Shimano chain question

[Splatter Paint]

Deore
Deore LX
Deore XT
Deore XTR

What's the mechanical difference? I know the finish is better on the high-end ones, but do they have better durability or shifting?

SP

 

[cannondale king]

xt and xtr are a lot better shifting over deore and lx the main reason being deore and lx seem to corrode over night after one trip on any uk road as there not nickel coated i think thats the only reason

 

[Steve Kish]

As regards corrosion, I've found the silver KMC ones to be excellent .... and reasonably priced.

 

[lewis1641]

they'll all snap on you one day

 

[cannondale king]

they'll all snap on you one day

only if you dont join them correctly

 

[Splatter Paint]

Cheers for the replies, Absolute Cycles are auctioning XT chains on the 'bay with a 99p start. I'll bid on a few of them and if I'm unsucessful, splash the cash and buy an XTR one, which can be had for £21.

The chain has the greatest amount of stress of any component and my 'budget' build has gone way over anyway, :roll: so why skimp on a tenner at this stage?!

SP

 

[johntheboy]

Can't work out the difference but I know what ever shimano chain I ever used I managed to break it. 1 year broke about 5. :cry: Then I started to use sidi chains Very Good, but now I always use KMC chains have now used these for the past 3 years and never a problem . Fav gold super light.

 

[hamster]

I had the same awful experience with Shimano chains. When new they are silent, it's amazing. Then they wear out horrifyingly quickly.

I found out from SRAM that all chains are the same functionally after you get to the heat treated ones (usually one above bottom) and all the other bling bits (tiny holes, plating etc) don't count for any extra performance or durability. SRAM PC48 every time for me now!

 

[Splatter Paint]

I rode SRAM from 1998-2008 with no problems and then, snap, snap, snap. 3 PC991s in under 1000 miles. I've run XTR 9 speed on the modern and a KMC Z51 on the retros with no problems since.

SP

 

[fagin]

I rode SRAM from 1998-2008 with no problems and then, snap, snap, snap. 3 PC991s in under 1000 miles. I've run XTR 9 speed on the modern and a KMC Z51 on the retros with no problems since.

SP

KMCZ51's are £5 or £6 on Ebay and they easily last a year of evil clayey Surrey mud.