ErichM

Awhile back I converted from a Ultegra triple to an Ultegra standard double (deciding to replace the chain at the same time). Ever since then I've had problems with periodic chain drop (when shifting from big to small, usually with no tension at all, a bit of tension, i.e on a smal hill and the problem wouldn't occur). I replaced the FD to the Ultegra short derailleur setup, problem persists. I then switched to the short Ultegra RD, problem persists. I adjusted the height and angle of the FD until they were just perfect, and still the problem persisted. The chain was also rather noisy on the small ring. I checked every link of the chain and they all looked just fine.

Well finally I decided to give a KMCDX10 a try. Today was my first day out with it. Shifting is even smoother than with the Ultegra chain (part of why I didn't suspect the chain was the shifting was generally very smooth). Chain is also much quieter and smoother. Best of all, chain didn't even come close to dropping off today.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure the 6701 is a fine chain and I just had either a defective one, or I somehow damaged a link when shortened it, or did something else to screw it up. This post is merely for those considering a KMCDX10, if you're on the fence, my vote is to give one a try.

Of course, this was just the first day out with it, but provided there are no issues with it in the short term, KMC will be the brand I use from now on.

kayakdiver

Wasn't the chain.....

tagaproject6

Was your Shimano chain oriented properly?

ErichM

Then what? I searched high and low for info on what could be causing it. Most I saw on the bike forums search was suggestions of FD angle, FD height, and shifting under tension.

The FD is perfectly aligned with the teeth, the height is perfect as well. Are you thinking that the issue will occur again and I just have false hope?

ErichM

Yes.

MikeyBoyAz

if you used to have a triple, and now have a double I would check the limiter screws on the FD... and the shift cable tension... had the same problem on my new bike. Cable stretched and when it did it could hop past the small ring... check both.

M_Wales

My LBS owner suggested trying a DX10 on my new build that is Ultegra 6600 equipped and I'm very happy with it. I started having some shifting issues with my team bike and since its all Ultegra 6700 was going to buy a 6701 chain, but I liked the DX10 so much I went with it and didn't look back...

Not saying anything is wrong with the Shimano chains, but the DX10 is a very nice chain and for the $32 my LBS charges me for them its great bang for the buck...

ErichM

Checked the limits as well. I could hand pedal it on the stand and to me it seemed like the chain was snagging on the chain ring, and as it came around the chain would slightly twist and then land on the small ring at an angle, thus sitting on top of the teeth. The rotation and angle would then cause it to fall off the ring.

I'm a novice bike mechanic at best, so I wasn't entirely sure if it was snagging on the big ring or not, I just knew it was landing on top of the small ring funny so as not to engage the teeth, and fall off.

I wasn't sure if it was a weird chain line issue, or if the cranks were wobbling a bit causing a weird line, or what. I sorta ruled out the cranks because hand pedaling it softly shouldn't be an issue. I could hand pedal the cranks and pull on the FD cable and release it and it would shift smooth most of the time, then it would just randomly and with out warning miss the small ring. It had to have been just a matter of whether or not the bad link was currently attached to the chain ring or not.

I'm pretty sure I had a bad link, which for what ever reason didn't want to let go of the big ring, and caused the issue.

Like I said, I'm sure the Ultegra chain is a fine chain, and it was probably my fault for damaging it. The KMC chain doesn't snag at all and hops down to the small ring like butter. I'm not so much saying "don't buy an Ultegra chain" as I'm saying "Try a KMC chain, you might like it."

I should also say, previously I had a Ultegra 6700 chain which caused me no issue on the triple setup. It however was noisy just like the 6701. The KMC is much quieter than either of them.

doctor j

I've had good luck with KMC chains, and they have the missing link (or whatever it's called) that makes removal for cleaning very easy.

M_FactorX19

if you like the DX10 you should try their hight models. at least the X10.93. my personal favorite is the X10SL w/ the Ti coating. the main differenc between the X10.93 and the X10SL is the hollow pins and plates. they also have a model in between w/ just hollow plates called X10L (similar in quality to Ultegra). they also make all of the chains ive listed with their Ti(gold color) coating.

X10.93
https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=32&ssid=589


X10L
https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=32&ssid=589


X10SL-Ti
https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=32&ssid=589

ErichM

Just incase anyone was wondering, been 12 days and it shifts from big to small no problem. Had no issues at all with chain drop, it still sounds great, shifts great. When this one wears out I'll get the X10SL.

ultraman6970

SHimano chains arent that good, even campy chains aren't as good as KMC ones.

M_Wales

I'm digging the Red/Black chain.

https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=32&ssid=589

tagaproject6

Dammit,I shouldn't have looked at that Red/Black Chain.

tanguy frame

I once switched from a shimano chain to a sram chain on a 10 speed compact ultegra and the ride was so much smoother I never bought another shimano chain again.

libero

hi

I had Shimano on my 9-speed bike. (2x9) And I kept going through chains, at least once a year. (about)

Got a tip from a US bike shop to try SRAM. I did this only because of the easy magic link - I can take it off and clean it easier.

But I since acquired a 10-speed (3x10) also running Shimano components. On this bike, the SRAM 10-speed chain didn't have the reusable magic link at the time. So I followed up and got tipped off to buy KMC.

Problem is - I overbought both SRAM and KMC. I have a supply of SRAM and KMC chains now for both the 9-speed (sold already) and the 10-speed. I'm just not replacing the chain nearly as often.
(Know when to replace chain: see Park Tool website i think, but it's just a matter of measuring with an inch ruler).

My 2009 bike (3x10) is still running its first KMC chain (the expensive one - SL).

I'm sure there are other factors like how often I clean it, and replace cogsets, and maybe the fact that the 10-speed was new. But I'm also convinced of the quality of the KMC 10-speed chains. And that the SRAM 9-speed was better than the Shimanos I had been using.

Dr. Banzai

I bought a CAAD9 recently. It had a DX10 on it. Day one: Snapped a link. Day four: snapped a link and it took the RD, cassette and 5 spokes with it.

Result: DX10 in the garbage and an inexpensive 105 chain in its stead.

ErichM

Perhaps the bike shop did something wrong?

cooleric1234

I bought a CAAD9 and had all sorts of problems with shifting (7900). I adjusted it, shop adjusted it, got it close, but I finally realized that after 200 miles the chain was already stretched a good amount. I replaced it with an Ultegra chain and that fixed a lot of the problems.