SRAM Chains ????

mtbguy · 10-15-2004, 09:48 PM

Anyone out there running SRAM chain on Shimano cassette and shifters??? I have an 03 XTR rear and LX shifters and have gone through 2 SRAM PC59 chains this season....

My last one broke 3 x in 10 minutes (used for 2 rides prior)without me even coming close to cranking on it... I fixed it the first time, threw in a quick link (from 1st SRAM chain) 2nd time, and threw a sh*t fit trail side and rode the rest of the way down with no chain the 3rd time.... lol

Have checked my cassette and front rings.... all in very good shape.... I know way better than to cross load the drivetrain.... Mech at bike shop said the chain is a good balance of perfomance and durability.... but having said that they warrantied the chain and hooked me up with a new one...

Any suggestions (aside from losing weight) as to what to buy next once this 3rd SRAM chain self destructs????

I am 6'3", 230 lbs riding a 03 Big Hit Pro....

Shmoe · 10-15-2004, 09:58 PM

What model is it?
Im 200lbs and im hard on chains, the PC99 is what I use on any of my bikes that have gears.

What breaks chains most of the time is shifting up a few gears and cranking on it instantly without letting it shift first.

SRAM chains have always outlasted shimano ones for me, even the new shimano style chains. If you cannot get anything to work though, try an IRD chain. They are bombproof, but shift like shit.

ATN · 10-15-2004, 10:31 PM

I have had some issues with my PC-59 with shift timing. If I am cranking and shifting at the same time it might go... mostly user error you could say.

sanrensho · 10-15-2004, 10:42 PM

I think Schmoe has it right. Big guys who regularly break chains would probably benefit from a PC-99 chain, which is reputed to be stronger.

TheGiggler · 10-15-2004, 11:16 PM

i've been running PC 49/59 with Shimano gear for a couple years now and having no problems at all. i think that they are totally compatible, if you start with all brand new gear, anyways.

no matter what kind of shifting you're running, a "soft pedal" when ever you shift is gonna save a lot of wear and tear on the drivetrain, and of course prevents breaking chains...

XXX_er · 10-16-2004, 12:23 AM

I been running pc 68 / pc 59 chains on shimano running gear for awhile with no problems.When junior used to race he would blow Sram quik links so I would rivet his chains together but I had no probs with sram.I usually buy a couple from MEC when-ever I get to Van.

last 2 chains I used were KMC 9000 ,they seemed to work as well as sram and maybe even stretch/wear a little less than sram

Sram is introducing 3 new chains with a more bulged side plate ,I asked if they would work with Shimano and they assured me the new chains are compatible

they gave us each a chain for attending their seminar

Zedbra · 10-16-2004, 02:11 AM

I've had a few problems with PC 59's in the last few years as well. Went with a PC 69 and no probs. Didnt do a PC 99 cuz I replace my chain at least once a year.

Krusty Rider · 10-16-2004, 05:14 AM

If you look closely at the pc59 the pin is finish on 2 sides || whereas the PC69 is finished on 4 sides ( looks like a square on the end of each pin. This finishing process makes the link plate/pin interface stronger. Move up to the 69 or 99. Also, I assume your keeping your chain lubricated properly. My biggest pet peeve is people spending huge coin on their rides, then negelcting the most important part of the whole drivetrain. Then they wonder why the hell their chain broke, or it squeaks like crazy or shifts like crap.

IFO · 10-16-2004, 05:35 AM

PC99.... its worth every penny...

i've abused the hell out of mine all season at Whistla, and it refuses to break...

that poor chain has been twisted/ and slapped silly... no issues at all so far...

i'll be buying a new one when this one gives up the ghost for sure...

sanrensho · 10-16-2004, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sanrensho
I think Schmoe has it right. Big guys who regularly break chains would probably benefit from a PC-99 chain, which is reputed to be stronger.

I am going to have to retract the above statement. SRAM's tech documentation indicates that all their 9-speed chains (except for the hollow-pin PC-99) have the same push power/tensile strength.

