volosong

Just received a new CR-6703 crankset (Ultegra triple). Reading the spec sheet, it says that applicable chains for the CR-6700 (53/39) and CR-6750 (compact) are CN-7901, -7900, -6701, or -6700.

However, for the CR-6703 that I just received yesterday, the applicable chains are CN-6600 or CN-7801.

Now, I understand that the xx00 chains are asymmetrical and the xx01 are not. Why would Shimano list one of each as being applicable ... and neither one of them are in the current line, (6700, Ultegra, 7900 Dura-Ace)? Why would a triple chain be different than the doubles? Are all these chains really that different? Dumb me, before reading the spec sheet, I ordered a CN-6701. Should I send it back and order a CN-6600 or a CN-7801 instead?

p.s. Ten-speed cluster. (I have about a week and a half before a century ride I'm doing, so I have time to get the correct chain.) Thanks for any insight you can offer.

needawheel

you called Shimano? 6700 is assymetrical and 6701 is not? I thought 6701/7801 are just newer

Barrettscv 

I'm in the same situation and will be using a CN-6600 on my 5603 triple.

mechBgon

That's not correct. The 6600 and 7801 are symmetrical. The 67xx and 79xx chains aren't. For whatever reason, Shimano suggests the symmetrical chains for triples. In practice, the asymmetrical ones work too. If you want to go by the book, get the 6600 or 7801 chain and there ya go.

Good question.

The asymmetrical ones are using function-specific plate designs, so there's some differences there.