Oh it's doubly-smooth with a new chain. Mine is about 2 weeks old. What you do is: Wear your chain, big chainring, and cassette into dust, then have the LBS replace all of it. Then, you want to make your front der cable almost, but not quite, snap. Have them replace that too. If they adjust it all right, it's really nice.

I got an sram 9-speed with a power link. Already took it off and cleaned/lubed it once. Really easy.