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Submitted by
MJ
a Weekend Warrior
from TX
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Has lasted 9+ mo with no stretch. | | Weaknesses: | needs the pin, and needs it installed correctly | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM 8-spd, Shim HG93 | | Bike Setup: | XTR cassette, XT rings | | Bottom Line: | I used to be an 8-spd retro-grouch. Bought a used bike with 9-speed. Had to repair the original HG93 (?) chain. Said bah humbug to using the special pin. Big mistake. Got home, replaced chain with XTR chain, and used the special pin. 1 yr later (2-3 rides a week, and I am not a chain-friendly rider), chain checker still shows chain OK. I never had this kinda luck with SRAM (Sachs) 8-spd, even the 68 chain.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pertti M
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stretches less than cheaper Shimano chains
Shifts well
Easy to clean | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any | | Similar Products Used: | cheaper Shimano chains | | Bike Setup: | hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I have bought a few of these, as the LBS had a good price on a batch. They do what a chain is supposed to do and they do it much better than the "lower level" Shimano chains that I have had on my bikes.
I am no lightweight and like to climb out of the saddle: this chain has never broken on me. Others have, but it has always been a badly done joint (by me or the shop). No particular issues with using a chain tool on these either.
If you find these at a non-outrageous price, go and buy a few. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | Does what it's supposed to do.
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Sram 99x | | Bike Setup: | Kona kula primo (2), Specialized Stumpy FSR, Giant XTC, TST Gman | | Bottom Line: | I've got thousands on some of these chains and never had a problem. I keep it clean and lubed while being careful how I shift. I use it with a Sram powerlink too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Biker
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Strengths: | Light, shifts well, it's pretty? | | Weaknesses: | breaks every other ride. Shockingly bad durability.
You need the special pins, which you might think are gonna be cheap... but guess what? Bike shops know this $&%& chain breaks all the time and they charge 3-4 dollars per pin. I spent 12 dollars on pins thinking every time, this is the last one... well now I'm OUT OF SPARE LINKS!! In the garbage after just ONE month. | | Similar Products Used: | Another "lesser model" shimano chain before they used the special connector pins--it worked fine, broke one time in like 2 years before wearing out. Also used three SRAM chains and a KMC on a SS which have also worked fine and have the master link going for them--which is an even bigger plus now apparently. | | Bike Setup: | This is a 2007 chain.
I have one SS, one geared HT and one road bike. All shimano rings/cogs on the geared bikes. | | Bottom Line: | I have never had problems with chains until this one. This is garbage. This chain was used with all new components. Shimano crankset and cassette. I used the connecting pin and put it in the middle where its supposed to be just like every other pin I have ever used (which all worked GREAT). There is no excuse for this chain to have broken 3 times in like 12 hours of riding. Every time, the method of breaking is the side plate blowing out and bending at the site of a connecting pin. Have a SRAM in its place now, its working just like a chain should... maybe its plates are a little less sculpted so it weighs 1% more and shifts minutely slower--but it is only middle-priced, not "top end" like xtr. What else can I say? BOTTOM LINE: ONE OF THE SHORTEST-LIVED PARTS I HAVE EVER USED. 150% WASTE OF MONEY DUE TO BUYING 12 BUCKS WORTH OF CONNECTING PINS. should get zero chilis. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald B
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Santo's | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Quality, reliable, strong, and weight. | | Weaknesses: | None... You just have to clean it before installing. | | Similar Products Used: | HG50 | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Raleigh Ram 2.0; heavily modded. | | Bottom Line: | This chain rocks!! Its lighter than the standard HG50 and way stronger. I use it with a SRAM powerlink and its awesome!! Easy to service after a ride or two... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hank
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Various | | Strengths: | Tried and true. Compatable with SRAM | | Weaknesses: | That *sticky* crap they put on in the factory for packaging | | Similar Products Used: | Yeah | | Bike Setup: | Titus Moto Lite, XTR Cranks/cogset, SRAM X.O derailleur | | Bottom Line: | I've used the 7701 chain for a long time (well over 5 years). I've *never* had one break on me. Very reliable and predictable. A couple of comments: 1) The pins aren't a problem for me at all... maybe it took a little practice, but I've done it so many times now, it goes without a hitch. You need a good tool though (don't use a friggin mini-tool unless you have to... I've only had to once, and not because of the chain - I snapped a der, and had to fabricate a ss). 2) You've got to get that sticky crap off that they use for packaging. Regardless of what lube you use, you'll never get full efficiency if you don't thoroughly clean the chain before you install. Why does Shimano use this crap? I'd rather see even just a thin coating of oil. 3) Replace your chain regularly - I use the 12" + 1/8" rule, finding that in most cases, I can get by replacing every 4-6 months... the best "routine maintanence" you can do. This is a great chain... no reason to be convinced to try another unless a *significant* weight savings can be had (I'm not a weight weenie) - and even then, I would wonder if you're sacraficing strength. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a
from Chicagoland
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Kickapoo | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 40 | | Strengths: | durable, shifts well | | Weaknesses: | that pesky pin | | Similar Products Used: | Older shimano 9-speed chains, SRAM PC-59,99,99 hollow-pin, etc. | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR groupo | | Bottom Line: | Six or so years ago I was using Shimano 9 speed chains, but they sucked. They were fragile and they'd brake, plus setting them up with those stupid pins was just annoying. I switched to SRAM chain and was happy. They were much more durable, and the Powerlink made for easy chain repair, removal and replacement.
About a year ago I was having shifting trouble, so the shop suggested I try the CN7701. I was skeptical at first, but this chain has proven itself to be plenty sturdy, and it does shift ever so slightly better then the SRAM chains. It still uses those lame replacement pins though. So I solved this problem by using an old powerlink from one of my SRAM chains on the new Shimano chain, works like a charm!
4 chillis for value since these chains all cost too much, and 4 chillies overall because shimano really has to figure out how to do away with those lame pins. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pierre bourgon
a Cross Country Rider
from cornwall, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle world | | Strengths: | strong, silent under abusive loads. (cogs:12-21, chainrings: 22,32,44) | | Weaknesses: | none found | | Similar Products Used: | LX chain, XT 8spd chain, XTR chain better | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC, nostly XT components. STX RC shifters 8spd | | Bottom Line: | only $5 more than XT chain. might as well go XTR.
comment: the outer links are thiker than an XT or LX chain. narrow chain but srong like an 8spd chain | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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