SHIMANOHG40 116 W/CL Chain - Grey, 6/7/8 Speed

Old chain on my Specialized Hardrock MTB had around 3,000 miles on it and was worn past the .75 limit, oddly enough on just a few links, using a chain measuring tool from AMAZON to check ALL links on the chain. I did this by moving link to link all around the chain. Between certain links the chain showed .75+ or1.0 %+ wear, but on other spans of chain with different links the chain measuring tool said the chain was fine. Take-away = I would check your entire chain using a chain checking tool because apparently chains may not wear out uniformly.PROS: 1) This new Shimano chain went on easy enough using the accompanying SHIMANO QUICK-LINK. It did take some finger/hand strength to flex the chain sideways (per instructions with the chain) to get the QUICK LINK on. Read the instructions in the box and follow them - it tells you how to do it. 2) drivetrain now much more quiet and smoother.CONS: Not the chain's fault, but 1) If you want to do a chain replacement you may need a chain-splitter tool (see Amazon) to get your old chain apart unless you have a master link or quick-link on your old chain that you can undo. Even then, you can still use a chain splitter if you are tossing the old chain anyway. 2) Length of your original or current chain may not be 116 links like this one. I had to take out like 4 links with my chain-splitter tool so I could get this chain to match the length of my original chain I think mine was 112 links for my 2004 3x8 Specialized MTB with 22/32/42 chainrings up front and an 11-32 cassette on the rear hub.

Good length. Easy to replace. Durable so far

i too couldn't get the quick link to snap in place, didn't have the pliers for it so used regular chain method with a chain tool. i didn't have the problem of the pin sliding out too fast and coming out completely as with other chains. but if that did happen i would have liked a few pin links to pop in there instead of the quick link to make things easier, especially if your someone who needs to use all 116 links for proper chain size and you only have a regular chain tool. otherwise 5 star chain dropped to a 4 for that reason.

I had to buy another quick link as the one supplied with the chin did not work. Otherwise., I am very happy with the chain.

Ease of use

I love these chains! They're the most solid feeling I've used, and I've used quite a few. They're much better than the shiny metal chains. A master link is included but I've never used those. This is a great choice, particularly for the $12 that I paid for it :)

The Shimano HG40 116 W/CL Chain is of high quality, and fit perfectly on my bike after removing a few links with a tool. My only complaint was that the stupid "quick and easy" connecting link was anything but quick or easy. It was so tight, that even after re-reading the instructions many times, and making many attempts, I could barely get it on.Only when the bent the heck out of the chain, and used a pair of pliers, was I finally able to get it to snap. The alternate style, where each side has one peg and you use a little tool to pull the link farther apart to snap, is way better. This style stinks. Loses two stars for that.There are videos online showing it being done easily by placing your thumb in the middle of the connecting link. Mine was far too tight to do that. Maybe if it was put on and off a few times it would loosen. No quick snap for me when it was new out of the box.

What was appealing for me was the price, and that it has a master link instead of the snap-off pins. The special pliers for those master links are a must have in order to install them correctly, tough.