There’s a lot of talk about chain lube, but what about the actual chain? KMC, Wippermann, Sram, Shimano…
Base your info on noise, connectivity, cost, durability and anything else you feel necessary. Be sure to mention how many speeds the chain was/is that you have experience with. For example a 9 speed sram is quite a bit different than 10 on both connectivity and durability. It doesn’t help a 10 speed buyer to know how good a 951 is. It is also helpful to state what chains you can compare it to first hand.
I love their marketing angle. “5 watts or less- guaranteed!” (as if people are going to rig up a test of the chain after they buy it and prove that it’s more than 5w).
and- if you buy the less expensive chains, they can’t guarantee the <5-watt loss.
The guy at Friction Facts is obsessive! He actually tests EVERY chain he sells (vs. just testing one and making the rest the same way), and sends you the test data for that exact chain. He’s probably much more thorough than he really needs to be, but it seems more a labour of engineering love than a business imo.
Here are my impressions of the chains I’ve ridden over the past few years (all 10 speed):
KMC X10SL - My chain of choice for training. Cheap, light and reasonably durable, but LOUD from beginning to end. I can only assume that this indicates greater drive train losses. Gold ones can be found on eBay for <$40. Depending on your aesthetic sensibilities and bike colour, a gold chain may not be pleasing. The other day someone asked me if this chain was rusty! Some of the KMC “Missing Links” are very tight and hard to remove, but it’s variable. Either the tolerances are sloppy, or there are different models. I heard that the link was redesigned to facilitate reusability (the older ones may not have been intended to be reusable). I’ve heard great things about Wippermann Connex links, which are apparently cross-compatible with other brands and removable by hand.
KMC X10.93 - Much like the X10 SL, but without the fancy coating and hollow pins and cutouts (so a little heavier). Can be found on eBay for <$30. My choice for my cross/commuter bike.
Shimano Dura Ace 7901 - Whisper quiet, remarkably durable and insignificantly heavier than the X10SL. The difference in noise when I switched from KMC X10SL to Dura Ace was remarkable. The only downside is the old-school connector pins. I’ve heard that KMC or Wipperman quick links are compatible, which I plan to try. After hearing about the Friction Facts report, Dura Ace is my chain of choice for racing. My new system is to have race chain in mint condition and a training chain that I maintain less diligently.
PSA: Wiggle has Dura Ace 7901 chains on sale for <$40. Buy a few and get free shipping.
Here are my impressions of the chains I’ve ridden over the past few years (all 10 speed):
KMC X10SL -
KMC X10.93 - Shimano Dura Ace 7901 -
PSA: Wiggle has Dura Ace 7901 chains on sale for <$40. Buy a few and get free shipping.
SRAM PC1071 - .
Wow- great price on the DA chains! So, how would you assess the relative lifespan of the above? If I can get DA for $40 is there a reason to use any other? After 5,000 miles, I’m pretty sure I don’t care about the difference between the cost of a $32 X10SL or a $40 DA chain.
Here are my impressions of the chains I’ve ridden over the past few years (all 10 speed):
KMC X10SL -
KMC X10.93 - Shimano Dura Ace 7901 -
PSA: Wiggle has Dura Ace 7901 chains on sale for <$40. Buy a few and get free shipping.
SRAM PC1071 - .
Wow- great price on the DA chains! So, how would you assess the relative lifespan of the above? If I can get DA for $40 is there a reason to use any other? After 5,000 miles, I’m pretty sure I don’t care about the difference between the cost of a $32 X10SL or a $40 DA chain.
That sounds like a lot of miles before a change. Change it earlier and keep the cassettes/sprockets longer? Mine’s probably 1 every season and I don’t ride nearly that much. The test/stretch tool is cheap.
I see no reason to ride anything but DA when they’re $40 a pop. But remember, they ain’t making 'em anymore. I plan to hoard a couple away and continue to train on inferior chains. I hope to avoid this 11-speed silliness and hold out for 12!
It’s hard to assess the durability of chains since it depends on so many variables: lube, maintenance, chainline, cassette and chainring wear, riding conditions, etc. Wippermann did what appears to be a pretty legitimate chain wear test a few years ago (details here):
Just buy a KMC and be done with it. X2 but I do prefer the Wipperman Connex master link to join it.
Hugh
The Wipperman Connex master link seems to work with any chain, and it’s definitely the easiest one to use.
Shimano chains seem to work the best with my Shimano group, but they also seem to wear out faster. I’m partial to SRAM chains.
