11sp chain failure rate?
07-12-16, 08:49 AM
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11sp chain failure rate?
Not long ago I switched to a bike with 11sp drivetrain. Today out riding I broke my chain. I have had plenty mechanical issues but I have never broken a chain or been on a ride where a chain was broken. The chain was relatively new. Spoke with a friend and he said the same thing happened to him not long after he went to a 11sp drivetrain. His thought was maybe the 11sp chains are not as strong. I am skeptical but it got me wondering. Anyone have any thoughts on whether they are weaker or not? I can't see why if would be.
07-12-16, 08:52 AM
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So weak. Best go back to 5 speed chains
In seriousness though, I would think that it was a manufacturing defect. 11sp probably don't last as long as a 10 sp, but they shouldn't just be breaking for no reason
In seriousness though, I would think that it was a manufacturing defect. 11sp probably don't last as long as a 10 sp, but they shouldn't just be breaking for no reason
07-12-16, 08:57 AM
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I just changed my 11sp Shimano chain, and I'm embarrassed to admit this is the first time I read the dealer manual to learn how to install it CORRECTLY. There's actually a lot that goes into fixing a chain properly (apparently), and it took me twice as long as it normally would to do it right. 11sp chains are obviously more narrow, so I don't know if that makes them weaker, but I've been fortunate enough not to ever break one. Did it break at a replacement pin or an original pin? What brand?
07-12-16, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by hazben1
Not long ago I switched to a bike with 11sp drivetrain. Today out riding I broke my chain. I have had plenty mechanical issues but I have never broken a chain or been on a ride where a chain was broken. The chain was relatively new. Spoke with a friend and he said the same thing happened to him not long after he went to a 11sp drivetrain. His thought was maybe the 11sp chains are not as strong. I am skeptical but it got me wondering. Anyone have any thoughts on whether they are weaker or not? I can't see why if would be.
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07-12-16, 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
How did your chain fail? Side-plate break? Pin pull out?
07-12-16, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by WalksOn2Wheels
Also, how many miles? Did you install it yourself, or did the shop do it? If the shop did it, was it the same mechanic that installed your friend's chain? If you installed it yourself, what chain tool did you use? How many miles on your friend's chain? Etc.
07-12-16, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by hazben1
It was a KMC 11sp chain which came on the bike. The failure was the pin came out of the side plate.
07-12-16, 07:11 PM
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KMC seems to have missed the mark with 11 speed chains. They're expensive and not that great, and they sunk all their R&D budget into gold Ti nitride chains, black DLC chains and colored chains. I used to like KMC for 10 speed chains. With Shimano introducing quick links for their new 11 speed chains, that's one more reason not to get KMC.
07-12-16, 07:20 PM
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07-12-16, 07:46 PM
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We've use the Dura-Ace and sometimes Ultegra with no issues - 15k miles. They are more picky to install, but seem just as good as the 9 and 10.
A rough shift can pry links off pins. Rare - but it can. Shifting under full power and jamming a multi-cog shift at low chain speed is hard on the teeth and chain.
I've mostly bought alloy cassettes for racing and the cassette teeth break first. More costly, but don't leave you broken.
A rough shift can pry links off pins. Rare - but it can. Shifting under full power and jamming a multi-cog shift at low chain speed is hard on the teeth and chain.
I've mostly bought alloy cassettes for racing and the cassette teeth break first. More costly, but don't leave you broken.
07-12-16, 08:15 PM
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It's certainly possible that their design sucks. Old news, but shimano Ultegra CN6700 10 speed chain was a crap design that broke easily. They figured it out and the fix was the CN6701 which solved the problem. Don't ask me how I know, the "accident" was quite unpleasant.
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07-12-16, 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 2lo8
KMC seems to have missed the mark with 11 speed chains. They're expensive and not that great, and they sunk all their R&D budget into gold Ti nitride chains, black DLC chains and colored chains. I used to like KMC for 10 speed chains. With Shimano introducing quick links for their new 11 speed chains, that's one more reason not to get KMC.
