Bicycle Mechanics - Wipperman chains?

How do people like the Wipperman Connex chains? Specifically the 908 9-speed chain? I recently bought one for a new build and it didn't work at all on the bike. First time I ever tried a non-Shimano chain. Once my mechanic put on a Shimano chain (he tried two), they both worked much better than the Wipperman. I'll be trying the Wipperman on a different bike to see if it is any better there, but was curious to see what others experience was with Wipperman. I talked with the online shop where I bought it and they were very nice but basically made it sound like trying to return it wasn't going to be worth the effort. I looked more closely at their website and realized that it appears everything "user" rated is 4 or 5 stars. It appears they just don't post bad reviews, so there is no way to get an accurate read from their website.

How did it "not work"? I've never heard of a chain not working before, unless one was trying to put a 3/32" chain on their fixed gear with 1/8" sprockets.

Did your "new build" have a 9 or 10 speed drivetrain? You only state that you were using a 9spd wipperman chain with a shimano drivetrain.

I have been using a wipperman chain on my road bike for a couple of years and it has worked very well. I am running a campy drivetrain though and wipperman was suggested as an alternative to the more expensive campy chains.

I particularly like the connex link but only on my road bike. I put one on my shimano mt bike chain and it was working fine until I suffered a bout of chain suck one morning a few weeks ago and the chain flexed at/near the connex link allowing it to slide apart causing the chain to part.

-j

I used a Wipperman once on a trials bike (9spd.), didn't have shifting issues since I wasn't shifting much, but I can say they're strong. :)

I've used Wippermann chains on both 9 and 10-speed bikes with both Shimano and Campy drivetrains and they've all worked well, shifted cleanly and were durable. One requirement is that the Conex link has to be installed in a specific orientation that is clearly spelled out in the instruction sheet.

One requirement is that the Conex link has to be installed in a specific orientation that is clearly spelled out in the instruction sheet.

+1, the number reason that Wippermann chains don't work right is that the Connex link is inverted, and touching the shoulders of sprockets. Otherwise any chain of the proper width should work fine on any drivetrain. The only difference might be very slightly degraded shifting because if variations in side flex and/or the precise shape of the outer plate. In most cases the difference in undetectable.

I got a couple chains for IGH, from Harris by Whipperman,
a 3/32" Full bushing type.
having the bushing-sleeve supporting the roller, does slow the wear,
extend the life..
because the roller to bushing to pin surfaces are larger.
as there is no need for flush chain pins on an IGH/SS,
there is a much reduced risk
of the chain breaking from pin coming out of the side plate.

Wish I could find more.. was sold as NOS,
guess I should look at going that extra 32nd width , next.

Glad to hear a mostly positive response on Wipperman. I'll try it on another bike and see how it does.

The "new build" bike is a 9 speed drivetrain - I didn't think about stating that because it seemed obvious, but maybe not to everyone. The new bike's drivetrain is a mix of brands (Sugino crankset, SRAM cassette and Shimano f and r derailers) along with new cables and housings. I hear that mixing is maybe not a good idea. Too bad for the consumer, but I'll try to avoid that in the future.

The Wipperman didn't shift well at all. It skipped; it mis-shifted. And the two Shimano chains (one new, one used in good shape) shifted far better. The Wipperman master link was installed correctly because I asked the bike mechanic about that.

Thanks for the input.