Chain

[JJDT]

Still in the learning stage regarding bike parts etc.

 

Couple of questions regarding chains:

 

1. What is the difference between a sram chain and a shimano chain?

2. Quick links are they generic or make specific?

3. MTB vs Road bike chains differance on a MTB will get Deore, XT etc. and on a Road Bike Tiagra, Ultegra etc.?

4. My son's road bike is equipped with an ultegra groupset(10spd) but on Saturday broke his chain and on closer inspection of the chain I have noted that it is on its way out, saw a few of the links at the pin side that there are some cracks. Now for the question what chain? Saw that CWC sells the Tiagra chain @ R299 (also know that Tiagra is mid range and Ultegra way above) and then there is this chain

Shimano SLX HG75 or should I obtain an ultegra chain?

Shimano SLX HG75

Shimano SLX HG75

[Witkop]

In most cases a 11 speed chain works on all 11 speed, 10 speed with all 10 speed and 9 speed with all 9 speed.

Shimano as a rule does not work on Campy, but SRAM works on both?!. (something about campy parts attacking you when they come into contact with shimano)

 

Wipperman and KNC works on everything, but check the box to ensure you have the correct chain (as stated above shimano and campy use different gauges for their chains widths).

 

Tiagra will work on Dura Ace (both are shimano). Mtb or road, shimano is the same.

 

QUick links are specific to the chain.

[David Marshall]

As Witkop says the chains are speed specific because the width of the link pins becomes narrower as the number of gears increase. You can use any brand of quick link providing it is for that speed of chain. Road/MTB chains can be interchanged and the only difference may be the strength/weight. There are supposed quality (weight?) differences between Tiagra, 105, and Ultegra but I have found 105 and Ultegra to weigh the same. Local stock of chains can be limited so you don't often have much choice.

[droo]

The chain bits have been covered above, but as for quick links - KMC and BBB 10sp are reusable, but the SRAM ones are meant to be single use only. (That said, I've never had issues with reusing them, but that's what it says on the box.)

 

They're also not chain specific - only width. Ie. 9sp with 9sp, 10 with 10 etc. Mix and match brands at will.

 

FWIW, 6, 7 and 8sp chains are the same.