07-13-16, 04:52 AM
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I work in a Specialized/Giant LBS. We don't stock KMC chains, but they come as original equipment on many new bikes. We haven't seen failures on them. We've noticed, though, that SRAM 11-speed MTB cassettes shift better with SRAM 11-speed chains. We had to replace the original KMC chain with SRAM on a new bike when the owner brought it in after one ride complaining that the shifting was wonky (it worked fine on the stand when we set it up). The owner didn't want the almost-new KMC chain back, so now it's doing fine on my Ridley Fenix. 
07-13-16, 05:19 AM
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I have been using Campagnolo 11 speed chain for years ( installed with Campagnolo 11 speed chain tool ) without any failure so far .
07-13-16, 06:58 AM
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Originally Posted by 2lo8
KMC doesn't make the Shimano chains that say made in Japan. They're subcontracted for cheaper mass production.
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07-13-16, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by 2lo8
KMC seems to have missed the mark with 11 speed chains. They're expensive and not that great, and they sunk all their R&D budget into gold Ti nitride chains, black DLC chains and colored chains. I used to like KMC for 10 speed chains. With Shimano introducing quick links for their new 11 speed chains, that's one more reason not to get KMC.
They did? I just installed a 105 11 speed the old way, with a pin.
07-13-16, 11:21 AM
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07-13-16, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by rpenmanparker
Could you clarify you post, please. Who subcontracts the manufacture of the Shimano chains, KMC? So they would be Shimano chains supplied by KMC but made for them by someone else? Or did you mean that KMC is totally out of the picture, and Shimano has found an even cheaper direct supplier?
Originally Posted by deepakvrao
They did? I just installed a 105 11 speed the old way, with a pin.
07-13-16, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by 2lo8
KMC seems to have missed the mark with 11 speed chains. They're expensive and not that great, and they sunk all their R&D budget into gold Ti nitride chains, black DLC chains and colored chains. I used to like KMC for 10 speed chains. With Shimano introducing quick links for their new 11 speed chains, that's one more reason not to get KMC.
07-13-16, 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by bmthom.gis
So weak. Best go back to 5 speed chains
In seriousness though, I would think that it was a manufacturing defect. 11sp probably don't last as long as a 10 sp, but they shouldn't just be breaking for no reason
In seriousness though, I would think that it was a manufacturing defect. 11sp probably don't last as long as a 10 sp, but they shouldn't just be breaking for no reason
07-13-16, 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 2lo8
Shimano subcontracts, or at list did, KMC to be the OEM supplier of at least some of Shimano's chain line up. KMC does not make all chains for Shimano though, and Shimano always makes cutting edge chains, like at the Dura Ace and Ultegra, themselves first in Japanese factories.
07-13-16, 04:27 PM
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I'm running Ultegra (I think) without issues.
I've occasionally broken chains in the past. I busted a couple of of Bell 3/32 chains on my cargo bike before moving to Shimano HG-73.
And, I think I did break a new HG-73 chain on one bike.
Oh, and a SRAM quick connect just vanished while I was riding once.
Anyway, so far I'm happy with the Ultegra level 11s chain (couple thousand miles). I think I'll pull it soon to keep stretch minimized.
Tolerances seem to be tighter, but I think the Ultegra 11s chain appears to be better built than previous chain models that I've used. Plus, the narrower chains are supposed to flex better for cross-chaining.
I've occasionally broken chains in the past. I busted a couple of of Bell 3/32 chains on my cargo bike before moving to Shimano HG-73.
And, I think I did break a new HG-73 chain on one bike.
Oh, and a SRAM quick connect just vanished while I was riding once.
Anyway, so far I'm happy with the Ultegra level 11s chain (couple thousand miles). I think I'll pull it soon to keep stretch minimized.
Tolerances seem to be tighter, but I think the Ultegra 11s chain appears to be better built than previous chain models that I've used. Plus, the narrower chains are supposed to flex better for cross-chaining.
