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Submitted by
mrm1
a Weekend Warrior
from Interlachen, FL USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | Mr. Good Bike | | Strengths: | none that I have found | | Weaknesses: | Broke in 2 places on the third ride out. | | Similar Products Used: | HG 71 | | Bike Setup: | Marin Rock Springs with LX Group | | Bottom Line: | Hate to say it, but the chain is really a POS. This is my 2nd 971. The first one a year ago broke at the power lin 2nd time out. this time, I followed the suggests below and "seated" the chain with a gentle road ride prior to pounding it. Out of the box on the 2nd ride it had developed stiff links and was shifting like crap. I had check it for stiff links before install.
Today in the parking lot before the ride, I mashed the peddles and .... BOOM ... Snapped in 2 places right off. They seemed to have just pulled apart. The power link broke, AND it had pulled apart another link about 12 links up. Needless to say, the force of the chain ripping thru the Rear DR also bent my DR and possibly did damage to it as well. May have to replace the DR. With a new chain on it now (HG-71) the shop said they could not get it to adjust correctly now. Looked like the DR was bent.
Bottom Line: This chain DOES NOT INSPIRE CONFIDENCE. IMO stay away from this crap. Gave it a poor value for the Cost to run time ... 3 rides. And an overall 1 chili because IMO a chain should last more than 3 rides. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
aaron0000934
a Cross Country Rider
from Monkton, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Ski Rack | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Broke with less than 15 minutes on it | | Bottom Line: | I bought a brand new Specialized 29er hardtail this weekend with this chain installed. Within the first 15 minutes of my ride the chain broke while shifting up a hill. I was irate and wanted to smash the bike on a big tree. From what I've read this chain is a piece of crap that breaks often. Dont waste your money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Codad 4
a Weekend Warrior
from Virgina
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | East Coast Mts | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | cheap and works (if you set it up right) | | Weaknesses: | got some quirks to look out for. i broke my first a lot... my second i havent cause i've set it properly...
it only sucks cause opperator error. | | Similar Products Used: | other 951 971, sram mostly | | Bike Setup: | IH warrior trail, all air shocked, hyrdo and fatties | | Bottom Line: | this chain will last IF you know how to milk it.
here's my two cents:
1 stiff links are common and WILL cause breaks... so the first two or three rides on the new chain you gotta check and correct. (standard stuff)
2 the power link will fail IF you dont seat with a nice soft ride first. if you get it dirty before it locks all the way it wont ever and it will fail.
3 i have been running it to tight (short) AND hard (up hill shifts and mean powered shifts) for about 15 months... and i have not broken it yet because of #1 and #2.
get a chain tool and try real hard to not put links back in because thats were you start to get stiff (and eventually broken) links. start stock, remove what links you need, put that power link in, set the pwer link and ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
oldsalty
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$24.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | reliable,tooless removable master link | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | shimano,that german brand | | Bike Setup: | on all three bikes | | Bottom Line: | a good chain at good price, NEVER had one break,I use a park tool chain wear tool and replace my chain about 5/1 per cassette and about 8/1 chainrings. hey guys fact is you cannot force shifts or you will break the chain going uphill, gotta choose your gear before or wait for a small flat on the hill, I am able to shift going uphill on my finely tuned bike...takes some finess and I know when not to push it.I have a FSA mega exo crank set, LX cassette, XTR shift cables,xt rear derailleur,SRAM attack shifters on both my hardtail and Heckler and this set up is the best I have tried. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy with the magic wand
a Racer
from massachusetts
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Out west, Washington pass in N Cascades | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | I don't have any problems with Sram Chains. Come on! It's a friggin chain! Is one chain really so different from an other? Don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining! | | Weaknesses: | It does not have a big set of hooters and a great attitude. