SRAM PC-991 9 Speed Silver Chain with Powerlink

This review is for the pc 991 chain not the pc 991 p. i'm not sure why my review wound up here. i'll move it as soon as they post the review under the correct chain.I am an avid mountain biker. I bike every other day 15-30 miles on a 45 lb. freeride machine (Knolly Delirium t) in rocky, mountainous terrain. I am # 215 with gear and very hard on equipment.I have used the PC-991 chain exclusively since it was first produced. It replaced a similar sram product, equally good. I don't recall the number (PC51?). The hollow pin version of this chain is ok. Just not as strong. If your looking to save weight, it's a good buy too.The 991 chain can take everything I throw at it. I break any shimano chain in less than 30 days. Typically, I get a full four months out of the 991 before I stretch it too far or break it. No other chain can compare.Sram makes the best chains. Period. I use all Shimano drivetrain components - except their chains. If you are a light weight person or child, the Shimano chain products are probably ok. I run them on my wife's and kids bikes trouble free.The bad news: I do get a bad Sram chain once in while. It just happened recently. I broke one on the first ride. But the same can be said of other chains too. Just pop in a new power link and off you go. I always carry two spare power links, extra chain and a chain tool.When you get home you can put in a proper link or just run with two power links. They are as strong or stronger than a normal link.Tip:Keep your chain clean and lubed. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how many chronic shifting problems just disappear. Dirt grinds down and weakens the chain, shortening it's life. It also stiffens the links as they pass through the cogs causing all manner of clicks, skips and breaks. So I service my chain about every three to four rides.I use Park CL-1 Synthetic Chain Lube, 4oz. I ride in a dry climate and find wax based lubes like White lighting or Pedro's etc. create too much gooey buildup on the chain, making cleaning more difficult and time consuming. The Park lube is is the best I've tried so far and I am completely satisfied with it. If your riding wet climates you may want a more heavy oily lube.Buy the Sram PC-991 MTB chain with complete confidence. Is it perfect? No. But it's the best currently on the market. The best price I've seen is around $30. But I've paid up $45 depending on the season.

Well priced and amazingly fast shipping.I should start by addressing the skipping complaint that some others have noted. I too have experienced this when the chain is crossed between small gears front and rear. BUT, i do not see this as a problem, and actually more of a training aid. I found that when the chain was skipping i really shouldnt have been in that gear combination anyway.Moving on... I have a full shimano drivetrain, but needed a chain fast, after going with this chain i couldnt be happier. The 9 speed chain works great with my 9 speed setup and shifts better than the shimano chain i had on previously. The powerlink connector is perfect for a DIY bike mechanic like me who wasnt exactly sure how long to cut the chain. This link allowed me to incrementally shorten the chain until i had the desired length.

I have used this chain for a number of years now. Initially, I did like it a lot better than the cheaper version of the same chain. However, just this past week the chain split on me! It broke, and not on the master link but on a random link in the middle. This chain was due for replacement, I had it for about 1 years on the bike and based on my riding it was due to be replaced, BUT I never had a chain split on me. Never ever. Chains are not supposed to split, even if you abuse them (as I do). Another thing that I noted as negative was when I sized my replacement along with the old, split chain, I counted links and was stunned by how much this chain stretched over the 1 year of use. Chains get longer as you use them, but this one got a LOT longer. The splitting and lengthening suggest to me that it is made out of a softer metal. Therefore, I cannot fully recommend this product.

Too early to comment on durability. I haven’t the slightest idea about “sheerness”, whatever that is. Installation was a snap with a chain tool to drive out a rivet to get the right length and master link pliers to seat the master link.

These are smooth chains, literally and figuratively. It's hard to get all gushy about a chain, but I'm all about the -91 on my road bikes (991 for my 9-speed and 1091 for the 10-speed) and XTR chains for MTB. It seems like it shouldn't be a big deal making a chain that is quite, shifts easily and lasts a long time but those are the two that do it for me. I have the XTR chain a 5 star and I'll give this a 5-star.I'm not delicate when it comes to riding. I power through shifts, I cross-chain, and I'm prone to putting off the drivetrain maintenance. But I really don't like the thought of having a chain fail on me with traffic nearby. I'm very comfortable with this chain, and with a proper cleaning regimen, these are the ones for me.

9 speed chins are thin, I believe this one does last longer than any Shimano I've had

I picked up this chain since Shimano no longer makes Dura-Ace 9-speed chains. It shifts OK but not quite as good as the Shimano chain on the front. I've only used it for a short while. Mainly, I'll keep this chain in reserve and use it when my current chain wears out.

First non-Dur-Ace chain I've used for a 20 yr old drivetrain. Wish I would have done it 15 yrs ago; works nicer than any Dura-Ace chain I have ever had (65K miles on the bike).

Perfect. I was able to upgrade a lower spec chain on my Orange MTB for this which was on offer. Arrived next day. Together with anSArAM PG 970 cassette and new shimano front chain set I have a smooth running silky changing power train better than the original. It looks like a better quality finish than the pc971 and it is supposed to be more durable. Time will tell but it looks good... has the power link for easy split and change and is smooth running and changing... can’t ask for for than that.

Nice chain but why do they come covered in sticky grease? If you put it on as it comes it will be like a dust magnet, and all the dust and grit will wear it fast. I clean them in petrol to remove the grease and then carefully apply a high quality dry lube before fitting it to the bike.

I've now had three or four of these chains on my touring bike and they have been great. With occasional cleaning they have lasted around 4000km each I'd estimate. I'm not particularly careful with my bike and it's out in all weathers (I use Finish Line wet and dry lubricants depending on the season). Gear changes are smooth and positive, I've never had one break (I probably replace too conservatively) and the links are easy to manage. For the price I think it would be hard to find a better general purpose midrange chain for my ride (Shimano Deore drive components).

I commute along the beach and the corrosion resistance is excellent, and they last well going by previous purchases. I always buy 2 and use the special link to remove it during cleaning, degrease, wash and lubricate whilst installing the other one - 8000 or more miles from a transmission using this technique.

This is the high end of the SRAM 9 speed range so you just have to keep an eye on the price to get as cheap as you can.It runs VERY smoothly through my Deore XT drivetrain with shifting noticeably smoother than the (albeit worn) Shimano HG53 I was running before. Fitting it is straightforward with a regular chain breaker tool. My advice is to shift into the smallest sprockets at front and back and then take out enough links that the chain is just very slightly under tension by the rear derailleur in this gear combination. Then just connect together using the included SRAM 'Powerlink' which is a tool-less link and works well although mine was quite stiff to initially get on.Looks nice and shiny in nickel plate too. Well recommended.