Difference between chains?
07-12-21 | 11:19 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,228
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Difference between chains?
Just bought a replacement chain, and was surprised how much more a KMC x10 costs than x9. And given the identical stats in this graphic, what makes a 10s chain different than 9s? (and whatever that difference is, why wouldn't they include that in the chart?)
07-12-21 | 12:27 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,608
Likes: 2,475
From: Bastrop Texas
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
OHhhhh... It's Lighter... I get it...
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
07-12-21 | 12:39 PM
#7
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,228
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
07-12-21 | 12:40 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,228
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Looks like probably that chart is just somebody's copy/paste error. Here's "widths measured across the rivet" from ParkTool:
- 12 rear cogs — 5.3 mm
- 11 rear cogs — 5.5 mm
- 10 rear cogs — 6 mm
- 9 rear cogs — 6.5 to 7 mm
- 6, 7, and 8 rear cogs — 7 mm
07-12-21 | 02:23 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 942
From: South Jersey
The X10 has additional chamfering on the outer plates, which requires more machining time and is probably responsible for the lighter weight. Otherwise, its the same as all bicycle components, the newer stuff is higher priced, because people are willing to pay more for it.
07-12-21 | 02:35 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 1,654
From: San Diego, CA
Contact "Papa Ado" who is a KMC rep in Taiwan, is a member and visits here occasionally and gives informed and helpful answers. Bike Forums - Send Message
Last edited by Crankycrank; 07-13-21 at 08:09 AM.
07-12-21 | 06:44 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,745
Likes: 1,734
Isn't 10 speed chain thinner in the outer width (but not the inner width) to work with the tighter spacing of the 10 speed cassette vs. 9 speed - thinner plates but same inner and longitudinal dimensions? My understanding is that chains are compatible "downward" but not "upward", so a 10 speed chain would work with 9, 8, etc. but not the other way?
As for cost differences, my guess is that given the same "grade" of chain, the 10 speed is more expensive (1) "just because they can", (2) might be more expensive to manufacture and (3) could be finished blingier.
As for cost differences, my guess is that given the same "grade" of chain, the 10 speed is more expensive (1) "just because they can", (2) might be more expensive to manufacture and (3) could be finished blingier.
07-12-21 | 08:20 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Keepin it Wheel
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,964
Likes: 5,228
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
That's what I thought, which is why I was confused by the table I pasted in the OP.
My guess is also, in order to make a thinner chain just as strong, it has to be made of better materials.
My guess is also, in order to make a thinner chain just as strong, it has to be made of better materials.
07-13-21 | 12:57 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 373
Looks like probably that chart is just somebody's copy/paste error. Here's "widths measured across the rivet" from ParkTool:
- 12 rear cogs — 5.3 mm
- 11 rear cogs — 5.5 mm
- 10 rear cogs — 6 mm
- 9 rear cogs — 6.5 to 7 mm
- 6, 7, and 8 rear cogs — 7 mm
The chart is wrong.
07-13-21 | 09:03 PM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 4,272
Likes: 3,685
I tried to run a 10sp chain on an 8 speed drive train - the chain gets stuck between the chain rings. The same 10 sp chain worked fine on my son's 9 sp drivetrain though. So there is enough slop factor for you to go one speed up or down but probably not more than that.
07-14-21 | 06:13 AM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 8,285
Likes: 3,689
From: Mich
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Isn't 10 speed chain thinner in the outer width (but not the inner width) to work with the tighter spacing of the 10 speed cassette vs. 9 speed - thinner plates but same inner and longitudinal dimensions? My understanding is that chains are compatible "downward" but not "upward", so a 10 speed chain would work with 9, 8, etc. but not the other way?
As for cost differences, my guess is that given the same "grade" of chain, the 10 speed is more expensive (1) "just because they can", (2) might be more expensive to manufacture and (3) could be finished blingier.
As for cost differences, my guess is that given the same "grade" of chain, the 10 speed is more expensive (1) "just because they can", (2) might be more expensive to manufacture and (3) could be finished blingier.
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
