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Submitted by
Aaron Brown
a Racer
from Fayt'nam
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | One not in Fayt'nam / North Country Trail out of Petoskey, MI | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Ease of maintenance | | Weaknesses: | not everyone has one | | Similar Products Used: | If you call shimano 'similar'?... | | Bike Setup: | Which one? | | Bottom Line: |
I snapped an 89 hollow pin once, but it had a lot of miles on it and it snapped at the start of a time trial. The next time trial I had a wipperman stainless and pushed the fastest time of my life at over 28 mph.
My cross and mtn bikes have sram chains -I care for them often because of the ease of maintenance -no stupid 9spd pin. Sram cassettes also last longer then Shi -mano. Bless me.
Somebody wrote about his team riding F2000's and everybody snapping the stock sram chains. Did he say who the mechanic was?
It was him...
Oh, I guess it could have been the Crack'n'Fail bikes that they were on if not his impecable mechanics.
Buy it if your tired of the Shimano Components monopoly.
Don't buy it if you don't ride -you'll never notice the difference. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
#5 is alive
a Weekend Warrior
from dorion,qc
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything chalenging(rigaud style) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Le Suroit | | Strengths: | stonger than shimano | | Weaknesses: | not as smooth like shimano | | Bike Setup: | who cares,just ride and be free | | Bottom Line: | I've seen lots and lots of J.R.A.s in my time and it ain't over yet.Chains usualy break for a reason,and often
it's not the chain's fault.A new chain that skip's tells me that the old chain was on left too long and the cogs are worn .It takes a minute to get it checked and guess what(to all so called experts) IT's FREE.Get it done once a month and save money.Anybody can snap a chain and YA don't have be moving to do it.So if your last chain lasted 2 or 3 years (I'm assuming the bike was new back then)the problem would be betwen the seat and the handle bars. I rest my case,live long and prosoer | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannonsburg Game Area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Reliability, Reliability, Reliability..oh and the power link is a great addition. INCLUDES EXTRA LINKS | | Weaknesses: | Umm NONE!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano HG 72/73
| | Bottom Line: | I have broken 3 Shimano chains and have two scars on my legs to show for it. I am a rookie so you can imagine how I shift. The shimano chain SUCKS for a rookie and I only recommend it for well noone. This chain survived bent chain rings, bad shifts under power and all kinds of crap. I bought a new bike put a new chain on getting better and shifting is still great. I replace chains regurly. MY legs dont need any more marks. This Chain ROCKS!!! Smooth shifting (Now that I know how). The shimano XTR chain may be good but f*** why buy it when this one is great and reliable only to find another mark on my leg. NO THANKS!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nikolas
a Weekend Warrior
from Nikosia-Cyprus
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Strengths: | everything are Exxxxxxxelent | | Weaknesses: | N-O-N-E | | Similar Products Used: | nope | | Bike Setup: | lx shifters,xt rear deraileur,stx front,deore cassete,stxrc crank,gt pantera frame,mavic 220 rims.....etc | | Bottom Line: | Buy this chain.You just cant find anything this good at this price.It is a totaly kickass chain.Does exxxxelent-gear change,doesent squeaks,never brakes-nickel plated by the way.I would give it 100 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisiana
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hooper & Ruston | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson usa | | Strengths: | Powerlink rules, Strong, strong, and Oh yeah, Strong | | Weaknesses: | Zip, nada, nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Shi(t)mano IG & HG | | Bike Setup: | INTENSE TRACER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Bottom Line: | This chain rules! I have the PC-99, and have not regretted the purchase. I am 6'1" and 245lbs., and this thing still works unbelievably well. Shifts well, and is incredibly easy to clean thanks to the powerlink. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael G
a Racer
from Chicago, IL USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Yankee Springs, MI | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | POWERLINK - quiet, light, & smooth. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Shimano both 8 and 9 speed | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC NRS Air w/Rockshox SID XC | | Bottom Line: | Double what Rickard Norberg said here. I have the PC-99 and this chain ROCKS! Worth the few bucks extra - one less thing to worry about breaking. My Shimano 9-speed BROKE after 1 month! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Fayetteville, AR
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | power link | | Weaknesses: | noise, slowed shifting, breakage | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano HG92/7700 | | Bottom Line: | First tried a PC-89R as I had run a HG92 for six months and wanted to preserve my drive train as much as possible. My local shop pushed the SRAM chains, so I went with one. Worked okay, but the PC-89 had much slower shifting than the HG92, noisy as hell, seemed to rub my front der where the Shimano chain had not. Did bust it, but the noise got to me, switched it with a Dura Ace (7700). Immediately the noise was gone, shifting improved. Ran the 7700 until a stick took out my rear der, popped the chain wrapping it around the hub shearing all the drive side spokes in the process. Those dinky plastic guards really do have a purpose.
