks latter BLAM, the rear derailer and hanger are all messed up. A broken link's pin caught the derailer cage. Another week latter CRUNCH another front derailer is toast. There's just something wrong with the pins on these chains. Took the chain off and gave it to my riding buddies for spare links. Well, their shimano chains both broke this weekend and they needed the spares. I switched to SRAM PC69 and am happy, haven't broken it yet. I will try Whipperman stainless next. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere forestry | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Smooth shifting almost silky | | Weaknesses: | The crappy shimano pins that come witht the chain, i thought bugger them so i use a sachs 9 speed gold link (the one that you can take apart with your hands) it works unreal. | | Similar Products Used: | KMC, Sachs, CN 7700 | | Bike Setup: | Avanti competitor pro, XTR, Cross Max, XT Hydrolis disc | | Bottom Line: | This has been a very good chain for me and i have not been able to notice any difference between a dura-ace chain and this one. If you use the sachs gold link like i mentioned above then taking apart the chain is no problem. The chain shifts very smoothly when just been cleaned and it has never broken me possibly due to not usinf the shimano pin links. I would recommend buying one for sure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Holbrook
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Pedal Power | | Strengths: | Cant break it with your bare hands. | | Weaknesses: | Many | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2003 Giant NRS 2 | | Bottom Line: | I've broke this chain twice in one day. I have had it replaced 3 time and only have 60 mile on my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Morris
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hells Fury | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Man | | Strengths: | It's a chain that fits on my bike. | | Weaknesses: | I break it every 15 minutes. | | Similar Products Used: | Other chains. | | Bike Setup: | I call it "The Chain Breaker." | | Bottom Line: | I can usually get about a mile out of my chain now, which is better than the 3/4 mile I was getting before I started pushing with my left leg as well as my right.
Yesterday this guy I passed on the trail recommended that I use something called "lube" on my chain. I told him to lube himself, but then I got to thinking, mybe he was trying to help. I've looked on this review site for reviews on lube, but I can't find any. I'll keep looking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Coker
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, tx USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | hammerhjead | | Strengths: | shifts clean
strong | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | all Shimano and SRAM 9 speed chains | | Bike Setup: | hammerhead 100x | | Bottom Line: | this review is for the HG93 actually..
it's the ONLY 9 Speed chain I haven't broke,I have snapped and twisted PC99s and XTR/Durace 9 speed chains..
the HG93 is what's on my bike
Charles
Hammerheadbikes | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Shifts well. | | Weaknesses: | breaks. | | Bike Setup: | Race face, XT | | Bottom Line: | I've broken two. I'm a middle aged recreational rider who doesn't pedal very hard. I keep the chain clean and lubed, and it's installed correctly. A 2 sprocket rear shift under load, especially into the 34 t cog, can pull out the links. I'll try the SRAM next - seems to have a better reputation | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben McGrath
a Cross Country Rider
from Boddington W.A Australia
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Eagle trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Phantom Cycles | | Strengths: | Excellent shifting, good durabuility (although not as good as connex), smooth feel through the cranks. | | Weaknesses: | The pins require patience. Bit pricey here in OZ, but then what isnt? | | Similar Products Used: | Connex | | Bike Setup: | 2000 GT Zaskar, fox float, salsa, thomson, XT, XTR etc. | | Bottom Line: | I cant believe what im hearing, I have never once snapped (touch wood) a shimano 9sp chain. They dont wear as well as the connex but it sure makes up for it in shifting. I install the chain pins with a park tool mini chain brute and have had no probs. To keep an eye on wear I use a Rohloff Caliber 2 and as soon as the chain looks close to worn I ditch it. Ive tried heaps of lubes and the cleanest and smoothest would have to be Finish Line or White Lightning wax.
As for the chain pins, I was 30km away from home in the bush when I smashed the rear deralier clean off the hanger. I shortened the chain, removed the deralier and got some single speed training on the way home. I would have been up for a new chain had it happened with the connex on.
