PeaceGrabber

I heard few MTB users complaining the Powerlink is the weakest point where the chain bent. This is the reason as to why Shimano never produce a similar product.

For some of you who don't know what it is:
A Sram chain/w powerlink is a chain with quick release for easy cleaning. See links photo:

https://images.competitivecyclist.com...833-CH1422.jpg

cs1

WOW, that's news to me. I bought one of my bikes from a former Team Mek rider. He had the bike equipped with a SRAM chain and powerlink and loved it. I asked him about it specifically and he said no problems at all. Maybe MTB guys are harder on their stuff.

Tim

Raiyn

Actually that's crap. I'm a big guy and a bit of a pedal masher and I've never snapped a SRAM chain at ANY point including the Power Link on either of my MTB's. I have snapped and mutilated Shimano chains however.

55/Rad

Let me put it this way....

I've had WAY more problems with Shimano chains and replacement pins than with Shimano or SRAM chains with powerlinks. 9 speed and 10 speed.

55/Rad

Grasschopper

What a bunch of crap this is. I have many friends that race MTBs and most if not all of them use SRAM links. I use them on all of my bikes as well and have never had a failure.

cydewaze

Ditto for me too.

drunix

Just for clarity, the picture that you linked is not an SRAM PowerLink. That picture is of the Wipperman equivalent (Connex, I think).

And for the record, I've never had a problem with an SRAM chain.

Dru

webist

My LBS uses SRAM by default. I've never questioned them on it. My Drive train is all Shimano except for the chain. No problems whatsoever.

BlastRadius

Never had a problem, either with a SRAM chain or a SRAM powerlink on a Shimano chain.
Sometimes, it's easy to think you have the link on and closed properly when it isn't.
That could have been the cause of many "failures".

1955

Hey 55,

I've got Dura Ace 10 spd, what chain or just the link do you use???

ggg300

not a problem...sram chains seem to last longer for me for some reason

ggg300

btw.... that may not be the power link from sram....it look like wipper...

NJWheelBuilder

I use SRAM on and off road. No problems.

CPcyclist

I have not found this to be true on my MTB. Where is the data/ testamonials/ Pics of broken links you have?

BTW I think as others have said that is a Wipperman link. I have hear a few people complain about those... never SRAM.

cs1

Raiyn:

I know it's a bunch of crap. I was being a smart *ss. The poster was obviously brain dead or told a total bunch of crap! There is nothing wrong with SRAM chains or links.


Tim

55/Rad

I've got Ultegra 10 and Chorus 10. Wipperman Connex links on both with no problems. SRAM Powerlinks on the 9 speed setups.

55/Rad

1955

Tanks!

Doggus

Damn...so much conflicting information. I was told by my LBS and HERE not to use a removable link on my DA10 chain. So you're saying a Wipperman Connex link will work on my DA10? Need to do a chain cleaning soon and would love to take the chain off to do the job.

Looked em up on Performance, says they are compatible with Campy 6.2mm chains. DA10 is 6.1mm. 1/10mm shouldn't make a diff eh?

p.s. called the LBS again, got a service tech. Asked him about using a wimmperman on a DA10 chain - oh yeah...been doing it a while now. *sheesh* It boils down to I'm gonna have to try it myself.

F1_Fan

I love SRAM links... I can't wait for the SRAM 10-speed chain to hit the shops. I had to reinstall my DA-10 chain... scary... there's not a lot of meat inthose side plates for the pin to grab onto.

AlanS

Doesn't Wipperman have both a 6.2 mm (Campy) and a 6.0 mm(Shimano) link?

motorhommmer

Troll

roadbuzz

There's one in every crowd, and this time it's me.

The only chains I've ever had fail are SRAMs. Two were actually on an old Bridgestone 7 speed that I use for commuting and gravel road rides. Another happened to a friend's shimano 9 speed on a group ride. (These are the only ones I have first-hand experience with.) None failed at the Powerlink. In every case I think what actually happened was a side plate popped off a pin, which then caused the opposite plate to bend and break.

Never had a Shimano chain fail, except when I didn't follow instructions. FWIW, I don't trust the Shimano pins worth a d@mn, so once the chains are on, they don't come off until they're replaced. The on-the-bike chain cleaner used often enough does an adequate job.

jmoule

I've got SRAM chains on both of my bikes, one a road bike the other a basic GT mountain bike. Never had a problem with SRAM chains until I went to take the chain off my road bike the other day. I struggled for 40 minutes trying to get the powerlink apart, but it just wouldn't budge. finally I gave in and used a chain tool to break another link. first time a powerlink ever gave me trouble like that.

Aside from that, my SRAM chains work great. Even with that trouble I'll probably still buy them in the future.

Ryanistheone

I like the sram chains, I've never had a problem with them, but the connex chains i dont like. For ten speed i only run shimano if it's shimano or campy if it's campy. Just my opinion though.

thewalrus

In answer to the original poster, very nearly EVERY serious mountain biker I know here (Vancouver) uses a SRAM chain with powerlink. I have never seen a powerlink fail, though I have heard the occasional rare story of such. I've heard an equal number of stories of normal shimano, KMC, wippermann and campagnolo chains spontaneously failing too.

If you ride hard in the winter a powerlink is very much necessary - you can get the chain much cleaner off the bike than on it. And who wants to mess around with paying for a new pin every time you clean your chain?