First off, i'd like to say, if you are looking for a strong, light, easy to maintain and long lasting chain, get yourself a KMC.



I purchased the Shadow around five months ago from my LBS and since i've had it, i have had many many problems with it.

I got one as i liked the idea behind the half link, and i also needed the half so i could get my wheel in the right place. Big mistake.

When i got it from my local, i realized the first problem with it. Its ridiculous price tag. £25 or roughly $50 in my opinion, is far too much for a chain. I thought, well at that price, it must really hold out well.

So i got home, got my bike out and tried to put it on. Second problem. It doesn't fit a conventional chaintool. Well actually it does, but you need to have some pliers, patience and a whole lot of strength just to get the links back in.

Anyway, after an hour or so of tinkering, i finally got it on my bike. Happy as i am, after riding around for a couple of hours i notice a weird noise. Third problem. Turns out the bigger links caused it to rub on the back of my seat stay at certain points.

So, thoroughly p*ssed off now, i change the spacers on my sprocket and go off down to the skatepark to try and get some riding in before dark. Fourth problem. On my way down there, it starts to make a *Chink* noise every other pedal. As of yet, i don't know why...

At the skate park, i drop in, ride along, go for a smith to feeble and *SNAP* i slam my knee on my stem and start howling. Turns out it has absoloutely no tollerance for sideways impacts. Fifth problem. Note only did it break, but the link actually snapped right off (and not even on the master pin).

Okay so i go back to my LBS, rant a bit, then they offer to get me a new one for free and put it on themselves. Fair doos, so i get my bike back next day and ride off. Halfway home i get the *Chink* noise again.

Fastforward to now. I've had the chain roughly five months now and i've managed to find a sixth problem with it. It stretches like a woman in labor.

Okay so lets break it down:

Pros:
It looks good.
It is a chain.
In theory it should be strong.
Cool box.
Allows for perfect placement of wheel.

Cons:
It is ridiculously overpriced.
It is a chain, but doesn't do its job.
It's had more problems with it than my cassette has EVER had in the whole two years i have been riding it.
It BREAKS!
It doesn't tollerate any sort of side impact.
It stretches.
You need nerves of steel or a new chain tool to put it on.
It makes weird noises.
It has terrible build quality.
Big links make it heavy and don't bode well with chainstay brakes or small gearing.
Doesn't last long AT ALL.
Did i mention IT BREAKS!

To conclude i am thoroughly displeased with this chain and will NEVER buy one again. I urge anyone who is thinking of getting one to get a KMC (a company who makes products i've never had a problem with) with a single half link if you need decent wheel placement.

Overall i'd rate the chain a 2/10.

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