Bicycle Mechanics - Chains - does quality make a difference?

A bicyclist I respect told me that the big difference in chain quality is only noticed in the first 100 miles.

He said that a cheaper hardware store variety chain wears in to be about the same as an expensive chain.

What do you guys think? Is it worth spending big money on expensive chains?

I use the SRAM (wish it was still Sachs, sounds so much more sophisticated) chains in the roughly $16 price range and they last a long long time, they're pretty (not that you can tell on my bike, most of the time!), and they probably give me a tiny bit of peace of mind I wouldn't have with a no-name chain. I don't see how it would be possible to generalize, since there are probably cheap chains that are good, and cheap chains that are really bad....

I disagree. For one thing, I can't help but think that the materials and quality of a good chain are far superior to "hardware store" variety. Besides, are you going to tell me that the hardware store carries the narrower chains needed for 8-9 speed drivetrains? Is this guy riding an old Ashtabula one piece crank or something? How much difference in price is there between the cheap one and a good SRAM? $10? $15? Is it worth risking premature wear on other parts? Seriously, what kind of component group is this guy using that he can find a compatible chain at the hardware/discount store?

If you are riding a bike w/ gears, the there is no doubt a higher quality chain will perform better. The plates are engineered for smooth shifting, just like the chainwheels and cogs are. Even on one speed bikes, I've seen the 'Huffy' chains snap easily with any real torque applied. Also, the higher quality chains are more corrosion resistent and will hold up to the elements longer.

SRAM, Sachs, Sedis- all different name for same thing, all price points very good, some models work with 8,9 or 10 spds better than others. SRAM chains will last longer than just about any other, will work with anything with possible exception of new Campagnolo stuff their chain is very good anyway.

I WOULD NOT USE ANTHING ANYTHING ELSE!

hardware store? NUTS!

Thanks for the input, guys. So far it is unanimous. Everybody thinks high quality chains are better than hardware variety chains.

Now, I have to ask, have any of you guys - Raymond, Pat, JonR, RiderX - have any of you guys used a hardware store variety chain on your good bike and actually compared?

If we seek the truth, we have to find it on the path of truth.

OK, now... what are our opinions based on experience?

No, I haven't tried a hardware-store chain on either of my bikes. I don't think $16 is unreasonable to pay for a chain, so I stick to the SRAM variety.

Mike - I have not personally used a 'hardware' store chain on my bike, because, when I'm out in the woods many miles from home I prefer to ride rather than walk! :D That said, I have gone out w/ friends on their dept. store bikes, when introducing them to mountain biking and within the 1st mile or 2 had to repair their broken chain. I consider these chains to be equivalent to 'hardware' store chains. Keep in mind these riders are complete 'newbies' and not really stressing their equip. except for trying to crank up their first dirt hill. I've seen this happen enough times to dread taking these people out on their dangerous bikes except that I love to introduce people to the sport and realize it is better for them to go out w/ an experienced rider such as myself than to go out alone and get hurt or walk home.

Seems to me you've made a good case for the better (name brand) chains, riderx. I agree.

Ya know, your friend has a good point. Most chains aren't really that sophisticated anyway. It's all just metal-to-metal contacts, with the little ring bushings where the chain contacts the gears. Doesn't matter what kind of metal it is... if you don't keep it clean and lubed, it'll wear in a hurry.

But, I agree with riderx. A few extra bucks is cheap insurance, if it helps ensure I won't wind up out in east B.F. with a broken chain.

So, assuming I could get a chain that would work on my 9-speed hyperglide at MegaLoMart, I'd still pay more to be reasonably sure I was getting a product that had adequate manufacturing quality control.

Nope, but then I'm so new to regular cycling I haven't had to replace a chain except when I went from 7-speed to 9-speed, and my LBS uses only SRAM chains anyway. They even toss out factory chains on new bikes and replace them with SRAM.

Since this post started, I have paid more attention to the chains available. Nashbar offers 3 different SRAM 8-speed chains priced something like $7, $11, and $17. Why would anyone NOT spend an extra 10 bucks for one of the most important parts and one that will last for a year or two? At least on one's high-mileage bike. The weekend errand bike, maybe. But even then, that chain will probably be on there for years.

I have to agree with everyone in here and say that higher quality chains do make a difference. When I first got into the sport I would buy the cheapest chain possible and of course I was snapping chains all the time. Then I decided to spend a little extra on a chain and I was blown away by the difference. My shifts were smoother and I was not snapping the chain on every other ride.

