the bicycle chain

[e-rider]

so are all chains the same width? And this isn't a silly question like 1/8", 3/32".........

what I mean is are all Shimano compatible 10-speed chains EXACTLY the same width? Or are some brands (KMC, SRAM, Shim etc.) a fraction narrower than others?

I want to buy the narrowest 10 speed chain available!

 

[User16625]

What do you benefit from a narrower chain?

 

[smokeysmoo]

What do you benefit from a narrower chain?

11 speed cassettes?

 

[e-rider]

What do you benefit from a narrower chain?

to slightly reduce the sound of the chain rubbing on various things like front mech and outer chainring - I'm thinking 0.5mm would make a difference.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Surely the narrowest is a Campag 11 speed - 5.5mm, but if you are running it on a 10 speed setup you may have problems with it dropping between the chainrings. ???

 

[e-rider]

you are missing the point here - I will buy a 10 speed chain. But, there are some very small differences between manufacturers - get out your vernier and you will see what I mean!

 

[youngoldbloke]

to slightly reduce the sound of the chain rubbing on various things like front mech and outer chainring - I'm thinking 0.5mm would make a difference.

Sorry I missed the point - but you are not going to find a 0.5mm difference in 10 speed chains are you? Whereas 5.5mm is 0.4mm less than 5.9mm Shimano. You will need to trawl through the various manufacturer's websites to check out their specs. I won't be adding any more thoughts.

 

[bobones]

I was wondering the same myself. I've read 10 speed chains are 6.2mm wide but the shimano ultra narrow chains are 5.88mm. (Wiggle quotes KMC as 6.2mm and Shimano 5600 at 5.88mm). That would be enough to prevent rubbing in some combinations I would think.

Edit: Trying to get definitive answers on this is difficult. Some KMC chains are quoted as 6.2mm pin length, but I've seen the X10-SL and X10-L and DX10SC quoted at 5.88mm. I'll measure the 2 KMC chains I have tonight with a micrometer.

 

[bobones]

OK, I've measured the KMC X10-L and DX10SC that I have and they're both 5.88mm wide at the pin so I think that's as narrow as 10 speed chains get.

 

[e-rider]

OK, I've measured the KMC X10-L and DX10SC that I have and they're both 5.88mm wide at the pin so I think that's as narrow as 10 speed chains get.

perhaps they are all pretty much the same then afterall

 

[Chrisz]

Surely the narrowest is a Campag 11 speed - 5.5mm, but if you are running it on a 10 speed setup you may have problems with it dropping between the chainrings. ???

Nope! I've been running Campag 11 with a 10speed Fulcrum chainset and never dropped the chain - either between or off the rings!

 

[fossyant]

I run 9 speed DA chain on my 8 speed DA.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Nope! I've been running Campag 11 with a 10speed Fulcrum chainset and never dropped the chain - either between or off the rings!

Great! (I did say may.....???) - that might be the answer for the OP after all then.