So, its a thumbs up for shimano from me! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Costa Mesa, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El Moro, Aliso, San Juan, Santago TT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | It's OK for a short amount of time. | | Weaknesses: | It breaks. It is almost impossible to fix if you do not have extra Shimano pins | | Similar Products Used: | Sachs 59 | | Bike Setup: | S-Works FSR, XTR / XT, Koobi, Duke Race, Mavic | | Bottom Line: | This chain is good for a short amount of time. I keep mine very well maintained. It broke! The side shredded on two links. If you do not have extra Shimano pins, or if your like me, and your chain breaks in the "wrong spot"; it is nearly impossible to fix. I will never buy a Shimano chain again. If my chain brakes anywhere on itself, I must be able to fix it.; instead I damaged two chain tools. Do yourself a favor, buy something other than Shimano. You will be much happier in the long run. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garner
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun and Ski Sports | | Strengths: | Cheap! Good hard working chain, what else is there? | | Weaknesses: | Rusts kindly quickly (but I don't take care of my bike really at all----straight ABUSE!!) | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Kona Caldera, XT all except crankset (LX hollowtech), Avid Mechanical discs, marz's z5, etc... | | Bottom Line: | Very good chain.... bottom line.... Replaced the last one after about 8 months of riding 5-8 miles 4-5 days a week.... I am even 6'2" and 210 lbs.... It just wore out, and I am about to change cassettes, anyone have any recomendations....---thinking about shimano XT or possible LX to save (poor college student!)I currently have a LX cassette, but its abit heavy--- | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Wayne, IN
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Warsaw | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | various | | Strengths: | Excellent shifting. Fairly inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: | Wear pretty fast (but that is the nature of a narrow chain) | | Similar Products Used: | Sedis. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed with XTR. Cervelo Prodigy with Ultegra. | | Bottom Line: | These chains are about the best out there, and they are inexpensive. If you are breaking them you are either (a) not getting how to use the breakaway fixing pin (b) using the wrong fixing pin (8 and 9 use different pins), or (c) beating the crap out of your chain.
I have found that unlike 8 speed, the entire XTR drivetrain refuses to be run dirty. If you do a short ride one day and plan to just lube and ride the next; forget it. This baby demands a bath and proper lube after EVERY RIDE. But, if you treat it like the $1000 group that it is, you will never miss a shift. Period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Downhiller
from nottingham, uk
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | sssshhhh. It's a secret | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$12.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Shiney, Shifts great, lasted a whole year with out a problem. | | Weaknesses: | NONE AT ALL | | Similar Products Used: | HG72, Sram PC48, HG90, HG70 | | Bike Setup: | Dual Hardtail, UK spec DBR XR4 | | Bottom Line: | O.K I live in the UK, the weather is not nice 9 months of the year, I weight 15.5 stone, I abuse components, I use my dual hardtail to XC rides on (14' tiny little heavy thing, I'm 6ft3) and I use a HG92 chain, I use a shimano chain cause it works with my XT block, I ride in mud and rain and I clean my bike lest than I should and my chain still shifts sweet and has NOT snapped!! I THINK this is 1 of the best chains you can buy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin K
a Weekend Warrior
from Utah USA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Dependable and light | | Weaknesses: | pin instalation | | Bike Setup: | 9 speed XT hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I had to review this product because I cant belive all of the bad reviews. I keep my bike clean and adjusted and have never broken this chain. I did brake a 8 speed chain after 5 years of service, no suprise there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Bromley
