Chain wear compounds across an 11-speed drivetrain faster than it does on wider-spacing systems, and running a top-tier chain is one of the more direct ways to keep shift quality where it belongs. The SRAM Red 22 PC-1191R sits at the top of SRAM's 11-speed chain hierarchy, built around HollowPin construction that provides smooth, precise shifting and weight savings without sacrificing strength . It's the chain SRAM specs on Red 22 groupsets from the factory, and it's the direct replacement when yours has stretched past service limits.

The hollow pin design is where the weight comes out — the chrome hardened pins save around 20 grams over a chain with solid pins , which is meaningful for a component that's already relatively light. Chrome hardening on the pin surface handles the wear side of the equation, extending the interval between chain replacements when you stay on top of lubrication. More heavily chamfered outer plates improve shifting and keep the drivetrain quieter, and a new inner plate finish paired with the chrome hardened pins extends chain life .

Installation runs through SRAM's PowerLock connector, which closes the chain without a chain tool. Worth flagging: the tight tolerances of 11-speed drivetrains mean each PowerLock is a one-time application only — if you remove the chain for cleaning, plan on a fresh PowerLock to reinstall it. Keep a spare in the toolbox if you clean your drivetrain off the bike.... Read More