khuon

I switched because I needed to replace my chain and the bikeshop didn't have the SRAM chain I wanted in stock. They sold me the Wippermann Connex 908 at a comparable price. They were just starting to receive stock of them. I found that they shifted smoother (as smoothly as Shimano if not better) than SRAM, had an equally nice removable/reusable link, was slightly lighter and was only slightly more expensive. Since having gotten the chain, they seem to be just as reliable as the SRAM PC99 I had but shifts more smoothly under load. When my SRAM PC89R on my roadbike was showing signs of stretch, I went ahead and replaced it with a Wippermann Connex 911 that has slotted side-plates and hollow-pins.

Funkychicken

from what i hear, "independent testing" has found that the high-end wipperman connex chains take the highest loads. quoted from an lbs website so i have no real reason to doubt the statement (nor to accept it)

khuon - does that mean shimano shifts smoother than sram? i just got a pc69 but have yet to swap it from my (now rusting) shimano.

khuon

I have found that Shimano chains shifted better than SRAM. What I didn't like about Shimano chains was that they're prone to snapping under high load and of course they're not easily as field repairable although you can use a SRAM PowerLink on them. I was willing to give up some shifting smoothness for the reliability and ease of cleaning and repair that came with SRAM chains but I seem to have found the best of both worlds with Wippermann Connex chains.

Funkychicken

alas, the wippermanns were out of my price range. but having no exp with differnt chains, here i was thinking: gee the shimanos are pretty damn cheap in comparison to the srams - sram's got to be stronger and smoother... anyways, still waiting for my old chain to bust itself out before i switch to my new one, it's taking bloddy long while...

whoa - are you guys still online? man, it's like 11:30pm here, isn't it late over there?

khuon

Yeah, the Wippermann chains are slightly pricier but they're not that bad at least over here. The 908 is around USD$30. This is comparable to the SRAM PC99. If you really want to get blown away, check out the price of the Wippermann Connex TR series of slotted sideplates and hollow-pin titanium chains... USD$380.


Localtime is as of this writing, 0440. I was doing some research work and stayed up late watching some of my models run. What else is there to do to kill time other than post of BikeForums?

Funkychicken

wtf 380? i'm already whining about the connex 90X's being expensive. i'm getting quotes for AUD100+ but maybe the site's badly updated - they quoted me AUD88 for the pc69! but only charged me AUD61

true that. i'll be doing that at work tomorrow, meantime its off to bed to try and get up for a ride before work...zzzzzzzz

weather modelling? financial modelling?

Dave719

I've had one fall off this last year. It had been two weeks since I last took the powerlink apart, so I probably went out for about 10 rides with it with no problems. After riding the trails for about 8 miles, I hit the pavement to go home, hammering away with 44-11 at a pretty good cadence/effort when the chain gave. I couldn't find the powerlink so I'm not sure how it failed. I too usually have a problem w/ getting the thing apart. Since I've had my new Stumpy FSR, I've been using HG-93s w/o Powerlinks. I used the Powerlink because of chainsuck problems on my old Fuel, now I just carry the replacement pins. Been thinking about trying the Wipperman Connex link...

Dave

khuon

Network modelling.

trlpmp

I never ever had problems with them just coming off by themselves. Sometimes I can't get them off at all.

notfred

I went to my LBS and picked up a wipperman powerlink (that's all they carry), so we'll see how that works out. I test rode it for about a mile, and it seems fine so far.

skdsl

I've been using Sram chains for years (Sachs-Sedis too). I found recently that when I upgraded my cassette to Sram (and shifter/deraileur) my shifting improved. I have never broken a powerlink.

We did have a problem with a Connex link on a Shimano drivetrain skipping on the 11T. Put in a Shimano pin and the problem went away. I believe it was the extra length of the joining link.

Weasel

Cheers khuon . One day I might give the Wippermanns a go. Do your models wear high heels and if so, how can they run?