It's not. 1/8" isn't any stronger or more durable. The only advantages I see are to build a "pure" track bike, which is somewhat negated by the fact that "pure" track bikes aren't ridden on the street, and some track racers prefer 3/32" drivetrains.



I would find a cheaper chain to use, I run $10 6/7/8 speed KMC chains, which work great, are cheap, and are silent. The cogs on a 9 speed casette are slightly thinnner than the track cog you have, so this may have something to do with it. SRAM makes a few chains which would work for you. The SRAM PC-1, or some of the other 8 speed chains would work best.

http://www.sram.com/en/sram/mountain/chains/

Again- Nothing 9 or 10 speed. 6/7/8 speed chains will work much better for you.


And powerlinks are fine on a fixed gear. Some people are freaked out by the fact that you can break your chain with only your fingers, and don't use them.