Mountain Biking - Is my bike compatible with this chain?

I have a 2004 Specialized Rockhopper. I'm thinking about getting the SRAM PC-68 chain with the silver Powerlink but I'm not sure if it’s compatible with my bike. I looked at other posts and at the SRAM PC-68 manual but I am still having a hard time.

My current chainset is Truvativ 5D.
My current chain is Shimano narrow IG 31.
My current rear derailleur is Shimano Deore.
My current rear cassette is Shimano CS-HG50.

I hope I used the correct terminology. Any help/advice on compatibility will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

Is your bike an 8 speed or a 9 speed?

What you need is either an 8 speed or a 9 speed chain. I am assuming that your cassette (the gears in the rear) has either 8 or 9 speeds, as is fairly standard. Any chain made for a geared bike will work, but one thing you need to consider is the amount of chain stretch. If your chain has stretched too much, then the new chain will tend to skip over the teeth. You can measure the chain using a ruler, and 12 links will measure exactly 12 inches. If it measures 12 1/16", you need a new chain. anything more, you need a new cassette and possibly chainrings.

My bike is an 8 speed.

The main reason why I want to but a new chain is so that cleaning is easier. The chain I have now isn't very old. The bike is an 04 but I bought it new, have had it less than a year and have ridden a couple hundred miles at the most so I'm not too worried about having to replace anything but the chain; however, I will measure just to be sure.

Thanks for the help.

If that is the case then you can just get a SRAM powerlink and put it on your current chain. They work fine with Shimano chains.

I believe that you have a 8-speed bike. If that's the case the PC-68 will work fine. I run one on my multigear mtb with Shimano components. If not you have a nine speed then choose a nine speed chain. I believe that Sram akes the strongest most durable and easy to remove chains. They also offer plenty on nine speed chains if that is what you need.

Is that true ?

I will need to get a new chain pretty soon, but wasn't to worried about the make, as long as it was a 9 speed to fit my bike.

Can different higher spec chains improve shifting as well as you say be more durable ?

Is that true ?


I have not noticed anything as far as shift quality,but I have not broken a single chain since I switched to Sram. Plus I like the idea of removing them to clean and lube without using a breaker and a new pin.

If that is the case then you can just get a SRAM powerlink and put it on your current chain. They work fine with Shimano chains.
8 speed SRAM Powerlinks don't work with 8 speed Shimano chains. The 9 speed links can be used with either, but not the 8. The Shimano is just a hair wider than the SRAM, just enough not to work

8 speed SRAM Powerlinks don't work with 8 speed Shimano chains. The 9 speed links can be used with either, but not the 8. The Shimano is just a hair wider than the SRAM, just enough not to work

Very good to know, thank you.

8 speed SRAM Powerlinks don't work with 8 speed Shimano chains. The 9 speed links can be used with either, but not the 8. The Shimano is just a hair wider than the SRAM, just enough not to work
So that's why I still haven't snapped the chain? (Snapped the chain months ago, lots of times, ended up shortening alot, finally replacing a link with an SRAM Powerlink 9 speed on an 8 speed Shimano chain. It wouldn't actually close naturally so I put it into place and then grabbed either side of the chain and pulled really hard. The Powerlink closed... probably forever, I can't open it anymore xD Works well though, no complaints so far).