Chain from flush handle to flush valve

Hi all, I have grown tired of the chain from flush handle to flush valve getting caught, wrapping around itself or breaking that I went extreme. I replaced the chain with 12 lb. fish line.

What do you think?

I think I would just have replaced the flapper.
Adjusted the chain properly and removed the excess chain.

When a flapper is old and past its prime it becomes very hard to open.
Typically this is when things break like chains and handles.

The chain was properly adjusted , no excessive slack when the flapper was down, excess cut away. Apparently when the flapper was up the chain would twist or wrap. There is nothing wrong with the flapper. Replacing it will have still left me with a chain that will break or twist or something aggravating.

I did not know that a flapper becomes hard to open when they wear. Why is that?

Thanks for your advice!