Replaced same day with a SRAM PC-59. Have since been riding for roughly three months, cleaning the chain at least once a week, sometimes more, via a finish line chain cleaner with a citric degreaser. Busted a link two days ago, busted another today. Upon closer inspection found five more cracked links! I'm 170 pounds, cross country rider, nothing I do remotely should fracture that many links. Have put slicks on a spare wheelset and been riding a lot of road in 44-24, but never any more crossed than that.
So, be wary of SRAM, they aren't the ultimate chain. Other's mileage may vary.
One flaming grenade for a chain being basically defective. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | -> Nice lookin'
-> So far heldup well (PC48)
->Powerlink
| | Weaknesses: | ->hasn't held up well (PC 58/59/99) | | Similar Products Used: | IG 70 | | Bike Setup: | Klein Mantra, Xvert..
Titus Loco Moto | | Bottom Line: | The higher end chains did not hold up at all. Not your normal links bowing out, but total pin shears. I admit, I weight 225 and rank pretty well, but I do not expect the chains to do this. The two 58's I had were very soft, only took one bad shift to totally throw them out of line permanently. I do take good care of my bike, but to go through 4 chains in 4 months? A little unreasonable considering I ride mainly flatland. I went down to a PC48 which I feel is stronger length and width wise and it has held up for 6 months no without me evn knowing it's there.
I give 1 pice of crap for the higher end chains I had, 5 for the lower PC48 which has stood up very very well | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rickard Norberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Malmö
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelcity | | Strengths: | I have the SRAM PowerChain PC-99,SRAM's mots exepensive chain. It is very silent running and very smooth when you shift gears. It has not wear out my cassett yet (only tried it for a couple of weeks),Shimanos chains sucks! My IG70 made marks on my cassett after only a couple of miles! PC99 and Srams more expensive modells,like PC91,PC99,PC89R,PC79,PC69,PC68,PC58,PC59 are very good and nice looking chains. I also heard that the Sram chains doesn't stretch as much as the Shimano chains! | | Weaknesses: | A can not find anything yet,but I will maybe post a later review after one year or so,regarding how well the chain have been! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAMS PC59,PC68 Shimano IG30(total crap),IG70 (fien,but to noisy and kills your cassett/cogset,Shimnao UG-chains(total crap).Shimano chains is bad , do not buy them! | | Bike Setup: | Aluframe,Xt-gears,gripshiftlevers,IRC XC tires,24gears (27 gears is not better than 24!). | | Bottom Line: | I have tested Shimano chains for years,and all Shimano chains is noisy (makes high sound when you shift gear),the Srams chains is not noisy,and shifts better and more smoth!
PC99 is very light,with Srams chainlock "gold" ,it only weighs apro. 279 gram (cut),my cut "old" Shimano IG70 chain weighted 305 grams, that is much moore. Dispite the Srams PC99 is very light,it is stronger and transfer noteble more power from your pedals to the wheels,witch makes you save energy and keeps you going much longer at a higher speed! PC99 is a very beatiful chain,both in and outside plates (except pins)are shiny and protected from corrosion. The shimano chains have the same type of corriosionprotection,but it is not as good.My IG70 and other Shimano chain became rusty and "ugly"after only a couple of rides.The cheap Shimanos have no protection at alla against corriosioN!!Althougt this is a very expensive chain,in same priceclass as the most expensive Shimano-chain,the "duraace"ore CnIG-7700 ,it is much moore worth the price you pay.It doesnt harm your cassette instantly as most other chains,is transfer moore power,it is nicer on the outside than SHimanos and most other chains, it has better corriosionprotection,it can take moore abuse.And best of all,the PC99 fits both(!!!) 8 and 9-casettes/cogsets.And becorse of the low damage to your cassette and front cogs,iyou will not have to change cassette ore front cogs as fast as with a Shimano chain,and that will save you money!!! Srasm chains is also compitable ,fits,both Shimano cogs and cassettes and Srams cogs and cassetts!! Shimanos 9speed chains only fit 9-speed cassettes and ONLY Shimanos cassettes !! And you can refit pins from Srams chain,that is not possible with a Shimano chain,then you have to buy expensive replacment-pins! And Srams PC99 comes with a very good chainlook tahtt makes it supereasy to dismantle your chain.It only takes 4-5 second to dismantle and put it back again! And it holds better than without any chainlock.Shimno doesnt even has a chainlock!Its incredible! Chainlock is better.You dont need any chaintools to carry with you,and the PC99 doesnt crack as easy as the Shimanos ore other chains that doesnt have chainlocks ! If you dont have piles of many that you will waste on new cassettes every mont ore so,and on special-pins when your Shimnao chains brake for the fift time,then spend the little money you have on a priceworthy chain,a Powerchain,.If you ride insane and is heavy,I recommend PC99 and not PC89R,it is a race-chain and it will crack if you use it as a downhill/insanerider-chain!The other chains are allright within Sram/sachs,but PC99 is the best of them all,maybe the best chain for MTB use ever.I have talked with many mtb -shops and other people and verybody that has tried Srams chain doesnt go back to Shimnao ore other chains!Why ? It's becorse Srams ore so much better that you will NEVER,NEVER,EVER whant to change to a other brand,you dont need to..
