Road Bike Chains
10-09-20, 07:05 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trussville, AL
Posts: 191
Bikes: 2018 Trek Domane SL5
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Road Bike Chains
Good Day!
I am going to have to replace my chain on my bike a 2018 Trek Domane SL5. The Bike has just shy for 4000 miles on all components except the cabling. So regarding a chain is it worth upgrading to a higher level components? The bike has all Shimano 105 which includes the Shimano CN-HG-601 chain.
So is it worth it upgrade to say an Ultegra or Dura Ace level chain? I don't race and weight is not a big deal. Just looking at durability. I think I do a pretty good job maintaining the chain. I wipe it down after every long ride or a couple of short rides. I add new lube again probably after every long ride or after a few short rides. To me a short ride is like 10 miles. Long rides are say 20 miles or more.
Thanks everyone for your answers!
I am going to have to replace my chain on my bike a 2018 Trek Domane SL5. The Bike has just shy for 4000 miles on all components except the cabling. So regarding a chain is it worth upgrading to a higher level components? The bike has all Shimano 105 which includes the Shimano CN-HG-601 chain.
So is it worth it upgrade to say an Ultegra or Dura Ace level chain? I don't race and weight is not a big deal. Just looking at durability. I think I do a pretty good job maintaining the chain. I wipe it down after every long ride or a couple of short rides. I add new lube again probably after every long ride or after a few short rides. To me a short ride is like 10 miles. Long rides are say 20 miles or more.
Thanks everyone for your answers!
10-09-20, 07:36 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,569
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 678 Times
in
429 Posts
Ultegra/Force chains are the sweet spot of chains. Usually, Ultegra/Force only cost a few dollars more than 105/Rival, and I think it's worth the minimal price difference.
Going up to DA/Red is not generally worth it.
Going up to DA/Red is not generally worth it.
10-09-20, 07:37 AM
#3
Senior Member
I don't know much about current Shimano chains but the older models were not compatible with a missing link. If Shimano chains don't come with a removable link, I would prefer a chain with this feature. It makes removing, cleaning and reinstalling a chain much easier. My favorite chains are KMC X10SL and X11SL chains. FWIW.
10-09-20, 08:56 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,516
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20808 Post(s)
Liked 9,450 Times
in
4,668 Posts
Both the 601 and 701 will come with the quick link. The only difference between the two is the use of their coating (Siltech or something?). IIRC, the 701 has the coating on the outside plates in addition to wherever it is on the 601. Not a big difference
10-09-20, 09:21 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Chains are consumables and in my opinion the last place where you want to pay a premium for a "higher level." A DA chain will provide you weight savings, but mostly in your wallet. And in my experience, they don't last any longer or save any watts over a 105 chain. Just make sure it's the right size and that you keep it clean and lubed. You'll never know the difference.
10-09-20, 10:19 AM
#6
Senior Member
4K is a lot of miles for a chain, have you been measuring it? Chains are cheap compared to cassettes and rings.
10-09-20, 10:40 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 4,444
Bikes: bikes
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2622 Post(s)
Liked 1,429 Times
in
711 Posts
I don't know much about current Shimano chains but the older models were not compatible with a missing link. If Shimano chains don't come with a removable link, I would prefer a chain with this feature. It makes removing, cleaning and reinstalling a chain much easier. My favorite chains are KMC X10SL and X11SL chains. FWIW.
10-09-20, 11:29 AM
#9
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,030
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22574 Post(s)
Liked 8,919 Times
in
4,153 Posts
YMMV, of course.
10-09-20, 11:37 AM
#10
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,218
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10151 Post(s)
Liked 5,842 Times
in
3,146 Posts
I find chain life to be closely related to chain stay length on my bikes.
10-09-20, 12:40 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,971
Bikes: Habanero Titanium Team Nuevo
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 185 Times
in
121 Posts
I get 7000 miles on a Shimano 105 chain and finally gets stretched it all depends. I don't ride in the rain on purpose, not many hills here and keep it clean but not compulsive. Chains should go 4000 miles unless you are just in slop or produce huge watts.
10-09-20, 02:07 PM
#12
Asleep at the bars
Join Date: May 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA and Treasure Island, FL
Posts: 1,743
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 234 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times
in
135 Posts
I got about 1500 miles, 120000 ft out of my first Ultegra HG701 chain. It wasn't stretched quite to 0.5% but was getting floppy and noisy. Replaced with same.
__________________
"This 7:48 cycling session burned 5933 calories. Speed up recovery by replacing them with a healthy snack." - Whoop
"This 7:48 cycling session burned 5933 calories. Speed up recovery by replacing them with a healthy snack." - Whoop
10-09-20, 02:43 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,690
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cannondale SuperX, Univega Alpina Ultima
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
249 Posts
I get 4-5K miles out of my chains using oil. Just switched over to wax and expect to get more than that out of a chain.
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
