kmc x9 sl 9 speed chains gold?

black.converse
black.converse Posts: 56
edited August 2012 in MTB buying advice
hey, iv now learnt that the kmc x9 sl 9 speed chains are prenound to be the best chain, value for money, but there are two sorts - just regular natural finish being silver and the other being gold? much difference? does the gold wear off over time turning it silver or shall i save myself £10 and just get the silver??
:shock:

cheers
It never gets easier. You just go faster. – Greg LeMond

The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community. - Ann Strong

Comments

  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    The gold is theoretically a low-friction TiN coating, makes sod all difference though and IME they do look tatty after a while. Get on eBay and buy one from Taiwan though, my last X10SL was £21 posted, brand new.
  • leaflite
    leaflite Posts: 1,651
    Ive had a TiN one for a while. The gold is starting to wear off on the side that faces the cassette, but still looks perfect from a distance on the other side.

    I cant say i've noticed any improvement over a standard chain regarding friction reduction though.
    GT Hardtail
    The Apollo Project
    Titus FTM Carbon
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    I have the gold SL - shifting is no better or worse than any other chain I have owned TBH. One thing I did notice is how much it hurts when you tear the chain in half (hollow pins may not be the best idea ever) and face plant as a result.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    I've not found them to wear any better or worse than any other chain I must say, hollow pin or otherwise. SRAM reckon their hollow pins are stronger anyway. The X10SL is my 'default' chain.
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    Ive read that too - however I never snapped a solid pin in half, but have done it to a hollow one, so my limited empirical evidence tells me solid pins good, hollow pins bad.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    njee, your ones from Taiwan all been god?? always been a bit dubious about buying from there incase there slightly dodgy lol!
    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
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Yes I was cynical, but they seem totally genuine - come in a plastic bag not a box, but include a Missing Link and look and weigh exactly the same as a 'pukka' one.
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    Okay, thanks for that fella, will look at some from that way!
    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
  • black.converse
    black.converse Posts: 56
    cheers guys - why is everybody having snapped chains these days - are we not aware of how to change gears and how to run the ratios?? -- not to bend the chain but to make sure that it is as straight as it can be??
    It never gets easier. You just go faster. – Greg LeMond

    The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community. - Ann Strong
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    with a 2x10 set up I dont think its a ratio thing. They just don't make them like they used to (which really means much lighter and thinner).
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    A lot of the chain snapping is often down to Poor fitment! Especially withOut a powerlink!
    As above, chains are thinner and Much lighter than before, racers often want the Lightest possible for obvious reasons and occasionally the lightest can become weak (not always!) Compare the difference between a 10sp chain with a 7sp and you'll see straight away! If we all ran 7sp stylee chains we'd need very wide back ends to fit allt he cgs in! :-D
    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
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    I've yet to snap a 10 speed chain on the MTB after 3 years (PC1090, XTR, Ultegra, XT and X10SLs all used), snapped plenty of 9 speed ones over the years though!

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