If I do that calculation my self worth is only $2,200!

Both KMC and Shimano chains work well, and last about the same for me.

Normally I use an Ultegra chain with a wippermann quick link.

Careful, Ultegra cassettes eat certain freewheels, aluminum ones I think. It's been documented somewhere.

I'm on my 2nd KMC replacement of my original 105 chain. Happy camper here..

eh? Never heard of that. What would the freehub need to be made of for the Ultegra cassette to not damage it?

105 and Ultegra cassettes will gouge the freehub body, but it's not a big deal.

Titanium and steel freehub bodies are more durable, but aluminum works fine for most people.

So if I have a 105 cassette now, the Ultegra won't cause any more problems than what I have now right?

Exactly.

I did some reading recently that effectively said that Ultegra could damage certain freewheels in a way that 105 would not. I can't find find the material to refer to, but there is this. Apparently somebody thought it was a big enough deal to design and manufacture a remedy. I believe these are not made for 105, only Ultegra.

You read some misinformation.

Both cassettes can damage aluminum freehub bodies, but it's rare that it effects anything other than cassette removal.

KMC is the best bang for the buck throughout its model hierarchy IMO. Can't go wrong.

Okay now this freehub body damage info has me worried. I've read a number of different BF and Road Bike Review threads about it.

I'm wondering why that AC kit says it's not compatible with 6700 cassettes. I found this page with the clip kit: https://bdweb9821m.bluedomino.com/store/page13.html which says it will not work with 7900, 6700, 0r 5700 cassettes. Is it only made for like 6600 and 5600 level stuff?

Remember to trim your toenails before every ride.

You're worrying about something that just doesn't matter. All of my freehubs are "damaged" from duraace or ultegra cassettes and it makes absolutely no difference.

Okay well that's cool then. The stuff I read made it sound like some awful thing.

I bought a Wipperman and am stunned by how long it's lasted.

It shifts as well as anything, but it's lasted, so far, more than twice as long as my Ultegra chains have.

I have the 10sx, which according to their marketing hype is "extremely resistant to wear and corrosion due to stainless steel inner links and nickel-plated outer link plates"

Something sure is working. I keep checking it and it still hasn't worn out.

You are worrying way too much about this.

Will the splines get notched? Yes, but the only issue I've ever seen the notches cause is that it can make cassette removal slightly more difficult. In theory you could eventually cut through all the splines, and spin the cog, but I've never seen this happen.

$65 bucks for a 275 gram chain?? No thanks I think I'll go with KMC. I have a KMC on my MTB but it doesn't have enough long-term use for me to know firsthand how they last. So I'll give it a try on the road bike.

Wipperman no good or just over priced??
Just asking-using a SS wipperman 9 speed-seems ok-3000 miles very infrequent lubing-and never cleaned-other than hosing grass and grit off when needed.
I don't like much lube on chains or cogs-turns to black crap that stains everything it touches
so I rarely lube it-and then just with whatever spray lube I have at hand-every few months maybe

Dang, I've been having to lube up my current chain (I use the White Lightning wax stuff) every 200 miles or so, otherwise it starts to get squeaky.

Maybe something like a KMC chain with nickel coating will help some of that? Contemplating the gold Ti coating, not sure how well that would look on my black bike with white and red accents.

There's the problem.

Ultegra chains are 280g. The new Dura Ace is 266g, So a 275 gram chain that lasts more than twice as long but isn't twice as costly as Ultegra sounds pretty good to me. Dura Ace $52 to $75 and saves about 9 grams. I have never used one, but rumor has it they aren't well known for long lives.

Yeah but I can get a ~260g KMC chain for about $42. Or $21 for the 290g version. However the $21 version only has the nickel plating on the outer links so I may go for the $42 KMC chain anyway. I dunno yet, don't have the money to get them just yet anyway.

yep. white lightning is the worst lube I have ever used. it is bloody awful.

Why is it and whats better and why?

My LBS mainly sells White lightning, along with another brand, and before I was using three in one oil and it's much better than there in one I tell you that's for sure.....I'm gonna get flamed now ain't I?

when it rained, the chain would begin to squeak like crazy. I assume that means it gets washed out quickly. When I used it, the squeaking started on the very ride where it started to rain.

it makes a god awful mess with dirty flaking bits all over the chain as the wax gets ground out of the chain. They even claim this as a virtue as a "self cleaning" lube. Pull the other one! Marketing crap for a nasty effect. It is impossible to clean out of the chain so I just had to keep using up the bottle which didn't take long thank goodness because I had to pour so much of it over the chain to get it into the right places.


What's better? regular chain lube. Everyone has their preferences. I like my home brew of 3 parts mineral spirits and 1 part engine oil... 10w 40. Nice clean quiet chain all ride and several rides before relubing.