StephenH

A friend tells me that Ultegra chains seem to shift smoother than the KMC I'm using. So I'm at the store, pick up a box with Ultegra 10-speed chain, and there on the back, it says "For use with double chain rings only." Anyone know why that is? The mechanics at that bike shop hadn't noticed that, and had no idea why it would be so.

HillRider

Shimano does indeed say their 6700 and 5700 10-speed chains are for "Double Chain rings Only" and no one, even Shimano's tech guys, seems to know why. When I wanted to buy a replacement chain for my Ultegra triple crank, I considered a 5700 until I saw the disclaimer. I called Shimano USA's tech line to ask why and the tech guy really couldn't give a reason for the limitation and wasn't sure what would happen if you ignored it. I wound up getting a 6600 chain which has worked well.

Since then I've seen a couple of postings on this forum from riders who have successfully used 5700 or 6700 chains on triple cranks so I still don't know what's the problem.

Andrew R Stewart 

Shimano is very system focused. They tweak an edge here and a curve there. The current Ultegra drivetrains are not triples any more, so of course the chains specific to current stuff are only speced for doubles. I'm not sure how much this matters as real world shifting performance depends on sooo many variables, the chain is but one. Given all this I use SRAM as a defult. They work well and I like supporting another company when I can. Andy.

HillRider

OK, but the 5700 series 105 cranks are offered as triples and the 5700 chain says double only. Makes no sense.

federalista

I just upgraded my crankset to a brand new Ultegra 6703. I am running a triple 10 set up (all Ultegra 6700), and currently listed on Shimano's website in their current line up of Ultegra parts. Was actually quite surprised that they have no chain for their current triple cranks, and decided to go with the SRAM 1091R chain. My favorite LBS told me that it would work perfectly, however I just moved and my new LBS told me that it would cause my FD to blow up and to only use a Shimano chain. Thoughts?

gizzsdad

Many LBS's buy into Shimano's propaganda too much. My only experience with SRAM wasn't great, but many have used them in your application successfully. Even more, including myself, have had great luck with KMC chains and are very loyal to the brand.

federalista

Thanks for the input-- I will switch it over to a KMC chain as soon as the SRAM needs to be replaced, and give that a go.

nhluhr

If you look at the Shimano Techdocs library entry for the FC-5703/FC6703 cranksets, it specifically says not to use the 5701/6701 chains with the triple crank, instead to use the 5600/6600 chains:

"Use the CN-7801/CN-6600/CN-5600 with the FC-5703."

Chris_W

I also don't know the reason for it, but I stick to Shimano's guidelines and install a 6600 chain on the triple drivetrains that I work on. The 6600 chains are still readily available, so I disagree with one of the comments above that said Shimano "have no chain for their current triple cranks" - they do.

redlude97

The new 5700/6700 chains are asymmetric which is probably why they aren't spec'd for the triples

Crankycrank

If I had a triple I sure would like to test this out with one of the 5701/6701 chains. I'm just throwing out a guess here but possibly the hollowed out sideplate might crack sooner due to the extra sideflex from a triple. Pure speculation on my part since I can't think of any other logical reason why Shimano says don't use it. My neighbor has a 6700 Ultegra triple, maybe I can persuade him to try one of the 57/6701 chains.

Papa Ado

From KMC: Asymmetry - Yes. 5700/6700 series chains are directional which means directional chamfering on the outer plates that are coming into contact with the chainring pickups and drops. These were designed with double chainrings and thus recommend non-directional 5600/6600 series for triples.

KMC X10 series are non-directional and optimal for all single, double and triple setups.

Michael Angelo 

Another reason not to buy into shimano.