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any DH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Good name | | Weaknesses: | Everything | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM, SACHS | | Bike Setup: | Intense UZZI DH & SLX | | Bottom Line: | Let me tell you a little story.....I had been snapping chains for 12 months with Shimano and new no better as Shimano was the name in the game! So every few weeks or so I would go back and ask for another Shimano chain and the shop would duly provide. Then one day a wise man said, why do you keep buying and snapping Shimano chains, why what else is there I say inocently, try SACHS or SRAM. I have both in use on two bikes and have only snapped one since in 18 months. I have a real bug bear about Shimano as they appear to have the best name in the business and I can't see why for eg: I have been through XTR & XT cranks like they are going out of fashion, the XT chainset last for about 32 seconds and then wears badly creating regular chain suck, chains snap just for a laugh, and the bottom brackets squeeks & squidges (technical term) like a mouse about to be run over. In their defense their shifter pods are excellent as are they SIS cables and rear mechs. Top magazines give top ratings because it's Shimano, I suspect there is no other technical assessment of their durability as that would be too much affort, I say credit where credit is due.....so good for some products and diaboloical for others. Get it together Shimano or we will all migrate for ever!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Sorta light weight... | | Weaknesses: | Horrible, horrible quality
Have to use special pins to attach it instead of a powerlink or missing link setup | | Similar Products Used: | Several KMC and Sram chains | | Bike Setup: | Planet X Zebdi (my pride and joy) | | Bottom Line: | I work in a shop so I know how to install a chain. I put this one together exactly how Shimano tells you to, with a Park chain tool and everything. I slapped it on the Zebdi, went out riding, and it broke in 15 minutes. Then, later, after having shortened it a bit and again re-installed it using Shimano's pins, I broke it again, this time just as I was dropping off something. Had it broken a half a second earlier I would need a new face. I switched to a Sram and have had no problems at all. Boo shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darko Andreevski
a Cross Country Rider
from Skopje, Macedonia
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Plenty of them... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bicycles.de | | Strengths: | Hmmm..I was using IG90 for long time, and i was satisfied.. But this one ... I can't remember what is positive.. | | Weaknesses: | Shifting (Truvativ Crankset/XT Cassete), durability... | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano IG70, IG90 | | Bike Setup: | Custom made Specialized FSR XC (Rock Shox SID, Risse Racing Shox, ESP 9.0 Sl, XTR V-Brakes, Mavicx517 XTR/Real Hubs... | | Bottom Line: | While i was on 8 speed system, i was satisfied with Shimano Chains... When i jupmed to 9 speed, i found out that there is not so good shifting (the chain was jumping in Midle ring front, and 8 or 9 rear), and durability..
Today while i was climbing one hill, something snaped.. I found that chain was broken.
But only a pin or something.. A 5 or 6 links was totaly smashed... I was happy that i was not riding alone, so my friends was pushing me for 15 km (becouse we forgot to get with us Chain tool)
I'll try Sram chains, i hope they are better then this one
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Fenton
a Racer
from Clinton Connecticut
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any one with rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | shiny, makes a good neckless | | Weaknesses: | i ve gone through 6 of them and guess what they all broke. Dont blame me, they didnt break at the pin, the link sheared in half! | | Similar Products Used: | Sachs, KHC | | Bike Setup: | K2, Trek, Specialized | | Bottom Line: | broken, alot, all my friends sbreak them too, now we all have sachs and they dont break, or stretch as much as shimano chains. Shimano is the best company in the world, but their chans suck | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
El Jefe
a Racer
from Lake Forest, CA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | breaks breaks breaks | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar. XT derailler, Rolf Propel wheels Bontrager Race crank (another piece of crap!) with RaceFace chainrings | | Bottom Line: | I'm finally buying Sram after snapping 7 chains in a month. I could buy a new friggin bike with the money I spend on chains. Though I really torque the chain, I don't cross-chain or otherwise abuse it. I keep it sparkly clean, but it is simply a piece of sh!t. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas
a Racer
from Germany
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | Shifting, Durability | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Sachs, SLT 99 | | Bike Setup: | Rotwild RC06 Hardtail, SID XC, XTR,Conti Twister Supersonic, Avid Arch 50 | | Bottom Line: | Come on guys, this can't be true. I hear that everybody is complaining about these chains breaking?????
