Best 9 speed Chain?

Yorkshirestoves

I run an XT Groupset 9speed, and I need a new chain as I think the original shimano one is worn out.

What do people recommend? I like the idea of the link which allows you to just take off the chain easily to clean, but are they compatible with Shimano XT stuff?

Whats best? I don't want super light, if it's weaker than something 50g heavier!

Ps. I did search but couldn't find anything on chains.

kdawg74

sram powerlinks will work with shimano chains if you want to do that or just buy a sram chain.

cooldad

KMC

andrewjoseph

You can buy kmc or sram links, they are compatible with each other. I am tending to prefer kmc chains, stronger that recent sram and shimano.

To make sure you really ned the new chain, you need to either: have problems with the chain you have now, or

measure it and change before you have problems.

if it is not too worn, you may not need to get a new cassette, if it has worn to much, a new chain will cause problems with the worn cassette.

if the chain is skipping, then the cassette may need changing as well.

kdawg74

sram PC951 is good, never had a prob with them and if looked after i find last longer than shimano.

cooldad

KMC

JamesS156

I currently have a Yumeya chain and its good, but i think KMC are very good. You can get a KMC X9 SL silver chain on Merlin with the vip discount for under £25 they should be nearly £60.

Yorkshirestoves

Thanks for quick replies.

I have no shifting problems, but would like to change the chain before it wears too much, and I need a new cassette aswell.

Some people mention specific chains, thats what I need.

I know about the quick links, but there are at least 12 chain options, if you just consider the best chains from Shimano, KMC and Sram.

Can anyone narrow it down a bit, or rank them?

supersonic

Their websites explain the benefits of model etc. Have a look.

Yorkshirestoves

Thanks for your help Supersonic.

I find that the manufactures just fill their web pages with guff about how great their products are.

I have a Mercedes, if you read and believed their ads and published material, you would come away thinking they are the best car in the world, Even Clarkson rates them as the best and drives one himself.

Mine is 4 and a half years old and needs 5 new doors through corrosion. Mercedes say its not warranted.

They are probably the worst cars on the road! their motto "The best or nothing" I didn't realise they meant it literally. Its certainly not the best and soon it will have rusted away to nothing.

getonyourbike

KMC

Yorkshirestoves

So far KMC seem to be getting the most votes.

X9 SL better the Sram PC991?

cooldad

IMO yes

supersonic

Yorkshirestoves wrote:

Thanks for your help Supersonic.

I find that the manufactures just fill their web pages with guff about how great their products are.

I have a Mercedes, if you read and believed their ads and published material, you would come away thinking they are the best car in the world, Even Clarkson rates them as the best and drives one himself.

Mine is 4 and a half years old and needs 5 new doors through corrosion. Mercedes say its not warranted.

They are probably the worst cars on the road! their motto "The best or nothing" I didn't realise they meant it literally. Its certainly not the best and soon it will have rusted away to nothing.

It still explains technically the differences - hollowpin, side plates etc. That is not guff. Did you even look?

Yorkshirestoves

Yes Supersonic, I did look.

Trouble is looking at specs doesn't give the best picture of what is best.

It only shows that a hollow pin or lightened side plate chain is lighter. I said in the first post that function is more important than ultimate lightness.

A Ford may well be faster, better built and better specified than a BMW or Mercedes, but I'm sure most people would choose the latter.

Reading specifications on chains doesn't give you people experiences.

Is the shifting rubbish? do they constantly break? do they suffer from rust? do they stretch prematurely? are the joining pins / links troublesome.

You don't find that in the technical documents.

Chunkers1980

Is the shifting rubbish? - a judgement - IMO all SRAM PC??? works the same with the shifting. Think you'll find this really with all chains from KMC, shimano, SRAM

do they constantly break? - User experience - people who say KMC have most prob had fewest number break on them compaired to others.do they suffer from rust? - All chains rust if they have not oil or lube on them and get wet. IME - from the SRAM range yes the PC951 does rust more than the PC991.

do they stretch prematurely? are the joining pins / links troublesome. - You won't really get any answer to this (stretch) but joining pins are on Shimano chains should be ditched for a powerlink for ease of use, and stregth as you need to get the pin just right to maintain its strength.

supersonic

SRAM -They all change the same IME. They are all about the same strength bar the Cross Step Rivet. The hollowpin saves weight for no loss of strength. The 971 and 991 gain extra corrosion proofing and can last longer. They all tend to wear at the same rate

If you want a bombprood 9 speed chain, go for the YBN DH. Else I'd get the 951 and change regularly as will prolong drivetrain.

971 is a nice halfway house.

991 will last longer if you neglect it

991 HP will save you a few g.

991 CS improves push pin power by 25% over the others and is less likely to break.

I have used and abused all these chains, and have to say SRAMs tech is spot on. I prefer the 951 route, and change before has over stretched. Saves money in the long run. Just keep an eye on corrosion in between.