yes, the blasters transmission is geared low inside, it will sound revved out and like you need to shift, i often am looking for another gear past 6th, thats what the 13/40 does, not so bad with 14/40, but i hated the loss of low/mids with it, went back to 13/40, i need to be able to lift the front end, at speed, in 4th/5th gear to skip ruts/logs/rocks
so i'm not that fast on the top-end, but quick as hell getting there, it's what my riding area wants,
and what makes me the fastest trail rider on the mountain I:I
and no, i do not run o-ring chains, they rob power and wear out just as quick as non o-ring chains, not worth the extra $ IMO