Chains

godtabh

Any recommendations for an 11 speed ultegra set up? In need of a replacement and I have a new cassette waiting

Cee-Jay-Cee

I found the kmc chain noisy and went back to the Ultegra chain. I have kmc on my 10spd tiagra bike and its perfect but wasn't happy with the 11spd chain.

godtabh

wonder what the difference between the 11 and 10 speed was to cause the noise?

IN terms of length are they standard?

smacl

Bike came with Ultegra chain, first replacement was KMC which didn't last particularly long though mostly my fault for not cleaning properly with salty grit on roads. KMC was fine while it lasted, but their 11 speed quick links are difficult to get on (tool supposedly required but you can do it with some elbow grease). I'm a bit hard on chains going off road often enough, so this time bought a couple of low end SRAMs purely because they're cheap and no point spending money on a part that isn't going to last anyway. First spin on it today, shifting is fine and feels no different to the KMC. Quick link is also much easier to fit.

koutoubia

KMC chains on my Campy 11sp set up.
Wiped down/washed and re-lubed with Fenwicks wet weather lube.
Find it faultless and quiet.

Cee-Jay-Cee

godtabh wrote: »

wonder what the difference between the 11 and 10 speed was to cause the noise?

IN terms of length are they standard?

No idea why TBH but there was a noticeable increase in noise from the Ultegra chain I had on before hand.

Length wide they're all identical.

clog

Bling it up with one of these wippermann chains. Great quality and the quicklink design is excellent.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/wippermann-connex-11sb-chain/rp-prod147134

crosstownk

I usually stick a Dura Ace and/or Ultegra chain on a wishlist on CRC/Wiggle and pull the trigger when it gets discounted. I've been using then for a few years and they're silent and shift slick.

godtabh

I was thinking cheap and cheerful

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CHFSTI/fsa-team-issue-cn-1102n-11-speed-chain

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CHSR1130/sram-pc1130-11-speed-chain

moonshadow

How often should a chain be changed ?
Probably about 5k on mine but regularly cleaned and lubed .

godtabh

What's the difference between 114 and 116 links?

eeeee

godtabh wrote: »

What's the difference between 114 and 116 links?

2 links

koutoubia

moonshadow wrote: »

How often should a chain be changed ?
Probably about 5k on mine but regularly cleaned and lubed .

The problem is although the chain maybe fine but you have worn the cassette in tandem with that chain so when you change (which will be very very soon at 5k) you will have to change your cassette as well as a new chain wont sit well on the worn sprockets!

godtabh

nee wrote: »

2 links

That's that cleared up so!

koutoubia

I think the longer chain is for compact/dinner plate gearing!

godtabh

koutoubia wrote: »

I think the longer chain is for compact/dinner plate gearing!

Don't have a dinner plate just yet!

koutoubia

YET.......

moonshadow

That's it so....new groupset so......ultegra here we come!

godtabh

moonshadow wrote: »

That's it so....new groupset so......ultegra here we come!

That boat has sailed.

Think I'll buy s cheap chain and s good one and see what does more miles

koutoubia

At 5k you may have worn out your frame as well!
No point in buying a new gruppo and putting it on a worn out frame

smacl

godtabh wrote: »

That boat has sailed.

Think I'll buy s cheap chain and s good one and see what does more miles

I went for an SRAM 1130 and an SRAM 1170 from Evans as PX were sold out, the cheaper 1130 is on now and seems fine. Both are 114 link, which is what I'd cut my last KMC chain down to anyway so all good there. I'm running 50/34 and 11/32 on a 56cm top tube Rose CX bike. I assume apart from dinner plates, triples, etc... you could longer chains for bigger frames.

ford2600

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/kmc-x11sl-dlc-11-speed-chain/rp-prod120628

If you want "diamond durability" then this is your chain...

Wonder will some newspaper ever do a sting on cycling industry executives laughing at cyclists..

Durability will have everything to do with care/use of chain (there is quite a few variables there) and next to sfa to do with chain type.

I've tried kmc,sram, shimano etc and chain life was about 5k km with them all. I changed to a proper lube and have nearly doubled that. Never remove or clean chain except with an old rag ever 300km or so.

