10 or 11 Speed Chainsets

[grellboy]

Apologies if this is an old subject, but what is the difference between a 10 and an 11 speed chainset? I'm having trouble working out how they can be different. Can a 10 speed chainset run efficiently with an 11 speed rear derailluer?

 

[Levo-Lon]

Yes ,they both work fine
Usually states suitable for 10-11 speed on the box as the set does both

 

[derrick]

11 speed chain is thinner than a 10 speed.

 

[Racing roadkill]

It’s the distance between the rings that is the key. The 11 speed has a tighter gap, 11 speed chains are narrower across the rivets / rollers.