people who think that half link chains are stupid are fools. they serve many purposes which regular chains would not be able to do. in particular, and what their main purpose to do is to run a higher tension in the chain. with smaller teeth, turning more frequently, the chain is able to wrap around tighter, smaller rings more smoothly, which is excellent on small gear ratios like 25 - 16.
they are also excellent if you run a vertical dropout, because the links are smaller, there is a higher chance of getting the perfect tension in your chain, without having to spend even more money, cluttering up bte back of the bike with simple tension seekers and other chain tensioning devices.
all chains stretch. half links obviously stretch more, because there are more links. this stretching can work in your favour at times and if your running horizontal dropout, its not a problem at all, just tighten the slack out with your ASP or tuggs.
i havn't heard of people running half link chains with gears. i dont see the purpose, because the slack tension in any chain is taken out by the rear deraileur. which is what it is designed to do.
i have a half link and a regular. lots of people run half links for a reason which should not be dismissed so quickly. also, if you ask me, i think they have the added bonus of looking pretty sick!
yes they are a little bit harder to pop, but in half links defence, there are plenty of regular chains out there which are worse than many half links.
i would keep half links to single speed rides only. like street, dj, and bmx, although i have seen it on many other styles of riding. if it works, then do it.
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