11 speed chains

[ishaw]

Looking for a recommendation on 11 speed chains.

I usually go for sram but wondering if I should change it up.

Recently bought a Shimano which turned out to be a fake, and broke while my son was on the trails so keen to avoid making the same mistake.

In short, recommend me a decent 11sp chain and somewhere I can avoid falling foul of buying a dodgy one.

 

[Nob]

KMC DLC..great chains I have several..quick link so easy to use come in several color combos aswell

 

[Frankenorange]

One of if not the biggest fake business in cycling is chains. It is an item that i buy from trusted sources as lightly used and if new always from a well known real bike shop. Only have experience with KMC 11-el and 11-sl, Sram Red, and a YBN SLA 110 ti nitride gold thing.
I snapped the latter, on ride one, so that is what i think of that chain!!. Not much between the others with regards to shifting, longevity, and noise. I use XT CS-M8000 cassettes. Maybe the Sram Red is quieter when new but really all depends on wear and tear, lubricant, grit and grime.
I have read that the older 12 speed XT/XTR Shimano chains work well on 11 speed cassettes. Shift super well, last and are quiet. You just need to make sure the chainring teeth fit in the chain as the inner plates are closer together.
The roller diameter must he the same as 11 speed which is why they work whereas Sram have larger rollers in the 12 speed chains. You should double check i am right regarding this, but i think i am.

 

[ishaw]

Thanks, not looking to run 12sp, things are thin enough with 11sp imo, never saw the need for a lot of this modern drive train change. Bin lid cassettes and tiny front rings. 1x drive trains seem to cost more then 2 or 3x and there's less of it. Go figure?

I digress, I'll give the kmc a look, I have run their chains in the past and they have been good. Looking for a mid range chain really, haven't seen the need or benefit of top end unless I wanted a bling build but I intend to ride and abuse at least one of these builds.

 

[klunkrider]

KMC X11 has been working well for me. Had a definitely genuine Shimano 11speed chain (it came direct from Madison with an 11 speed upgrade kit) and it didn’t last long before it got very rusty so have been steering away from them.

I’d rather use a decent cheap chain and replace it before it got worn and transferred that west to the cassette than be tempted to try and keep an expensive one going too long.

 

[2manyoranges]

The fake issue is a big one.

I have a reference package in the workshop to remind me of what to check.

starting from the top of the package and on the front:

1 different font saying Shimano - genuine slightly bolder
2 silver and grey flash logo - genuine silver first two bright silver flashes slightly indented
3 overall blue colour - slightly darker on genuine
4 speed logo 11s - huge on fake, small on genuine
5 all font on tech details on front - different size and layout on fake

on rear

6 shimano north american bicycle, inc. on genuine - shimano american corporation on fake
7 bar code is stuck on label on genuine - printed on fake - this is a big give away
8 chain direction diagram on genuine - not present on fake

Of course the fakers get better and better...
But it's safety issue, as you have stated

I have used....

KMC - not a long-lasting chain in my view - I have tried cheap and expensive KMC
SRAM - long lasting - all models
Shimano genuine - most long lasting - all models

10 lasts longer then 9
11 lasts longer than 10
There's good research on this

I buy genuine shimano from SJS on-line - great discounts

 

[2manyoranges]

I should add that the best chain can be obtained by stepping into a Tardis and doing short time travel back to 90s and then you can walk into any decent LBS and buy a Sachs Sedis 9 speed chain.

They were incredible chains - really really well engineered and ....GONE

https://www.bikeraceinfo.com/Cycle-...1989,,freewheel business was to two main mass

 

[2manyoranges]

Available now on ebay....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/39612841...D7u7siSRK9ouY--+JxQP4bBG8=|tkp:Bk9SR56q4P-EZg

BUT WHAT'S IN THE BOX??????!!!!

 

[benjabbi]

I should add that the best chain can be obtained by stepping into a Tardis and doing short time travel back to 90s and then you can walk into any decent LBS and buy a Sachs Sedis 9 speed chain.

They were incredible chains - really really well engineered and ....GONE

https://www.bikeraceinfo.com/Cycle-Industry/Sachs-history-Neugent/Sachs-history-part-two-sedis.html#:~:text=When I started with Sachs in 1989,,freewheel business was to two main mass

They just have Sram written on them now. Same factory, many of the same workers (that were there pre Sachs as well) Obviously updated over the years but that would have still happened had Sachs not sold up.
Connection: SRAM's Portuguese Chain Manufacturing Facility - Pinkbike https://www.pinkbike.com/news/connection-an-introduction-to-srams-coimbra-family.html

 

[2manyoranges]

no you are right they would have been updated anyway even without the SRAM acquisition.

BUT just LOOOOOK at this. Chain porn.