Let's talk about SUMC chain

[jonathanf2]

I think I'll order this chain just to try out. The flat edge should make these stronger than regular chains, so I don't think durability will be an issue. Glad to see Chinese manufacturers mixing & matching Shimano and SRAM tech! 

[gribs]

Are Shimano chains much more expensive elsewhere as these make no sense from a UK perspective when 11 spd XTR is ~£25 and 12 spd XTR is ~£35

[rovescio]

Saw something on chinese tiktok about fake SUMC chains.
The one with the beveled edge on the outer plate is supposedly real.

[Tijoe]

Regarding these Riderace links,  I have at least 5 boxes of 12 speed I purchased over time on sale, and several boxes of 11 speed links for my road bike.
I follow the recommendation of replacing the link each time you take it apart, therefore I replace the link a couple times a year after removing the chain for cleaning.

For my 2 "most" recent failures, I don't have a clue why they pulled apart, they had been installed hundreds, if not a thousand miles after their installation, so it wasn't like I had recently put it in.   Both times, it has been on my loaded bikepacking rig, in my 2nd to lowest gear, (30T front X 48T rear cog) under power on about a 10% climb.  I started hearing a ticking sound, that was quickly followed by the link letting go.  Both 1/2s were intact, one piece on each end of the chain.  I still have the latest failed one but have not looked at it under magnification.

[james7]

I tried one of those riderace 11 speed links, it was suuuper loose on a 105 chain. Like pulling each side of the chain with bare hands made it lock together. Not confidence inspiring. At least the kmc link i used next needed the cheapo tool to make it lock (I’m sure the pedal stomp would do it).

[Tijoe]

Well...  I examined my failed link this evening.   The good news, the removable link that failed is the stock KMC link, not one of my Riderace links.  This chain has 2 links in it, because when I changed from a 10 X 50 cassette to a 10 X 52, I had to add 2 chain links.

The failure of this KMC link is different than I expected.  Looks like the end of the pin failed over time as little pieces chipped of the end eventually allowing the link to separate.    (Sorry I have distracted from the SUMC discussion with these side-bar postings.)

[crazyravr]

I use those 12 speeds QL from RideRace on two of my bikes. I typically change them out after about 4-5 reconnects (using chain waxing). Zero issues.

[jonathanf2]

Those Riderace master links are fine. I wouldn't think much about it unless you weigh over 100kg and like grinding in crappy dirt all day.

[Tijoe]

Those Riderace master links are fine. I wouldn't think much about it unless you weigh over 100kg and like grinding in crappy dirt all day.

LOL. I resemble that riding my bikepacking rig.  Me 90 to 95 kg + easily 13 to 15 kg of gear on the bike. and I often grind in crappy off-road conditions from 6am to 7pm.

I found an interesting Aliexpress listing for SUMC SL 12 speed chains.  A wee bit out of my price range for an item that gets replaces on a frequent basis.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256812678068832.html?

This is the model the OP posted on.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808822557526.html?

I could almost be talked into trying this version

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808775932544.html?

[jonathanf2]

LOL. I resemble that riding my bikepacking rig.  Me 90 to 95 kg + easily 13 to 15 kg of gear on the bike. and I often grind in crappy off-road conditions from 6am to 7pm.

I found an interesting Aliexpress listing for SUMC SL 12 speed chains.  A wee bit out of my price range for an item that gets replaces on a frequent basis.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256812678068832.html?

This is the model the OP posted on.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808822557526.html?

I could almost be talked into trying this version

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256808775932544.html?

I'm only interested in the SUMC flattop chain. Good chains and decent tires are better priced locally. I still have to degrease and immersive wax the SUMC chain as well. I'm hoping the flat top design makes the chain a bit more sturdier. Everything else, I can just get Shimano/SRAM/KMC at a decent price.

[Tijoe]

I'm only interested in the SUMC flattop chain. Good chains and decent tires are better priced locally. I still have to degrease and immersive wax the SUMC chain as well. I'm hoping the flat top design makes the chain a bit more sturdier. Everything else, I can just get Shimano/SRAM/KMC at a decent price.

I hope you guys realize that "flat top" SRAM chains are 90% gimmick.   That their latest generation products and chains have ever so slightly larger roller ODs, (this does help a little in chainring and cog wear, and perhaps slightly smoother shifting)  but this change locks and forces the consumer into purchasing their product.   

The flat top, adds literally nothing to the strength of the chain plates.)  - Perhaps they gain a bit of plate stiffness during the small side and moment loads during shifting and extreme chain angles, but, the majority of those loads are handled in the pin/roller area of the chain.

