Originally Posted by Adagio Corse
When it comes to a chain on the fixie, this is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT component to safety and I can easily justify spending $50 for a chain, when its durability and strength needs to be uncompromising. Whether it's the Super Tough Izumi or a Wipperman, when it comes to chains which are not high profit margin items, you are getting what you paid for in terms of material quality. Getting the "strongest" model from KMC, Wipperman or Izumi is a win-win situation. $50 on a crucial piece of the drivetrain/braking mechanism is not like spending $50 on a bunch of Ti bolts; this is not an optional luxury but an integral part of the bike.
With an expensive Izumi super toughness chain you are mostly paying for the NJS stamp, not increased strength or durability. There is very little difference in materials or strength, if any at all and in my experience Izumi chains are louder, more problematic, and wear faster than KMC BMX chains. Unless you can leg press the weight of a car, you are not strong enough to break a chain with your own brute strength. Mountain bikes with a tiny granny ring will exert way more tension on skinny deraileur chain then you could ever apply on a normally geared fixed gear or singlespeed. Chain breakage happens from improper installation, F'ed up chainline, worn out drive chain components or other random accidents.