11 speed chain on 10 speed set up?

[mrbikerboy73]

As per the title, can I use an 11 speed chain on a 10 speed set up? I have been sent the KMC 11 speed chains in error, but if I can use them and avoid returning them I will. One is for a MTB with a 1x10 with a narrow/wide front chainring, and the other is for a road bike running a 2x10 Shimano compact set up.
Cheers...

 

[Grant Fondo]

I normally default to www.sheldonbrown in these situations

 

[Racing roadkill]

As per the title, can I use an 11 speed chain on a 10 speed set up? I have been sent the KMC 11 speed chains in error, but if I can use them and avoid returning them I will. One is for a MTB with a 1x10 with a narrow/wide front chainring, and the other is for a road bike running a 2x10 Shimano compact set up.
Cheers...

Yes 11 spd chains are fine on a 10 speed set up ( the length of the 11 speed pins are less than the 10 speeds ) not a great idea to try and used a 10 spd chain on an 11 speed set up. Chain dependent, the 10 speed may work on the 11 speed, but I wouldn't want to risk it personally.

 

[jowwy]

Yes 11 spd chains are fine on a 10 speed set up ( the length of the 11 speed pins are less than the 10 speeds ) not a great idea to try and used a 10 spd chain on an 11 speed set up. Chain dependent, the 10 speed may work on the 11 speed, but I wouldn't want to risk it personally.

I thought an 11 speed chain is narrower than a 10 speed, therefore wouldnt fit.

I have used a 10speed chain on an 11 speed crankset since xmas with zero issues

 

[Racing roadkill]

The 11 speed is thinner, but not much thinner. I've got away with a 10 speed chain on an eleven speed set up, when I chucked a chain, on my 11 speed, at night, and couldn't find it. The only spare chain I had with me was a 10 speed. It wasn't perfect, but it worked as a temporary fix. The 11 speed chain will work on the 10 speed setup also, as the spacing between the chain rings / sprockets, isn't vastly different.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

Thanks for the replies. I'll give them a go and see what happens. Side by side, they look pretty much identical so hopefully they will do the job!

 

[Smokin Joe]

Thanks for the replies. I'll give them a go and see what happens. Side by side, they look pretty much identical so hopefully they will do the job!

Shouldn't be a problem. The internal width between the plates is the same, it's on the outside dimension they shrink.