If been racing on Shimano chains since i'm into mountainbike races (over 5 years now). I weight about 90 kg and I never ever broke on of these chains!!!!
I ride in every wheather also when it's muddy, but no problem. Normally I change the chain after roughly 5000 kilometers.
If you install the chains properly with a god tool (Rohloff) and use the special pin (insert it carefully and perfectly in the middle of the chain)there should be no problem.
Hey, if people say they had a chainsuck and after that the chain broke, that's no miracle to me...
If you really badly bent your chain replace it...
That's what happened to my Rohloff SLT 99. I also had a chainsuck due too bad shifter adjustment. Hey it's not Rohloff's fault that after that the chain broke!
Be a little more sensitive while installing the chain, otherwise you'll kill every product on the market.
And don't clean it with high pressure cleaners or totally degrease it!
I'm really not a Shimano fan, but this is the best shifting chain I found on the Market so far.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a
from Denver
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | shifts cleaner than anything else, light | | Weaknesses: | maybe durrability, i race it so i go throgh chains like crazy | | Bottom Line: | great chain. if your a bigger rider get something tougher and dont whine about this one breaking if your over 190 or so. i am a tiny person and can get away with using this chain well. swin and dont slam the pedals your chain, rings, cogs, everything in your drive train will laste longer too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Lachine
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came with my bike | | Strengths: | Nothing... | | Weaknesses: | Links are very soft, you need the stupid pin when you put the chain on the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM, KMC, TAYA | | Bottom Line: | All Shimano chain are scrap. I bent the chain after 1 month and I brake it a couple of week later. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from CV,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came with my bike | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | breaks like a biatch | | Similar Products Used: | KMC | | Bike Setup: | 00' Specialized SJ FSR XC | | Bottom Line: | whats funny is that after reading these reviews the day before i hit the trials the chain snapped. That lil peice of shiet bent the side plate and broke. Dont buy this chain. You might get away for a couple months but then it will eventually blow up in your face along with blowing up your derailer and you'll have to walk your ass back. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Alexander
a Racer
from Kingston, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Conyers Georgia | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | it breaks if you look at it... | | Similar Products Used: | Sram, if I run a sram, I get to use the chain till it stretchs, if I use Shimmano, I get to put the chain back together every lap. | | Bike Setup: | Giant 890, XT, Raceface (not prodigy), Hayes disks | | Bottom Line: | Do not buy this chain. Shimmano is selling crap and getting away with it because people buy it. The only person I know who hasn't broken one is my 100 lb wife. I only ever use a shimmano chain when sram are out of stock, and I know that it will brake in 10 km's. I keep the chain clean enought you would think it was on a road bike, but it doesn't matter. The chain is a joke. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jochen
a Cross Country Rider
from vienna
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | shifts great | | Weaknesses: | not very durable | | Similar Products Used: | sachs, shimano IGs | | Bottom Line: | Well, 9-speed is getting the chain to the limit, you have to replace it more often than the old 8-speed chains. nevertheless a very good chain, it shifts very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry Coe | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Excellent Shifting.
Durable. | | Weaknesses: | Requires the usual special Shimano special pin. | | Similar Products Used: | Sram PC-90, PC-61.
Shimano HG-51 | | Bike Setup: | Stock Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | The shifting with this nine speed chain has been terrific - better than my old Shimano 8-speed. I've had this chain in horrible, slimy, chain-suck conditions, with no hint of sucking (although that's probably more a funtion of keeping the little chainring free of burrs).
