Best Shimano-compatible chain? 9-speed

donrhummy

I'm looking to replace my chain and I've previously used a SRAM chain and recently a Shimano chain and I'm wondering what other's experiences have been. Which lasts longer? Runs quieter? Smoother?

blorg

Bit of a religious question really but I think SRAM generally gets the nod. I have used both Ultegra and SRAM 971 and 1070 and been happy enough with all of them. More km on the SRAM chains but have also snapped them. Albeit after many thousands of km on my commuter, it was probably due a change. Less km on Shimano, haven't snapped so far.

I believe David Millar uses Shimano, if that's any help.

System_1

I've only ever snapped 2 chains, both of them Shimano. I'll happily use them on a bike that's been supplied with one (currently have 10spd Ultegra on the good bike) but I'd never pay money for a Shimano chain when I could have SRAM instead. They seem to last a bit longer and I've never broken one yet. I hear good things about KMC and Connex too though so I might give one of them a try when I need a replacement.

redddraggon

KMC

blorg

Shimano's chains are made by KMC although to Shimano spec; their own name chains indeed have a good reputation. To a certain extent you are getting what you pay for; Shimano's chains cheaper than SRAM. So it makes more sense to compare across price-points. In fact looking at prices on CRC, a Shimano Dura-Ace 10 speed chain can be had cheaper than SRAM's cheapest 10sp chain:

Shimano Dura Ace Chain £17.99
SRAM PC1030 10sp £19.99
SRAM PC1050 10sp £22.99
SRAM PC1070 10sp Hollow Pin £26.99
SRAM PC1090 10sp Hollow Pin £29.99
SRAM PC1090R 10sp Hollow Pin £34.99

andy_wrx

Always used SRAM PC48 or 58 for 7/8sp, have used SRAM and KMC 9sp chains, KMC for 10sp.

Happy with both SRAM & KMC, both have missing-link type join (for 8sp or 9sp - only KMC have it for 10sp, SRAM have a one-use link).

Will never use any Shimano chain with that bl**dy stupid joining pin.

donrhummy

Thanks guys!

Any idea as to stretching of the chains? I did get chain-suck with SRAM but not sure how much that has to do with the chain (probably nothing). Am currently using Shimano and haven't had problems but I'm about to change it out and wanted to find the chain that will stay strong and un-stretched.

One other question: how many miles do you usually ride your chain before switching it out?

blorg

Any chain will "stretch" over time; this is caused by wear to the rivets. How much or how little will depend on the conditions it is ridden in and how you take care of it; primarily how long you leave grinding grit sit in it wearing down the pins. Cycling style makes no difference, it's all down to a dirty gritty chain. Whether it's SRAM, Shimano or anything else will make little difference.

robbarker

Wipperman Connex are my personal favourites, but I like SRAM too.

maddog 2

Sram here too. Hollow pin on the roadie, standard one on the knobbly

donrhummy

blorg wrote:

Any chain will "stretch" over time; this is caused by wear to the rivets. How much or how little will depend on the conditions it is ridden in and how you take care of it; primarily how long you leave grinding grit sit in it wearing down the pins. Cycling style makes no difference, it's all down to a dirty gritty chain. Whether it's SRAM, Shimano or anything else will make little difference.

Is this really true? Being a masher versus a spinner makes no difference?

dennisn

blorg wrote:

Whether it's SRAM, Shimano or anything else will make little difference.

I'm with blorg. Keep them clean, well oiled or well waxed or well whatever, and they will run quiet and smooth until they wear out no matter what the brand. As long as they are decent quality one will probably all last as long as any other. There is no "miracle"
chain out there. Or for that matter no "miracle" chain lube either.

Dennis Noward

DavidBelcher

robbarker wrote:

Wipperman Connex are my personal favourites, but I like SRAM too.

The Wippermann 9sp Connex chains are great - 16 or so quid for the base 900 model seems steep but worth it in the long run; not so impressed with the 8sp offerings - whilst the performance is fine, they're a mite thicker than SRAM chains and so a Powerlink can't be used in place of the use-once-only Connex spring-fit link (a pain if you need to remove the chain for cleaning etc.); also they can't be joined in the orthodox way as a Plan B due to the rivetting process, even though you can happily split the chain with a rivet tool! On the 9sp chains, though, the Connex link is similar to the SRAM Powerlink and so far more user-friendly.

David

donrhummy

I called a bunch of LBS's and I get completely different info from each! One told me that the Ultegra 9-speed will last longer than the dura-ace (because dura-ace is a race chain he said) and the other lbs said that dura-ace lasts longer and they stopped carrying ultegra because they didn't last as long! What's the answer here?

dennisn

donrhummy wrote:

I called a bunch of LBS's and I get completely different info from each! One told me that the Ultegra 9-speed will last longer than the dura-ace (because dura-ace is a race chain he said) and the other lbs said that dura-ace lasts longer and they stopped carrying ultegra because they didn't last as long! What's the answer here?

'

I think you're searching for answers that don't really exist, so to speak. The bike shop is
probably telling you something(anything) so that they sound like they know what they are talking about. And maybe, just maybe, one of the shops only has some Ultegra chains in
stock right now, so of course they are the best, and maybe, just maybe, the other shop
only has a couple of Dura-ace chains. Don't take this wrong but I believe you're sort of
grasping at straws here. Just buy a chain, some lube, and go with it.

Dennis Noward