9 speed chains

Mike67

Has anyone come across any good deals / have any strong preferences on 9 speed chains.

I see Ribble are doing the Shimano HG93 at a good price.

I'm upgrading my stable so that they will all be 9 speed so will be buying a few.

Thought I'd ask around before I spend even more money. :twisted:

skyd0g

KMC appear to be highly regarded.

Wooliferkins

These are a good workaday chain. I personally prefer the 9spd L but the Z9000 has out sold them 10 to 1.

maddog 2

KMC X9

dennisn

Never had a problem with Sram 9 speed chains or the Sram master link.

Mike67

Thanks for the responses

3 votes for KMC, which I must admit I've never tried.
Been a Shimano (chains wise) man all my cycling life but willing to try an alternative.

Also used the SRAM speedlinks on Shimano chains with no issues... I see KMC do their own version.

I presume SRAM link on a KMC chain would go OK??? ( I already have three in my toolbox

marin_maniac

I've always had no problems with 9 speed Dura Ace chains. Always shifted flawlessly.

dennisn

It's a bit odd how people all have different chains to recommend but when I think back on my years of cycling I really can't recall ever having a chain "PROBLEM" other than them wearing out over time. And I've used all the brands, more or less.

moray_gub

dennisn wrote:

It's a bit odd how people all have different chains to recommend but when I think back on my years of cycling I really can't recall ever having a chain "PROBLEM" other than them wearing out over time. And I've used all the brands, more or less.

I kinda agree with that in all the years of cycling i only had a chain snap on me years ago but twas a second hand bike and the chain was old. Like you i have used most brands over the years and now i always use SRAM chains and the powerlink is a great time and hassle saver for whipping the chain off to clean it

just bought a couple of these


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=9911

alfablue

"It's a bit odd" - so what are you saying, we made it up?

I do mtb, road, touring, until last week I had (after 15 years) about 5 mtb breakages and 2 whilst touring, last week my 10 speed road bike chain broke. I have used Shimano, SRAM and KMC, I buy KMC now mainly for a good quality/price. I couldn't honestly say on my limited experience that any of these brands is better or worse. I imagine the same applies to everyone else, but if you have a breakage you may naturally be put off a brand. With KMC and SRAM being joined with quick links, the negative experience of Shimano could be due to inexpert joining.

dennisn

alfablue wrote:

"It's a bit odd" - so what are you saying, we made it up?

No, not at all. It's just that everyone says something different. Maybe that was a poor choice of words. Didn't mean anything by it.

alfablue

Sorry Dennisn, I was a bit snappy!

I think there may be cyclists that are "chain breakers" and those that aren't! Personally, I tend to force my way up big hills with too much weight on both me and the bike, which probably explains the failures.

ScottieP

I'm also wondering about this. I am running 9 speed 105 (derailleurs and STIs)and have just worn out an HG73 chain in less than 1,000km.

Will any of the suggestions in this thread also be ok for me to use? E.g. can I put an HG93 chain on or one of the SRAM ones like a PC951 and don't really know which KMC ones would be best. If it's important I'm using a Shimano R700 Compact crankset and usually an Ultegra 6500 cassette. I like the idea of the powerlinks for cleaning - both the chain and the bike.

Thanks for any advice.

ScottieP

ian_s

Scottie, I put a KMC X9 on my 9 spd Ultegra summer bike last year and its been fine. I've just orderred a couple more (from Ribble - best price I could find - 12 quid I think, but may be wrong) to cycle through. They come with the powerlink.

ScottieP

Thanks Ian, I've just ordered a KMC X9SL from Merlin. I'll look forward to getting it and trying it out. I wasn't sure what the differences were between the various versions of the X9 - .73, .93, L, SL so I've jumped in at the higher end.