Originally Posted by
Papa Ado
I mentioned this to our department responsible for Shimano in China and there are indeed knock-off Shimano chains, but it is rare to see a fake HG73.
Shimano chains do NOT come with a connecting link (DA did for a bit - not now). You can use either the supplied reinforced pin or get an aftermarket link as you did.
Z99 is a great choice. X9 is a level up with XXSP treated pins and signature XX chamfering.
switched out chains today. had to remove two links from the Z99. big difference in force
required to push out the pin. had to wrap old hiking socks around the compact chain tool
to keep from cutting my hands. with the HG73, the pin came out like squeezing toothpaste.
so far, so good. Z99 chain; rear shifts as well as the shimano, front seems to shift smoother than
the shimano onto the large chainring.