Chain for Campy
 

I just upgraded to Record 10sp, well all except for the chain that is. Have been looking and there seem to be several options, as well as several opinions, about which is my best option. I am leaning towards the Record Ultra Narrow but there seems to be a following for the Wipperman Connex... any experiences/opinions ?

I'm a fan of the Wippermanns or KMCs. Both have reusable master links, which means you can remove the chain for cleaning, or to cut another 2 links off if you ever need to. Wippermanns are good high quality chains, and KMC offers few choices, all good values.

If you pound miles, and consume chains, consider that there are not large differences in wear life between chains regardless of cost.

The only thing going for wipperman chain is their default inclusion of a masterlink type deal. Otherwise F those loud chains.

Campy chains are nice but the ability to remove and reinstall the chain is nice benefit of wipperman.

I have used campy chains in the past but currently use a wipperman on my record 10s build and don't find it to be loud or noisy at all, on the stand or on the road. Perhaps I got lucky, who knows.

I found wipperman chains to be less expensive, locally, than campy and that is the main reason I bought it.

I have used both and found them both to be good, just keep your drivetrain clean and lubricated.

YMMV
-J

I second Operator's opinion about Wippermann chains. They do last a long time and do have a quick link. This means that you have a bad chain that will last a long time. Been wrenching for 38 yrs and have not figured out what is good about Wippermann chains. The Campy Record Ultra Narrow chain is going to be hard to find one of these days (Campy is bad about having low inventory on vintage parts). Go with KMC and you will get a quality chain that works well and is not nearly as expensive. By the way I will use a KMC Missing Link on my Campy chains in a heart beat. KMC has a link to fit all the major brands (Sram , Campy and Shimano) and KMC chains come with a Missing Link as well. I will not use the Wippermann link on any chain except a Wippermann chain. KMC Missing Link looks like the othe major brands chain plates (sides) and the Wippermann link does not.

KMCs work well for me.

The only difference between a Record chain and Veloce is weight. Veloce is a lot cheaper - $28 at Ribble. IME, Campy chains last far longer than any other brand, but they also wear differently - a little less roller wear and a lot less elongation (pin and bushing wear).

If you want a master link for a Campy UN, KMC makes one specifically for this chain. Forster also makes their superlink model 4 that will fit. The SRAM 10 powerloc will fit, but it only sort-of reusable.

If you want more life from your chains and cassettes, use 3-4 chains in a regular rotation, rather than tossing half worn chains to "protect" your cassette.

My experience with two Wippermann chains on a Chorus 10-speed drivetrain has been very positive. They run quietly, shift reliably and seem to last very well. Maybe I've just been lucky but I'm a fan at this point.

My Veloce and Centaur 10 speed chains both lasted a really long time, over 4000 miles each. Both seemed to shift equally well. I've used the same Wipperman Connex link with them for at least 10,000 miles. The Connex link is easy to remove, just turn it 90 degrees.

I'm getting more than 5000 miles on the Campy Record UN 5.9. No need to remove the chain until replacement.

Al

KMC chains rock big time.

I really like the old Sachs. I hope the new Srams are as good, as I'm running on a bike right now, not enough miles on it to say.