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@Sumo
"Metric chain - Shimano designed chains with a 10 mm pitch instead of the conventional half inch pitch as well as sprockets and chainrings for use with this metric chain; however this did not catch on. For a time 10 mm pitch chains, sprockets, and chainrings, were used for motor-paced racing, to reduce the size and weight of the transmission system."
smaller links = smaller sprockets for the same gear inch. Also lighter. They weren't allowed for use in Japanese Keirin as they were seen to give an advantage so Shimano stopped production after a couple of years.