The wildest thing was when I used my Park tool to check on the chain wear. After 6 months and 700 miles, half in really slimy conditions, the chain has only shows .25% wear - close to what a typical new chain reads out of the box. My old 8 speed chains, both Shimano and Sram, would be half gone by now. The only thing I can figure is that, thanks to the 34 tooth on the new 9-speed cassettes, I spend a lot more time in the middle chainring. Even so, the chain itself has shown much less wear than I would have expected. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Shifts better than anything I've ever had | | Weaknesses: | Landing on the top tube, over the handlebars, etc.. when the chain breaks - and it usually will. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano and Sachs (pre-SRAM) 8 speed | | Bike Setup: | Easton Elite hardtail w/ XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | This was the original chain that came with my shiny new bike last year, as well as the first 3 replacements. It shifts beautifully and doesn't really wear out any quicker than others. However, before this year I had never broken a chain, I don't know if it's this chain, or 9-speed in general, but I've now broken 3 and twisted one. Just bought a new sachs and it's much, much worse - I'm a shimano man from now on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Murfreesboro, TN
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | My newest one is working well, but stretching fast. | | Weaknesses: | My spec'ed one broke with only 6 miles on it. | | Similar Products Used: | 8 speed shimano, sachs. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Big Sur. | | Bottom Line: | The second chain was free under warranty. I have a great dealer. If your paying, go with Sachs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tony king
a Cross Country Rider
from colorado springs,co
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | shiny, the guys down at the recycling center will give you money for them | | Weaknesses: | wears out (stretches) fast | | Similar Products Used: | other shimano chains on 7 and 8 spd systems | | Bike Setup: | cannondale f700 | | Bottom Line: | I personally have never had problem with breaking this chain, but a friend of mine did; however,I think the chain was improperly installed because it broke at the connecting pin. Ive had four of these chains now (hence my complaint about fast wear) without any breakage. I think its important to follow the instructions to the letter with this chain: always reconnect using a new pin, never try to remove a connecting pin you already installed (the metal in the special pins is harder than the chain plates,which causes irrevicable damage if you try to remove it) and make sure the new pin is prodruding evenly on both sides. Im not trying to say that im some sort of chain expert, but these seem to be biggest reasons people hate this chain. I hate it because it seems to get stretched out MUCH faster than other chains, and at $30 per chain, that adds up real fast | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damon
a Cross Country Rider
from CT
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | looks real nice | | Weaknesses: | shimano pins | | Similar Products Used: | sachs pc-59 | | Bike Setup: | marin rocky ridge, full xtr | | Bottom Line: | this is the last shimano chain i'll ever buy. after cleaning and lubing after every ride you would think it would last longer. installed a sachs pc-59. should've went with sachs all along. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J5
a Cross-Country Rider
from SF,CA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Saw Pit | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
??? | | Weaknesses: |
Seems weak, poorly designed for purpose | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs | | Bike Setup: |
Trek Alum. frame, Real chainrings, XT derailleurs & Shifters, SX-Ti fork | | Bottom Line: | One incident of chain suck trashed this chain. I clean & lube chain & entire drivetrain VERY regularly, yet this chain persists in breaking. I use the Shimano pins, installed properly - no luck. I hope this isn't just a product of 9-spd. I'll try the Sachs 9-spd chain next. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scltt
a Cross-Country Rider
from frederick
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Shifts well and hasn't broken. What more can you ask for. | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
haven't tried any other 9 speed chains. This chain came stock on my Rocky Mountain. | | Bike Setup: |
RM element T.O. | | Bottom Line: | I haven't had a minutes trouble with this chain after 6 months of hard use and I will soon replace it with the same. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. Marchlewski
a Weekend Warrior
from Fenton, MI
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Highland Rec. Area | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: |
Need to use Shimano pins to install/reinstall. Make sure you don't lose them. | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs | | Bike Setup: |