OTOH, the SRAM 8-speed chains increase in strength the higher up the line, but PC-48 and PC-58 are rated equal in strength (!).

Shmoe · 10-16-2004, 08:03 AM

Since the PC99 shifts better, there is less stress on it while shifting. This is what usually breaks chains.

Sticky · 10-16-2004, 07:43 PM

Have been running PC69's on both my bikes (ht and Bullit) with shimano running gear for years now. I'm 220 lbs. and haven't managed to break one yet. I used to run shimano chains and they'd be haggard in half the time.

The PC69 isn't that expensive so replacing them often is affordable.

Nelson · 10-16-2004, 10:14 PM

You should replace your cassete everytime you put on a new chain....They wear to eachother, so if you put a new chain on an old cassette, itll jump teeth, and snap.

Get a new cassette.

TheGiggler · 10-16-2004, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nelson
You should replace your cassete everytime you put on a new chain....They wear to eachother, so if you put a new chain on an old cassette, itll jump teeth, and snap.

Get a new cassette.

if you change your chain regularly you should be able to run at least 3 diff chains on the same cassette without noticeable peformance loss in shifting, etc.

i change mine every 2-3 months, with cheap PC 49/59... cassette and rings are good for almost a year.

if the cassette is that worn after just having a single chain run on it, then you should be replacing the chain much more often. once the chain stretches, this is in when you wear the cassette and rings super fast. change it before it stretches too much and the cassette/rings should last quite a while...

XXX_er · 10-17-2004, 12:08 AM

I agree with Statix ,if you change yer chain more often you can get more wear out of yer sprockets and you shouldnt have to change chain/cogset/chainwheels all at once everytime.

you can get a Park go-no-go chain checker guage for only 10$ at MEC

I have heard of people who run a chain till its half worn, pull it off and set it aside,run another chain till its shot and thro the half worn chain back on , but I'm not that organized

10-15-2004, 09:48 PM	#1
mtbguy Fat Old Rider Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Surrey Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	SRAM Chains ???? Anyone out there running SRAM chain on Shimano cassette and shifters??? I have an 03 XTR rear and LX shifters and have gone through 2 SRAM PC59 chains this season.... My last one broke 3 x in 10 minutes (used for 2 rides prior)without me even coming close to cranking on it... I fixed it the first time, threw in a quick link (from 1st SRAM chain) 2nd time, and threw a sh*t fit trail side and rode the rest of the way down with no chain the 3rd time.... lol Have checked my cassette and front rings.... all in very good shape.... I know way better than to cross load the drivetrain.... Mech at bike shop said the chain is a good balance of perfomance and durability.... but having said that they warrantied the chain and hooked me up with a new one... Any suggestions (aside from losing weight) as to what to buy next once this 3rd SRAM chain self destructs???? I am 6'3", 230 lbs riding a 03 Big Hit Pro.... __________________ "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dirt and sweat and blood..."

10-15-2004, 10:42 PM	#4
sanrensho Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NV Posts: 7,137 Rep Power: 592698	I think Schmoe has it right. Big guys who regularly break chains would probably benefit from a PC-99 chain, which is reputed to be stronger. __________________ "The song of a bird...We used to ask Ennesson to do bird calls. He could do them. How he could do them, and when he perished, along with him went all those birds..."-Return from the Stars, Stanislaw Lem "We just walk around, and sometimes we go out and dance, and then we listen to the environment."-Ralf Hutter, Kraftwerk

10-16-2004, 02:11 AM	#7
Zedbra Beer Shop Steward Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Squish Posts: 12,596 Rep Power: 21474849	I've had a few problems with PC 59's in the last few years as well. Went with a PC 69 and no probs. Didnt do a PC 99 cuz I replace my chain at least once a year. __________________ Squampton B Team

10-16-2004, 10:14 PM	#13
Nelson Click Click Click Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 12,587 Rep Power: 34177	You should replace your cassete everytime you put on a new chain....They wear to eachother, so if you put a new chain on an old cassette, itll jump teeth, and snap. Get a new cassette. __________________ .