Go SRAM,GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rickard Norberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Malmö
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelcity | | Strengths: | I have the SRAM PowerChain PC-99,SRAM's mots exepensive chain. It is very silent running and very smooth when you shift gears. It has not wear out my cassett yet (only tried it for a couple of weeks),Shimanos chains sucks! My IG70 made marks on my cassett after only a couple of miles! PC99 and Srams more expensive modells,like PC91,PC99,PC89R,PC79,PC69,PC68,PC58,PC59 are very good and nice looking chains. I also heard that the Sram chains doesn't stretch as much as the Shimano chains! | | Weaknesses: | A can not find anything yet,but I will maybe post a later review after one year or so,regarding how well the chain have been! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAMS PC59,PC68 Shimano IG30(total crap),IG70 (fien,but to noisy and kills your cassett/cogset,Shimnao UG-chains(total crap).Shimano chains is bad , do not buy them! | | Bike Setup: | Aluframe,Xt-gears,gripshiftlevers,IRC XC tires,24gears (27 gears is not better than 24!). | | Bottom Line: | I have tested Shimano chains for years,and all Shimano chains is noisy (makes high sound when you shift gear),the Srams chains is not noisy,and shifts better and more smoth!
PC99 is very light,with Srams chainlock "gold" ,it only weighs apro. 279 gram (cut),my cut "old" Shimano IG70 chain weighted 305 grams, that is much moore. Dispite the Srams PC99 is very light,it is stronger and transfer noteble more power from your pedals to the wheels,witch makes you save energy and keeps you going much longer at a higher speed! PC99 is a very beatiful chain,both in and outside plates (except pins)are shiny and protected from corrosion. The shimano chains have the same type of corriosionprotection,but it is not as good.My IG70 and other Shimano chain became rusty and "ugly"after only a couple of rides.The cheap Shimanos have no protection at alla against corriosioN!!Althougt this is a very expensive chain,in same priceclass as the most expensive Shimano-chain,the "duraace"ore CnIG-7700 ,it is much moore worth the price you pay.It doesnt harm your cassette instantly as most other chains,is transfer moore power,it is nicer on the outside than SHimanos and most other chains, it has better corriosionprotection,it can take moore abuse.And best of all,the PC99 fits both(!!!) 8 and 9-casettes/cogsets.And becorse of the low damage to your cassette and front cogs,iyou will not have to change cassette ore front cogs as fast as with a Shimano chain,and that will save you money!!! Srasm chains is also compitable ,fits,both Shimano cogs and cassettes and Srams cogs and cassetts!! Shimanos 9speed chains only fit 9-speed cassettes and ONLY Shimanos cassettes !! And you can refit pins from Srams chain,that is not possible with a Shimano chain,then you have to buy expensive replacment-pins! And Srams PC99 comes with a very good chainlook tahtt makes it supereasy to dismantle your chain.It only takes 4-5 second to dismantle and put it back again! And it holds better than without any chainlock.Shimno doesnt even has a chainlock!Its incredible! Chainlock is better.You dont need any chaintools to carry with you,and the PC99 doesnt crack as easy as the Shimanos ore other chains that doesnt have chainlocks ! If you dont have piles of many that you will waste on new cassettes every mont ore so,and on special-pins when your Shimnao chains brake for the fift time,then spend the little money you have on a priceworthy chain,a Powerchain,.If you ride insane and is heavy,I recommend PC99 and not PC89R,it is a race-chain and it will crack if you use it as a downhill/insanerider-chain!The other chains are allright within Sram/sachs,but PC99 is the best of them all,maybe the best chain for MTB use ever.I have talked with many mtb -shops and other people and verybody that has tried Srams chain doesnt go back to Shimnao ore other chains!Why ? It's becorse Srams ore so much better that you will NEVER,NEVER,EVER whant to change to a other brand,you dont need to..
