Are SRAM chains any good?
 

I recently bought a SRAM 9 speed chain form my LBS. They said that SRAM has a good rep – that’s what I heard too. I liked the quick link system. I lubed it with Pro-Link and it seemed to work well. After only 155 miles a link broke on a hill climb. I’m very disappointed.

What model was this? I have been having good luck with the PC68 I have been using. Just ordered a new PC69 and PC89R.

I have put in quite a few miles with SRAM chains and I have never had any problem at all. I am quite happy with them and I greatly prefer their system to Shimano.

I would suggest taking it back to the shop and see if they will swap out the chain for you. It won't hurt to ask.

The only chain I haven't broken is a SRAM... they seem to last forever (PC99)

I have first-hand knowledge of two incidents of chain failure, both were SRAMs. One was on my commuter, don't remember which model chain. I wasn't able to investigate this failure, because of time constraints (I was trying to get to work) and other circumstances. The other was a friends bike, when we were on a ride. It was a PC-99. His failure was from a broken side plate of a regular link. Pretty far down the list of expected failure modes, IMO. It just happened, he wasn't hammering or anything.

Did you cross shift on the chain? My PC 69 seems pretty decent. Ive had better luck on SRAM then Shimano

My first experience with an SRAM chain was on a brand new bike. One of the links was missing the roller. Obviously a manufacturing defect.

My second experience was a replacement chain for an old beater. The chain, neither top nor bottom of the line has rollers with rough looking edges. I'v only been using it for a few months and hope it does not wear down the chainring or cogs. Still, I wonder why the rollers are not uniformly smooth.

I think I may stick with Shimano chains in the future.

Off hand I forget the model. I have not had time to take it obver to the LBS yet. I'll let you inow.

No I avoid that.

From all the comments so far (some good some bad) I am wondering if their quality is inconsistent.

Much as I hate Shimano and their hyperlinks, I've never had one fail. When the chain went on my commuter, it got caught between the cassette and spokes (even tho' I was shifting to a higher gear when it happened), breaking several spokes and ruining the wheel.

Do you still have all the parts? Do a post-mortem... can you tell how the chain broke, e.g. did a sideplate come off a pin? Was it the connector link?

Ummm... what's a 'cross shift'? Forgive me, but I've never heard the phrase before.

I was not a connector link. I looks like the pin pulled out ot the side plate. The side plate is spread out and the pin is still in the other side and it so cocked.

I assumed that he meant having the chain on a large cog/large chaining combination (or a small/small combination) which would cause the chain to go from the inside of the chainrings to the outside of the cogs or the opposite.

Nothing but the best of luck with SRAM chains until this point.

I have a number of 8 speed SRAM chains with no probs. Should be getting a 9 speed to try in the near future...

Thanks Mike. Much appreciated. You know, that will wear out your drive chain like the dickens, but it shouldn't cause the chain to break. But then, nothing short of of a rotten re-join to a previously 'broken' link should cause a chain to break. I can hardly believe the stories I'm reading here. For my money, a properly assembled chain should never break... ever! Oh well, live and learn. I don't think I'll buy a SRAM chain though.

You can probably hear a lot of stories about broken Shimano chains too. I never had a problem with SRAM or Shimano chains either, but prefer SRAM chains because of the master link. Also, I like to support the competition to Shimano...they've gotten enough of my dollars already.

The PC-99 I'm running now has 1850 miles with very low noise and friction. It's showing no significant wear as checked with a steel rule and the Park CC-3 gauge. A great chain, IMO.

I have used Shimano, SRAM, and Wipperman chains. I prefer Wipperman more money but worth it im my book. But will take SRAM over a Shimano chain any day.

SRAM Baby!!! I've put upwards of 3500 miles on SRAM chains and never had an issue of braking. I don't see how people do it. Lack of maintenance? Who knows.

I've run on different bikes, both Road and MTB, PC-99, PC-89 - 89R and PC-68. I usually replace my chain at 1500 mile no matter what. I figure if I'm riding a $3800 bike, a $30 chain twice a year is a nit. Watch the sales and stock up. I now keep 4 chains in my workshop at all times.

Keep it clean. Keep it lubed. Keep it tuned.

Well this chain had only 155 miles on it. In that time it was cleaned and lubed often. Even with NO maintenence, a chain should last longer than 155 miles!
I think that it's possible I just gotr a bad one.

About 10 days after buying a new Bianchi Strada (2003 model, comes with
a Shimano CN-HG53 chain) the chain broke. Not while shifting, either. I was
pedalling hard up a steep hill in a low gear and whammo. I was flabbergasted.
I have never broken a chain in my life, and this one was brand new. The
LBS replaced the chain free, of course. My conclusion was not that Shimanos
are bad chains, but that there was some manufacturing defect.

I'm afraid I didn't really research what actually failed.

I have uneventfully used SRAM chains, mostly PC-58s, for years. I replace them when they elongate by 1/16" per 24 half-links, per Sheldon's advice.

As noted earlier chains just dont break. Occasionaly you'll find a manufacturing defect like a missing roller or something but those types of things are extremely rare.

Chains break due to mis-assembly. If a chain broke on a new bike it was mis-assembled at the plant.

Shimano or SRAM??? Take your pick....Just remember SRAM chains are Sachs chains. Sachs, if memory serves correct, is a subsidiary of.....Peugeot.

As a side note if you ever have shifting problems with a Shimano system that has an SRAM chain....install a Shimano chain....and vice versa.....you shouldnt put a Ford engine in a Chevy.

My question is the chain safe to use after a link has broken? Tonight I broke a link on my chain on a climb. I did not have a master link so I just put it back together with one less link. Now I wonder is this chain to be trusted?