Chain question
 

I know that I ask a lot of questions, but you guys are the one's with the answers and experience.

As gearing goes up, chains seem to be getting narrower by necessity. As I'm looking at bikes with1x11 speed and 1x12 speed drivetrains, I'm wondering if durability and dependability diminishes too much as the numbers change. Specifically, does the SRAM Eagle 1x12 chain hold up as well as a Shimano 1x11? Has anyone had problems with it? Am I over- thinking this???

I never liked it when they went from five to six cogs. I have always believed that the more cogs the shorter the life of the chain. I am sure there is a better technical answer to your question but I have a belt on a Rohloff hub. I got older and lazier as my son puts it. I require him to maintain his drive train.

Metal working..
 

It has made more of a challenge as the "speeds " count marketing ramped up as the chains have to be thinner
cassette cogs not any thinner, so chain side plates were made rhinner , But ..

In making the chains perform, shifting easier , the bushing flange is now formed ..
by (Hot?) punching the holes in the inner link side plate sheet,
so it has to last less time, being thinner..

Overt thinking.

In terms of how long it lasts for what it costs, the chain is one of the cheapest parts of a bicycle. So it's definitely overthinking.

Well, except maybe for brand new stuff like SRAM AXS. You basically have one $70 chain to choose from. I'm not an early adopter, so I'll be on 11-speed for a long, long time.

I think you are overthinking this. If you ask this question on the "general" or "bicycle mechanics" forums you will probably get 10 pages of people arguing this to death, but the practical reality is that if there is a difference, it is not worth choosing a drive-train speed over.

What I would consider though, is how much the chains for your drivetrain cost. Because no matter what, you should be replacing them periodically to save the stupid expensive cassette you buy:lol:

Overthinking? Maybe, depends on your perspective. Im a roadie that got lost in the MTB section. I have had the same thoughts, but I have come to look at it from a cost perspective. Maybe my Tiagra 10s drive train is not as durable as Ultegra, i dunno, but it sure is much, much cheaper replacing parts. Im betting staying with 10s or 11s vs 12s in MTB is the same. 12s is, im sure, plenty durable, but a new cassette or chain is far more expensive than 11s or 10s.

I'm posting this question here because it's a chain topic. If I'm doing something bad, i.e., you're not supposed to post in someone elses posts... just tell me. I'm new here.

I'm replacing a chain for my neighbors Santa Cruz with an SRAM Guide 12 speed setup. I just don't know what to order as a replacement. When I go to SRAM website, Eagle ---- a ton of chains ranging from 32 to 90 euros!!! So then I try to further identify it with the link stamps: 'Eagle' '488'. I also get nothing. When I check Bike24, I get this... SRAM XX1 Eagle Chain 12-speed - copper but it costs 60 euro!! nothing else is in stock due to covid. Any advice? Is it more chain that is needed or is this the best chain for the buck or.... Thanks!!!

Here is food for thought...
https://www.mtbr.com/threads/can-i-a...hanks.1085760/

John

Analysis Paralysis! In my world, we laugh at people that discuss, 'What's the best motor oil'. Enough said. Thanks for setting me straight. I'm just sticking with SRAM because that's what defines the geometry of all mating surfaces... But kinda sad, I can't go with a lower cost... FYI, a surface finish with whatever finish has its benefits but I believe in this biking world, ..... why not pull the chain off, say every x 100 km and just clean/lube it.

Thanks!

A lot of things are becoming more light weight, which is ideal for people in racing.

It also makes more money for the manufacturers, as they sell more.

When I was young, I had the same chain and sprockets on a bike for many years, and they never needed changing. With modern bikes, they wear out, and need to be replaced. I prefer the tough parts like in the old days.

I obviously didn’t read all the responses, but there was one pretty early on that summed it up quite well. Of the 4 SRAM chains, you choose based on the environment (corrosion) and whether a chain gets worn out (stretched) from use or owner abused (bad shifting, breaking, etc.) to where it needs to be replaced.

John

Next time start a new thread as this one is two years old. Any SRAM 12 speed chain will work. As you have discovered there are limited options currently.