Go SRAM,GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rickard Norberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Malmö
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelcity | | Strengths: | I have the SRAM PowerChain PC-99,SRAM's mots exepensive chain. It is very silent running and very smooth when you shift gears. It has not wear out my cassett yet (only tried it for a couple of weeks),Shimanos chains sucks! My IG70 made marks on my cassett after only a couple of miles! PC99 and Srams more expensive modells,like PC91,PC99,PC89R,PC79,PC69,PC68,PC58,PC59 are very good and nice looking chains. I also heard that the Sram chains doesn't stretch as much as the Shimano chains! | | Weaknesses: | A can not find anything yet,but I will maybe post a later review after one year or so,regarding how well the chain have been! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAMS PC59,PC68 Shimano IG30(total crap),IG70 (fien,but to noisy and kills your cassett/cogset,Shimnao UG-chains(total crap).Shimano chains is bad , do not buy them! | | Bike Setup: | Aluframe,Xt-gears,gripshiftlevers,IRC XC tires,24gears (27 gears is not better than 24!). | | Bottom Line: | I have tested Shimano chains for years,and all Shimano chains is noisy (makes high sound when you shift gear),the Srams chains is not noisy,and shifts better and more smoth!
PC99 is very light,with Srams chainlock "gold" ,it only weighs apro. 279 gram (cut),my cut "old" Shimano IG70 chain weighted 305 grams, that is much moore. Dispite the Srams PC99 is very light,it is stronger and transfer noteble more power from your pedals to the wheels,witch makes you save energy and keeps you going much longer at a higher speed! PC99 is a very beatiful chain,both in and outside plates (except pins)are shiny and protected from corrosion. The shimano chains have the same type of corriosionprotection,but it is not as good.My IG70 and other Shimano chain became rusty and "ugly"after only a couple of rides.The cheap Shimanos have no protection at alla against corriosioN!!Althougt this is a very expensive chain,in same priceclass as the most expensive Shimano-chain,the "duraace"ore CnIG-7700 ,it is much moore worth the price you pay.It doesnt harm your cassette instantly as most other chains,is transfer moore power,it is nicer on the outside than SHimanos and most other chains, it has better corriosionprotection,it can take moore abuse.And best of all,the PC99 fits both(!!!) 8 and 9-casettes/cogsets.And becorse of the low damage to your cassette and front cogs,iyou will not have to change cassette ore front cogs as fast as with a Shimano chain,and that will save you money!!! Srasm chains is also compitable ,fits,both Shimano cogs and cassettes and Srams cogs and cassetts!! Shimanos 9speed chains only fit 9-speed cassettes and ONLY Shimanos cassettes !! And you can refit pins from Srams chain,that is not possible with a Shimano chain,then you have to buy expensive replacment-pins! And Srams PC99 comes with a very good chainlook tahtt makes it supereasy to dismantle your chain.It only takes 4-5 second to dismantle and put it back again! And it holds better than without any chainlock.Shimno doesnt even has a chainlock!Its incredible! Chainlock is better.You dont need any chaintools to carry with you,and the PC99 doesnt crack as easy as the Shimanos ore other chains that doesnt have chainlocks ! If you dont have piles of many that you will waste on new cassettes every mont ore so,and on special-pins when your Shimnao chains brake for the fift time,then spend the little money you have on a priceworthy chain,a Powerchain,.If you ride insane and is heavy,I recommend PC99 and not PC89R,it is a race-chain and it will crack if you use it as a downhill/insanerider-chain!The other chains are allright within Sram/sachs,but PC99 is the best of them all,maybe the best chain for MTB use ever.I have talked with many mtb -shops and other people and verybody that has tried Srams chain doesnt go back to Shimnao ore other chains!Why ? It's becorse Srams ore so much better that you will NEVER,NEVER,EVER whant to change to a other brand,you dont need to..