Haven't paid more than €15 for a chain in about 5 years

smacl

ford2600 wrote: »

I've tried kmc,sram, shimano etc and chain life was about 5k km with them all. I changed to a proper lube and have nearly doubled that. Never remove or clean chain except with an old rag ever 300km or so.

Name that lube so, I reckon I could be doing with some of it.

ford2600

smacl wrote: »

Name that lube so, I reckon I could be doing with some of it.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100165885&postcount=16

I'd imagine there are similar lubes which work as well, pro link gold etc.

No need for chain cleaners, solvent removing chain etc. One bottle and old rags and your done

Mercian Pro

ford2600 wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100165885&postcount=16

I'd imagine there are similar lubes which work as well, pro link gold etc.

No need for chain cleaners, solvent removing chain etc. One bottle and old rags and your done

Think this http://road.cc/content/review/178866-rock-%E2%80%99n%E2%80%99-roll-extreme-chain-lubricant was missing from your linked post.

magicbastarder

i've dispensed with chains altogether. really helps you focus more on enjoying the countryside around you, and is great for those who like to spin at high cadence.

smacl

ford2600 wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100165885&postcount=16

I'd imagine there are similar lubes which work as well, pro link gold etc.

No need for chain cleaners, solvent removing chain etc. One bottle and old rags and your done

Sounds good, just ordered up a bottle.

crosstownk

magicbastarder wrote: »

i've dispensed with chains altogether. really helps you focus more on enjoying the countryside around you, and is great for those who like to spin at high cadence.

What you need is a good belt.

godtabh

crosstownk wrote: »

What you need is a good belt.

Ikea are selling bikes with belts. Not for me

The Noble Nudge

Rather than start a new thread...
What route did you go down Godtabh??
I only put on a 116 link Shimano HG/701 11 speed s/tec chain on in April and its fairly worn looking now (just under 4500km on it)
Im near sure I got 10,000km out of the last one....
Would a dura ace chain be a better buy as i do a lot of climbing....would it work okay with an Ultegra 6800 cassette??
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-dura-ace-xtr-hg901-11sp-sil-tec-chain/rp-prod119825

Considering changing to a 53/39 or super compact set up...other than the cage length on the rear derailleur does the chain stay the same length??

nordicb

Used KMC only chains previously without any issue, they work, but found SL Silver one to be very noisy and rough. Really liking the Ultegra chain. Even looking at it, you may see how much more engineering went into it, it's beautiful.

crosstownk

The Noble Nudge wrote: »

Rather than start a new thread...
What route did you go down Godtabh??
I only put on a 116 link Shimano HG/701 11 speed s/tec chain on in April and its fairly worn looking now (just under 4500km on it)
Im near sure I got 10,000km out of the last one....
Would a dura ace chain be a better buy as i do a lot of climbing....would it work okay with an Ultegra 6800 cassette??
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/shimano-dura-ace-xtr-hg901-11sp-sil-tec-chain/rp-prod119825

Considering changing to a 53/39 or super compact set up...other than the cage length on the rear derailleur does the chain stay the same length??

A Dura Ace chain will work fine with a 6800 (and 5800 or any Shimano 11s) cassette. You'll find little or no difference in wear/durability.

I'd say there's little or no difference between 5800 vs 6800 chains. The Dura Ace chain is marginally lighter as the pins are hollow which may help on your climbs

I use both Ultegra and Dura Ace chains most of the time. I buy whichever depending on the price. They both wear at similar rates. I usually get around 5,000km out of them and that's with regular cleaning.

Lots of people prefer the KMC chains - I've never used them so can't comment but they may be worth considering. KMC have quick links for easier removal/installation although I saw somewhere that Shimano now have quick links but I can't remember where I saw that (maybe I was dreaming )

The Noble Nudge

You should see me climb!! Graceful and majestic is far from the terms I would use I'm somewhere between Contador and Stone cold Steve Austin wrestling a bike uphill....:eek:
Mind you I did pass you on the wall one day some time back :D
6800 ordered I suppose its all good given Ive been out on the steed a lot more this year....
The question is will I be able for 53/39.....