My XC bike is in dire need of a new cassette/chain.

I've already decided I'll be buying SRAM rather than Shimano (although I'll be keeping Shimano mechs and chainset), but I'm yet to decide which models to buy.

Although I'm normally quick to buy the cheapest option, I was wondering whether it was worth getting a PG970 cassette rather than the bog standard PG950? Is there any real difference in performance/lifespan between the two?

And could someone expalin the new SRAM chain numbers to me? (I understood the old PC59/89/99, why'd they have to change it!) Again, is it really worth paying slightly more for a chain?

And are the new chains actually better in any way than the old PC59 etc, or would I be just as well buying an old one of there cheaply?

Although this bike is mainly used for XC, it will be going cycle touring in Iceland this summer, don't know if that should affect my decisions at all?

Thanks in advance.

Like Shimano the higher spec stuff from SRAm is lighter and often more durable as well


Whether you'd feel a difference is another matter on a chain and cassette

I run SRAm 8speed and like it though havn't noticed that they're any better than Shimano stuff apart from that useful powerlink thing

I like SRAM chains me, but I'm not sure about the new ones. I got 2 of the newfangled PC950? chains a while back and have managed to snap both of them.

I never had any bother with the old SRAM chains though, if you find a source of old pc59s or something tip me off 'cause I want to get mine in before they disappear.

the number is turned backwards and a 1 is put on. easy. pc59 is now pc951. exactly the same chain. dunno why they did it.

I'm not too bothered about weight, it's whether the higher spec stuff is more durable that i'm interested in. Having said that, my old Deore cassette is in its third winter...

Thanks for the explination of the chain numbers. Most helpful.

Vestan, if I do find a stash of old style chains then I'll let you know -after I've stocked up myself, natch ;-)

Hang on, CRC site says the PC970 is the replacement for the PC59. I'm confused again...

950/970/990 were last years chains with bent side plates to improve the change like Shimano ones. This year they are 951/971/991. How old were your chains Vestan? The new chains have a good reputation round here for being very strong untill wear weakens both sideplates and pins.

950 is a cheap heavy cassette that works well. 970 is a lighter cassette that works well. 990 is a much lighter cassette with a plastic spider - don't overtighten and make sure the stop on your mech is correctly adjusted because if the chain gets between the cassette and the spokes it will jam.

Upon closer inspection, it looks like those chains were pc970s. They do look more like the Shimano chains to me. I liked the old pc59, why do they always change stuff.

So are the newest chains any better then?

word of warning, wipperman chains suck ass to the max!

just in case

Are there any chains that don't suck ass? I don't rate the Shimano ones. I think I've been using SRAM/sachs/sedis chains for about 15 years now with not much bother, but if they're pants these days as well then I'm out of ideas.

Right; ever the tight-wad, I've opted for a PG950 cassette for £20.

Now I have to work out this chain dilema.

-Vestan, I've yet to find any old PC59's, but CRC still do the PC89 & PC99 for £25.

alrite guys. dunno if it helps, but i bought a chain from crc for about a tenner, dunno which one it was, but said it was old pc49 (i think). i dunno if this was for reference, or whether they had some older ones in stock, never bothered to look.


actually, that wasn't much help was it : /

Vestan (or anyone else for that matter), if you're still looking to buy some of the older style sram chains, then I've found a couple of places which still seem to stock PC59/69's:

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/ProductDetails/mcs/ProductID/152/GroupID/3/CategoryID/30/v//referrer/mtbwales
https://sslrelay.com/s90248139.oneandoneshop.co.uk/sess/utn;jsessionid=1543e627e0b915b/shopdata/0120_Gear+System/0040_Chain/product_overview.shopscript

Can't decide whether to get one of these myself, or one of the new equivalent models which you can buy for much cheaper. Hmmm.

I used to use Sachs chains religiously when they were made in Germany as I had a habit of going through cheap Shimano chains, but since the advent of SRAM and the production being moved to Portugal the quality seems to have suffered. I'll be going back to higher-end Shimano chains now, especially as I broke my (newish) SRAM the other week. I also find Powerlinks a bit of a nightmare – they are fantastic as a back-up (and I always carry two spares) but are really fiddly trying to get off an older chain, especially in the cold or wet. I normally end up removing the pin with a conventional tool.

Just carry a pair of pliers to undo the powerlink, use them diagonally with the jaws on the opposite end of the plate to the slot.