Different 9-speed chains
- Thread starter Maz
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Hawk
Veteran
- Location
- Glasgow Southside
For derailleur systems, the sizing of chains depends ONLY on the number of gears on the back. Any 9 speed chain would do you.
There are various chains about that purport to be better quality, to last longer or to be lighter.
The cheapest chain I have bought so far is about £8 and I didn't notice a difference in durability. In any case, I am not convinced that paying twice as much for a chain gives twice the chain life, or anywhere near it. Sure, more expensive chains might increase chain life by a factor of 1.2-2x, say, but such chains would cost 1.5-5x more. For me, cost efficiency is quite important on my commuter.
The more expensive chains tend to be favoured by roadies mostly as they are lighter. I would imagine the most expensive chains wouldn't last very long at all on this same basis
There are various chains about that purport to be better quality, to last longer or to be lighter.
The cheapest chain I have bought so far is about £8 and I didn't notice a difference in durability. In any case, I am not convinced that paying twice as much for a chain gives twice the chain life, or anywhere near it. Sure, more expensive chains might increase chain life by a factor of 1.2-2x, say, but such chains would cost 1.5-5x more. For me, cost efficiency is quite important on my commuter.
The more expensive chains tend to be favoured by roadies mostly as they are lighter. I would imagine the most expensive chains wouldn't last very long at all on this same basis
OP
OP
Maz
Guru
Thanks for the reply, Hawk.
Something doesn't smell right...I spoke to the LBS about the cost of 9-speed chains they had in stock. He asks me if the groupset is 105, Tiagra or Ultegra. I said I couldn't remember off-hand (and was not near my bike to check up) and I asked if it make any difference. He said yes, 105 is a different type of chain.
Something doesn't smell right...I spoke to the LBS about the cost of 9-speed chains they had in stock. He asks me if the groupset is 105, Tiagra or Ultegra. I said I couldn't remember off-hand (and was not near my bike to check up) and I asked if it make any difference. He said yes, 105 is a different type of chain.
Smokin Joe
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
OP
OP
Maz
Guru
Thanks for this.
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
Bought a chain in LBS for the first time recently (a 9 speed as it happened).... but only after researching the price on t'internet first.
Ended up with a KMC X9.93 at £16.50 (Shop's sticker price was £22.99)
Incidentally - always choose KMC over Shimano's own branded chain. They do various different models for each speed, from budget though to the very lightest and most expensive. Their quick links are the best IMO, and a much better system than Shimano's frangible pin.
Ended up with a KMC X9.93 at £16.50 (Shop's sticker price was £22.99)
Incidentally - always choose KMC over Shimano's own branded chain. They do various different models for each speed, from budget though to the very lightest and most expensive. Their quick links are the best IMO, and a much better system than Shimano's frangible pin.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Shimano chains are bobbins. Stick to KMC X chains and ride happy 
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
There's usually discounts online so i found it hard not to buy the "better" versions, I think my X8.99 was about £12 and X8.93 about £11 compared to about £7 for the Z8.
Like most things they seem to go up in quality to a point, then start going down in weight. Something like this is hard to beat especially for the price IMHO http://www.highonbikes.com/kmc-x9-93-silver-grey-9-speed-chain.html
Like most things they seem to go up in quality to a point, then start going down in weight. Something like this is hard to beat especially for the price IMHO http://www.highonbikes.com/kmc-x9-93-silver-grey-9-speed-chain.html
OP
OP
Maz
Guru
Are Shimano chains really that bad?Shimano chains are bobbins. Stick to KMC X chains and ride happy
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
IMO yes, I've had Ultegra chains snap, I've had Dura-Ace chains wear really quickly, but never had an issue with a KMC X chain.
I think Ultegra chains are the worst, but I don't know if they just had a bad spell, but I'm perfectly happy with KMC so I've no reason to go back.
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Fab Foodie
hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
- Location
- Kirton, Devon.
KMC
Forget fancy coatings, they make no difference.
Only pay more over the basic version to get lower weight if that's important.
Change regularly.
Forget fancy coatings, they make no difference.
Only pay more over the basic version to get lower weight if that's important.
Change regularly.
I'm on 9 speed and moved from the stock shimano chain to kmc. The night before a big event bike was making a funny noise and I discovered one of the side plates had broken and another 2 were cracked. Bike shop was still open to deal with all the cyclists in town, but didn't have kmc so I bought SRAM. I was very happy with it, and have just replaced it with another one. It's quieter and smoother running in my opinion, but the clincher was breaking the kmc chain. Fortunately it was the night before, and not the event itself.
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
My LBS (referred above) reported a bad spell of breakages on SRAM and has switched to selling / fitting KMC as their standard offering.
I have used SRAM without any breakage issues... but their quick links are not quite as easy to fit and take apart as the KMC ones IME.
I have used SRAM without any breakage issues... but their quick links are not quite as easy to fit and take apart as the KMC ones IME.
U
User482
Guest
KMC or SRAM for me - I much prefer the quick link type arrangement to Shimano.
02GF74
Über Member
re:coating - this is applied AFTER the chain is assembled so is not preset on the surfaces that make contact ... which is kinda weird as you;d think that is where the coating is much needed. KMC seem to be the falvour of the month - using 10XSL on 9 speed for weightweenie reasons and so far so good - not that I've had problems with Shimano chains - would still use Shimano but KMC are noticeably cheaper.
