Whats a good mountain biking chain?

Question

i have a Giant Faith 2 DH Freeride/Race and i had a SRAM PC59 but i snapped it going up a hill, whats a good RELIABLE chain? My bike has 2 speeds front and 8 back thanks

Answer 1

Shimano and SRAM both make good chains, my question to you is were did your chain break? Was it a master link that came loose? Was the chain worn out or have a bad link? Do you do regular maint. on the chain?

Answer 2

Use XT level shimano. it is excellent and reliable.

Answer 3

Shimano chains are fine, and the XT or XTR should be very dependable, and I've never had a bad experience with a SRAM.  The PC59 is a 9 speed chain and you should be running an 8 speed chain with your setup.  The PC850 is an 8 speed chain.  They are getting harder to find.

Also, if you have the money, Wipperman Connex chains are excellent, and very dependable, especially the stainless steel ones.

Ben

Answer 4

All chains will break...actually, I've seen more Shimano chains snap than I have Sram, but that may have to do with how many more Shimano chains are on the bikes, or because of how you need to use the special pins (and use them properly) on their chains.  

The most common reason for chain breaks are pins that weren't put in correctly (both Shimano's pins and the normal kind).  The other big reason is letting the chain get rusty frequently...you can clean up and ride a rusty chain but each time they rust you lose a little more metal on the inside of the rollers and pins.   If the chain has been twisted from hard mashing or getting caught in the gears/chainstay, they can break from that, too.  

I've been riding the Sram 971 chains for about 5 years and love them.  I've only had one break out of maybe 15 chains.  All of the Sram and Shimano chains are pretty much the same strength and weight unless they have hollow pins or plates....the price difference is in the surface finish.  I've only had one Wipperman chain and it was decent.....no better or worse than the rest I've tried, though.  

If you go with Shimano, be sure to pick up at least 2 extra pins (more, if you like to take your chain off the bike to clean it), and be sure to get the correct pin for your model of chain (there are 4 different ones).  Then, be sure to follow their recommendations on which part of the link to separate and on how to properly install the new pin.

Keep the chain in good shape and be sure that you use the chain tool properly and you most likely won't break another chain unless it's damaged or worn badly.  

All that said, you CAN buy some super indestructible chains, but they won't work on your bike with derailleurs.  The half link and "tank" chains for bmx freestyle are incredible.   Incredibly heavy, too.  But they won't work on your bike.    :o)