Can someone explain the different chain technologies, for both ss/fg and multispeed use? I see nickel-plated chains and I've heard of stainless steel, but I've not seen the latter in stores. Will the nickel-plated chain be effectively rust-proof? Also, what are KMC Kool and Z chains made of?

thx <3

my nickel plated sram pc1 resisted rust a whole hell of a lot better than the black non nickel plated version.. not entirely rust proof but that is that.

I'm getting ready to buy a stainless-steel chain for the first time due to the ****ty winters here. I don't really know why they aren't more popular except for the price, maybe they are heavy?..someone makes carbon chains I saw. that sounds terrible, but I don't know about that.

The thing about nickel is that it's very soft, and without a chrome layer it can wear away. I took off my friend's front derailer, but I don't know about those rear derailers, if there's any side plate rub when shifting. She had the Shimano black steel stuff before and it started to rust in places.

I feel like this is never discussed, I wondered if it was because there were obvious reasons. Im excited to get this cleared up...maybe?

Most of the stainless steel chains I've seen have been wallet chains - you're definitely right about their rarity, El-ahrairah. Which is unfortunate, because it seems like a truly superior chain technology.

On the topic of nickel-plated chains, I don't know if it would be rust-proof, but it would certainly take a hell of a lot more to rust it. If applied properly, the nickel should stay on.

Of course, that's in theory. I don't know much about practical applications.

does anyone make chains that have no metal? i.e. made from some sort of strong polymer or synthetic material

Carbon chains, anyone?

*shudders*

just lube/clean

My Connex stainless chain rusted badly at the pins. It seems only the plates are stainless. What a waste of money, I'll never buy one again.

Its rarely discussed because rust is not generally an issue with a properly lubed and maintained drivetrains.

I use the KMC 410 RB "Rustbuster" chain. It is almost impervious to rust, and is only $11. I don't use stainless because I've read that pin strength is less and they don't last as long.

Except in winter in places that salt the roads.

I used the KMC INOX S10 chain several years ago. I loved it. I remembered it lasted forever!

Buisness Cycles has it for $22.50

Haha.

Nah man ... a well maintained and lubed chain will stay rust free. Winters by me is what got me into fixed gear riding because I was tired of cleaning out my derailleurs with all the road grime. Some winters I find its nearly impossible to keep my bike from having a white film from road salt. However, I've never had a problem with my Sram PC-1 chain rusting when I've kept it well lubed and some basic cleaning hear and there.

The only stainless chain I know of is the whipperman, and I've only heard bad things due to high failure rates. They stamp their name on the plates causing stress risers and the plates begin to crack. I would just get a decent chain and keep it well lubed personally.

From some one who rides all winter and clean and lubes his chain regularly I can say that's just not so. I've ridden to work on a freshly cleaned and lubed (Finish line XC) and ridden home on a rusty chain (SRAM PC-59). Whatever combo of salt and chemicals they put on the roads here rusts things very quickly.

going on my fourth rust-belt winter with a kmc cool chain that is still yet rust significantly, i have had to steel wool some oxidation off the pins and whatnot from time to time.

Wippermann chains with high failure rates? Is that what you heard?

https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Chain/product_124196.shtml this wipperman?

I just remembered what was ****ed about the KMC INOX S 10. They give you a masterlink that is useless. It came apart on me going over tracks. I replaced it with a Izumi steel one and that was a nice setup!

They plow the streets in Cleveland (or wherever you live - not too many folks actually live in Cleavland proper) which they don't do in Riga, so I ride through salty slop all day. When I lived in Toledo it wasn't such a problem.

That chain rusted on me at the pins.....

Just the stainless steel version