Tough, Durable and Pricey!
Written: Jun 17 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Extremely durable, smooth, easy to connect/reconnect, no rust.
Cons: Pricey.
The Bottom Line: If you are looking for the best performing, least maintenance and most durable bike chain on the market, you need to try this chain for your 9-speed drivetrain.
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| slbenz's Full Review: Wipperman Connex 9Xi Chain, 9 Speed, Each, Stainle... |
Background:
As an avid volunteer mountain bike patrol officer for my local Regional Park system, I put my mountain bike chains through quite a bit of abuse. My local patrol ride includes a 3 mile climb that averages a 14% grade with short climbs that top the 24%-27% grade. During this time of the year, the fire roads are dusty while during the winter, they are muddy. My experience using the Wippermann 9-speed chain is based on my mountain biking experience. I also have the same bike chain on my road bike but I do not use that bike often enough to give a true evaluation on road performance. But I would expect that my five months of near daily use and 2000 miles of estimated off-road use should give you an idea of the durability and smoothness of the Wippermann 9-speed chain.
Actual Use:
Installing the Wipperman chain is no more difficult than SRAM chains that I used in the past. The Wippermann like the SRAM has a tool-free connector link that easily connects to each other. In fact the Wippermann is much easier to connect or disconnect than SRAM's connector and for those Shimano users, we know without the special pin and a chain tool, you are out of luck on the trails.
Rolling along the trail, the Wippermann is just as smooth and quiet as any of the top-line chains by SRAM or Shimano. During my trail patrols, I may go up the trails several times in one day which puts quite a bit of strain my bike chains. The top-line SRAM and Shimano chains usually last from 2-4 months for me before they would stretch. So far, after five months of almost daily use, the Wipperman chain still hasn't stretched according to my chain checker which is a testament to the durability of the Wipperman chain.
Because the Wippermann chain is made of stainless steel, even after cleaning, no part of the chain rusts. Both SRAM and Shimano chains do this if you don't wipe them dry after washing your bike. Even if you do this, sometimes you will hear a terrible squeaking coming from your chain if you don't dry it and lube it properly. On purpose, I washed the Wipperman chain down and let it air dry without lubing it to see how bad it would squeak. To my surprise, it did not at all! No rust, no squeaks, just smooth rolling. When I did lube the chain, it felt a bit smoother and easier to pedal than without. So the Wipperman chain is easier to maintain than either SRAM or Shimano. If I did the same test with either one, rust would form and the chain would not roll as smooth and squeak due to the rust that would form after washing. To this day, the Wippermann is as smooth and quiet since the day I bought it. Can't say that for SRAM or Shimano in my experience.
Shifting under load is as good as either the SRAM or Shimano chains so that you don't have to worry about your shifting being compromised using a non-OEM chain. The only downside using this chain is the price. It is about 40%-100% more expensive to purchase than either SRAM's or Shimano's best 9-speed chains. But because the Wippermann chain is lasting much longer for me, almost twice as long as SRAM so far, this price difference becomes a moot point, especially with the reduced maintenance and squeak-free use. I will update this review once I determine the actual life of the Wippermann chain that I am using.
Features:
Stainless steel chain for durability and smoothness. Uses a connector link that is very easy to connect or disconnect to aid in chain cleaning and repair. Outer side of the chain link is flat while the inner side is chamfered to aid in shifting and pedal smoothness.
Warranty:
None found.
Company Information:
Website: http://www.connexchain.com/
The company is over 100 years old and is based in Germany.
Conclusion:
I have been quite pleased with the performance and especially the durability of the Wippermann chain. I would suggest spending the additional monies so that you can obtain a much more durable chain that is easier to work with and will provide less issues in the future. Highly recommended!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
slbenz
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Fremont, CA, USA
Reviews written: 102
Trusted by: 41 members
About Me:
Business consultant and volunteer mountain bike patrol officer.
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