Go SRAM,GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rickard Norberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Malmö
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelcity | | Strengths: | I have the SRAM PowerChain PC-99,SRAM's mots exepensive chain. It is very silent running and very smooth when you shift gears. It has not wear out my cassett yet (only tried it for a couple of weeks),Shimanos chains sucks! My IG70 made marks on my cassett after only a couple of miles! PC99 and Srams more expensive modells,like PC91,PC99,PC89R,PC79,PC69,PC68,PC58,PC59 are very good and nice looking chains. I also heard that the Sram chains doesn't stretch as much as the Shimano chains! | | Weaknesses: | A can not find anything yet,but I will maybe post a later review after one year or so,regarding how well the chain have been! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAMS PC59,PC68 Shimano IG30(total crap),IG70 (fien,but to noisy and kills your cassett/cogset,Shimnao UG-chains(total crap).Shimano chains is bad , do not buy them! | | Bike Setup: | Aluframe,Xt-gears,gripshiftlevers,IRC XC tires,24gears (27 gears is not better than 24!). | | Bottom Line: | I have tested Shimano chains for years,and all Shimano chains is noisy (makes high sound when you shift gear),the Srams chains is not noisy,and shifts better and more smoth!
PC99 is very light,with Srams chainlock "gold" ,it only weighs apro. 279 gram (cut),my cut "old" Shimano IG70 chain weighted 305 grams, that is much moore. Dispite the Srams PC99 is very light,it is stronger and transfer noteble more power from your pedals to the wheels,witch makes you save energy and keeps you going much longer at a higher speed! PC99 is a very beatiful chain,both in and outside plates (except pins)are shiny and protected from corrosion. The shimano chains have the same type of corriosionprotection,but it is not as good.My IG70 and other Shimano chain became rusty and "ugly"after only a couple of rides.The cheap Shimanos have no protection at alla against corriosioN!!Althougt this is a very expensive chain,in same priceclass as the most expensive Shimano-chain,the "duraace"ore CnIG-7700 ,it is much moore worth the price you pay.It doesnt harm your cassette instantly as most other chains,is transfer moore power,it is nicer on the outside than SHimanos and most other chains, it has better corriosionprotection,it can take moore abuse.And best of all,the PC99 fits both(!!!) 8 and 9-casettes/cogsets.And becorse of the low damage to your cassette and front cogs,iyou will not have to change cassette ore front cogs as fast as with a Shimano chain,and that will save you money!!! Srasm chains is also compitable ,fits,both Shimano cogs and cassettes and Srams cogs and cassetts!! Shimanos 9speed chains only fit 9-speed cassettes and ONLY Shimanos cassettes !! And you can refit pins from Srams chain,that is not possible with a Shimano chain,then you have to buy expensive replacment-pins! And Srams PC99 comes with a very good chainlook tahtt makes it supereasy to dismantle your chain.It only takes 4-5 second to dismantle and put it back again! And it holds better than without any chainlock.Shimno doesnt even has a chainlock!Its incredible! Chainlock is better.You dont need any chaintools to carry with you,and the PC99 doesnt crack as easy as the Shimanos ore other chains that doesnt have chainlocks ! If you dont have piles of many that you will waste on new cassettes every mont ore so,and on special-pins when your Shimnao chains brake for the fift time,then spend the little money you have on a priceworthy chain,a Powerchain,.If you ride insane and is heavy,I recommend PC99 and not PC89R,it is a race-chain and it will crack if you use it as a downhill/insanerider-chain!The other chains are allright within Sram/sachs,but PC99 is the best of them all,maybe the best chain for MTB use ever.I have talked with many mtb -shops and other people and verybody that has tried Srams chain doesnt go back to Shimnao ore other chains!Why ? It's becorse Srams ore so much better that you will NEVER,NEVER,EVER whant to change to a other brand,you dont need to..
Go SRAM,GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rickard Norberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Malmö
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelcity | | Strengths: | I have the SRAM PowerChain PC-99,SRAM's mots exepensive chain. It is very silent running and very smooth when you shift gears. It has not wear out my cassett yet (only tried it for a couple of weeks),Shimanos chains sucks! My IG70 made marks on my cassett after only a couple of miles! PC99 and Srams more expensive modells,like PC91,PC99,PC89R,PC79,PC69,PC68,PC58,PC59 are very good and nice looking chains. I also heard that the Sram chains doesn't stretch as much as the Shimano chains! | | Weaknesses: | A can not find anything yet,but I will maybe post a later review after one year or so,regarding how well the chain have been! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAMS PC59,PC68 Shimano IG30(total crap),IG70 (fien,but to noisy and kills your cassett/cogset,Shimnao UG-chains(total crap).Shimano chains is bad , do not buy them! | | Bike Setup: | Aluframe,Xt-gears,gripshiftlevers,IRC XC tires,24gears (27 gears is not better than 24!). | | Bottom Line: | I have tested Shimano chains for years,and all Shimano chains is noisy (makes high sound when you shift gear),the Srams chains is not noisy,and shifts better and more smoth!
