Chain Upgrade: Thoughts?
 

My shop is going to be putting together my new bike later this week or early next week. 2026 Marin DSX FS

It has an all Shimano drivetrain. Including hubs. Combination of SLX and Deore as far as I can figure.

My question is would my mechanic think upgrading the KMC X12 chain that comes stock with the Shimano 7100, 8100 0r 0100 12 speed 126link deal is a good idea?

Or is the KMC chain just fine. Whats your opinion.

Im already having him swap the stock Vee Quickstyx gumbie tires with blackwall Michelin Power Gravel tires.


Do you think upgrading the chain is a good place to begin the journey?

Thanks fellas...

Dave


Opinions appreciated.

Unless you’re swapping for cosmetics, like black or nickel silver for plain grey, a chain isn’t really an upgrade you’ll notice, especially on a brand new bike.
An old bike that has a lot of years/miles on it, yes, but unless it was a bad mismatch to the rest of the drivetrain, it wouldn’t be noticeable

Dollar for dollar, I run KMC or SRAM chain on most of my bikes. I don’t think I’ve ever actually purchased a Shimano chain that wasn’t already installed on a bike.

Chains are pretty much “chains”. A more expensive chain may be prettier but it isn’t really going to be more durable. A chain is a wear item and should be treated as such. Cheap chains wear out just as quickly (or slowly) as expensive chains but the expensive chains cost more per mile. SRAM and KMC are perfectly adequate.

A gold plated chain with cutouts and hollow pins looks really cool and saves you an ounce or two while costing four times as much. But wear out the original first, there's nothing wrong with a basic KMC.

I like KMC chains. Superbly made. At one time, they made chains for Shimano.
Anyway, the EL version (used by me) costs almost twice as much as their standard one.
These typically last over 6,000 miles for me. Look around for sales to keep as a spare. Same for tires, bar tape, etc.

Does EL stand for Extended Life?

so it costs twice as much and lasts maybe twice as long? Does it have other benefits to tip the scales?

I guess producing less steel is more sustainable.

I wish. Because 8 speed chains are dirt cheap. But my KMC one wore in stretch faster than other 7 and 8 speed chains I had in stock from decades past, finally used up. I had assumed that with 8 speed stuff being wider, they were more durable than newer, skinnier, chains for more speeds, and perhaps true 20 years ago. But now? Nope. ZFC has tests showing the skinny chains are more durable, and I think an article there or elsewhere said it's because the cheaper chains (where they must be priced for obsolete stuff like 7/8/9) don't get the better steels and surface treatments of the more expensive chains. That explanation makes sense to me. I don't know if one of the surface treatments, but nitro-carburizing of steel reduces surface wear tremendously, quite common now on other applications, even on stainless steel, and it comes out black. HARD, and improves corrosion resistance a LOT, better than raw stainless in many cases.

So before paying for a chain "upgrade", I'd look at tests on ZFC (Zero Friction Cycling) for durability, because that's worth paying for, though replacing lower cost chains more frequently may be better.

Some people say that Dura-Ace chains perform (and sound) smoother than other Shimano's? also a few grams lighter, for weight weenies.

and last. Some say.

Upgrading a chain isn't much of an upgrade. IMO, IME, the only difference that is likely noticeable making that change is the noise level. I suggest using the stock chain for a couple thousand miles, then decide on a new chain. Don't be surprised if there is little to no difference.
The tire switch can make a huge difference. If you are riding all smooth surfaces, wide-ish road tires, with treads or slick, make for a comfortable, durable set up and ride.

It's a consumable wear item. "Upgrade" if you like when the original wears out

No, to the first question and Yes, to the second. I've been using KMC chains for over 20 years and occasionally buy Shimano equivalents (Ultegra & 105 Level) and a SRAM and Connex thrown in a couple times when the price was right and never had less performance and durability from KMC. Over the years some people have mentioned that their bikes worked better with certain brands than others but not a common thing and not knowing all the details, some of those complaints could have been caused by something else.

KMC is one of the largest chain manufacturers in the world and they make great chains. But on my 12 speed Shimano drivetrains I prefer Dura Ace chains. IMO they run and shift smoother and are very quiet compared to the KMC chains but the difference is small.

Absolutely NOT.
Replace only when needed. There is ZERO need to replace any part of your brand new groupset until it actually needs it. Then and only then you might think about getting something else (upgrading). But I bet that the chain is the very last thing that hingers your cycling :)

What benefit do you hope to enjoy by "upgrading" the chain?

If it were my bike, I'd wait for the current chain to wear out, then replace it with whatever chain you feel is best.

A chain is a chain. Unless you can tell us something that the new chain should do better than the original chain that you have never used. Though color and brand preference/loyalty are about the only things I can come up with for reasons to change a otherwise decent enough and unused chain.

You mean this article? As with most stuff from Zero Friction, I don’t trust what he says. He states that cheap chains are made of a lower grade of steel without anything to back up that statement. He even includes a statement that says “Pending the results of testing project…” which clearly indicates that his ideas are speculation. It calls into question his “results” which sound a bit ad hoc. In other words, he reached a conclusion and went about finding the results to confirm that conclusion.

It appears that he did do testing but, honestly, he should have removed the “Pending…” comment. However, even the results he presents are questionable. For example, he presents an average of premium, mid-level, and budget chains which does bear out his previous statement. The amount of wear over the 3 levels are very close to each other. If you look at the 3 bars circled in red, you’ll see that they aren’t that far apart. Based on the separate averages for the 11 speed and 12 speed chains, we can estimate the error bars and we can see that there is essentially no difference between any of them, especially considering that he seems to have averaged in the two SRAM Eagle chains which in a previous graph (see link) are “extrapolated”.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d9d2ebea.jpeg

Before trusting anything from Zero Friction, it is a good idea to review this article from Hambini. I’m not a fan of Hambini but he seems to be right about Zero Friction. I’ve noticed his data as being questionable before I read the Hambini article.

Who brought the word "upgrade" into this context first? Did your mechanic tell you that the above change would be an "upgrade"? Or is it your word?

Hambini's online persona may be abrasive and sophomoric, but his intolerance of incompetence and dishonesty in the cycle trade is entertaining.

Chain upgrade means the sales person gets an upgrade in their dinner plans.

Ill use the new chain on my first ride so I believe it sounds better than what must of been.....lol This way I wont feel like I wasted 50 bucks.

This chain has a special coating on it shimano swears by....I know....and its supposed to sound cleaner during shifts, have more durabilty and looks better imo.


Good responses guys sorry I didnt reply earlier I was halted at 5 posts in one day.

I made this decision on my own. I asked here preparing myself for possible :foo: from him when I tell him to put it on.....

Its only 50 bucks. Im sure Ill waste a lot more money than that on mods good or bad needed or not....like most of us I reckon.

“Looks better” is always a good reason.

Chains are cheap. Have you priced bar tape lately?

As others have said: no. But beyond that, you might want to question this journey you are about to begin. If you wanted better components on your bike, the best time to get them was when you bought the bike. Upgrades are the most expensive way to go compared to just buying a higher-specification bike in the first place. But if you can't resist, then buy better parts when things wear out. If you're serious about riding, that will happen fairly quickly in the case of a chain.