Is the KMC X10SL chain any good for a roadbike?
 

I have only purchased SRAM chains for an 8spd system.I'm happy with them.

I saw this KMC X10SL chain and thought I would give it a try.

Any thoughts?

Yes, I think the KMC chains are very good. They come with quick-links that are nearly identical to the SRAM links. KMC chains are not as shiny as the nickel-plated SRAM chains, but I do not think this affects durability of the chain in any way since the only parts of the chain that experience metal-on-metal sliding friction are the rollers.

The Nashbar-branded chains are actually KMC chains, by the way, and they are both cheap and durable. I like SRAM chains a lot, but have switched to Nashbar/KMC chains because of the price.

I'm another SRAM to KMC convert. You can even buy the 9 speed Nashbar "recumbent" chain for 15 bucks. It's basically twice the length of a normal 9-speed chain, so you're essentially getting two chains at $7.50 each. It's a real deal! Only thing is you only get one powerlink with it, so save that old one.

Yeah, those recumbent/tandem chains are the best thing ever. They had them for $6 the other day. Only $3/chain at that price. Insane!

I used a KMC 10spd, not sure of model # when I built up a Campy compatible compact last year. Have only put about 1000mi on it since as I ride several bikes but so far no problems. FWIW mine came with a one time use only quick connect. Chain instructions advise discarding QC, replacements were in the $1.50
or so range, more than Shimano's pins, but less than SRAM QCs. Also the chain was made in China for those who are concerned about such.

Why would the chain instructions advise *discarding* the quick-link that it comes with??? That makes no sense. The KMC quick-connects have worked fine for me, as have the SRAM ones. They are so similar that I wouldn't be surprised if one just copied the other's design.

KMC is a Taiwan-based company, and their chains are made in Taiwan as far as I know. Taiwan is an embattled democracy, and has for a long time been bullied and threatened by mainland China, which wants to reoccupy it.

I read somewhere that the Shimano chains are made by KMC.

Apparently that's right! There are various theories about why the Shimano-branded chains need the stupid replacement pins, while the KMC chains come with nice master links

Read this: http://forums.bicycling.com/eve/foru...7/m/7791046701

I just checked the site, and there's no more 9 speed Nashbar KMC recumbent chains! :(

Sorry moxfyre, just reporting what the "Made in ..." section reported on the 10spd KMC chain I bought said, and the chain instructions explicitly state, QC is one use only on that 10spd. Got the chain from
AEBikes for ~$30 IIRC plus $10 more for 6 of the QC. You may or may not be aware that Taiwan is one of the larger investors in mainland China and has exported a great deal of lower value foundry, metal and manufacturing work to sites in mainland China. I was a bit surprised as well, also surprised that the FSA der I bought was made in Singapore. Politically and militarily the two Chinas are at great odds and conflict with each other; economically, they are closely intertwined. China is in desperate need for jobs
and Taiwan, Japan, the US, Canada and Europe are all exporting manufacturing jobs to China for economic reasons. The Mexicans have taken some hard hits in the maquiladora factories, with the factories being exported to China.

Thanks for filling me in! I was aware that many Taiwanese companies invest heavily in China, but did not know that KMC farmed out their chains to the mainland. What about SRAM... anyone know where their chains are actually made?

I still don't get the point of the "one use" quick link. Does it deform in some way that makes it unsuitable for repeated use?

I have been using a KMC X10 (not SL) on Campy Chorus now for ~4000km. No complaints from me.

As to the quick link, I have read comments about the same thing and that it may be just a badly worded suggestion to use only for the one chain, not just the one connection.