A good rivet-style chain comes with a spacer that is placed between the chain links and the side plate as you deform the master pins with a chain tool. In this scenario, you are not "smashing the o-rings" - the spacer prevents that.
Keeping the lube in the chain, keeping dirt and grit off the chain, and avoiding hole shots and panic stops are the keys to long chain and sprocket life.
Your results may vary.....
