My Experience With a KMC Chain

[love2fly]

About 3 years ago my Ultegra 10 speed needed a new chain after about 30,000km of use. I'm fastidious about riding with a clean and Squirt-lubed drivetrain.

The LBS I used to frequent suggested a KMC Chain. From day 1 I wasn't thrilled, from a noise and shifting perspective. I told myself it would settle down but it never did. Yes I've ridden it for 3 years but I also ride my MTB which shares the nileage and I had a slow 18 months due to prostate cancer (which is hopefully in the rearview mirror) so I don't think I've done more than 3-5,000 easy km on it. I noticed that the chainguage says about ,25 and I could get a Shimano HG95 chain for a steal so I made the change. 

I'm very happy as it's a lot quieter - I could never ride the KMC completely crossed over (both big cogs) and I don't do that deliberately but I now can't tell I'm crossed over by ear.

Much happier with the OEM chain.

LBS tried to sell me a KMC 12sp chain for my Sram 1x12 a while ago which I declined in favour of an XX1 chain, saying KMC is made in the same factory as Sram.....remember, Citi Golfs used to be made in the same factory that makes VW's and Audi's 😬

PS I just changed my mtb XX1chain (12000km) and GX Cassette (14000KM) and I'll never stray from XX1 gold on my MTB.

[ChrisF]

50 minutes ago, love2fly said:

About 3 years ago my Ultegra 10 speed needed a new chain after about 30,000km of use. I'm fastidious about riding with a clean and Squirt-lubed drivetrain.

The LBS I used to frequent suggested a KMC Chain. From day 1 I wasn't thrilled, from a noise and shifting perspective. I told myself it would settle down but it never did. Yes I've ridden it for 3 years but I also ride my MTB which shares the nileage and I had a slow 18 months due to prostate cancer (which is hopefully in the rearview mirror) so I don't think I've done more than 3-5,000 easy km on it. I noticed that the chainguage says about ,25 and I could get a Shimano HG95 chain for a steal so I made the change. 

I'm very happy as it's a lot quieter - I could never ride the KMC completely crossed over (both big cogs) and I don't do that deliberately but I now can't tell I'm crossed over by ear.

Much happier with the OEM chain.

LBS tried to sell me a KMC 12sp chain for my Sram 1x12 a while ago which I declined in favour of an XX1 chain, saying KMC is made in the same factory as Sram.....remember, Citi Golfs used to be made in the same factory that makes VW's and Audi's 😬

PS I just changed my mtb XX1chain (12000km) and GX Cassette (14000KM) and I'll never stray from XX1 gold on my MTB.

 

New chain on the old gears ?  Old ring gear ?

 

I put a new chain on after about 1 700km ... made a noise on the ring gear ...  old chain and cassette back on.  Now over 8 000km on the original set.

 

Yes, KMC chains.  The bike came with KMC, and the replacement was also KMC.

 

 

My other ebike, the roadie HT, also has a KMC chain.  No issues

[love2fly]

20 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

New chain on the old gears ?  Old ring gear ?

 

I put a new chain on after about 1 700km ... made a noise on the ring gear ...  old chain and cassette back on.  Now over 8 000km on the original set.

 

Yes, KMC chains.  The bike came with KMC, and the replacement was also KMC.

 

 

My other ebike, the roadie HT, also has a KMC chain.  No issues

Yip, new chain on old gear, ie same gears as before. My chainrings got some respite when I rode Q Rings for a bit and I've alternated between 2 cassettes 

[ChrisF]

1 minute ago, love2fly said:

Yip, new chain on old gear, ie same gears as before. My chainrings got some respite when I rode Q Rings for a bit and I've alternated between 2 cassettes 

 

I was very surprised when mine made the noise.  Knipe_Racing immediately diagnosed it.

 

For the life of me I could not spot any wear on the ring gear ....  new chain and new cassette.

 

As soon as I put the old chain and old cassette back it was running perfectly silent.  Now I have no choice but run it till it can no more .....  Was hoping to do the chain swop out routine to prolong the drive train life .....

[Marcv]

Hi

Been running the gold and black 12s KMC chain in my XT setup for a couple years and generally i am happy with it. I also run XO and XX on my other bike and i have noticed that the KMC chain does wear out quicker but i still get over 2500km on a chain. For the price difference to an xx or xo chain i find it worth it and there is always someone selling it on special.

happy days

[cadenceblur]

I find it does not hold wax too well and therefore gets noisy rather quickly ba other chains 

[Baracuda]

I have tried KMC and Ultegra / XT chains and yip, the Ultegra / XT is smoother, quieter and just feels nicer. One wonders if there is a watt difference (i.e. does an KMC chain need more power as it feels like it is grinding more)? But the KMC is tough and doesn't break. The Ultegra is also tough and doesn't break.

Life is short, spoil yourself to a nice chain.

[love2fly]

13 minutes ago, Baracuda said:

I have tried KMC and Ultegra / XT chains and yip, the Ultegra / XT is smoother, quieter and just feels nicer. One wonders if there is a watt difference (i.e. does an KMC chain need more power as it feels like it is grinding more)? But the KMC is tough and doesn't break. The Ultegra is also tough and doesn't break.

Life is short, spoil yourself to a nice chain.

😁