PC99 is very light,with Srams chainlock "gold" ,it only weighs apro. 279 gram (cut),my cut "old" Shimano IG70 chain weighted 305 grams, that is much moore. Dispite the Srams PC99 is very light,it is stronger and transfer noteble more power from your pedals to the wheels,witch makes you save energy and keeps you going much longer at a higher speed! PC99 is a very beatiful chain,both in and outside plates (except pins)are shiny and protected from corrosion. The shimano chains have the same type of corriosionprotection,but it is not as good.My IG70 and other Shimano chain became rusty and "ugly"after only a couple of rides.The cheap Shimanos have no protection at alla against corriosioN!!Althougt this is a very expensive chain,in same priceclass as the most expensive Shimano-chain,the "duraace"ore CnIG-7700 ,it is much moore worth the price you pay.It doesnt harm your cassette instantly as most other chains,is transfer moore power,it is nicer on the outside than SHimanos and most other chains, it has better corriosionprotection,it can take moore abuse.And best of all,the PC99 fits both(!!!) 8 and 9-casettes/cogsets.And becorse of the low damage to your cassette and front cogs,iyou will not have to change cassette ore front cogs as fast as with a Shimano chain,and that will save you money!!! Srasm chains is also compitable ,fits,both Shimano cogs and cassettes and Srams cogs and cassetts!! Shimanos 9speed chains only fit 9-speed cassettes and ONLY Shimanos cassettes !! And you can refit pins from Srams chain,that is not possible with a Shimano chain,then you have to buy expensive replacment-pins! And Srams PC99 comes with a very good chainlook tahtt makes it supereasy to dismantle your chain.It only takes 4-5 second to dismantle and put it back again! And it holds better than without any chainlock.Shimno doesnt even has a chainlock!Its incredible! Chainlock is better.You dont need any chaintools to carry with you,and the PC99 doesnt crack as easy as the Shimanos ore other chains that doesnt have chainlocks ! If you dont have piles of many that you will waste on new cassettes every mont ore so,and on special-pins when your Shimnao chains brake for the fift time,then spend the little money you have on a priceworthy chain,a Powerchain,.If you ride insane and is heavy,I recommend PC99 and not PC89R,it is a race-chain and it will crack if you use it as a downhill/insanerider-chain!The other chains are allright within Sram/sachs,but PC99 is the best of them all,maybe the best chain for MTB use ever.I have talked with many mtb -shops and other people and verybody that has tried Srams chain doesnt go back to Shimnao ore other chains!Why ? It's becorse Srams ore so much better that you will NEVER,NEVER,EVER whant to change to a other brand,you dont need to..
Go SRAM,GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rickard Norberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Malmö
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykelcity | | Strengths: | I have the SRAM PowerChain PC-99,SRAM's mots exepensive chain. It is very silent running and very smooth when you shift gears. It has not wear out my cassett yet (only tried it for a couple of weeks),Shimanos chains sucks! My IG70 made marks on my cassett after only a couple of miles! PC99 and Srams more expensive modells,like PC91,PC99,PC89R,PC79,PC69,PC68,PC58,PC59 are very good and nice looking chains. I also heard that the Sram chains doesn't stretch as much as the Shimano chains! | | Weaknesses: | A can not find anything yet,but I will maybe post a later review after one year or so,regarding how well the chain have been! | | Similar Products Used: | SRAMS PC59,PC68 Shimano IG30(total crap),IG70 (fien,but to noisy and kills your cassett/cogset,Shimnao UG-chains(total crap).Shimano chains is bad , do not buy them! | | Bike Setup: | Aluframe,Xt-gears,gripshiftlevers,IRC XC tires,24gears (27 gears is not better than 24!). | | Bottom Line: | I have tested Shimano chains for years,and all Shimano chains is noisy (makes high sound when you shift gear),the Srams chains is not noisy,and shifts better and more smoth!