For me the key is how quiete the chain runs, and how easy it is to replace, and take off my bike. SACHS(SRAM0 chains win hands down, because they use the powerlink, which enables you to remove the chain without a chain tool.Chains from a department store(I have used them) are heavier, so the clank against the chainstay more and louder when I go off road(even though I have a chainstay protector), and they squeak more. I can't stand chain squeaks.

I go for midrange chain. avoid the cheapest ones, they wears fast. Sadly it is not that easy to find decent chains at reasonable price in LBS in this country. Shimano chains are good but they are a bit too pricey. I do buy those old shimano chains whenever i can find them and recommend them to my frens. they are runs smooth and last a lot of miles. its just the metallurgy i suppose....

How about:

There is a big difference in chain quality, but usually the more expensive chains offer poor value for money.

Do hardware stores sell bike chains?

I've used Shimano, SRAM, and Wipperman. I've broken Shimano and SRAM, but not the Wipperman (yet), and the Wipperman was by far the most expensive.

I go for midrange chain. avoid the cheapest ones, they wears fast. Sadly it is not that easy to find decent chains at reasonable price in LBS in this country. Shimano chains are good but they are a bit too pricey. I do buy those old shimano chains whenever i can find them and recommend them to my frens. they are runs smooth and last a lot of miles. its just the metallurgy i suppose....

Just curious, but what prompted you to revive a thread that last had a post in July of 2001?

He probably didn't realize it was such an old thread. If we're being charitable toward him.

I'm interested in this question, but not at the extremes as it's posed - I'm interested in, for example, whether the cheapest SRAM chain is much worse than the most expensive (assuming for the same chain width, etc.)
Or is the Taya chain that Nashbar sells - for 6/7/8 speed use - any worse than the standard 6/7/8 speed SRAM chain?

I'm interested in this question, but not at the extremes as it's posed - I'm interested in, for example, whether the cheapest SRAM chain is much worse than the most expensive (assuming for the same chain width, etc.)
Or is the Taya chain that Nashbar sells - for 6/7/8 speed use - any worse than the standard 6/7/8 speed SRAM chain?

Are you refering to Nashbars KMC 6/7/8 speed chain? My experience with these chains has been excellent. They shift on par with midrange SRAM chains, they run quiet, and are dirt cheap when you buy them as a tandem/recumbent chain for $8 and split in two. They make vintage Shimano 6/7 speed drivetrains run quiet and smooth.

I'm not too sure if most hardware store chains are compatible with 10 speed drivetrains...:D
That said, I do run hardware store/Wallmart quality standard $6 chains on my fixed gear bikes....no sense spending more there....

I had an interesting experience when I needed to change the cassette and chain. I have a SrRAM X-9 rear derailleur. I was feeling a little spendy, so I bought their best cassette and best chain (990&991). Once installed, I was surprised by how well it shifted. All the components were designed to work together, and they really work well. Very precise. bk

I have always been a little on the cheap side when it comes to the consumables on a bike (tires, tubes, chains) because I've never noticed it being worth the money to buy top of the line. The middle of the road chain, if looked after, will last just as long and work as well for me as a top of the line one given the same treatment. Abuse them both and you'll replace them both just as frequently. On the other hand, my tools are all Snapon or Craftsman because I KNOW there is a benifit to me for buying better quality.
I still get a lot of mileage on a chain...8-10,000km on my road bike and half that on my all weather commuter. The difference is the conditions they see. Cassettes last 3 chains. Having said that I find cheap cassettes to be a waste of money. Some of the off brand ones are made out of silly-putty!

I like to use a PC-68 on my 8 speed MTB. I think the highly polished surface is easier to keep clean and more resistant to rust. I like to use the PC-68 on my roadie for one important reason: ***BLING**** But I have to admit, on my old beater Raleigh Record I use a cheapo that works just fine.

If we aren't going to include the extremes, i.e. K-Mart chains vs. Dura Ace/Record, my experience is that there is little benefit to the highest level chains compared to two or three levels down.

I've gotten the same service from a 105-level chain as a Dura Ace and friends say they see no advantage to Record over Centaur. The more expensive chains are prettier and a tiny bit lighter but functionally no better.

I'm interested in this question, but not at the extremes as it's posed - I'm interested in, for example, whether the cheapest SRAM chain is much worse than the most expensive (assuming for the same chain width, etc.)
Or is the Taya chain that Nashbar sells - for 6/7/8 speed use - any worse than the standard 6/7/8 speed SRAM chain?

Ditto. I was wondering whether there is a significant difference between a $15 chain and a $30 chain. Kind of like "is there a difference between Deore and XT".

Using something from a hardware store is a complete joke, unless one is riding a beater.

At $8 a piece for SRAM PC-48s, this question becomes unecessary due to low price.