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | I own two IF bikes and a Surly, all steel. | | Bottom Line: | I believe the negative posts here are by people who are not building their own bikes. Let's face the truth. The majority of americans are riding factory bikes that come with mix matched groups. I've seen some Cannondale full suspension bikes that just horrify me. Nobody wants to work on them cause they know they'll never work right. Being a professional, I know that if you're having a problem with your chain, your drive train has wear or youvbent it. It happens. Not everyone knows what not to do when riding a bike. But most likely, the problem is that you're riding on a bunch of mixed matched crap. Treat your bike to a new group/drive train,(rear derailleur, crank, cassette and chain). Make sure your rear hanger ain't bent. Get it tuned properly and then you might love your chain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Cheap, quick link is great | | Weaknesses: | Strength (snapped) | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano HG, Connex Wippermann | | Bike Setup: | Kula Primo XTR/XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | Just finished a new build and got a good deal on a PC971 with a SRAM cassette so gave it a try. I'd done about 150km and had no problems at all with the drivetrain, and then the chain snapped today on a climb. I read up on here before buying this chain so I knew I had to be careful with shifting under power and take it easy (which I did). I'm not a big guy and not putting out that much power so pretty disappointed the chain went so easily. Used an HG73 on the same trails all last year with no problems (and shifted a lot harder). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod
a Cross Country Rider
from ky
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came w/ my used bike | | Strengths: | It works and no breakage like the other users | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | other SRAM products | | Bike Setup: | tires chain wheels etc. | | Bottom Line: | If you don't shift under loads the chain won't break. I have used this chain for a while without any problems at all. I believe the peoplet that post here after they have a problem with a product. It also has a very cheap price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Warnick
a Cross Country Rider
from Etters, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Ridge, York, PA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Deliveried with bike | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | It breaks | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM PC-991 | | Bike Setup: | Specilized Enduro | | Bottom Line: | I purchased a new Specilized Enduro with the PC-971 chain after about ten rides the chain broke once. I repaired it with a master link and two rides later it broken again in a different place. The chain can't handle any high load up hill shifts. I weight 215 pounds and ride difficult rocky areas. I just purchased a SRAM PC-991 for $50, I hope it works or I am going to a differnt brand. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Washington, WI
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Reliable and easy to remove (with the Powerlink) | | Weaknesses: | None. It does what it is supposed to. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano chains | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Epic | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what these guys who keep breaking this chain are doing. I've been using this chain for years and have never broken one. I replace it about twice a season. I clean it regularly. (Easy to remove with the Powerlink.) I keep my deraileurs tuned. I've broken chains in the past -- but they've all been Shimano. I switched to the SRAM, and haven't had any problems with it breaking or shifting. In fact, I've got this same chain on both my bikes. It works fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol, CT
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | It turns the rear sprocket when it stays together. | | Weaknesses: | It breaks often! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano hyperglide | | Bike Setup: | 06 Stumpjumper FSR | | Bottom Line: | Came stock on my 06 Stumpy FSR. While it worked fine the first 100 miles or so, it quickly deteriorated. Shifting was never an issue, but the strength. I typically break this chain every 50 miles or so, and I do not beat on it. VERY frusterating. I've been riding several days a week for about 20 years now, and I think I've broken a chain once or twice before this piece of garbage. If you buy a bike that has this chain, do yourself a favor and spend the extra 25-30 bucks for a shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peeler hughes
a
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Guy's bikes | | Strengths: | a very smooth shifting chain, lightweight. | | Bottom Line: | I am following up a review on my last chain, the PC 971. I have since switched to the SRAM hollowpin 991. I really loved it at first, until the chronic breakage.
I shift under very little crankage. I occasionally meke an emergency shift under load, though I gain speed in gear, shift without applying alot of power and resume cranking hard. Believe me, I shift properly. I have never broken a shimano chain (always used dura ace) But since I switched to SRAM out of circumstance, not choice, I have experienced at least 7 broken chains. I installed them perfectly and rode them under pretty tough conditions, though not atypical.
I have ordered a dura replacement and will never consider a SRAM chain ever again.
