Opinions on XT chain

MarvintheAndroid

I am considering "upgrading" from a standard Shimano LX chain to XT when I change my chain. Mainly for the increased corrosion protection. However I have read mixed reviews of people breaking them.

Seems to me they should be fine if installed correctly, but any opinions from current or past users welcome.

Usage : XC and trail riding.

Thanks

Marv

nicklouse

go sram.

pc991

MarvintheAndroid

Is there any fall-off in performance through not using a hyperglide chain on hyperdrive cogs ?

Marv

nicklouse

Ok after having had problems with shimano chain breaking . i moved to Sram and have not had any issues. i still run XT cassettes.

But and it is a BIG BUT i was looking for some specs on the current sram chains and they seem to be the same for the 8 and 9. which may be the reason some people are having noise issues...

but i would still go sram purely cause i have not broken one in ten years.

excellent_smithers

Shimano chains are great, never snapped one ever, though SRAM are good also, never snapped them either and been biking for 20 years!

Shimano chains shift better than SRAM, not by much but they are better!

However Shimano's joining method sucks, it works but it needs to be right, but you can get the best of both worlds by fitting a Shimano chain using a SRAM Powerlink!!

royboy11

I had problems with breaking shimano chains in less than a season. Now i use SRAM or KMC and get about 2 seasons out of them.

supersonic

I agree that SRAM make the betetr chains, but as nick says, the dimensions are slightly different from Shimano ones. I have no problems with any of my set ups. Using a 971, superb chain at a good price.

MarvintheAndroid

excellent_smithers wrote:

However Shimano's joining method sucks, it works but it needs to be right, but you can get the best of both worlds by fitting a Shimano chain using a SRAM Powerlink!!

Yes, I think that's what I'm going to do. Thanks all.

Marv

nicklouse

MarvintheAndroid wrote:

excellent_smithers wrote:

However Shimano's joining method sucks, it works but it needs to be right, but you can get the best of both worlds by fitting a Shimano chain using a SRAM Powerlink!!

Yes, I think that's what I'm going to do. Thanks all.

Marv

not recomended for this years chains.

check the widths. Or look at a different makers "powerlinks"

Scubar

Ive been running 2 new shimano chains with powerlink connecters and havent had a single problem with either.

stu8975

You can pick up and XTR chain of ebay for £16 inc p&p(brand new sealed in box). ive been running mine for approx 3months and its been spot on. I would check your chain for wear before you purchase a new chain, if its badly worn you may have to replace your chainrings and cassette aswell and that can be costly dependin on what your setup is. Take it to your LBS and have them check it. Recommend changing chains approx every 4-6 months,depending on how often you ride, you may need to change sooner, this will prolong the life of your cassette and chainrings and will save you a lot of money.

Ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-Dura-Ace- ... dZViewItem

MarvintheAndroid

Who else makes them, Nick ?

Edit
Oh, found them.
Connex links (Wipperman) any good ?


Marv

Scubar

try the powerlink first marvin its only gonna cost you £2 and ive not had a single problem with either of mine so i dont know why nick would say its not recommended. Either that or just buy a SRAM 991 chain instead.

Sir HC

I've broken quite a few XT chains, swapped to Sram a few years ago. Only just snapped my PC99 which was 3 years old, didn't break on the powerlink either.