Best 10 speed chain

Mr Dog

Currently run a mix of ultegra and 105. Have used a few chains;
105 - good
Dura Ace 7901 - very noisey
Wippermann S1 - good

About to put a KMC X10sl on the winter bike. Need a good chain for the last days of summer on my best steed. Any recommendations?

danmitch

There is a very good comprehensive review in Tour Magazine at http://www.tour-qtr.com/epaper_4_2011

My personal preference would be for the Ultegra.

Dan

Mr Dog

Thanks Dan. Great link really appreciated.

gabriel959

Yes, Ultegra and 105 chains seem the best from that test.

jordan_217

gabriel959 wrote:

Yes, Ultegra and 105 chains seem the best from that test.

and those are the two that have snapped on me :? Never had a problem with SRAM or KMC.

mrdsgs

KMC x10SL about £45 in Uk or £26 direct from Taiwan.

Gold or silver colour, Quick link included, work with SRAM, Shimano and Campagnolo

I swear by them and have loads!

Superbalicious

My ultegra chain snapped on my first ride on my new bike, the day after I collected it from my LBS. They fit a KMC chain, silver I think, and its been fine since.

gin0rm0

Used KMC X10 SL and Dura Ace and both nice chains. Found the Dura Ace to be quieter for me (Ultegra cassette). My Dad does loads of miles and chooses Dura Ace as he says they last longer than KMC.

foggymike

KMC X10sl for me on my good bike. I think it's much quiter and lasts at least as long as the shimano ones. Worth the extra IMO.

I use 105 chains with a KMC link on my winter bike. Snapping chains only ever seems to happen with Shimano pin links. Not the one sided chains though, much too noisy - no wonder they are moving away from those with the new D-A groupset.

Either way worn chains go in the bin not on another bike

maddog 2

X10SL from ebay seller bi_king £26 posted (couple of weeks from Taiwan)

mamba80

DA 7801 chains from Bike-discount, 28 euros - the best chain ever.
join using a kmc link or Shimano pin - 1000s of miles on these over the years and never had any issues.

I dont like the newer slotted chains, mainly as all they do is hold the dirt etc and make cleaning a pia.

northpole

X10SL is my favourite - super smooth and reliable/ long lasting.

Peter

Mr Dog

Thanks all. Just ordered two X10SL's from Ribble, £35.96 each. Now I just need something to help me get up these hills a little faster .. better heart, lungs, legs etc

nathancom

That test really didn't like SRAM chains...I thought they generally had a very good reputation.

Mr Dog

Had a SRAM chain on my mtb. It was the last I ever bought.

northpole

I have a SRAM on my campag equipped bike - it's not one of their top ones and was only bought in an emergency. This thread has reminded me to replace it and I'll be trying the kmc x11sl which I hope will be as good as the x10sl has been.

Peter

thecycleclinic

Broke many x10sl chain before they were worn. Link outer plates were literally ripped apart.

Stopped selling them after the third failure. A couple of customers experienced the same thing. Its the only kmc chain problem i have ever found.

MattFalle

MF always used KMC with ne'er a problem tbh.

Shimano ones were always the ones that broke but given the sheer POWER MF is putting out he's not surprised he didn't snap more.

elbowloh

KMC SL for me also when i'm replacing the chain from stock.

Ultegra hase been fine on the bikes when i first bought them. I once had an SRAM chain and it kept snapping at various points (i think it snapped in 4 places).

MattFalle

Agree compketely - SRAM one was a disappointment as well. Not even sure why MF bought it tbh.

amrushton

buy a 9 speed (and suitable link if it doesnt come with it). it runs on 10 speed and often cheaper

ugo.santalucia

I use the 6701 or the 4701, whichever is cheaper on the day... can't really tell the difference... they both seem to work fine and last long enough

MattFalle

amrushton said:

buy a 9 speed (and suitable link if it doesnt come with it). it runs on 10 speed and often cheaper

hmmmm - not sure about this - tried it by mistake on the cx bike and couldn't fathom why it wouldn't shift properly until a friend pointed it out.

i think 9 speed is slightly wider than 10 so won't shift.

more than happy to be proved wrong though.

amrushton

Might depend on your setup. I have Campag chorus and record 10 speed but have never had issues with 9 speed chains. Even a 9 speed quick link has worked ok on 10 speed.

MattFalle

amrushton said:

Might depend on your setup. I have Campag chorus and record 10 speed but have never had issues with 9 speed chains. Even a 9 speed quick link has worked ok on 10 speed.

I think mine was a Shimano cassette with KMC chain so yup, may very well be manufacterer dependant. I'm not going to bicker about it though!

As with all this bicycle stuff give anything a go and it may well work - I had an SRAM Red 10 speed mech with KMC 10 speed chain working perfectly with an 11 speed titanium Miche Campag cassette on a Campag wheel, which really, really shouldn't work.