Submitted by
PaulM
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: November 17, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Lightish, looks nice in the box
Weaknesses:
Two frozen links after the first ride. Seems to be due to a very soft metal.
Similar Products Used:
Almost everything
Bike Setup:
Lynskey Ti
Bottom Line:
This chain is no good, I have tried rohloff, SRAM, KMC, Shimano chains over the last 10 years, the best of the bunch turns out to be a mid range SRAM chain, like the 970. Seems to last longer and the powerlink is a real plus - means you can run two chains and swap them every month or so to save the life of the rest of it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Rosa CA Date Reviewed: August 2, 2009
Favorite Trail:
The one I am on !
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Nor Cal
Strengths:
Easy install.
Weaknesses:
Breaks with no warning.
Similar Products Used:
Yes.
Bike Setup:
Xross country all day rider setup.
Bottom Line:
Good chain but it will break.
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Submitted by
utahmountaineer
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden, Utah Date Reviewed: June 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Steep and technical
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Smooth even shifting. Quick link makes for easy removal and installation
Weaknesses:
You know when to replace this sucker. Instead of becoming stretched out, it breaks. When mine went it wrapped around the rear der. and sheared off the hanger
Similar Products Used:
shimano, sram
Bike Setup:
Vassago Bandersnatch with all the trimmings
Bottom Line:
Do not let this chain run dry. Clean and lube regularly. Mine broke twice after 6 months use. Although opinions vary about how often a chain should be replaced, I was used to riding a couple seasons on a chain before it was stretched to it's limit.
Bottom line, I did like this chain and will buy another. This time I will pay closer attention to it's condition and wear.
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Submitted by
tcook
a Cross Country Rider
from Hollister Date Reviewed: April 26, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Weight
Weaknesses:
Workmanship
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, kmc
Bike Setup:
Fisher Superfly
Bottom Line:
I've purchased two of these chains. The first one broke within a month and the second one had two frozen links, brand new out of the box. Shimano xtr and xt have never shown this problem.
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Submitted by
amillmtb
a Racer
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA Date Reviewed: February 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Hartwood, Frick, 7 Springs
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Quick Link is the best, very light mine is 264.7g, Strength
Great chain, if you are thinking about buying it, do it. I have been riding this chain for about 5 months, and it is rides like it did the day I put it on my bike. It has great strength, is really light, and comes with a quick link. The quick link is an amazing invention by SRAM. This is a great, easy, tool free way to take the chain off. This chain may require a bit more maintenance than others, but for a chain this light, I don’t mind taking it off every couple days and cleaning it. This chain did 7 Springs 24 hour challenge and Big Bear with me, and was fabulous during both. I am by no means a Clydesdale masher; I am only 155lbs, and take care of my chains. Choosing the correct time to shift is crucial to keeping a chain. If you “power shift” this chain may not be for you.
Buy this chain if:
~You want a light chain
~You don’t mind maintenance
Don’t buy this chain if:
~You are a hardcore masher, who “Power Shifts”
~You constantly find your self crossing the chain in 1-9 or 3-1
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, California USA Date Reviewed: December 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hurkey Creek Park(24Hrs/Adrenalin Course)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Pasadena Cyclery
Strengths:
PowerLink design; lightness; smooth shifts.
Weaknesses:
None yet....even after a YEAR of riding.
Similar Products Used:
SRAM PC-951; KMC 9SL; Shimano Deore LX
Bike Setup:
19-pound Cannondale XC race hardtail.
Bottom Line:
It's true- take care of your parts, and you'll be rewarded with long service life. Don't get me wrong, I PUSH my Hollowpin chain on those grueling hills, and with wide ring/cassette combinations- but I almost NEVER stress the chain, when shifting(ie; no STOMPING at mid-shift). It takes some practice.....and just a millisecond delay, to complete the shift and THEN HAMMER it.
