which chain?

tv
tv Posts: 338
edited January 2011 in MTB buying advice
which chain would you guys go for? is the sram one worth the little extra? Thanks

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=22192

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25424

Comments

  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    KMC
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • tv
    tv Posts: 338
    how come its alot cheaper rrp?
  • SRAM... personal prefernce though, never used a KMC
  • I have tried sram chains in the past and i think they are prone to stretching. Switched to kmc x9, which are proving far more durable & cheaper!
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Whatever KMC X9 fits your budget. Though ideally X9.93 or better, and for general use probably not an SL (SL = superlight = made of holes = bends like a wet noodle if it ever chainsucks). I'm a bit of a tart but I'm using X9.93 currently, they're cheap, they're not massively heavy, they last well and they work. Win.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    Both of these chains are made by KMC,
    Only one uses the fancy pinning method though and that is the KMC branded one.

    You can get fancy pinning methods on SRAM but only at 991 level (and even then you pay extra).

    I would fork out a little more and get the full silver, not silver/grey.
    no difference apart from rust resistance, with the way I treat my chains it is worth it.
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?
  • KMC all the way!
    much stronger, a lot less prone to stretching and breaking, used to ping shuimano ones all the time,
    wouldnt use anything other than KMC now, but being the tart, X9L gold!!!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • kmc for me too, incredibly strong and last ages without stretching much.
  • tv
    tv Posts: 338
    thanks for all your help guys
  • tv
    tv Posts: 338
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25655

    allthegearnoidea, cant find the full silver one, is this one better then, seems more durable?

    northwind, you said the x9 but i ride an 8 speed?
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    AH, sorry. Well in that case X8 ;) X8.99 is what's on my commuter, it's tough and fully plated. X8.93 is probably fine too but only half plated so is less neglect-proof... Look after an unplated chain and it'll be fine but neglect it at all and it'll rust fast so depends on the rider which one to go for. My mtbs get cheap ones, they get much more tlc than the commuter.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • sorry TV, didnt think it was an 8sp, they used to do a gold 8sp but not currently, they also used to do an 8speed Superlight chain with the gold coating!!
    guess now as its mainly 9/10/11 speed chains thats where there concentrating their efforts!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • tv
    tv Posts: 338
    cheers for the responses guys, appreciate the knowledge
  • cavegiant wrote:
    Both of these chains are made by KMC,

    I'm fairly sure thats wrong.

    KMC make shimano chains don't they, not sram?

    EDIT: Infact I am 100% sure that KMC make shimano chains and not SRAM chains.
  • hennez
    hennez Posts: 255
    I've never had any trouble with xtr chains.
    My bike takes me places that school never could
  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    cavegiant wrote:
    Both of these chains are made by KMC,

    I'm fairly sure thats wrong.

    KMC make shimano chains don't they, not sram?

    EDIT: Infact I am 100% sure that KMC make shimano chains and not SRAM chains.


    I heard it was the other way round, with SRAM making the 991, kmc the rest.

    Don't know if my source was correct though.
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?