Bob Dopolina 

Interesting.

I will file that one away and see if it gets confirmed later.

I haven't heard good things about chains from SRAM which is odd since they bought Sedis years ago and should be able to make good chains.

rpenmanparker 

Fair enough! I would really like to hear what others find regarding this.

RT

A pox on SRAM chains. I have broken two PC's, and the 10 speed 'powerlock' is a poorly engineered idea. Anything requiring a special tool or channel locks to remove should have never left the drawing board.

rpenmanparker 

I don't disagree with the assessment of SRAM chains, but I question your condemnation of the powerlock. Lots of folks love master links for their convenience and the economy of not having to buy a replacement pin to reassemble the chain. Besides, what are the alternatives? Campy 11v requires a special chain breaking and pin peening tool that costs hundreds (less from Park). Shimano either uses a master link or requires pin replacement. And every chain requires some tool to break it. Just get a Park MLP-1 Master Link Pliers for about $15. Life is good.

Shimagnolo

I run an IRD 11-34 cassette with my Campy Centaur triple because Campy doesn't make anything larger than 29T, and for a big guy like me, a 29T doesn't make it for CO climbs. It works, but to no surprise, the RD just *barely* makes it up onto the 34T.

Shimagnolo

The Powerlock replaced the Powerlink for legal reasons, to get around the Superlink patent.

Actually, I think the Superlink patent recently expired, so they could go back to the Powerlock design. If you take a close look, you will see the only difference is a little plateau added to the side of the slot to cause the latching effect.

The KMC "re-usable"/"non-re-usable" designs are similar to the SRAM Powerlink/Powerlock.

Bob Dopolina 

There are much less expensive alternatives on the market now. This is no longer and issue.

Shimagnolo

I started using SRAM Powerlinks with Shimano chains years ago, then later started just buying SRAM chains (so I didn't need to buy the separate link), then eventually switched to KMC to save a few bucks. I never had any problem whatsoever with SRAM masterlinks or chains.

rpenmanparker 

Sure, that's why I made the notation about the Park alternative. I guess you're saying there are others even cheaper now , and that is even better news. I'm not bashing Campy here, but only pointing out that special chain tools are a way of life these days. Thanks for the update.

Robert

Shimagnolo

Just because Campy is still stuck in the past wrt chain installation, doesn't mean there aren't modern chain connection solutions for Campy users, e.g.

IRD https://www.interlocracing.com/chains.html
KMC https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=34&ssid=572
Superlink https://www.lickbike.com/productpage....B='0340-20'

RT

I went back to 9 speed. I still have a 10 speed, but when the time is right, it goes back to 9 speeds. It is ridiculous to design a 'removable' link that is not. The Powerlink was just great, in fact I am cleaning my 9 speed drivetrain today. No channel locks needed.

'Round these parts, a 14-25 9 speed on a standard front end is awesome.

Bob Pringle

I'm using a Miche replacement cassette on my Record-equipped Specialized Roubaix (it's actually the second one) and I find the shifting to be satisfactory. however, I don't race so what's satisfactory for me may be a bit different for a higher level rider. It's a bit heavy as it's all separate cogs and spacers but the cogs appear to wear well after about 4,000 miles on the first one and 2,000 on the second one.

svtmike

I've got 2012 Red on my Roubaix SL2 now (from Ultegra 6700), but using a DA 7900 chain with KMC Missing Link and my S-Works crankset. I've seen other guys have more problems with SRAM chains and links than any other brand, so I stay away from them. The X-Dome cassette is nice and quiet with the 7900 chain.

The little that I've seen about the alloy aftermarket cassettes indicates significantly shorter life, almost to the point of being ridiculous. My priorities for a cassette involve shift accuracy, shift speed, quietness, durability, and reasonable weight. I know the big 3 work on the highest priorities of these so I don't have much interest in straying from the safe choices.