I have almost 2000 road/trail miles on this chain, and at 264 grams running 108 total links- this chain has already exceeded my expectations, and returned my $40 investment. Plus, you can't beat the PowerLink concept.....no TOOLS required! Would I buy another one? Absolutely!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
radicaltrek
a Cross Country Rider
from LaSalle, Canada Date Reviewed: September 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Maybury
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Breaks Easily
Similar Products Used:
Shimano CN-7701
Bike Setup:
Trek 6000, Rockshox Recon 351 Coil U-Turn, Sram X.9 Front and Rear Derailleurs, Sram X.9 Trigger Shifters, Crankbrothers Candy SL Pedals,Bontrager Race X Lite Saddle, Panaracer Smoke and Dart Tires.
Bottom Line:
If you are thinking about buying this chain purchase a chain break at the same time because you will spend more time repairing then riding. Sram really dropped the ball on this item!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TCRunner
a Cross Country Rider
from Traverse City, MI. USA Date Reviewed: August 29, 2008
Only buy this product if you never need, plan or want to mash down on your pedals. This chain broke after 4 months (400 miles) of riding. I was crossing a paved road, stomped down on the pedal (no steriods), chain broke and I was hugging the asphalt. I've read reviews or this product that blame the rider for not maintaining their equipment. Hogwash! This chain was maintained, installed correctly and I was not changing gears. I simply gave it the gusto and it broke. That has never happened to me with any Shimano chain with 4x the miles.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel Mabry
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: March 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
jmabry90@yahoo.com
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Came in a cool case
Weaknesses:
It breaks
Similar Products Used:
SRAM PC99
Bike Setup:
Yeti ASR
Bottom Line:
I snapped a 3 month old PC99 chain last month and although I said I was going back to Shimano I realized I had an extra chain in my bike parts. It was a new PC991 Hollow Pin. It lasted less than 100 miles before it broke. I'm only 160 lbs and don't put a whole lot of force to the ground. I'm off to try a different brand of chain now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle Ireton
a Cross Country Rider
from Poway, CA Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$44.00
Purchased At:
BeyondBikes
Strengths:
Shifts well, Light wieght
Weaknesses:
Broke it within a mile. My dad use it and it snaped in a couple of weeks
Bottom Line:
I am looking for a more heavy duty one. If you crank it you will break it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA Date Reviewed: August 30, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$45.00
Strengths:
Very leightweight. Shifts well.
Weaknesses:
Durability.
Similar Products Used:
Sram PC-99.
Bike Setup:
Turner Flux. Avid Juicy Carbons, Rockshox Reba, XTR and XO mix. Crossmax SL wheels.
Bottom Line:
I had a Sram-pc-99 chain for about 3 years and had no problem ever with it. I haven't broken a chain for about 10 years. In preparing for the 24 hours of great glen race I figured I would get my drivetrain in order which meant a new Sram cassette, XTR middle chainring, and a new chain. I settled on the 991 hollowpin figuring that it would be fine for me. I'm 160 pounds, do xc riding only, and keep my drivetrain very clean, probably much cleaner than the typical rider. The chain made it through the 24 hour race fine, so that was about 8 hours of riding. I did one ride after, riding up and down a mtn in Vt, then I was racing this past weekend in NH and on the 2nd lap of the race at the top of a climb while I was in 2nd place, the chain snaps. The sram powerlink was totally busted as well, as it somehow got tigthened up when the chain snapped. So, in the end, don't waste your money on this. Get a pc-99 or shimano chain, don't do the hollowpin thing, it simply isnt worth it. I just can't justify anything higher than a 1 on this because it didnt even last me 1 month.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chet
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern CA USA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007
TAKE CARE OF YOUR COMPONENTS, AND THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!
After reading some of the reviews on this chain I was a little leary about using it. However I know the style of rider I am, and how I handle my bike. I only weigh 170 lbs. When I go riding with friends, they are constantly shifting under major cranking stress. They dont clean and service their components after each ride, and they dont bother to think about what gear they should be in BEFORE they get to the steep all out climb, so they are forced to change gears when their out-of-shape machinery can't pedal up the hill!
I take care of my bike, I never shift while the chain is under great stress, I regularly check the calibration of derailleurs, I regularly clean and lube all moving parts. If this chain has snapped while you are riding it, I would not put all the blame on the component, usually a chain failure is due to multiple root causes(user error, improper maint. or installation, repeated shifting under stress)
You can't perform manual drops in transmissions in cars either without expecting some failure. Why should shifting a bike chain under stress be viewed as anything different?
