Chains!

[PineappleExpress234]

Hi all,

Wondering if anything has changed in the space of road chains? I've bought YBN in the past but it seems like theres nothing available? Im in Aus so not sure if there's a sole supplier now.

Anyway, I'm looking at SUMC and ZTTO. No real reason, they just seem to be the most common. I highly doubt the shimano chains are genuine even if the seller states they are.

Cheers

[SillyMochi]

For chains, I would stay away from anything besides Shimano, SRAM, and KMC. There are legit offers on AE for those brands as well but you have to look carefully. Scams are often and real.

Other Chinese Chains have been reported to be very poor in shifting performance and longevity. Since a good brand chain can be had for about 30 EUR/USD on a sale, I don't see any reason to get anything else as they aren't much cheaper anyway.

[jonathanf2]

I only use Shimano, SRAM and KMC chains. YBN chains aren't much cheaper so I don't see any point unless there's significant performance and/or longevity advantages.

[jhearrtot]

I've got some serious miles on my PYC SP1101 chains


I've had it since Oct 2021 and racked up a total 8,927 kms of combines mileage (outdoor and virtual) and the damn thing still doesn't miss a shift!

(got 2 different cassettes for outdoor and virtual riding, for what it is worth)


I'll get the same brand and model again if ever the day comes I needed to replace it

[glepore]

I only use Shimano, SRAM and KMC chains. YBN chains aren't much cheaper so I don't see any point unless there's significant performance and/or longevity advantages.

Zero friction tested YBN sla chains, pretty much as durable as Shimano, KMC, etc (talking 12 spd, so SRAM a different animal). 11 spd same as all. Personal experience has been good. YBN manufactures for Campagnolo. Good enough for me. Also less likely to be counterfeit.

[gribs]

A few years ago I tried a 11spd  VG sports chain. It worked fine for a few thousand km when it was only used inside but died after a couple of hundred km outside.

[Rajmundx]

What About this chain. Someone use it? I looking for black chain.

https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005009651992869.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.13f81c24Ct1Vh7&gatewayAdapt=glo2pol

[Da11as]

I wouldn't use anything else apart from stuff tested by Zero Friction. So I stick with YBN SLA and Dura ace chains - if you wax right there is no reason to save money on transmission

[glepore]

What About this chain. Someone use it? I looking for black chain.

https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005009651992869.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.13f81c24Ct1Vh7&gatewayAdapt=glo2pol

SUMC was supposedly founded by a former KMC engineer. They haven't been tested or reviewed by any of the usual folks (ie zero friction) but anecdotal reports are pretty positive. They have a broad range of quality, so be aware of what you're buying.
I'd generally agree with Da11as that if you want total confidence stick with premium chains that have been evaluated.

[Rajmundx]

SUMC was supposedly founded by a former KMC engineer. They haven't been tested or reviewed by any of the usual folks (ie zero friction) but anecdotal reports are pretty positive. They have a broad range of quality, so be aware of what you're buying.
I'd generally agree with Da11as that if you want total confidence stick with premium chains that have been evaluated.

I bought black KMC instead. They're cheaper than that SUMC and checked.

[crazyravr]

Stick with proper shimano and SRAM chains. No need to try and save money here and have sub-par performance. None of the KMC or YBN chains I tried shifter as smooth and shimano, were as quite as shimano and lasted nowhere near as long as shimano. All this with proper waxing and 12 speed.
BUT they look amazing with all the colours haha

[Ludo]

Price wise how does the equivalent shimano compare to YBN? That’s a pretty light chain? Last I check it was almost twice as expensive, something to consider.

[Da11as]

Price wise how does the equivalent shimano compare to YBN? That’s a pretty light chain? Last I check it was almost twice as expensive, something to consider.

ZFC tests claim YBN SLA has tiny bit more friction compared to Dura Ace but substantialy more durability. I have 1 Dura Ace for TT bike, 1 YBN + 1 Dura Ace for road and 2 YBNs for gravel bike. For me they shift the same and I am yet to reach 0.75 on any of it with 36 000 km of cumulative distance.

[plocnik]

Stick with proper shimano and SRAM chains. No need to try and save money here and have sub-par performance. None of the KMC or YBN chains I tried shifter as smooth and shimano, were as quite as shimano and lasted nowhere near as long as shimano. All this with proper waxing and 12 speed.
BUT they look amazing with all the colours haha

No need to avoid KMC, they only specialize in chains and they're a big player for a reason. From Sram, Shimano and KMC, I'd say Sram make the worst ones, especially longevity-wise. From my research, KMC and Shimano outlast them by quite a margin and from what I've tried, there is no noticable difference in performance on a maintained drivetrain.

[bremerradkurier]

I bought black KMC instead. They're cheaper than that SUMC and checked.

KMC also sells many models prewaxed instead of the standard anti-rust cosmoline treatment-saves the degreasing step for those of us that have switched to immersion waxed chains.