ad6mj said:
A 10 speed chain would probably not be as strong. Also, aren't 10 sp powerlinks single use?
No, IRD makes a link that you can remove and replace as much as you want, and is compatible with other manufacturers' chains. Wippermans are the same way, and though I haven't seen one, I'd bet SRAM 10sp chains are the same. Campy and Shimano are both master-pin style, and the pins are single use.
I just don't believe that a 10sp chain can really improve shifting that much (if at all) -- not enough that it's worth the extra $$ for each chain. And I have to believe that they're going to stretch and wear out faster, particularly if you (like most riders do) cross-chain frequently. Pricer chains + more frequent replacement + faster wear on your cassette / chainrings = not worth the tradeoff.
I've always made a point of running the cheapest possible chain and cassette combination, with the assumption that proper adjustment and a good shifter/derailleur combo, combined with judicious timing of my shifts, would provide adequate performance. I've never felt like cheaping out on chains and cassettes handicapped me at all -- not breaking lots of chains, etc. -- and since we're talking about components with finite life spans anyway, I figure it's better to swap into a fresh (if not top-notch) chain/cassette every season for, say, $50 total (thank you Pricepoint!), than to try to milk three seasons out of a $100 cassette or $50 chain. That way, I get the assurance of a new chain every year, and I always have "still usable" back-up chain/cassette tandems in my parts bin.
But hey, whatever floats your boat.