davetapson Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Bought myself a cheapie chain for commuting - a Giant. Now I've never particularly paid any attention to chains. Always just got some variation of a Shimano, usually depending on how much cash is in my pocket. Never had any issues with them one way or another, apart from they wear out. This Giant chain - damn, it flexes laterally when you go over bumps and jumps off the crank blades, hops around at the back and in general is *(&^*( horrible. Sheldon Brown recommends (recommended?) SRAM chains... but doesn't say why. My suspicion is because they come with a quick link instead of a pin, but that's just me. I've never seen any passion spend discussing chains on the hub (except for me hating on the POS chain I currently have.) Has anybody been through the gamut of chains? Application is MTB.
RollandBounce Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I have been riding with sram on my mtb and wont switch to shimano. The sram chains are priced very closely to the shimano ones. Which groupset you riding with? Isnt your chain to long on the giant? Are you running a full suspension bike?
Niner Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I find Sram last longer, and is generally a better chain than Shimano...My Shimano chain shows rust quicker than the Sram in the same conditions....One of the reasons I got rid of Shimano.
Mojoman Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) I use SRAM 951 or 971, whatever is available (around R200). No issues, front chainrings are Shimano Deore and rear cassette is Shimano HG50.I use a SRAm quicklink on my partners 8 speed Shimano chain with no issues. I lube the chain after every ride with Squirt and take it off and clean about every 3-4 rides depending in conditons. Edited February 17, 2012 by Mojoman
davetapson Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 I have been riding with sram on my mtb and wont switch to shimano. The sram chains are priced very closely to the shimano ones. Which groupset you riding with? Isnt your chain to long on the giant? Are you running a full suspension bike? Shimano XT/XTR/SLX - wear components are cheap, non-wearing expensive. Full sus.
Cassie Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I'm in the process of replacing drive train... I've ordered a SRAM PG971 from CRC a while ago... Now - what casette should I go for? I've decided to ride my current chain (HG90) and casette (XT) BOTH into their chops!! ....lasted damn long, i must say, so I'm not overly concerned about that!! so - do i get some SRAM cassette (R???) or another XT (R500)??
RollandBounce Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 The sram chains last quite long. Saw on the fullsus bikes that you can get a lot of flex if your chainlength is not correct etc? RR tension/setup spot-on?
davetapson Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 I'm in the process of replacing drive train... I've ordered a SRAM PG971 from CRC a while ago... Now - what casette should I go for? I've decided to ride my current chain (HG90) and casette (XT) BOTH into their chops!! ....lasted damn long, i must say, so I'm not overly concerned about that!! so - do i get some SRAM cassette (R???) or another XT (R500)?? I'm using my bike for commuting, so don't see the point of burning through quality stuff. Have just got a HG50 cassette (full fat steel) from CRC courtesy KDEE, got the cheap Giant chain (which is looking like a strategic mistake) and SLX or something granny and middle rings. Will buy XT blades / chain / cassette to use for special occasions. Next CRC order I will look at KMC.
davetapson Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 The sram chains last quite long. Saw on the fullsus bikes that you can get a lot of flex if your chainlength is not correct etc? RR tension/setup spot-on? Chain length identical (less stretch) to the Shimano I took off? Ok, before anyone gets pedantic, not stretch, elongation.
Niner Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I'm in the process of replacing drive train... I've ordered a SRAM PG971 from CRC a while ago... Now - what casette should I go for? I've decided to ride my current chain (HG90) and casette (XT) BOTH into their chops!! ....lasted damn long, i must say, so I'm not overly concerned about that!! so - do i get some SRAM cassette (R???) or another XT (R500)?? SRAM 11-34
Niner Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I'm using my bike for commuting, so don't see the point of burning through quality stuff. Have just got a HG50 cassette (full fat steel) from CRC courtesy KDEE, got the cheap Giant chain (which is looking like a strategic mistake) and SLX or something granny and middle rings. Will buy XT blades / chain / cassette to use for special occasions. Next CRC order I will look at KMC. Changes are the cheapie chain will do more damage than good...
divernick Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 Running a cheapie Giant (KMC) BMX chain on my SS MTB - so far so good after 500-odd km.
patches Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) I'm using my bike for commuting, so don't see the point of burning through quality stuff. Have just got a HG50 cassette (full fat steel) from CRC courtesy KDEE, got the cheap Giant chain (which is looking like a strategic mistake) and SLX or something granny and middle rings. Will buy XT blades / chain / cassette to use for special occasions. Next CRC order I will look at KMC. they're not the cheapest, but for around 320 ZA Ronds you can get pretty decent chain that is less likely to rust, and stretch as easily. Plus they come with quick links... oh and did I mention that it's gold (not the kind of gold chain to be worn around your neck in the Souf ) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Original/25422.jpg Edited February 17, 2012 by patches
Spinnekop Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I am running the KMC 11sp chain on my road bike setup. No issues!
davetapson Posted February 17, 2012 Author Posted February 17, 2012 they're not the cheapest, but for around 320 ZA Ronds you can get pretty decent chain that is less likely to rust, and stretch as easily. Plus they come with quick links... oh and did I mention that it's gold (not the kind of gold chain to be worn around your neck in the Souf ) http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Original/25422.jpg Hmmm... was thinking of getting some gold Hope hubs...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now