There are times the prices and availability of brands and parts make me wish I lived in the USA - but neither the OP nor I are that lucky.

Technically I agree that all 10 speed chains have the same width. From a more practical viewpoint - Shimano is the cheapest, most readily available optionavailable in Montreal. In fact anything else is special order and 2 or three times the price in any of the shops (10), in a 10km driving range from me. I`d be interested in knowing if TO is any different.

And I hate to be argumentative, but anyone buying Dura-ace components and expecting more durability will be more than a little disappointed. The extra engineering that goes into them is designed to make them LIGHTER - not more durable. That includes chains. The material the parts that wear are made of determines wear charactistics - not the exterior finish. The titanium cogs or the Dura-ace cassettes are a good example. Titanium is softer than steel and once that fancy coating they put on those is worn through p they wear very fast.

However, a few posters here have really hit the key point for drivechain longevity - keep it cleen and well lubed! Inside where it counts. And the absolute cheapest way to get the most life out of a cassette is to use two or more chains and rotate them on a regular basis - ie - every time you take one off to clean it - put on one thats part of the rotation package.

Just for the record, I have no issues with any other brands of chains. Prices here in Canada, however, can be a little nuts and a KMC link for a 10 speed retails for $21CDN after taxes. Shimano prices tend to be a little closer to `sane`.