Chain plates have the top and bottom areas removed so the plates have an "Hourglass" look for several reasons.   A flat top is nothing but wasted added material.

Below are the 3 primary reasons.  I asked Google why and this is their response.

Bicycle chain plates feature a narrowed, hourglass-like shape in the center for three primary mechanical reasons:

• Improved Shifting Performance: Multi-speed bicycles require the chain to physically derail from one gear to another. The tapered shape creates a small pocket on the outer links that catches the shifting ramps and pins on your cassettes and chainrings much faster, facilitating smooth and rapid gear changes.

• Accommodating Lateral Chain Angles: In modern multi-speed drivetrains, the chain rarely runs in a perfectly straight line. It must bend sideways when utilizing gears on the extremes of the rear cassette (commonly called "cross-chaining"). The inner narrowing provides additional physical clearance, preventing the side plates from rubbing aggressively against adjacent cassette cogs while running at an angle.

• Weight Reduction without Sacrificing Strength: The physical forces acting on a bicycle chain link are primarily tensile stresses pulling along its horizontal axis. The highest load points are concentrated around the pins. By shaving off excess material from the dead center of the plate—where structural stress is minimal—manufacturers can significantly reduce the weight of the drivetrain without compromising the chain’s overall tensile strength.

[Tijoe]

From a really cool perspective, and if you are "weight reduction"  conscious, this is the version of a SUMC chain I would purchase.    For me, these days, other than my road bike,  I purchase less expensive chains with solid pins, and solid chain plates.  As I have stated before, chains are annual consumables, so I try to purchase chains based on #1 price, #2 reliability #3 weight.

[LiGuangming1981]

I recently bought a 12s SUMC chain only because it's Flattop like for Shimano groupsets.
I'll install it (on a 11s 105) once I wear out my current chain, just for the sake of aesthetics.
We'll see if it's worth it or I go back to regular cheap Shimano (currently on a CN-HG601 iirc)

Yep. I did the same thing. So far it's done over 1000km on a 1x13 Wheeltop drivetrain and still good as new on my chain checker. If it lasts at least 6000km like my Shimano chains do, I'll probably switch over to it for my road bike as well.

[dyed]

I've used a number of SUMC 11 and 12 speed chains, and I won't do it again. They wear out FAR faster than anything else I've tried.

Frankly, I haven't found a 'cheap' chain that's worth it. They all wear so fast that you're better off financially if you buy a better chain upfront.

My favorite for value is YBN, but you can get some crazy deals on KMC and Shimano at times, just have to be very careful of where you buy them.

[Tijoe]

I've used a number of SUMC 11 and 12 speed chains, and I won't do it again. They wear out FAR faster than anything else I've tried.

Frankly, I haven't found a 'cheap' chain that's worth it. They all wear so fast that you're better off financially if you buy a better chain upfront.

My favorite for value is YBN, but you can get some crazy deals on KMC and Shimano at times, just have to be very careful of where you buy them.

Since you have only made 3 posts since joining the forum,  I'll accept your perspective at face value.   1.  SUMC is not making inexpensive chains, so I wouldn't consider them "cheap chains"  They advertise that they manufacture mid to high grade quality chains.    2.  Dongguan Sumeng Chain Co., Ltd, who have been business for 15 years,  manufacture their own chains that they are selling under the SUMC brand.  3.  Their prices for the chains they manufacture range from around $30USD to $120USD.    4.  In the markets they are serving, It is not in their best interest to sell fast wearing/stretching, low quality chains.

From my perspective, you have not stated how your "cheap" SUMC chains have been used.   Road bike, Gravel bike, MTB bike, E-bike, or bikepacking.    I have been riding bicycles for 50+ years, and have replaced well over 200 chains in my lifetime.   

There are so many variables that will affect the life of a chain.   A road bike with a decent quality chain that is waxed and maintained should last the longest.   For me, since I started riding long distance bikepacking adventures, I discovered that the conditions one puts their bike through while bikepacking, destroy a chain the fastest.   Based on extreme exposures to dirt, grit, dust, water crossings, and the total number of derailleur shifts per long days in the saddle where you have to shift between the lowest and highest cogs, sometimes non-stop shifting, puts any chain through the worst conditions.   I have purchased and tried low end to expensive high end chains, and none of them hold up very long on my bikepacker.   

Thus, as I have stated before, chains are consumables, so one needs to find a price-point chain that meets your use case and just get used to replacing the chain on a regular basis.