Hi, gang. It is time for a new chain on my 2018 BMC SLR02 with 105-5800. The current chain is a 105 FC-5800 chain on an 11/28, 50/34, 172.5 setup. Quite happy with how the chain has performed, though I am certainly no sort of bike guru--I just ride a lot. I don't race, I do put up quite a few miles (7200ish for 2019). Shimano is of course out now with their 105 R7000 stuff. Wondering if I should go with that, or look at Ultegra or the Dura Ace option. I do quite a bit of climbing--it is quite hilly/mountainous here in Western Oregon. Conditions here usually later October through and into May are extremely wet and grimy. It can literally destroy a bike, if you don't take care. I clean the drivetrain farily well after every ride and very thoroughly once a week without fail and keep it generously lubed, so I do think I am basically doing my part. It is not making any noise--it is utterly silent, but it is time, based on miles.

Anyhow, would appreciate recommendations on what my next chain should be. Many thanks for taking a minute to help me out.

All you wanted to know about chain choice, and more:

https://cyclingtips.com/2019/12/the-...ciency-tested/

Get another 5800 is my advice. Or R7000 is fine too. Honestly, any 11s chain is ok. See what’s on sale?

You need to choose a method to measure chain wear and replace based on that. Mileage is not a good way. If you have waited too long, you may need a cassette as well.

Wipperman Connex 11SX is going to be your longest lasting choice due to minimal corrosion (it's stainless steel). I run their 8SX and change out chains a lot less often than I used to with SRAM PC870.
And here's some data to back that up:
https://www.connexchain.com/fileadmi...ments-2018.pdf

I recently went 8500 miles on the (Ultegra) chain that came with my (Ultegra groupset) bike when it was new (two and a half years ago)... the LBS said it still had miles left on it, could have likely gone another 1000 or more.

If I have any secret or advice about how I got some much usage out of it, it is that I keep my drivetrain pretty much immaculate. Clean my chain frequently (maybe every 700 miles or so; more, depending upon how much grime it begins to collect); keep the cassette and derailleur pulleys clean as well; wipe the chain every other ride or so by running four or five revolutions of the crankarms while holding the chain with an absorbent cloth.

Use quality chain lube - I've been using T-9 for years... developed by Boeing, who seem to know quite a lot about metal moving parts.

I think you would be fine with another 105 chain.

No data on this one, but shimano seem convinced its very durable:

"Durability improved by 50% or more (vs. CN-HG701-11)"

https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...-E8000-11.html

I would be surprised if you don't have new-chain skip on a few of your most used sprockets after that many miles on one chain. Some consider 105 level parts to be throw aways that are used once and tossed, but if you're using pricey 12 speed parts, it's wise to learn how to measure chain wear and replace the chain before it trashes the cassette. Even better, alternate the use of several chains and the cassette will last for the life of all chains in the rotation.

Some people think that their chains shift poorly after as little as 2000 miles. I've never experienced that myself. I once used a campy 10 chain for 6000 miles, lubricating it very frequently and cleaning it periodically. It showed very little elongation after that much use, but the rollers were extremely worn and the side clearances twice that of a new chain. I got new-chain skip on my pricey campy record cassette. I now practice multiple chain rotation to eliminate new-chain skip.

Tossing chains prematurely is the more common method of increasing cassette life, but if you toss 4-5 chains, you'll still eventually get new-chain skip.

That's what I thought too but a couple of weeks ago I got caught out in the rain and had to ride 10 miles home, I didn't immediately clean the chain and when I came out after a week there was rust marks on the chain. Squirting Rock and Roll onto the chain and wiping it off it all disappeared but where did it come from?

If there's rust, then the chain is not 100% stainless, or at least not an alloy that resists corrosion. Not all stainless steel alloys are corrosion resistant.

All things considered, I'd go Dura-Ace. The chain is one part that's going to have more durability than Ultegra or lesser.

Thanks. The cassette looks pretty good to me. The teeth look pretty well-formed and intact, but again, I'm just a guy who rides and no kind of mechanic. How do I tell if I need a new cassette, assuming shifting is no problem?

If shifting is no problem your cassette is OK. See Dave's post #8 , new chain will skip on too worn cassette.

Great article, thanks. Guess on that one, I may be headed toward Dura Ace--but I still have more reading to do.

I use Mucoff Hydrodynamic. It leads to a silent ride, but I am no expert and don't really know if it is good or just marketing.

Thanks for the tip--had not actually heard of Connex before. I'll look into it.

The connex link that holds it together can get light surface rust that cleans off easily, as you describe.

The same source of testing that the chain article referenced, has lubricant testing as well.. TL/DR, seemingly the Mucoff Hydro is 'just marketing'

I would second DA chain. I've had really good luck with the CN-HG901 with the SIL-TEC surface treatment. Really smooth running & shifting, holds wax well and often can find them priced equal to Ultegra.

Thanks, yeah, looks like right now you can get one for basically the same price as the Ultegra.

Any stainless steel alloy will rust if you try hard enough.

I came across this a while ago. Its quite a read. Anyone running YBN chains, which test quite well according to the article? I may have to give them a try.

I have used SRAM, Shimano, and KMC. Not a fan of KMC but the others are interchangeable as far as I am concerned so I just get whatever is on sale.

It is an interesting read. To see a lower cost of ownership using campy record vs KMC* is enlightening. Wish they could add the Potenza 11s chain to the testing.
*Not sure why they didn't include the base KMC 11s chain (I think just called the X11 now) in testing?

Also of interest, and at least in my mind an unexpected finding, is that the the higher the speeds, the chains have gotten progressively more durable/longevity. Seems counterintuitive.

Connex hands down.

Yeah, read that. Had not heard of YBN before. Here is one.https://www.amazon.com/YBN-Speed-Cha...g-goods&sr=1-3