School me on chains please...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
School me on chains please...
I have a 1x11 XT drivetrain, and I'm looking for a good, cheap chain. There are just sooo many choices, and so much variation in price. I simply want something reliable that won't leave me in the wilderness. And cheap!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18377 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
Hmmm, a plethora of choices. And, unfortunately not a lot of hard data. Some companies publish "2x wear" or "3x wear", but without data, those numbers are pretty meaningless.
I'm not always convinced that cheaper is better, especially as worn chains can cause a lot of expensive damage to one's cassette and chainrings (depending on the value of those parts).
Shimano makes some basic chains that can generally be found for a good price. CN-HG701 (Ultegra) or CN-HG601 (105).
Wippermann makes some of the more expensive chains. According to their in house testing, the Wippemann Connex 11SX comes out at the top of their testing for longevity and wear.
KMC Chains?
One thing that is popping up is that several manufacturers are now listing E-Bike chains. And, it is not clear if those would give added strength and durability for typical riding applications.
I'm not always convinced that cheaper is better, especially as worn chains can cause a lot of expensive damage to one's cassette and chainrings (depending on the value of those parts).
Shimano makes some basic chains that can generally be found for a good price. CN-HG701 (Ultegra) or CN-HG601 (105).
Wippermann makes some of the more expensive chains. According to their in house testing, the Wippemann Connex 11SX comes out at the top of their testing for longevity and wear.
KMC Chains?
One thing that is popping up is that several manufacturers are now listing E-Bike chains. And, it is not clear if those would give added strength and durability for typical riding applications.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Munising, Michigan, USA
Posts: 4,131
Bikes: Priority 600, Priority Continuum, Devinci Dexter
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 685 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times
in
37 Posts
Usually I go with a moderately-priced option from a reputable brand. Were it me, I'd buy a KMC 11.93 and call it a day. With SRAM, I'd probably go PC-1170. There are a lot of choices, and I find refuge in the mainstream options by the major brands.
#4
Senior Member
My experience with chains. Remember this comes from 2 x 10 Campy drive trains. So, it might be apples and oranges for you.
Sram wears the fastest
KMC lasts long, is the least expensive, but is noisy.
Wippermann is quiet, about equal with KMC for wear, but is a lot more expensive than the others.
All shift well, with the Wippermann just slightly better.
Sram wears the fastest
KMC lasts long, is the least expensive, but is noisy.
Wippermann is quiet, about equal with KMC for wear, but is a lot more expensive than the others.
All shift well, with the Wippermann just slightly better.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18377 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
I don't think I've ever broken an 11 speed chain. On occasion, I'll break a 9 speed or less chain.
However, it never hurts to be prepared, such as carrying a chain tool, and perhaps a quick link or chain pin.
However, it never hurts to be prepared, such as carrying a chain tool, and perhaps a quick link or chain pin.
#8
Senior Member
If there is a common problem of chains breaking and getting stranded, it has completely avoided me. I carry a spare link but never had to use it yet. Replacing a chain because of wear and tolerance is common but that is not a sudden thing. My choice with a balance of price, performance, and longetivity is the KMC SL series. The KMC X series is a great chain but in my situations the SL lasts as least twice as long and a better overall value to me but not cheap. This is gravel and MTB that are always dirty, gritty, and wet. I can't speak for a dry clean road bike.
Is the KMC X10.93 or X11.93 still around or is it just now called a "X10" or "X11"? I don't see them on the US KMC web site but they are on common sites for sale.
Is the KMC X10.93 or X11.93 still around or is it just now called a "X10" or "X11"? I don't see them on the US KMC web site but they are on common sites for sale.
Last edited by u235; 01-24-19 at 08:45 AM.
#9
On Holiday
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,014
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
12 Posts
I use the basic KMC X-11 or Shimano chain on my 1x11 setup. Either provides good shifting performance and reasonable life. I don't like the Shimano replacement pin system preferring the KMC link instead. 11 speed chains are pricey (to cheap me) so I generally look for sales or other discounts to decide on a choice.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,883
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3240 Post(s)
Liked 2,086 Times
in
1,181 Posts
My only negative experience was by the time I hit 10 spd. Shimano, I could no longer just pop on a cheap SRAM chain. A Shimano 105 level 10 spd. or better seemed to provide better rear shifting. Now I mostly just stay within a manufacturers line.
