Originally Posted by Just Riding

I ran into the same thing when I went to replace the chain on my LHT. The original chain was a SRAM PC-971, so I just picked up another. After I installed it, I discovered the "missing links". I didn't think 2 links would make much of a difference, but it was definitely too short in some of the gear combinations if you weren't paying attention.

I called SRAM and asked if they had the PC-971 with 116 links. They said no, but I could buy two chains and connect them if I wanted the extra links.....

I later took the chain off and put it on a friend's bike. The chain on the LHT now is a Shimano CN-7701 with 116 links, and a SRAM Powerlink. I've also used Wipperman Connex links with that same model chain on another bike. Both the SRAM and Wipperman links seem to work fine on the Shimano chain.

I guess for most bikes, 114 links is more than enough, but for the LHT you need to read the package and get the longer chain. I imagine at the factory where the LHT is assembled, they have the chain in bulk and just cut it to length.