XTR and SRAM

djvagabon1

I recently hadto invest in a new rear XTR casette and chain. The XTR components are all 2008. I was told by mylocal bike shop that Shram chains are slightly wider, and therefore stronger. I brought the chain and had it fitted. Ever since i have had nothing but problems. On the smallest cog on the casette, it keeps jumping when you load up the peddals. Its like when you have a stif link. Ive checked all the links and they are fine. Ive taken it to 3 different bike shops but the problem still persists. Is it just Sram chains arent compatible with 2008 XTR? Will i haveto buy a new XTR chain to make it run smooth?

nicklouse

so what chain did you buy?
also what is the rest of the kit. sifters etc.

jayson

I only ever used a SRAM chain on my XT setup with absolutely no probs at all, it just did what i asked it to do everytime with no arguments whatsoever.

Ive never heard that SRAM chains are wider than shimano, surely a 9 speed chain would be the same width whatever the brand simply because of cog spacing on the cassette wouldnt it?

BorisSpencer

It sounds like you've been sold an 8spd chain.

Brassknocker

BorisSpencer wrote:

It sounds like you've been sold an 8spd chain.

...I'd second that!

I've used XT and 2 different SRAM chains on my XT/XTR 9spd set up with no probs and they all seemed to work about the same - couldn't tell them apart performance-wise.

9 speed XT/dura-ace chains - you could pick one up for about 15quid on line at the moment - perhaps use a sram powerlink with it!??!


what shifters / mech are you using with it?

djvagabon1

I brought the sram chain. All the rest of the set up is 2008 XTR apart from the chain. Its a 9 speed chain. The guy who sold it me gave me the box it came in. It says 9 speed chain on the front. Sram chains are slightly wider, for extra strength. I measered the width of the Sram and XTR chain. The Sram chain is very slightly wider. The 3 bike shops ive taken it to have all told me that Sram chains are a bit wider and stronger. 1 did say i probably would need an XTR chain. He said Shimano are well known for making things that arent compatible with anything else, so you haveto buy everything else thats Shimano. He did then try and sell me an XTR chain. Thats why i thought id ask on here, to see if he was telling the truth, and not just trying to sell me a new chain.

jayson

This whole wider chain business is absolutely new to me, ive never heard anyone say it before now so i dont know if i absolutely believe it to be true.

It sounds to me like the guy in the shop was pulling ur chain (no pun intended ) and just wanted u to buy the more expensive XTR chain, that i would believe certainly.

djvagabon1

The Crank, Shifters, front and rear Mech are all 2008 XTR, along with the rear Casette. The only thing that isnt is the chain, which is Sram.

nicklouse

who fitted the chain? and did you shorten it? have you been through it and checked for stiff links?

and No you do not need to get a XTR chain you just need to get things set up correctly.

again i ask what is the chain? what number?

supersonic

Which front chainring ar you in when this happens?

allthegearnoidea

its not something as simple as your rear mech lower stop being slightly out?? (doubtful as its been through 3 different bike shops but you never know!)

Vegeeta

Easiest way to tell if your Sram chain is 8 or 9 speed without even being able to read is to see what colour the snap link is.
If it's gold then you have a 9 speed snap link and if it's silver then you have an 8 speed snap link.

And if your chain doesn't match the snap link it'll either be too tight or too loose. Simple really.

Oh.... and b tension can also make the chain skip if it's too low. Which might not have shown itself with the old chain because it was one length but with a shorter/longer chain it might have started to be a problem.

jojo90

are SRAM rear mechs (X0) compatible with an XTR cassette?

supersonic

Vegeeta wrote:

Easiest way to tell if your Sram chain is 8 or 9 speed without even being able to read is to see what colour the snap link is.
If it's gold then you have a 9 speed snap link and if it's silver then you have an 8 speed snap link.

And if your chain doesn't match the snap link it'll either be too tight or too loose. Simple really.

Oh.... and b tension can also make the chain skip if it's too low. Which might not have shown itself with the old chain because it was one length but with a shorter/longer chain it might have started to be a problem.

Some OE SRAM chains do not come with a 'snap' link.

nicklouse

jojo90 wrote:

are SRAM rear mechs (X0) compatible with an XTR cassette?

yes.

djvagabon1

The Sram chain is a PC 991. It does it in the smallest and middle chainring at the front. Its not a stiff link oherwise it would jump in every gear. I have just taken it to a cycle mechainc and he aggrees that its not a stiff link. He also said that hes never heard of any problems with Sram chains being fitted on XTR set ups. He re tuned the rear mech but its still happening. It never happened with the XTR chain. I think ill just take the easy option and buy a new XTR chain, problem solved lol. Thanks for all your help guys, much appreciated.

allthegearnoidea

does sound very odd!
i'd personally look at a Kmc chain over xtr one, (Kmc made shimano chains)
a lot stronger and the SL is lighter too iirc

nicklouse

an XTR chain should not fix it as there is no difference.

Horton

djvagabon1 wrote:

It does it in the smallest and middle chainring at the front.

And from your original post, it only happens when on the smallest cog on the cassette. Small, small will almost always cause a problem due to the angle of the chain (likewise big ring to largest sprocket) Any extremes will normally get the chain catching, but I've never had a problem with Sram chains on any shimano cassettes and I've only ever replaced shimano chains with non-shimano ones cos I can't be ar$ed with faffing about with special joining pins.

djvagabon1

Afriend of mine who works at Halfords bikehut said to try KMC aswell.

Vegeeta

supersonic wrote:

Some OE SRAM chains do not come with a 'snap' link.

My Trek did.

supersonic

You can even buy them minus powerlinks!

skyliner

That sounds like it's a 991 crossstep where the pins are double pressed and they can run a little tighter and cause problems in some extreme cases.
I've seen them chainsuck where other chains work perfectly.
The 991 hollow pin version would be more suitable for XTR.

But even then, it could be a slightly bent hanger or another anomaly that may need the mechanic to ride the bike offroad to find.

allthegearnoidea

i heard from my lbs that the hollow pin has a horrible habbit of stretching very quickly!??! as i'd fancied one for mine!
was them that actually recommended the KMC ones as they are far superior in terms of strength etc! (they didnt actually stock KMC chains at the time so wouldnt have made any extra out of me as such, so was willing to believe them!)

djvagabon1

Ive just been and brought a new KMC chain. Ive just got back from a ride in the mud and rain, and the chain worked perfectly. It didnt jump once and its like the whole bike was brand new again. I will never buy another Sram chain.

Vegeeta

My hollow pin chain did a good job of snapping after about 5 rides... as did the replacement. So erm.... XTR!

allthegearnoidea

KMC chains are very nice! i've had no issues at all with mine! silky smooth and the gold coating looks Uber bling too! 8)
i would definately buy anotheer without hesitation!

Vegeeta

Supposedly the Rohloff chains are amongst the best you can buy... Some even say they're unbreakable. But IIRC they're also a fit and then can't remove easily item.