PC99 is very light,with Srams chainlock "gold" ,it only weighs apro. 279 gram (cut),my cut "old" Shimano IG70 chain weighted 305 grams, that is much moore. Dispite the Srams PC99 is very light,it is stronger and transfer noteble more power from your pedals to the wheels,witch makes you save energy and keeps you going much longer at a higher speed! PC99 is a very beatiful chain,both in and outside plates (except pins)are shiny and protected from corrosion. The shimano chains have the same type of corriosionprotection,but it is not as good.My IG70 and other Shimano chain became rusty and "ugly"after only a couple of rides.The cheap Shimanos have no protection at alla against corriosioN!!Althougt this is a very expensive chain,in same priceclass as the most expensive Shimano-chain,the "duraace"ore CnIG-7700 ,it is much moore worth the price you pay.It doesnt harm your cassette instantly as most other chains,is transfer moore power,it is nicer on the outside than SHimanos and most other chains, it has better corriosionprotection,it can take moore abuse.And best of all,the PC99 fits both(!!!) 8 and 9-casettes/cogsets.And becorse of the low damage to your cassette and front cogs,iyou will not have to change cassette ore front cogs as fast as with a Shimano chain,and that will save you money!!! Srasm chains is also compitable ,fits,both Shimano cogs and cassettes and Srams cogs and cassetts!! Shimanos 9speed chains only fit 9-speed cassettes and ONLY Shimanos cassettes !! And you can refit pins from Srams chain,that is not possible with a Shimano chain,then you have to buy expensive replacment-pins! And Srams PC99 comes with a very good chainlook tahtt makes it supereasy to dismantle your chain.It only takes 4-5 second to dismantle and put it back again! And it holds better than without any chainlock.Shimno doesnt even has a chainlock!Its incredible! Chainlock is better.You dont need any chaintools to carry with you,and the PC99 doesnt crack as easy as the Shimanos ore other chains that doesnt have chainlocks ! If you dont have piles of many that you will waste on new cassettes every mont ore so,and on special-pins when your Shimnao chains brake for the fift time,then spend the little money you have on a priceworthy chain,a Powerchain,.If you ride insane and is heavy,I recommend PC99 and not PC89R,it is a race-chain and it will crack if you use it as a downhill/insanerider-chain!The other chains are allright within Sram/sachs,but PC99 is the best of them all,maybe the best chain for MTB use ever.I have talked with many mtb -shops and other people and verybody that has tried Srams chain doesnt go back to Shimnao ore other chains!Why ? It's becorse Srams ore so much better that you will NEVER,NEVER,EVER whant to change to a other brand,you dont need to..
Go SRAM,GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a
from San Francisco, California
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Bottom Line: | I bought the PC-59 9 speed chain even though I have only 7 cogs on my freehub. 9 speed chains are about 1 milimeter narrower than 7/8 speed chains. I notice a much quieter drivetrain. That one mm seems to make a difference, less chain noise from rubbing against the derailluer cage. I highly recommend 9 speed chains and Sachs make a good one. You don't need a chain rivetor which is a pain the buttocks to use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gavin
a Cross Country Rider
from canada/australia
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | I got the 89 nine speed, Smooth as butter shifting, power link | | Weaknesses: | You still have to lube them | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | raven 2000sl | | Bottom Line: | I replaced my pc59 with a 89 and it's even better than the old one, which lasted over a year and a half (I loved the 59) it makes the crappy xtr running gear actually feel like the old xt 8 speed (bonus). Simply the best chain I've ever used | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Belleville, Ont Canada
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$33.00 | | Strengths: | Strong chain, Durable
Powerlink connector is a great feature. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano CN HG72 | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | I am a 210 IB guy who probably put a lot of torque on a chain. My original Shimano chain lasted only 3 months before twisting and taking out my rear derailleur with it. I replaced it with the SACHS PC59 on my dealers recommendation. This chain has stood up well and is showing very little wear for a years use.
Great Product! Its good to see a little competition for Shimano! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Duane
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Various LBS | | Strengths: | NONE! | | Weaknesses: | Everything! They break and they don't work for sh!t for index shifting and they ripped off the power link from another chain company! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano
KMC
SRAM | | Bike Setup: | GF Paragon | | Bottom Line: | I've only used these chains for a month because they don't last any longer than that! I've smacked my knee against my stem so many times with those chains from bad shifts or breakage. If there was the LBS salesman who sold it to me within a chain's length, I would wrap the piece of crap aound his neck! SRAM is my new chain of choice and they work great! Don't worry SACHs (SUCKS?) shimano suck too but for different reasons. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XJT
a Weekend Warrior
from Utah
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | None that I found | | Weaknesses: | Lack of strength | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano HG90 | | Bike Setup: | Stumpy '99 M2
XT 9 speed everything
SID XC | | Bottom Line: | I broke 3 of these chains in one year. I clean my chains properly after every 4 or 5 rides. I don't know if I got mine out of a bad batch or what. It seems that everyone on this site loves them.
Not me.
I weigh 180 and crank pretty hard, but I don't do any freeriding of any kind and I could not believe how many chain failures I experienced.
