Which KMC 9-speed chain for rust protection

d3matt

I'm going to buy a new (and my first) KMC chain with a Xmas voucher for Wiggle. Was considering the X9L or maybe the X9SL, but I assume this super lightweight chain is less robust. However, what I really want is something that withstands the corrosion as my current (top spec) SRAM chain does now seize up between rides during the winter (if I have the time to clean and dry it its better, but my shed is very damp).
Does the gold or silver version of the KMC chains offer any different rust protection? The colour doesn't bother me.

Chunkers1980

This is where WD40 is actually quite useful!

sanchez89

i wouldnt have thought they are less or more rust resistant. aslong as you keep the chain lubricated that should keep rust at bay.

d3matt

Now that the winter here, my bike looks like this after every ride now. I clean it, then it goes into a shed that is damp and it stays damp all week. I do spray the chain (and often clean it properly and keep it dry inside the house), but the chain still gets stiff over the week due to corrosion.

delcol

are you sure it aint a damaged link thats making it stiff.

my sram chain is from sept 09 it been on the bike since sept o9 to it has been thrashed in mud snow dust and everything riding can throw at it. i clean my bike after everyride and lube the chain.. it still works as it did when it was new..

Pudseyp

Invest in some Muc Off wet lube of Finish Line wet lube....simple....any chain will rust if you don't clean it and re-apply lube.

d3matt

No its rust. A wiggle and a lube makes it good again, but it takes a surprising amount of time as you have to wiggle about 50% of the links.
I'd heard that the KMC chains have better rust proofing, but wasn't sure if the Gold or Silver had any advantages over each other in this respect.

delcol

how do you clean your chain?

d3matt

delcol wrote:

how do you clean your chain?

Either leave it to soak it in a tin of kerosene (heating oil) or for the quick method, a bucket of hot soapy water, then shake it around, repeat a few times, then dry, hang up and spray with GT85. Then once fitted, I use chain saw oil as a winter lube as its identical as wet lube and much cheaper (as I have it in 5 ltr tins for my chain saws). Thorough enough?

cooldad

Too thorough. You are stripping lube out of the inside with the kerosene and then coating the outside.

delcol

yeah.. only things i do different is use degreaser park or finishline and propper bike lube white ligtning, or finishline

degreaser in tub drop chain in and shake
rinse tub and put some fenwicks in and rinse chain (shake)
then run chain under tap to rinse clean.
dry refit to bike
and lube with chain wax or wet lube

d3matt

A lot of people on this forum are soaking their chains in degreaser. Surely that's doing the same job as soaking it in kerosene? At least kerosene is a thin oil.

The Northern Monkey

I wipe mine thoroughly with a rag and water, then apply wet lube... always have lol. no rust here!

angry_bird

The Northern Monkey wrote:

I wipe mine thoroughly with a rag and water, then apply wet lube... always have lol. no rust here!

This, works for me, assuming I actually bother to clean the chain.

Occasionally I'll leave the bike a couple of days before I even consider cleaning it, in the past some of my chains have rusted a bit like this, the current ones (KMC X9) haven't.

d3matt

Angry Bird wrote:

Occasionally I'll leave the bike a couple of days before I even consider cleaning it, in the past some of my chains have rusted a bit like this, the current ones (KMC X9) haven't.

Exactly - that's why I wanted to buy a KMC X9!
Anyway, I've now ordered a X9SL Gold as Wiggle have it on offer at the moment at only £9 more than the X9L. I thought I'd try it. There's plenty of reviews how there saying how strong it is, as well as being the lightest chain available.

Chunkers1980

Only £9 more!

I'd paid £11 each for my current PC951s and they've not rusted.

d3matt

Well my PC991 CrossStep chain does, so I'm trying KMC to see if they're any better and all reports seem to indicate they are. However, I do expect this KMC X9SL to be less strong than the CrossStep, but then I've never snapped a chain yet. Others I ride with have, but they have always been OEM chains, so normally bottom spec Shimano ones.

Pudseyp

Like I have said degrease your chain properly and re-apply a decent lube and you should have no issues.

I use a chain cleaner like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Hand-Bik ... 25694f5764 filled with neat Fenwicks...then use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess water then apply a decent quality lube.

delcol

i snapped top spec sram ones...