SRAM chains

Steve_F

Have I just been unlucky?

My chain broke a while ago so as it hadn't been replaced in a while I got a new one.

The new one breaks almost every ride (although it did make it all the way round Kiroughtree) and after going once at Glentress on Sunday it jammed going through the rear mech and bent the whole thing beyond repair while powering up a hill.

Have I just been unlucky with this one faulty chain or is this common? Replacing the chain, cassette and mech now to try to get it running smoothly.

Anonymous

i am a great big fat bloke and have never broken a chain no matter what, i wonder if you have just been unlucky.

nicklouse

so how are you joining the Sram chain together?
and where is it braking?
and what were you doing at the time it broke?

Steve_F

Usually going uphill when it breaks. It has gone when trying to get speed up for a jump but have been riding this way for years.

Powerlink is done the proper way I think, don' really think there is a way to get it wrong? Usually the links about 5 away from it, come to think about it the ones breaking are probably the ones taken off to remove the previously borken link.

Ah well, new one getting put on and hope it stops happening.

nicklouse

adding links With a power link is a good get me home, But with any chain I would be replacing it once it has snapped as it is likely to go again soon.

Anonymous

if you are after a replacement, i could recommend kmc chains. get the best one you can afford but even the basic one is ace, gives noticeably smoother shifts and seems to last for ages and ages!!

Andy B

I've also found the KMC chains (I use a KMC 9 SL) are smoother shifting than Sram or Shimano chains, don't know about their longevity yet as I've only used it for 2 months.

ExeterSimon

SRAM claim you can add upto 5 powerlinks but i don't know of anyone who's tried this.

I've recently suffered from the same problem as Steve F and currently have 2 powerlinks on and so far so good.

My problems were solved by re-aligning my rear mech as I think it was slightly out of line. Everytime I powered up a hill it felt like the teeth on the cassette were digging in between the plates and breaking them that way. Might be completely wrong but the realignment seems to have sorted the problem.

Friday's night ride will be a good test as it's a sandy hilly bitch of a ride. Packing a spare chain just incase.

physiosteve

Im a big guy who lays down a bit o forc uphill and i too am totally a fair few SRAM chains at the minute, every other ride.
Tried PC961 and 981s
i am wondering about rear mech allignment too tho like chap above, getting ghost shifting on climbing where it spontaneaosly shifts up..!

The_Kraken

Cleanliness is next to Godliness when it comes to chains, that and some good, regular lube action of course.

Even a little chunk of grit can get in between the links and knock 'em out. I've had a SRAM chain on my Prince Albert for 2 years without changing it.

allthegearnoidea

i was recommended kmc over sram by the lbs guys i trust, have to say Very impressed with it! (x9l gold) has a much higher breaking point han the others!!
and powerlinks can be used with them too! (kmc links come as a pack of two complete links for £2.10 at wiggle!)

Bike Bloke

I managed to bend/snap a SRAM PG991 Hollowpin chain by putting the power on sending my legs into a flailing spin. Not good, the chain currently has 2 powerlinks within 1 link as a repair measure, it's holding up, but i cant afford to buy a new one. I'm just about to go on a 3 day trail centre trip and i'm not so hopefull about its life expectancy...

physiosteve

Take ur point on cleanliness gonna have to giv it more post ride TLC.
And I've just ordered the KMC 9lx gold (er fink thats rite) since i want max strength...!
As for dude with buggered chain who cnt afford replacement you welcome to my last SRAM fella

allthegearnoidea

the x9l gold is what i have and its a brilliant chain! really is!
Very impressed with it! and also makes you clean it all the time as you always want it to be shiny hahaha!

i nearly went for th ehollow pin but got put of by the lbs guys who said they stretch something chronic! just really glad i took their advice on the kmc!