FSR, Fox vanilla, Manitou | | Bottom Line: | My chain has worked perfectly. I do all of my own maintenance and make sure things are installed correctly, i.e. evenly spaced pins. I suspect that those having so much trouble with these chains either aren't installing a new Shimano pin and are reusing the old one, or have not centered the pin within the chain sideplates. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Kallas
a Weekend Warrior
from Hunt. Beach, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Smooth shifts | | Weaknesses: |
None yet | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs PC89R, Shim 7700 | | Bike Setup: |
Full XTR | | Bottom Line: | I have never had a problem with it. If you keep it clean, lubed, and installed properly ( i.e. pins evenly pressed in ) it works perfectly( much better than Sachs). I'm not a light rider either ( 5'11 180 )and have yet to break it like all you other guys. But then some people can break anything. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lexington, SC
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Laural Mt. NC | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
None | | Weaknesses: |
Breaks | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 7000 - Stock | | Bottom Line: | This chain has broke twice on me so far. Took it back to the shop and the mechanic said oh no, another Shimano 9 sp. The extra gears aren't worth it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Carrying Place
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
McCauley Mountain(Picton) | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Wish I could find one!!!!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
Doesn't my strenth comment speak for itself????? | | Similar Products Used: |
sachs | | Bike Setup: |
Giant ATX 1100
Rockshox Judy XL
Rockshox Deluxe | | Bottom Line: | To put it simply, the second chain broke three times in two weeks.The third time it took with it my XTR rear deraileur, dropout, and my rear wheel needed truing. It also left me with a one-speed instead of a 27 speed.....gotta give it one chili though because it does such a good job of ruining a ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Fenton
a Racer
from Clinton CT
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The little one in my back yard | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
If it does break it wont be any farther than ten feet from your point of origin! | | Weaknesses: |
LINKS AND PINS | | Similar Products Used: |
SACHS AND A TEN DOLLAR CHAIN I GOT AT SEARS (IT EVEN WORKED BETTER) | | Bike Setup: |
k21000 AND A TREK | | Bottom Line: | Both my Trek and my K2 came with these chains and I snapped them in two days!!! I got on my Trek and rode of and ripped the link in half I thought it was a fluke the I walked home got my K2 and the same thing happend! My treks a peice of junk and I had little mony so I got a $10 chain for it and a Sachs PC91 for my K2 and I havent broken the sachs but the one on my Trek lasted a month thats still longer than the HG. If your bike comes with this chain buy a new one or you could end up with some banged up casset and deraliure and anacking knee! ***PUT A MINUS IN FRONT OF THOSE FLAMMING TURDS**** | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Trenton Ont.
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Absolutely NONE!!!!!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
Weak Weak Weak Weak Weak Weak Weak!!!!! Breaks under the least load!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs | | Bike Setup: |
Specialized FSR Extreme
Manitou Xvert
Stratos Helix Pro | | Bottom Line: | Stay away from this chain!!! It will leave you stranded unless you repair ir then even after you repair it it may not get you all the way back withour breaking!!! My Buddy had the same problem and it cost him an XTR rear Deraileur, Drop-out and a wheel truing not to mention yet another Shitmano chain!!! Buy SACHS and ride with confidence!! had a sachs on now for 6 months of riding and not one problem!!!! Would give Shimano zero stars if I could!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
woody
a Cross-Country Rider
from japan
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
mining trail nohenji mts, japan | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
none | | Weaknesses: |
weak links
chain sucks | | Similar Products Used: |
sachs | | Bike Setup: |
FSR
Rock Shox Judy 80mm
LX, Avid Components | | Bottom Line: | This product sucks. This is my second chain I have used in a two week timespan and both of them did the same damn thing. SNAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't get it both times there was a weak link in the chain. I will never buy this chain again. Don't get me wrong shimano makes some great products but this one does not take the chili!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis
a Cross-Country Rider
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wasatch Crest | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Didn't seem to have any | | Weaknesses: |
Craped out after about 50 miles | | Similar Products Used: |
Sachs
Dura ace | | Bike Setup: |
Trek7000 xt/raceface
white bros sc70 | | Bottom Line: | this chain really let me down plus I paid like 35$bucks for it. I was left on the trail to walk back because of a chain. :-( | | Overall Rating: |
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