[Kntr]

So is there really a shifting or strength difference in a SRAM 59, 69, or 99. I have heard that the 59 is the strongest. Opinions?

 

[Nate at RIT]

Never broken any SRAM chains, and I was running at 59 on my SS mtn bike last summer, and I put down the power. Use the 59s on my road and geared mtn bike, never had any shifting problems. Given that, I never paid for more than the 59. You may want more assurance than that, for DH though. I think the 99 is the strongest, but the question is: if the cheap ones don't fail, why pay more for the higher-end ones?

 

[Mr Tiles]

I think they are all equally strong, just the more expensive the lighter the chain...or at least that's what I've heard.

 

[Nate at RIT]

Yeah, that's def true. The 99 is probably 2/3 the weight of the 59, but twice as expensive. I think that I've heard that the 99's hollow pins also make for a stronger chain somehow too, but dont' quote me on that.

 

[Mr Tiles]

yeah, what I've heard about the hollow pins is that the pins are mushroomed when they are pressed creating a stronger link...I've never run one so I don't know first hand. I've had several sram chains and none of them have let me down on a geared bike. I snapped a pc7x eons ago on a singlespeed but it was my fault - bad chain line on a super steep gulley climb.

 

[cali4niabiker]

I use PC-59 on all of my bikes. I've used the shimano chains (HG, IG whatever) and I have destroyed more Shimano chains than I can count. Since I switched over to SACHS over 2 years ago, I've only had one that broke compared to ~10 shimano chains in the dumpster.