First Impression: SRAM Red Chain (PC-1091)

So a couple weeks ago, you may have heard about my unfortunate encounters with the pavement as seen here.  You might also have read about the little piece of metal that I got to help prevent this problem from happening again.  And suffice to say, the memories of that fateful day still are visible on my leg but they're finally healing up and it should be good as new soon.  After these incidents when I had my bike down at the team shop Speed Theory I had Cam check to see how my chain was doing.  He said I probably had till the end of the month and I'd need a new one.  So on I went to go order a chain, and sometimes you just get what's convenient (read: inexpensive).  So I could pay more to get a Shimano chain, or I could try out something new.  Originally I was going to get the 1071 which was the one that's at the "Force" level with SRAM because Jeff had had no problem with it, other than installing, we'll talk more about that later.  So ordered a chain and it came in the mail.  I was expecting something like this.

Retail Packaging

Instead I got something that came literally in a bag, with some cleverly made cardboard enclosure to hold the two chains we ordered.  But hey if it's going to cost me a lot less, I'm don't really care how it comes.  I'll cover my about chains in a later post, but today's is just going to be about what I've thought about it on my few rides with it.

Installation
One thing a lot of people tell you to do while installing chains is to clean off whatever lube is on it..... DON'T DO IT, well at least not for SRAM chains, they've got this great chain lube that you're just supposed to ride till it's gone.  Installation went nice and easily you just put the chain on your big cog and big chainring, don't route through the derailleur, close under tension and add one outer and one inner, and you should have two inner links to join with the SRAM power link.

Powerlink
The powerlink is something that SRAM have in house similar to other companies "missing-links" but more or less the same concept

SRAM Powerlink

You just thread it through, and then using the pedal while holding the wheel (or vice versa, whichever works for you) you push (or pull) and the link will lock preventing it from coming out.  SRAM say you can't recycle these links, but you can take them apart if you push in the middle of the link and then slide stuff back in.  Granted they're only like 2 bucks a pop if you do break the link, personally I'd rather not have a chain snap on me because it's not a pleasant feeling.

First Rides?
I've managed to get in a few rides so far, and things that I've noticed with this chain.  First off is I can't even hear it, a lot of people say SRAM is loud, I think it might be the cassette that gives this sound which is why a lot of the pros using the 1070 instead.  I've also heard people review and say it's absolutely quiet which I can corroborate.  I love the silence of the chain.  Other things is all the shifting feels noticebly quicker, might just be me and the fact that its a new chain, I'll let you know if this continues.  In addition, all of the shifts feel very crisp, especially when I'm shifting on the rear cogs, everything just feels precise.

Overall?
So how much of this is down to it being a new chain and how much is it down to being a SRAM chain, I think it's a bit of both, but so far it bodes well.  Taking the baby out for a long ride this weekend so I'll let you know how it goes

~Cheers