Chain upgrade/replacement
 

I've been very happy with the KMC Kool chain the K710 and K810 (3/32 and 1/8th). Have had several. Never a problem. $10-ish.

The K810 is 3/32", think [MENTION=25248]nightfly[/MENTION] just didn't pair them up right when typing.

My bad:

$10.93

The 710 is 1/8th, the 810 is 3/32:

KMC Z-710 1/8

KMC Z-810 3/32

Had the KMC 710sl.. master link gave out and chain wrapped around the rear hub.. luckily I was about at a complete stop before it gave.. running a Izumi Jet black/gold chain now

I didn't say you had to buy it through Amazon. I just said if you want one they have them for about $10.

Buy them from whomever you like. Support your local shop. Buy one from Retrogression, whatever. At most it's like $15.

I just wouldn't spent upwards of $40 for a chain when a $10-15 chain works great. I've had probably 4 of them and never had an issue. They run quiet, look good and are cheap. What more do you want?

Take out a bank loan but the chain last me many, many years/miles. http://www.retro-gression.com/collec...oughness-chain
I ride a Wabi as my road bike if the wind isn't too strong for 30-70 mile rides with some centuries. The chain is outlasting me but that's a different discussion. I got carried away
and built an entire drive train around this chain with really good components.

$80 for a chain seems... excessive?

Correct.

+ 1 KMC Kool. They make a lite version as well. Back in the day, a lot of things were overbuilt so on a lot of single speed bikes you would see these huge 1/4" chains that were indeed indestructible but were just way too heavy and ridiculous (I think the chain weighed 3 lbs). Eventually, KMC came out with the kool chain which was just as strong but without all of the weight. Since the design has still stuck around and is selling well, I would assume that it's still up there amongst the rest for a good ratio between strength/weight.

However, I would wait a little while for a few other opinions as some manufacturers make chains specifcially designed for fixed gear riding.
Izumi comes to mind. These chains are probably better designed to handle the torque of a fixed drivetrain while being light enough to race, and a little more attention may be put towards making the drivetrain smooth.
For whatever reason, when you start shifting into the race/road world things start to get ridiculously (and in my opinion unnecessarily) expensive.
There might exist a chain that is priced well and has ALL of the above qualities.

Any opinions on the KMC "rust buster" chains? They appear to be galvanized steel. I'm thinking of one for a dedicated winter bike build.

I like my D.I.D.Track Racing Pro Chain yes it is not a super cheap chain but considering it has lasted years (granted not constant use but quite a bit of use over a 3 years at least) I didn't really spend much on it. Izumi also makes some high quality chains in a similar vein.

People love to say "that's expensive" and only look briefly at initial costs but if the item lasts a lot longer or performs better for the same amount of time then it is worth it.

I've got one on my beach cruiser that lives within about 100 yards of the ocean and it holds up pretty well. It eventually does rust but it takes quite some time. I replace it every 3 years or so.

As far as the KMC Kool chains, they run great and are cheap enough to replace as often as needed.