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Best 9 speed chain for touring bike

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Old 01-23-07, 05:56 PM
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Best 9 speed chain for touring bike

Considering the conditions a touring bike goes through-Rain, Mud, Road grime, etc, etc, what would be the best chain?

If it's a Sram chain, which model?

If Whipperman, which model?

I hear Sram's better than Shimano for chains, but maybe they got a good one?

Thanks!
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Old 01-23-07, 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Robert_in_ca
Considering the conditions a touring bike goes through-Rain, Mud, Road grime, etc, etc, what would be the best chain?

If it's a Sram chain, which model?

If Whipperman, which model?

I hear Sram's better than Shimano for chains, but maybe they got a good one?

Thanks!
Sram. I've been using them for eons and can't complain. Not necessarily the bottom one (still a good chain) nor the top of the line. Get a couple of extra powerlinks...just in case. I always carry extras but I've hardly used them.
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Old 01-24-07, 11:14 AM
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On my own tourer and most of those I have built for customers, I have used SRAM chains. They seem to shift well and be reasonably durable. On my own bikes, I use the cheapest models and haven't seen any degradation in performance or durability. Honestly, though, I don't think there is a big difference in the quality of any of these chains. Riding conditions and maintenance will likely have a much bigger impact. However, if you do go with Shimano, I recommend a connector link rather than messing with Shimano's special pins.
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Old 01-24-07, 11:28 AM
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I have been using SRAM PC991 chains exclusively for a while now. They work great and have had zero problems.
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Old 01-24-07, 02:56 PM
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another vote for Sram. PC59 or PC991
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Old 01-24-07, 06:16 PM
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Sram PC59 (discontinued) or its replacement pc 951 are super chains.

If you don't care for sram's new improved pricing (30-40 bucks), then I recommend the kmc z9000 aka nashbar 9 spd, for under 10 bucks on sale (seem to be out of stock right now).
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Old 01-24-07, 07:50 PM
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As a family we have a lot of bikes and go through a lot of chains I have been using scram chains with great success. I wonder if any one knows where I can buy the chain in bulk? We have small bikes, big touring bikes, tandems and recumbents, seems like I have lots of bits and pieces around, bulk would be good if it saves a little money in the long run. We have not had good life (or luck) with shimano, and I like the power links on the scram.
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Old 01-25-07, 08:05 AM
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Sram or KMC Z9000 are my favorites. Long lasting with reasonable care and shift well on my bikes.
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Old 01-25-07, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by GiantDave
Sram or KMC Z9000 are my favorites. Long lasting with reasonable care and shift well on my bikes.
Whatever you use, use the Sram powerlink. I haven't put a pin in a chain for eons!
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Old 01-25-07, 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Whatever you use, use the Sram powerlink. I haven't put a pin in a chain for eons!
the kmc /nashbar comes with a quick link
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Old 01-25-07, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by seeker333
the kmc /nashbar comes with a quick link
Anything is better than Shimano's silly pin
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Old 01-25-07, 08:19 PM
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will the scram power ling work with a KMC chain?
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Old 01-26-07, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by teamcompi
will the scram power ling work with a KMC chain?
It should. I've even used it on a Shimano chain and I didn't notice the difference. I refuse to use the Shimano pin thingy
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Old 01-28-07, 04:40 PM
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Thanks for the replies.

In the Sram PC-991, is the Hollow Pin design stronger than the cross step one?
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Old 02-08-07, 04:14 PM
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Hollow pin chain

The hollow pin chain is lighter and weaker.

Richard
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Old 02-08-07, 09:24 PM
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Hollow pin chain

The hollow pin chain is lighter and weaker.

Richard
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Old 02-09-07, 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by jens5
The hollow pin chain is lighter and weaker.

Richard
While it's true that the rivets on the basic Sram chain are weaker than the cross-step ones, in practical terms, unless you are a strong pro racer it should make no difference. The normal rivets are more than strong enough for most riders and the usual reason for changing a chain is not broken rivets, but wear.

The basic Sram chain i.e. PC 59 and onwards, are every bit as durable than the nickel-plated jobs costing more. They are not superior in any way, and that's from the mouth of Sram's Managing Director.
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