If a Wippermann, or any other aftermarket chain, is equal to but no better than Shimano's chains or, for that matter, SRAM's or Campagnolo's chains, why buy them once your OE chain wears out? Good question.

The key to the benefit of this chain is its link. It's called the Connex Link and other chains have similar links. SRAM's chain has a link and the benefit of SRAM's link, and chain, is that you can't put it on backwards. The unsuspecting rider is capable of mounting Wipperman's hardware backwards, so, well, don't do that. Read the instructions when you put the chain on.

The nice thing about Wippermann is that its link is very easy to disassemble. It's link is made to be used multiple times, rather than the typical one-use links from other companies. Why is this important?

You must couple this with another piece of information. Jordan Rapp has written in LAVA Magazine about drive train friction. Is there a savings to be had through ceramic bearings, special oils, special chain, cog and chain ring treatments? Now we're getting into nordic ski wax territory, but in fact you can realize the magic 10w advantage if you leverage what's available to you, and doing so isn't expensive. But like ski wax, it's shrouded in an atmosphere of alchemy. We move to the specific witchery of friction experts like Friction Facts' Jason Smith.