I finally broke down a slapped a Shimano XT chain on my bike. 6 months of riding 5-10 mile trails 3 times a week. Not a single problem. I only replaced it 'cause I try to make a point to swap my chains every 4-6 months of riding.
The thing that really irritated me about the Sachs chain was the first one broke after about 20 rides and 4 cleans. The second one broke on the first ride....the third one broke after about 5 months.
2 stars.
'nuff said. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul M
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | The Powerlink makes it very easy to remove for cleaning, etc. It works well on a different drivetrains. | | Weaknesses: | None seen so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano HG72 | | Bike Setup: | '99 Santa Cruz Heckler, RF cranks, '01 Z3 fork, SRAM 9.0SL shifters/Derailleur Avid brakes/levers | | Bottom Line: | I run the PC69 chain on two bikes, one with a Raceface/SRAM
drivetrain and the other with Shimano LX/XT. The chains shift well, are simple to remove, and have never broken.
I highly recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Zoom
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel, CA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Gold powerlink looks purty. | | Weaknesses: | Everything else. Poor shifting performance, noisy. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the PC69 (I think) model chain when I was building up my bike, largely because of the reviews here. I am using almost all XT (shifters, cranks, cassette, front der., BB), with XTR rear and ride-on cables. My shifting was never quite right. It would clatter and click, then sometimes skip a gear. After taking it back to the shop, the owner tried some other adjustments, then on a hunch slapped on the new Shimano chain. Problems solved. It now shifts smooth as butter. This was very frustrating and I think this chain is a waste of money for anyone using similar components to me. Maybe it works okay with SRAM stuff, who knows. I won't buy another though, and I'm out $20. C r a p. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Fredricksburg, Va
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hollywood Farm | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | BikesUSA | | Strengths: | power link, decent shifting on RF chainrings, less chainsuck than shimano. Lasted over one year on my singlespeed mtb. | | Weaknesses: | Shifts poorly if you used indexed shift systems (I do not); breakage of link plates. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano chains (shift better, but I hate push-pins) old regina-oro chains. | | Bike Setup: | PCR-80R on my road bike, mtb, ss mtb, and until last night, my cross bike. | | Bottom Line: | A six month old PCR-80R broke last night on my cross bike. chainline was fine, I was out of the saddle in 42-15 and the chain failed. If you still run friction thumbies and dt levers, the shifting is good enough on shimano cassettes, and I find that sachs chains actually work better on my RF chainrings (less chainsuck than S chains.) Over two years I have not been unhappy with these chains, but after the breakage on my cross bike, I might just buy a shimano chain to take advantage of better shifting. besides, I do not want to drive two hours to a race for a dnf due to equipment issues. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J B
a Cross Country Rider
from Alamogordo, NM
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many to say | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Powerlink connector | | Weaknesses: | Not bulletproof | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | FSR Stumpjumper XC and Stumpjumper hardtail, withmany upgrades | | Bottom Line: | I my bikes to Sachs (now SRAM) chains after reading about how they are easier to clean and last longer than Shimano. After you figure out how to loosen and remove the PowerLink, its easy to take off the chain and thoroughly cleanit. This is a lot easier than having to break the chain to remove it from the bike or trying to clean your chain on the bike. I believe the chains last longer when you can take it off and give it a thorough cleaning and lubing. Removing a Shimano chain means breaking it and splicing it back, then hope you haven't created a weak spot.
These chains aren't perfect. I broke a two month old PC-69 15 miles into an 18 mile race. I got it back on and finished the race, but have no idea why a relatively new chain would bust when you least need it to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington, WV
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the longest one | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Powerlink connecter is a dream come true. Holds up well. Always smooth as silk. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | poo-poo shimano | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi w/xt stuff | | Bottom Line: | This is absolutely the best chain I have ever seen. I can't understand why anyone would buy anything else. The ease of use with the power connector is amazing. And no matter how many times you take it off and put it back on this chain is always so smooth. As long as they keep makin em, I'll keep buyin em! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steen Navrbjerg
a Cross Country Rider
from Copenhagen, Denmark
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Regina | | Bike Setup: | Reynolds 531 with different stuff | | Bottom Line: | What are you guys doing to your bikes???? Don't you like them?? Everybody complains about broken chains. I've been biking more than 4000 miles a year for 20+ years - and I have never broken a chain!!! I weigh some 86 kilos (189 lbs), and I tell you: Denmark isn't nice to a bikes drivetrain with the winter, lost of salt, rain etc.
I think too many of you guys 1) ride too heavy gears 2) doesn't maintain your chain. I mean: What the .... do you |
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