Best chain?
 

as the title says I need a new chain as I somehow managed to break mine tonight when I was just starting a trainer session. Bike is an Orbea Orca 60cm with Shimano 105 and a 10 speed cassette.

I think the chain broke as I accidentally did a gear dump the other day climbing a hill and then was shifting under load as I went the wrong way with the brifter..... stupid me put the chain on the small cog on the cassette and then in correcting the issue ran the gears fast to the big rear cog.

Thanks for your help. I am glad this happened at home and not on the freeway or some other road out here in rural Oregon.

Can't beat SRAM chains IMO. I use them on all my bikes because I love power links.

Best? Probably what ever the respondent just paid for! KMC chains with their master links are very well thought of. I'm a fan of Shimano chains and don't have any problem with their special joining pins that seem to annoy so many others. Wippermann, with their Connex link are also very good. Plenty of good choices.

Each maker offers a spectrum running from a bottom end chain whose only claim is being cheap, through mid-range high qulaity chains, to top of the line chains which are basically the same as those from mid or slightly above mid level chains with better cosmetics, or maybe lighter weight.

So, throw darts to pick a brand, and buy a chain somplace between the middle and top.

BTW- chain quality has little to do with the ability to tolerate hard shifts under load. In fact the top end chains may do worse because they may have thinner plates and be less tolerant of abuse.

I suspect that the strongest chain may be a mtn chain of the right width (speeds rating, ie. 9s 10s). Mtn chains are abused more than road chains, so if a maker is going to make a stronger chain, that's were you'd see it.

Only put 100 miles on it so far, but my vote goes to the KMC X10SL (the nitrided one.) It appears to be mechanically the same chain as the X10.93 (which is what my bike came with) but it is significantly smoother and quieter. It's supposedly KMC's most stretch-resistant chain, but I'll be the judge of that as I monitor it over the next 1000+ miles.

Out of the package, it's fantastic.

KMC or SRAM, I have no use for the Shimano "special joining pin" concept.

I can't say I've ever had a "bad" chain. Some people will swear that chain X is noisier than chain Y but I've never really noticed a difference. Lately I'm partial to the SRAM PC-1051 because the plated nickel finish looks really nice clean. The PC-1091 has the same finish with hollow pins in case you want to buy some more lightness. Not much of a justification, but with modern chains you have to look pretty hard to find a discriminator.

If its anecdotal evidence you're after here's mine: I've used KMC, SRAM and Shimano and like Shimano best. I don't have any issues with the joining pin concept either.

Whatever is on sale. I buy Shimano chains but use a KMC link and it works fine.

My observation of the typical range of "quality" from chain mfgrs, (in increasing pricing):
1. All dull gray finish.
2. Adds bright plating on outer plates.
3. Bright plating on inner and outer plates.
4. Same as #4 plus tiny holes cut in outer plates to reduce weight.

All of this is purely cosmetic.

The Shimano joining pins work well but require proper, but not difficult, technique to install properly. I've never had one fail in many years and dozens of chains of using them. However, they are a pain for those who like to remove their chain for cleaning and the KMC link makes this easy. They will also bail out the guy whose motto is; "I've cut it twice and it's still too short".

Finally, carrying an extra link on the bike makes a road side chain repair a lot easier in the event of a mishap.

Summary: Once you get above the Wal-Mart level, chains by any of the major makers, Shimano, KMC, SRAM or Wipperman will serve you well.

dagray, I have used chains from Shimano, SRAM and KMC. All have delivered about the same service life and shift quality. I tend to buy the middle range offered and I'll buy an upper priced version if appearance is a consideration.

I like the Shimano design where a special pin is used to connect a chain, aside from one pin that was slightly undersized. It is not the preferred design if field repair is a priority however, unless you have another manufacturer's quick link available.

Brad

best? you replace it early so dont cause excessive wear on the chainwheels , so value wins .. KMC or Whipperman are my favored brands.

+1 kmc

Shimano chains are the quietest and smoothest I've used. And I have more confidence in their pin attachment than any other brand.

I've been buying up 10-speed Ultegra-level chains for about $20 per. I go through about 4 chains per year. I don't think there is much difference in longevity between chains. So buy cheap and replace often.

I had the bike shop install an Ultegra 10 speed chain and it is so smooth compared to the one I killed.

Thank you for all the responses.

I've used them all and have yet to notice any real difference.

Currently riding a Shimano on my Curtlo and Her Highness is riding an IRD on her Orbea; we both get there and back...