Most of the riders I know have bikes that are equipped way above their abilities. If you want a component that can be mindlessly beat up, go to Walmart and have at it. You must realize that when you purchase a higher end component, the manufacturer builds the component geared to a consumer that has some experience and discretion about how to properly ride and control a bike. There is more to riding a bike than pedaling and pointing foreward.
On a final note, I am not trying to knock other reviewers, just stating my own experience with others I have ridden with. If you know how you ride, you should be able to decide which type of chain is right for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dominic Libby
a Cross Country Rider
from Milton, NH, USA Date Reviewed: May 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
I'll never tell
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
KHS Dealer
Strengths:
Weight, Easy installation.
Weaknesses:
Value weakness only. A little pricey for only a few grams of weight savings. I wouldn't pay retail price for this chain.
This chain is on 06 Cannondale Prophet with a Manitou Swinger 3 way Air shock, SRAM XO Rear derailleur(Mid-cage) with XO twister for shifting, Shimano XT E-type fr. deralleur with XTR960 crankset, FSA XC 300 wheelset, '06 Marzocchi All Mountain SL fork 160mm travel, the rest of the parts are top notch also. Bike weighs in at a touch over 27.5 lbs. for a large size using my Ultimate brand scale. I love it!
Bottom Line:
I'm very lucky with chains. My riding buddy's snap all brands of chains while I rarely have issues. I don't know why this happens. This is my third Hollow Pin chain and they've lasted through a set of chain rings so I can't complain. I change chains when I replace worn rings. What I do differently from my friends is clean the bike using only bicycle specific cleaners when needed and I regularly(before every ride) lube using Pedro's Ice Wax in the summer and White Lightning Race Day(No longer made but I have a gallon of the stuff) in the winter. Put it on then let it sit for a few minutes then wipe the excess off. Ice Wax and Race Day make for a very clean drivetrain. My shifting works flawless which makes me end up wrenching everyones bike because they want the performance I experience. Keep it clean and lubed and it should work like all good chains but lighter. A Park Tool chain checker tool checks chain stretch and I recommend all chains be checked if you ride regularly. Again I must say I've had great luck with all chains even the dreaded Shimano UN52/LX of old which many people snapped. My riding background is XC, DH and Road since the late Sixties/Early Seventies. I have a few bikes with both brands of chains. I love them all. I feel for the others who are having breakage problems but I believe they have issues with all chains(like my friends do). I've been in this business long enough and have heard all the "I was just riding along" stories to write a book. Me I'll continue to use SRAM chains. Hollow Pin or what ever.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
allen
a
from Florida Date Reviewed: May 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$47.00
Purchased At:
Trailhead Bicycle Co.
Strengths:
Weight
Weaknesses:
Weak. I installed the chain & did 4 mile road ride w/ lots of climbs. The last hill the chain snapped.
Similar Products Used:
Sram PC-59. Various Shimano chains.
Bike Setup:
Shimano XTR rear derailleur, XT front derailleur.
Bottom Line:
I called the bike shop. He told me to call Sram. Sram did nothing for me & told me to call the bike shop. Since by this time I was in a different state I went somewhere else to get chain. I now run a Shimano Durace (road bike) chain. No problems!!!
Do not buy this Sram chain. I have talked to people from Florida to Tennessee to Utah. All have mentioned the poor performance of this chain. Light weight means light duty!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris V
a Cross Country Rider
from MI Date Reviewed: April 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Fort Custer
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Riverfront Cycle Lansing Mi
Strengths:
Great look, shifts like warm butter...'n its not shimano
Weaknesses:
Broke after less than 20 miles...never shifted it under heavy load...both plates pulled off the rivet, one plate wasn’t even bent like im accustom to seeing. Total weight savings over the PC991 that i was using before is 10 grams, i was hoping for more like the 30 the site suggested.
Cannondale Jekyll, full X-0, Carbon Juicys, Chris King R hub w/ Mavic XM 819 rims, crank bros cranks, Thompson Post, Rocket V Team, Monkey lite bars
Bottom Line:
Go with the PC991...i dont think sram has the center riveting down yet...and the side punch is plenty strong enough.