Ive become an expert at chain repair. They suck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugh
a Weekend Warrior
from Wyoming
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Quiet at first, shifting was positive and smooth for first 20 miles of use. | | Weaknesses: | Began skipping intermittently after 20 miles of riding. Stiff links showed up repeatedly. Snapped twice in two spots. | | Similar Products Used: | stock chains on other bike. | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Enduro Sl comp completely stock. Chain came with the bike. | | Bottom Line: | By the time I had accumulated 100 miles the chain was done. Snapped twice; I had to fix around 8 stiff links in this time period. The cheapo chain on my commuter doesn't have any issues and has around 2k miles. I would not recommend this chain to anyone unless I was racing them. For money. Or beer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Niagara Falls
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Rapid City Cycle | | Strengths: | It did not break on me
Shifting is fine
Powerlink is easy to use
good value | | Weaknesses: | I don't have any complaints | | Similar Products Used: | PC-59, Deore | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS. XT cassete, Deore Chainrings, Deore Shifters, LX derailleurs | | Bottom Line: | The reviews for this chain, in general suck. I was a long time user of the PC-59, but then it was discontinued. I was hesitant to get a 971, based on the reviews here. But, since i had always used sram, with few problems, i had to find out for myself. I purchased one, and put in on my bike. It worked. I rode it a lot, it wore, like all chains do, and then i replaced it, to get more life out of my cassette.
So, in conclusion, i had no problems with this chain. I think as long as something works, people don't think about it. But, when something breaks, people get pissed, and come write a review here, and this skews the ratings sometimes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
peeler hughes
a Racer
from Bensalem,PA,USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Guy's | | Strengths: | Smoothest shifting chain, glides like a fish over XT cassette. | | Weaknesses: | suddenly broke. going down a hill, not pedaling. | | Similar Products Used: | first SRAM chain | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Blur XT/Raceface drivetrain/Fox suspension/Crossmax tubeless... | | Bottom Line: | This chain broke going down a hill after about 27 miles of racing. It raced 2 weeks prior, a long 31 miles over rocks and mud.
The powerlink must have been the problem. I never broke a chain before. I hit a rock or root, who knows, I heard a loud metal on metal noise, chain gone.
I switched to the SRAM 991 hollowpin. I can't believe how friggin' smooth it, versus the 971. So far I have about 10 miles on the new chain.
Bottom Bottom line: I don't trust the powerlink concept and I think it would be a good idea to carry a spare powerlink. If I break another, I will never use SRAM chains again, I will simply go to Dura Ace road chain, like everyone else and go back to never ever worrying about chain breakage.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Destroy
a Cross Country Rider
from Montréal
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Bottom Line: | Broken my chain 2x in one week. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | MEC | | Strengths: | Light compared to my old chain.
Shiny.
Works great. | | Weaknesses: | It seemed to have some skipping issues at first but it stopped now.
I have been biking pretty much every day for the past month and a half and have had no trouble with this chain. As far as I can tell its a great chain. | | Bottom Line: | I think its a great chain for a decent price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Berthoud, CO
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | chain breaks by outer plates coming off of rivets | | Bike Setup: | '06 Slayer 70 | | Bottom Line: | I'm a big guy (220lbs), and started breaking these chains last year. It goes when I'm powering up a hill or obstacle. Twice last week, finally wised up, and am trying the 991 cross step chain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Queens, NY
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | E-Bay | | Strengths: | Didn't last long enough to find one | | Weaknesses: | Broke after a few rides, One of the links was locked- up | | Similar Products Used: | KMC, pc-48 | | Bike Setup: | 06 Stumpy Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | JUdging by the other reviews here I am not the only one dissappointed with this chain, not worth its wieght in turds | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dirty
a Cross Country Rider
from boston
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | what? | | Weaknesses: | freakin breaks! | | Similar Products Used: | pc 951 | | Bike Setup: | 07 stumpy hardtail carbon sram xo xt cranks/front der.
