Mountain Biking - Best top of the line chains

According to MTBReview.com, the Rohloff SLT-99 is the best chain. I want to know the opinion of this forum.

Rohloff SLT-99
Shimano XTR silver chain
SRAM PC-99

I personally use SRAM chains. I like them, they last and are easy to work with. I don't like shimano chains and have no experience with Rohloff.

In my book, chains are chains. Personally, I'm running a Sram chain now, mostly because of the Power link. I have however, run Shimano chains and purchased the power link seperately without any troubles.

Whatever is on SALE!

As long as it's clean and lubed, you'll get lots of miles of use out of it!

L8R

This is a funny poll because most people haven't ridden a Rohloff chain. It's like asking what the best car is and then including a Bugatti in the list of choices, they may make a great car but who here has ever driven one?

I have used a Rohloff chain and they are great chains, strong as hell, but not used that much by mountain bikers. They have a bigger following by trials riders, those guys are hard on chains with all of their pedal kicking so they really notice the difference in strength.

As mentioned above, I've got no experience with Rohloff chains. But I've had bad experiences with Shimano chains. I'm currently riding a SRAM chain with no problems. Really what's most important is proper installation, because for the most part a chain is a chain. Some are lighter than others, but even a cheap chain does the same job as a light chain.

As mentioned above, I've got no experience with Rohloff chains. But I've had bad experiences with Shimano chains. I'm currently riding a SRAM chain with no problems. Really what's most important is proper installation, because for the most part a chain is a chain. Some are lighter than others, but even a cheap chain does the same job as a light chain.

Yesterday I was riding with a group of 20. My chain snaps and since I didn't have the tools neither the knowledge on how to repair it, I have to return back on foot. I don't want that to happen again. I mention the Rohloff because that was the editor's choice at MTBreview.com. I didn't know about the existance of that chain either. Now that I know I will consider it as an alternative, perhaps you too.

By the way the chain on my bike was the Shimano HG-53.

I dunno. I really don't have any reason to change from SRAM. The only chains I've had negative experiences with were Shimano. Does that Rohloff chain have a powerlink like SRAM does? That should be a big deciding factor for you. Being able to quickly remove your chain for repairs or cleaning is crucial. I also suggest you pick up a chain tool and learn to use it my friend!! You wouldn't have had to walk out! I'm surprised none of those 20 people you were with have one.. I've ALWAYS got one!

Hi,
I use the Wipperman stainless steel chain. Seems ok. I may go with Sram for the powerlink next time. I have gotten a little fanatic about chain cleaning (I'm a slob by nature, so regular cleaning fits my defintion of fanatic :D

Wipperman CONNEX chains are as good or better than Rohloff and maybe cheaper.
Just because some magazine promotes a chain to satisfy advertisers egos, doesn't make it the be all, end all product on the market.
for most everyday riders SRAM is more than adequate and, IMHO will last longer than Shimano.

My chain snaps and since I didn't have the tools neither the knowledge on how to repair it, I have to return back on foot.
You can get a Park Tool mini-chain Brute for about the cost of a cheap chain. Pop the broken links out and put the chain back together. However I have a shimano HG-53 on one bike and the only reason it's still on there is because I can't remove it!! I can't get the pins to budge more than a millimeter or so with my chain tool and I tried about 5 different pins. Be glad your chain broke and just get a SRAM PC-59.

You can get a Park Tool mini-chain Brute for about the cost of a cheap chain. Pop the broken links out and put the chain back together. However I have a shimano HG-53 on one bike and the only reason it's still on there is because I can't remove it!! I can't get the pins to budge more than a millimeter or so with my chain tool and I tried about 5 different pins. Be glad your chain broke and just get a SRAM PC-59.


heehehe same with me. Broke my hg-53 recently and i swapped it in for a SRAM PC-59. Makes it a lot easier to take off and now I don't hafta carry a tool around

Ok lets say that you have the chance to put the best chain available on your bike for free no matter how expensive. Which one will it be.



Just because some magazine promotes a chain to satisfy advertisers egos, doesn't make it the be all, end all product on the market.


MTBReview.com is not a magazine. Just a site where a buch of biker like us reviews bikes and products. The editor's choice are based on those reviews not on the opinion of the board owners.

You can get a Park Tool mini-chain Brute for about the cost of a cheap chain. Pop the broken links out and put the chain back together. However I have a shimano HG-53 on one bike and the only reason it's still on there is because I can't remove it!! I can't get the pins to budge more than a millimeter or so with my chain tool and I tried about 5 different pins. Be glad your chain broke and just get a SRAM PC-59.
A pair of bolt cutters will get that sucker right off. Seriously.

Mindbogger you still have to carry a tool.. Figure if your chain brakes, the chances of a complete link braking off are pretty small. I've only broke one chain so far, on the trail simple snapped at the one link. So in order to put it back together I had to remove that link where it busted. Now I could have used the removable link, but then would have had to remove half a link to use, so needed chain tool. Rather then do that and have a very short chain I used my chain tool to put it back together and finish my ride. Since was only 1 link shorter, still shifted fine.

Ok I will go with the SRAM PC-99 hollowtech, thanks for your suggestions!!

Yesterday I was riding with a group of 20. My chain snaps and since I didn't have the tools neither the knowledge on how to repair it, I have to return back on foot. I don't want that to happen again. I mention the Rohloff because that was the editor's choice at MTBreview.com. I didn't know about the existance of that chain either. Now that I know I will consider it as an alternative, perhaps you too.

By the way the chain on my bike was the Shimano HG-53.

No one in the group had a tool and the ability to use it?

I always ride with a chaintool and a master link.

My preference for chains is anything but Shimano. I'm not anti-Shimano, but I really dislike those special pins.

Actually, I'm running a Sram chain, but I'm running the PC - 69. A bit more heft to it, but a very durable chain. No problems as of yet with it.

L8R

fatman, I stand corrected.

But, If you are getting a free chain, I'd go for the wipperman.You won't be sorry.

I run a PC-99, by the way.