Can I use SRAM chain with Shimano?- Update 17th April

[Ajax Bay]

Have had exactly the same with KMC (like you caught it* before it parted while riding), so moved to SRAM.
*Tip: Run a kitchen towel over the chain e.g. after oiling and if an outer plate has fractured, good chance the towel will 'catch'.

 

[fossyant]

Most of "the bikes" run KMC X chains, best bike Dura Ace, FS MTB is running SRAM as I got a good deal on them and it's running two in rotation as when used currently, it get's knee high in shoot, but not so often. KMC definately for the commuter and it's the mid version.

 

[T4tomo]

All 11 speed chains should be OK with any 11 speed drivetrain, regardless of manufacturer.

er no!

there are two types of chains for "modern" stuff:

Those stated SRAM & Shimano compatible interchange with each other.

Campagnolo (and those stated Campag compatible) chains are specific to Campag groupsets

 

[Alex321]

er no!

there are two types of chains for "modern" stuff:

Those stated SRAM & Shimano compatible interchange with each other.

Campagnolo (and those stated Campag compatible) chains are specific to Campag groupsets

I'm not convinced of that.

And nor are these people
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1220/1-bicycle-chains-compatibility/
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/buying-guides/best-bike-chain

And looking at sales sites, many 11 speed chains claim to be compatible with all three brands of groupset.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I have KMC X9 on a reel, which worked out at £5 per 116 links.

 

[T4tomo]

I'm not convinced of that.

And nor are these people
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1220/1-bicycle-chains-compatibility/
https://www.cyclist.co.uk/buying-guides/best-bike-chain

And looking at sales sites, many 11 speed chains claim to be compatible with all three brands of groupset.

Bodgers.
chain widths 11spd. Shim/Sram 5.7mm. campag 5.5mm

 

[fossyant]

I have KMC X9 on a reel, which worked out at £5 per 116 links.

Oh, where from ?

 

[cyberknight]

Kmc for me ,never had an issue in over 60,000 miles recorded on Strava

 

[I like Skol]

I have KMC X9 on a reel, which worked out at £5 per 116 links.

This is fine..... in theory.

The problem with excessive bulk buying is that you do get a great cost/unit price, but more often than not, for the private buyer/user, you will struggle with storage for a few years before you realise that you don't actually need the items you have bought anymore as your requirements have changed so that roll of chain you bought to last a lifetime (25/50 chains?) is now surplus and not representing such excellent value and you are also stuck with the faff of trying to sell said surplus into a market that is also not really in great need of the outdated stock.

I think the best we can do with bike consumables like chain etc is to watch the market and buy 2/3/4 units at a time when their are good offers on or the market is slow and things are priced more keenly.

How old are you Ming? I think there might be a chance you run out of time before you run out of chain!

 

[Ajax Bay]

He is not old (doesn't look 'old') and rides stupendous mileage every year - maybe 10 chains a year (edit: 540"py).
You make a good point. Rolls of chain are LBS territory.

 

[Alex321]

Bodgers.
chain widths 11spd. Shim/Sram 5.7mm. campag 5.5mm

So campag should be OK on everything, Shimano/SRAM might rub on campag cassettes.

 

[ColinJ]

So campag should be OK on everything, Shimano/SRAM might rub on campag cassettes.

I have been using SRAM on my CAAD5's 10-speed Campagnolo Chorus transmission for nearly 20 years without any problems. In fact, I hadn't even realised that there IS that size difference!

 

[FishFright]

er no!

there are two types of chains for "modern" stuff:

Those stated SRAM & Shimano compatible interchange with each other.

Campagnolo (and those stated Campag compatible) chains are specific to Campag groupsets

IIRC Campag became compatible at 11 speed ,

 

[Ming the Merciless]

This is fine..... in theory.

Ride a recumbent and road bike, thus 3 1/4 chains a year. Which works out at 10 years. Unless I was in my 80s I very much doubt it’ll outlast me. As to storage, chain on a reel is very compact and takes up hardly any space at all.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

He is not old (doesn't look 'old') and rides stupendous mileage every year - maybe 10 chains a year.
You make a good point. Rolls of chain are LBS territory.

Recumbents have chains 2 1/4 to 3 times length of road bike, but the chains last 2 1/4 to 3 times as long. All balances out.