11 speed shimano Ultegra/Dura chains

[robertbb]

Originally Posted by Dave

If you buy a kmc, get a higher line model. I tried an x11.93 and found that the elongation rate was very high. The chains only cost $20, but they weren't worth that.

Are you 100% sure it's not a fake?

Srs question. There are a lot of fake KMC X11 chains floating around.

The genuine ones are actually very very good, and wear pretty well too. Not up there with Campy record for example, but they last a good long time. As I've mentioned elsewhere too, these chains get extra chamfering to work particularly well with 1x setups.

[gibbo]

12sp XTR works great, quieter and smoother than Ultegra from my experience.


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[skouri1]

Bumping this up as I have depleted my covid stock of chains. I usually am an ultegra guy. is the going rate basicallly 40+ $ at cheapest now?
Any alternatives or recs? I have used KMC in the past and found them fine. It's a shimano cassette/crankset with SRAM 11 speed drivetrain.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by skouri1

Bumping this up as I have depleted my covid stock of chains. I usually am an ultegra guy. is the going rate basicallly 40+ $ at cheapest now?
Any alternatives or recs? I have used KMC in the past and found them fine. It's a shimano cassette/crankset with SRAM 11 speed drivetrain.

Least expensive compatible cogset and chain. A 105 level chain doesn't work or wear any worse than those above it.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-CN...11-Speed-Chain

[NHAero]

I am curious what the actual differences are, in both Shimano and other chain brands, between the budget and the more costly ones. It seems unlikely that there can be more than 20g weight savings? Are the steels harder or otherwise higher grade?

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Least expensive compatible cogset and chain. A 105 level chain doesn't work or wear any worse than those above it.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-CN...11-Speed-Chain

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by NHAero

I am curious what the actual differences are, in both Shimano and other chain brands, between the budget and the more costly ones. It seems unlikely that there can be more than 20g weight savings? Are the steels harder or otherwise higher grade?

Not in my experience. Finish, shine, more pretty...type stuff..NO difference in performance or longevity.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Least expensive compatible cogset and chain. A 105 level chain doesn't work or wear any worse than those above it.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-CN...11-Speed-Chain

Actually, the better quality chains have a longer life (Wipperman chain wear tests). But chain wear is more related to how clean you keep your chain.

[NHAero]

@MikeD, is the vertical axis mm of wear in some defined length?

Oops, didn't see the table below

[ripvanrando]

Originally Posted by NHAero

I am curious what the actual differences are, in both Shimano and other chain brands, between the budget and the more costly ones. It seems unlikely that there can be more than 20g weight savings? Are the steels harder or otherwise higher grade?

Coatings.

Dura Ace will last longer than a 105 and have less friction on the way to the bin. Shimano claims 20% improvement in chain life, I've seen testing indicating 30%. So, there is that.


https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/infor...echnology.html

[NHAero]

The 105 chain linked above at Jenson says "Sil-tec coated inner links". Do you think the DA chain has the same coating on all the surfaces instead of just the inner links?

Originally Posted by ripvanrando

Coatings.

Dura Ace will last longer than a 105 and have less friction on the way to the bin. Shimano claims 20% improvement in chain life, I've seen testing indicating 30%. So, there is that.


https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/infor...echnology.html

[tbike4]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Least expensive compatible cogset and chain. A 105 level chain doesn't work or wear any worse than those above it.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-CN...11-Speed-Chain

None available. Found a KMC X11 EL for $56. Need one for a friends bike but I have no spares. Guess I better get that 12 speed group it will come with a new chain, maybe.

[skouri1]

Yep, I regret not stock piling. I didnt think supply would be such a nightmare. I guess a lot of people were putting in the miles last year

[ripvanrando]

Originally Posted by NHAero

The 105 chain linked above at Jenson says "Sil-tec coated inner links". Do you think the DA chain has the same coating on all the surfaces instead of just the inner links?

Yes. Outer and rollers on DA. The pins are also hollow, not that that matters in this discussion.

[Forza20]

you may find this an interesting read,. a very comprehensive test of chain durability

https://www.velonews.com/gear/we-wen...what-we-found/

[pasadena]

Yes, bike chains, bearings, spark plugs... many fakes have reached epidemic proportions.
I've stopped buying some specific car and bike parts online because of this.

Originally Posted by robertbb

Are you 100% sure it's not a fake?

Srs question. There are a lot of fake KMC X11 chains floating around.

The genuine ones are actually very very good, and wear pretty well too. Not up there with Campy record for example, but they last a good long time. As I've mentioned elsewhere too, these chains get extra chamfering to work particularly well with 1x setups.