Maybe i’m looking in the wrong places, but a single Wippermann Connex master link is $12 where as the KMC Missing Links can be had for $1.69 a piece (pack of 6). For this reason alone I ride with a KMC Missing Link on my Ultegra chain. SRAM PowerLock is out since it isn’t reusable.
Just buy a KMC and be done with it. X2 but I do prefer the Wipperman Connex master link to join it.
Hugh
The Wipperman Connex master link seems to work with any chain, and it’s definitely the easiest one to use.
Shimano chains seem to work the best with my Shimano group, but they also seem to wear out faster. I’m partial to SRAM chains.
Maybe i’m looking in the wrong places, but a single Wippermann Connex master link is $12 where as the KMC Missing Links can be had for $1.69 a piece (pack of 6). For this reason alone I ride with a KMC Missing Link on my Ultegra chain. SRAM PowerLock is out since it isn’t reusable.
I’ve had 2 of the KMC links unlock on me. Not saying it wasn’t an installation error on my part but I’ve never had a problem with the Connex with many tens of thousands more miles using them…The Connex are also easier to install and remove without any “fiddling around” I’ve found them for closer to $6.00 by shopping hard and or luck. Yes the KMCs are very inexpensive I just don’t trust them anymore.
Here are my impressions of the chains I’ve ridden over the past few years (all 10 speed):
KMC X10SL -
KMC X10.93 - Shimano Dura Ace 7901 -
PSA: Wiggle has Dura Ace 7901 chains on sale for <$40. Buy a few and get free shipping.
SRAM PC1071 - .
Wow- great price on the DA chains! So, how would you assess the relative lifespan of the above? If I can get DA for $40 is there a reason to use any other? After 5,000 miles, I’m pretty sure I don’t care about the difference between the cost of a $32 X10SL or a $40 DA chain.
That sounds like a lot of miles before a change. Change it earlier and keep the cassettes/sprockets longer? Mine’s probably 1 every season and I don’t ride nearly that much. The test/stretch tool is cheap.
Yeah - this chain is holding up well. I would normally only get 1800-2000. I’ve got 4000 miles on my current chain, which is the stock chain that came with my Felt B10, which is probably a Shimano 105 level or below. I’ve got the Park go/no-go tool that measures 0.5% and 0.75%. Just checked it last night and the 0.5% dropped in (i.e. it’s stretched >0.5%) and the 0.75% is a no go. (i.e. < 0.75% stretch). And, i tried it at different points. I also did a 12" meausurement of the links and and came up with 0.52% stretch. So, the tool matched the ruler.
Perhaps I’m getting good life out of it because it’s a heavy, low end chain? I do clean and oil it probably more than necessary. Perhaps because I’ve got Di2? I’ve read on ST that some claim that Di2 is easier on chains. Don’t really know.
**Is the Wiggle shipping time similar to ProBikeKits? 2-4weeks? **
… PSA: Wiggle has Dura Ace 7901 chains on sale for <$40. Buy a few and get free shipping.
thanks for the tip. just ordered a couple. plus some KMC master links. I like quiet. Especially for that price. $38.41
The Ultegra chain is only $26 and change. Are they as quiet as the DA? might be a good everyday chain.
There’s something inherently motivational about having to replace tires and chains. It means you’ve been riding!
Just buy a KMC and be done with it. X2 but I do prefer the Wipperman Connex master link to join it.
Hugh
yep…that pimp looking gold one (actually a coating to help prevent any rust)…love em…you know when they are clean and if you (like me) have had to leave your bike in T1 overnight and it rains the coating helps prevent any rust.
… PSA: Wiggle has Dura Ace 7901 chains on sale for <$40. Buy a few and get free shipping.
thanks for the tip. just ordered a couple. plus some KMC master links. I like quiet. Especially for that price. $38.41
The Ultegra chain is only $26 and change. Are they as quiet as the DA? might be a good everyday chain.
… PSA: Wiggle has Dura Ace 7901 chains on sale for <$40. Buy a few and get free shipping.
thanks for the tip. just ordered a couple. plus some KMC master links. I like quiet. Especially for that price. $38.41
The Ultegra chain is only $26 and change. Are they as quiet as the DA? might be a good everyday chain.
Yep +1
Having a difficult time finding this chain in stock anywhere. Also, since Shimano has newer chains and FF has not updated their testing, anyone know of another source that has tested chain efficiency?