I also noticed that with 11spd, systems, companies that used to have re-usable links, such as KMC, now state the link should not be re-used. Likely just a way to make money as the general experiences seem to be re-using 11 spd, links causes no issues.
I also noticed that with 11spd, systems, companies that used to have re-usable links, such as KMC, now state the link should not be re-used. Likely just a way to make money as the general experiences seem to be re-using 11 spd, links causes no issues.
#11
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,363
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
If there is a common problem of chains breaking and getting stranded, it has completely avoided me. I carry a spare link but never had to use it yet. Replacing a chain because of wear and tolerance is common but that is not a sudden thing. My choice with a balance of price, performance, and longetivity is the KMC SL series. The KMC X series is a great chain but in my situations the SL lasts as least twice as long and a better overall value to me. This is gravel and MTB that are always dirty, gritty, and wet. I can't speak for a dry clean road bike.
On the other hand, I'm not going to say that one brand or kind of chain is longer lasting or performs better in any measurable way. A chain's lifespan falls into a fairly narrow range of 3000 to 4000 miles with 3500 being just about the average in both my experience and in reporting here and elsewhere. More expensive chains are just more expensive. They don't offer any added benefit.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
#13
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
I use basic KMC with quick-links for my 10 speeds. No problems.
I assume their 11s are just as good
I assume their 11s are just as good
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#15
Banned.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 3,061
Bikes: Homebuilt steel
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2193 Post(s)
Liked 425 Times
in
337 Posts
I've got a Wipperman on one of my 10sp bikes and it's wearing like iron but is noisy as heck. Sram chains seem to be opposite.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Buy something. Don't spend a lot of money. The rest is just details that don't matter much. From cheap to expensive, they are all going to wear about the same.
With regards to breaking, I've had similar experience. The only chain that has broken in my family's fleet over 40 years of bicycling is an early SRAM (Sedis maybe?) that used the old style master link. The link is the part that broke..
With regards to breaking, I've had similar experience. The only chain that has broken in my family's fleet over 40 years of bicycling is an early SRAM (Sedis maybe?) that used the old style master link. The link is the part that broke..
I've replaced more chains due to twisted links following an incident of some kind than due to breaks.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18377 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
I break a chain every year or so. But, I don't think I've ever had a "twisted link".
It is sometimes a bad shift that will break a chain, but I can usually stop pedaling before I tear off the whole rear-end of my bike.
#18
Senior Member
Usually? Lol. I've wrapped a derailleur into the spokes once but that was it... Uneventful and lucky as I was moving maybe 3 mph in the grass when it happened.
#19
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,363
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
Nope. Not once. Even with chain suck.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#20
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4338 Post(s)
Liked 2,981 Times
in
1,617 Posts
I've broken chains from my raw power.
I've broken chains from twisted links from a bad shift.
But most of them I broke were from bad pin insertions on my part.
So my advice is get one with a good method to shorten and attach.
I've broken chains from twisted links from a bad shift.
But most of them I broke were from bad pin insertions on my part.
So my advice is get one with a good method to shorten and attach.
#22
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
Pin reconnect problems ?
I only use "quick links" since the 7 speed days. Even then I had no problems.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#23
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
yeah, me too wink wink
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Chains and Cheap Chains
High performance chains are for those who need them, not everyday commuters or occasional riders.
Expensive chains are for those who want to brag about their spending, or show off their bikes' fancy matching colors, e.g., red bike and a red chain; or black bike with black spokes and wheels and a black chain.
With proper lubrication and cleaning (every 500 miles or so), expect to get 2,000 miles from a chain before stretching and distortion starts wearing on sprockets and chain wheels. When that happens, chains become less reliable, subject to breaking and slipping if roller slots get elongated or sprocket teeth eroded.
Bought online in quantities of two or more, expect to pay about $8 - $10 for a perfectly good chain - but shop around because a lot of bike shops see chains as high profit items because you have to have them to ride.