Is SRAM quietly reinventing the chain?
Is SRAM quietly reinventing the chain?

Exclusive: A recent patent filing suggests the brand could be preparing to make a shift in chain design.

Is SRAM quietly reinventing the chain?
Exclusive: A recent patent filing suggests the brand could be preparing to make a shift in chain design.
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"...a US patent application from SRAM shows a radically different chain design.
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A conventional chain is made of a pin, roller and a set of alternating inner and outer plates. SRAM's patent removes the need for inner and outer plates with the stepped design acting as both."
The picture almost looks like it does not have pins as well or maybe more like they are in line. Not sure what the thing marked 50 is. My biggest question is does it have any advantages or disadvantages. Its like is there a point to the change outside of maybe cheaper manufacturing (less individual parts)
Presumably there's the small benefit of not having to remove two links at a time, since there's no longer a distinction between a link with outer vs inner plates.
I do wonder how this affects coupling (aka master) links.
Looks like a chain composed of only half-links.