Chain recommendation besides Shimano

[Matthew]

The recent noisy cassette thread got me thinking about trying a new chain on my 11 speed 6800 group. I've got a couple cogs that are noisier than the others and that thread seemed to put partial blame on the Shimano chain. Cassette is new. The chain has maybe 900 miles on it. Looking for a different brand of chain, maybe a KMC, Wipperman, etc. Preferably in the $50 range. Will use up my current chain til worn but want to try another after. Thanks!!!

[RobJ]

KMC X11SL with the Missing Link is the only chain I have been using for a long time regardless of the brand drivetrain. Never a problem and quiet. You can find them on eBay without the retail packaging for good prices. Just put one on my Zank I finished up.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200811/6431e04aa460b0055d7ef06e85a813f0.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thegunner]

YBN comes in around $35 and i prefer them over KMC / Sram / Shimano and the like.

[ddeand]

The last 5-6 chains I’ve bought (all different sizes) have been KMC, and I’ve been very pleased with them. I will definitely continue using them

[kppolich]

https://www.connexchain.com/en/11-speed-chains.html

[homagesilkhope]

KMC X11SL with the Missing Link is the only chain I have been using for a long time regardless of the brand drivetrain. Never a problem and quiet. You can find them on eBay without the retail packaging for good prices. Just put one on my Zank I finished up.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Installed two of these last week (one on your and Rob's EPS). Along with the 10-speed version, it's the only chain I've used the last 10 - 12 years. Always on Campy drivetrains.

[RoosterCogset]

Campy Chorus chain. Probably the Potenza is very similar quality to save a few $$s, but haven't tried.

[oldpotatoe]

The recent noisy cassette thread got me thinking about trying a new chain on my 11 speed 6800 group. I've got a couple cogs that are noisier than the others and that thread seemed to put partial blame on the Shimano chain. Cassette is new. The chain has maybe 900 miles on it. Looking for a different brand of chain, maybe a KMC, Wipperman, etc. Preferably in the $50 range. Will use up my current chain til worn but want to try another after. Thanks!!!

KMC..solved a lot of noise/shifting issues when in the trenches. Wipperman seems to make them worse. Although it seems to last a long time, Wipperman is very stiff, kinda noisy and 'seems' to wear out cogsets more readily than KMC or shimano.

[oldguy00]

While I've always read great reviews about dura ace chains, I've been using KMC silver chains for many years now, not a single issue, and run nice and quiet. Last time PBK had the full silver 11 speed chains on sale for like $22 US I bought 6 of them. I go through one a year. I put a new one on in June for race season, use it all Summer, then train indoors on it all winter.

[.RJ]

YBN comes in around $35 and i prefer them over KMC / Sram / Shimano and the like.

I've used that brand once, and the chain split open after a few hundred miles. No thanks.

I've had good luck with both KMC and Shimano chains - I typically use shimano chains/cassettes on my Sram bikes. Never had any issues.

[GregL]

KMC and Shimano on my family's all-Shimano "fleet" of nine bikes. I have been using the KMC "ECO PROTEQ" chain on my winter bike with good results so far. No rust after two winters in the aptly nicknamed "Salt City."

Greg

[AngryScientist]

been on KMC for years on 9/10/11 speed bikes. never had a problem.

[katematt]

never liked that replaceable pin idea

been on KMC for years on 9/10/11 speed bikes. never had a problem.

[cgates66]

KMC chains, for me, have been quieter than Shimano chains. I have two Ultegra chains right now and I'm super-annoyed because I won't ride through them that quickly, meaning a slightly noisier drivetrain for foreseeable future.

It's a bit odd because I understand that KMC actually makes the Shimano chains.

[biker72]

I'm using a KMC chain on my 6800 group.

[loxx0050]

I'm using a Wipperman S0 chain on one of my bikes and it seems to work just fine but I plan to swap it out with a Dura Ace HG901 after it is time to retire it. Have a spare one on hand for that time is why.

I also swapped out a RED22 chain on another bike to a HG901 recently. The Shimano is quieter but I also used a Wipperman Connex link instead of the Shimano Quick link (did the same for the RED22 chain). Shifting seems about the same I guess but maybe it's placebo but seems a bit more responsive with the Shimano. This is paired with a 6800 cassettes though.

[Matthew]

Thanks guys!! Gonna try a KMC and see if there's a difference. Durability and wear about the same as other brands? Usually swap mine out around 2k miles even if I could maybe squeeze out a few more miles. Appreciate the feedback as always.

[fa63]

I just put a SRAM PC-1170 on my otherwise all-Shimano drivetrain (because it is all we had lying around at the shop, and I didn't feel like waiting). I was surprised to find that it actually shifts better and is more quiet to boot.

[dddd]

All of the Shimano 11s chains I've bought recently came with a quick-link, even the Ultegra CN700 chains came with the same SM-CN900 quick link.

[oldpotatoe]

KMC chains, for me, have been quieter than Shimano chains. I have two Ultegra chains right now and I'm super-annoyed because I won't ride through them that quickly, meaning a slightly noisier drivetrain for foreseeable future.

It's a bit odd because I understand that KMC actually makes the Shimano chains.

They are but KMC makes chains according to shimano's spec..that aren't just rebranded KMC chains.

[mktng]

But whatever you do. Go GOLD :)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200812/c1c6b8becda6e488e1b7572d70d3b3fa.jpg

[coreyaugustus]

But whatever you do. Go GOLD :)

Agreed. Almost certainly just in my head, but I think the gold ones ride quieter.

[jc031699]

They are but KMC makes chains according to shimano's spec..that aren't just rebranded KMC chains.

https://cyclingtips.com/2019/12/the-best-bicycle-chain-durability-and-efficiency-tested/

Entering this into the conversation between Shimano and KMC. Most interesting to me was that durability of chains increased with increasing number of speeds, presumably due to improved tech or materials, contrary to the wails heard in reviews about durability every time the number of sprockets goes up. I am stuck on 9 and 10s, but because I’m super cheap and crotchety and not because of this. Just moving to Campy 11s for new build, I’m behind the times I know.....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[9tubes]

The comments on KMC chains are encouraging. Anyone tried one with SRAM Red eTap 11?

[ridesmasterx]

Another thumbs-up on KMC from me too! I’ve been using them for quite a few years and have had zero issues. When others notice a quiet drivetrain as they ride beside, you know you’ve got things right.