| | Bottom Line: | three rides on brand new bike chain skipped all over the place then broke on my third ride. I have been riding a pc 951 with no issues on my old hard tail. Also I rode a epic expert demo that exhibited the same issues (I work part time at my local shop)and went back to the shop and it was a pc 971. CRAP CRAP CRAP!!don't buy it, unless you like bloody knees. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WorldBTom
a Cross Country Rider
from NorCal
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Easy to put on | | Weaknesses: | Chain width may be an issue; either that, or the links are too stiff. | | Similar Products Used: | Other SRAM and Shimano chains | | Bike Setup: | SRAM drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | After having gone 9 years without breaking a chain, I have now broken 3 in the last two months. After a particularly nasty, muddy race I replaced the entire drivetrain and was not able to pedal without the bike "ghost shifting". Basically the chain wants to ride up the cassette as soon as I put any tension on the chain (i.e. during any hard pedaling). I took it to multiple shops and nobody could figure out what was wrong. I kept riding anyways and would eventually break the chain during a hard push up a slope. Being an idiot I bought the same chain and subsequently broke it twice in one month. Yes I know how to tune a bike, but I absolutely perplexed at why this happening. It could be that the cassette teeth are too closely spaced (SRAM 9 speed), or SRAM made a bad batch of chains. I am switching over to a Shimano drivetrain and will see if that makes any difference. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert McMahon
a Weekend Warrior
from Saratoga, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Table Mountain/Charcoal Road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance bike | | Strengths: | Master link makes it easier to remove the chain. A few dollars cheaper than shimano comparable chain. | | Weaknesses: | Durability. I tested both the PC 971 and Shimano HG 93 in near identical riding conditions cleaning the chains after every major weekend ride. (Usually rides consist of around 30-40 miles and 5000-6000' of elevation.)
The Shimano HG 93 lasted 1200 miles. The SRAM PC 971 lasted 600 miles.
PS. No need for nickel plating when chains need to swapped every 3 months. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano HG 93. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Giant XTC. Replaced Race Face bottom bracket (which failed) with Shimano XT. Replaced DT swiss rear hub (which failed) with Shimano XTRs. Needless to say I'm becoming a Shimano convert as these lesser components Giant selected fail in real world riding situations. | | Bottom Line: | Not as good as shimano HG 93 - buy that instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
singletrackfever
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | wiss or belmont | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The PowerLink | | Weaknesses: | everything but the PowerLink | | Similar Products Used: | whatever came on the bike... | | Bike Setup: | cannondale f700 | | Bottom Line: | I just recently swapped out my whole drivetrain and this was the chain that was recommended. However, it broke 3 times in less then a month. Need more explanation? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Israel
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Outer links made of Stainless Steel - looks great
and after wash - look like new
Pins are Much more easy get in and out compare to shimano
Power link - great patent. very easy to use.
Very smooth operation | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano HG93 | | Bike Setup: | Shimao LX dreilures, XT casete, Truative 5D cranck | | Bottom Line: | a much better chain than shimano HG93
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon T
a
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | All of Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | LBS came w/bike | | Strengths: | Powerlink and that's it...everything else is terrible about it. | | Weaknesses: | It breaks so often it's ridiculous...I bought a new HT stumpy 06 and 2nd ride out the chain broke at 2 different locations...wasn't pedaling hard or anything...and just a momemnt ago...I was on my TRAINER...you know you're not pedaling super hard on a trainer because you're after consistency...so it broke on that...I'm feeling a bit jipped because i've had the chain for less than a month and it's already broken in 3 different areas. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | stock specialized stumpy 06 HT | | Bottom Line: | Do not buy this chain! It breaks too often in different areas. Spend your money elsewhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Everything... Junk chain that broke going up a small hill on my second ride. I have been riding 20 years and this is only the second chain I have ever broken. | | Similar Products Used: | Just about every chain out there | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Epiphany, XO, XTR Crank, Avid Juicy 5... | | Bottom Line: | Based on my two rides the second one cut short by the failure of this product less than 2 miles in.... I would not suggest you buy this chain and if it comes on your new bike like it did mine carry a spare or replace it soon... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wenisman
a
from sydney
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | shifts quick and clean | | Weaknesses: | it will break very often | | Similar Products Used: | too many to remember | | Bike Setup: | intense 6.6... blinged out | | Bottom Line: | i have used this chain for about 100 miles of off roading... i have broken this chain 5 times!! its now more powerlinks than chain.
previously swore by sram chains but this one is rubbish! with so many choices dont waste time or money on this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pitbiker
a Cross Country Rider
from Marikina, Philippines
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Baguio/Rizal Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | John Wilkie | | Strengths: | So far so good, haven't experienced the chain breaking up. I never installed the power link. | | Bottom Line: | It really doesn't matter which chain you use, shift properly and off course you have to properly maintain your bike. I wonder how you guys make use of your chains?? hahahaha | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from Brisbane in OZ
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Nil | | Weaknesses: |
|
$
