Which chain?

Jpallen71

Hi All,
This may well be something that has been discussed before and I apologise in advance for that but.........
Which brand of chain do you think preforms the best?
Based on what chain with which cassette etc?

thanks

cooldad

KMC chain. Any cassette.

The Rookie

Any Shimano cassette, much better than SRAM.

stubs

Wipperman are brilliant tough longlasting chains but they they take a while to bed in and become quiet when changing gear.

Shimano XT cassette my current one seems to be everlasting.

.blitz

+1 Wippermann Connex

mattyfez

I too am in the market for a new 9 speed chain as the indicator says it's worn, the choices are bewildering, don't mind spending up to around £20 but there's multiple models from each major manufacturer in this price range.

The current chain is kmc, presumably a cheap generic OE model so figured I'd get a kmc but a better model... Every time I look I just get confused.

Product descriptions don't often say much other than weight, which seems fairly negligible, and is it worth going lighter perhaps at the detriment of strength? And vague statements like smoother shifting, smoother than what, there seems to be no real info, is it just a case of buying the most impressive sounding chain in your budget and hoping for the best?

Fir example, does this look like a good buy?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-x9-93-9-speed-chain/rp-prod12756

The Rookie

Lighter isnt at the detriment of strength, the weak points (the joins) are unaffected.

Different chains mean different coatings and weight reduction, KMC also do the single speed specific chain (whatever that means in reality!).

mattyfez

Thanks, bought the above chain in the end, seems to get good reviews and not too pricey.
Was half tempted to go for hollow pin chain but they cost a fair whack, and I figured the hollow pins would get clogged with oil and muck anyway, negating any slight weight saving, and I'm far too lazy to sit there with a tooth pick poking all the muck out all the time!