Well, i must say iv been rather disappointed w/ sram over my last 3 purchases...1st i got my carbon juicys and before i was even able to get on the trail (just like 15 min in the parking lot) the gasket on the caliper blew out, 2nd after 3 months my X-Gen F. derailleur clamp pin pulled out, and now after 20 miles the hollow pin separated from the plates...this has all been in the last year or so, i dont know what is up (i swapped to sram stuff in late 04, and have never had a problem...till now). I will say Sram Warranty service is bar none, 10 min on the phone & they have sent the replacement 2 day or next day to the shop...its not the 3 hours on the phone & 2 months like with Shimano...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ivan
a
from Croatia, Europe Date Reviewed: February 26, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Look, weight, easy to install
Weaknesses:
maybe to loud
Similar Products Used:
sram PC-68, and shimano
Bottom Line:
I have had this chain for 3 months and I was impressed with its performance. However I had no problmes with the chain and not any kind of sudden broke during a ride. For the price and my experience at this point I would buy another one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adrian
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA Date Reviewed: February 4, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Wompy State Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At:
gearlink.com
Strengths:
Weight
Weaknesses:
Inferior materials - low quality
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Trek 6700
Bottom Line:
I have had this chain for 2 months and initially i was impressed with its performance. Its weight was a main reason why I bought it in the first place. However, the chain all of sudden broke on me during a ride last weekend. I was very shocked considering that I had it for such a brief time. Lucky for me I was able to repair it since I had some spare links otherwise I would have to go out and buy a new chain. Great concept but the materials used to manufacter the hollow pins has to be upgraded to a much better material. For the price and my experience at this point I would not buy another one. I would stick to the solid pin chains.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Needham, MA, USA Date Reviewed: January 25, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Hollow pin increases strength and decreases weight
Weaknesses:
Oh god...great design, poor manufacturing and quality control.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX, XTR, KMC etc...
Bottom Line:
Its never a dire situation when these chains break on me. I've been loyal to avid because of shimano's horribly shifting chains and the nightmare I call DEORE LX. I broke the first two in strange ways. The first one bent a link laterally about 45 degrees when it fell from a missed shift from my nightmare DEORE LX front derailleur. The second chain I purchased due to the fact that it wasn't the chains fault for breaking the first time. I was pedalling up a shallow slope of maybe 3 or 4 degrees in the lowest gear while sitting down and going in circles waiting for a friend. I was casually cruising around a cul de sac and it simply snapped. Two defective pins next to each other? no way...yes way... Surprised me and the fellow bike mechanics I work with. I reluctantly bought a third one which was in a strange new package as opposed to the Sram logo'd cd-case the first two came in. The third one must have been effected by a production revision because its been working fine for the past 250 miles. 3 Chili's for value. Not cheap, not expensive. 3 chili's for overall. Good engineering, poor quality control.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adrian Pearmund
a Cross Country Rider
from Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdon Date Reviewed: January 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Shifts great
Weaknesses:
Chain breaks easily with the links coming off the pins. I've been through two of these chains in the last year. With the first chain breaking, I thought it was bad luck, now I'm convinced it's down to quality.
Bike Setup:
Dekerf Team SST, Pace RC 40, Sram X.0, lots of Easton carbon, Hope mini disks, hope hubs and Mavic 819 rims - nice
Bottom Line:
I really can't recommend these chains, it's a shame because they look great on paper and they shift brilliantly, but chain life and is way too short.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Htail
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA Date Reviewed: November 8, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
Easy to install, light, shifts as well if not better than Shimano.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
XTR
Bottom Line:
Another one of those products that i kick myself for not using before. Being a prev loyal Shimano component person, I always used their chains.
SRAM chains, like the derailleur components really work great. The biggest benefit is not having to break the chain to remove or assemble it. the problem I've had with Shimano chains, is that in assembling a new chain, it's easy to skew the pin as you're inserting it with a chain tool, thereby causing a stiff link. SRAM's powerlink scheme, pretty much avoids this, brilliant!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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