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10-15-2004, 09:58 PM	#2
Shmoe MTB rider Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lethbridge/Calgary Posts: 2,022 Rep Power: 49	What model is it? Im 200lbs and im hard on chains, the PC99 is what I use on any of my bikes that have gears. What breaks chains most of the time is shifting up a few gears and cranking on it instantly without letting it shift first. SRAM chains have always outlasted shimano ones for me, even the new shimano style chains. If you cannot get anything to work though, try an IRD chain. They are bombproof, but shift like shit.

10-15-2004, 10:31 PM	#3
ATN ooohhhhhh, that's nasty Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 12 step norcoholism program Posts: 3,734 Rep Power: 26	I have had some issues with my PC-59 with shift timing. If I am cranking and shifting at the same time it might go... mostly user error you could say.

10-15-2004, 11:16 PM	#5
TheGiggler Team Shuttlewhore Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: in the fog Posts: 5,250 Rep Power: 59034	i've been running PC 49/59 with Shimano gear for a couple years now and having no problems at all. i think that they are totally compatible, if you start with all brand new gear, anyways. no matter what kind of shifting you're running, a "soft pedal" when ever you shift is gonna save a lot of wear and tear on the drivetrain, and of course prevents breaking chains...

10-16-2004, 12:23 AM	#6
XXX_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: central B.C. Posts: 10,981 Rep Power: 6350181	I been running pc 68 / pc 59 chains on shimano running gear for awhile with no problems.When junior used to race he would blow Sram quik links so I would rivet his chains together but I had no probs with sram.I usually buy a couple from MEC when-ever I get to Van. last 2 chains I used were KMC 9000 ,they seemed to work as well as sram and maybe even stretch/wear a little less than sram Sram is introducing 3 new chains with a more bulged side plate ,I asked if they would work with Shimano and they assured me the new chains are compatible they gave us each a chain for attending their seminar

10-16-2004, 05:14 AM	#8
Krusty Rider ... and damn proud of it! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cleaverdale Posts: 265 Rep Power: 4825	If you look closely at the pc59 the pin is finish on 2 sides \|\| whereas the PC69 is finished on 4 sides ( looks like a square on the end of each pin. This finishing process makes the link plate/pin interface stronger. Move up to the 69 or 99. Also, I assume your keeping your chain lubricated properly. My biggest pet peeve is people spending huge coin on their rides, then negelcting the most important part of the whole drivetrain. Then they wonder why the hell their chain broke, or it squeaks like crazy or shifts like crap.

10-16-2004, 05:35 AM	#9
IFO Cove STD goodness...Yummy Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 13,657 Rep Power: 4472470	PC99.... its worth every penny... i've abused the hell out of mine all season at Whistla, and it refuses to break... that poor chain has been twisted/ and slapped silly... no issues at all so far... i'll be buying a new one when this one gives up the ghost for sure...

10-16-2004, 08:03 AM	#11
Shmoe MTB rider Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lethbridge/Calgary Posts: 2,022 Rep Power: 49	Since the PC99 shifts better, there is less stress on it while shifting. This is what usually breaks chains.

10-16-2004, 07:43 PM	#12
Sticky Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bellingham,WA Posts: 290 Rep Power: 14	Have been running PC69's on both my bikes (ht and Bullit) with shimano running gear for years now. I'm 220 lbs. and haven't managed to break one yet. I used to run shimano chains and they'd be haggard in half the time. The PC69 isn't that expensive so replacing them often is affordable.

10-17-2004, 12:08 AM	#15
XXX_er Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: central B.C. Posts: 10,981 Rep Power: 6350181	I agree with Statix ,if you change yer chain more often you can get more wear out of yer sprockets and you shouldnt have to change chain/cogset/chainwheels all at once everytime. you can get a Park go-no-go chain checker guage for only 10$ at MEC I have heard of people who run a chain till its half worn, pull it off and set it aside,run another chain till its shot and thro the half worn chain back on , but I'm not that organized