Road bike chains...

[Moodyman]

I thought road bike chains were thinner, but the big online retailers don't differentiate their road vs mtb chains like they do with other drivetrain components.

Does this mean that road & MTBs can use the same chains - so long as they're the same speed at the rear - i.e Tiagra vs Deore?

 

[Young Un]

yes.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

affirmative. the chain is agnostic.
​

 

[TheDoctor]

IIRC chains come in a few varieties - single-speed/hub gear, 11 speed for Campag, 10 speed, 9 speed, and 5/6/7/8 speed.
The chain is worried about the width of sprocket and that's about it.

 

[02GF74]

yes. kinda wierd why shimano would sell road chains (dura ace/ultegra/105) and mtb chains (xtr/xt/lx...).

maybe the mtb chains have different coating to make them more durable since they are likley to see mud? can't see it myself but ......

 

[andy_wrx]

yes. kinda wierd why shimano would sell road chains (dura ace/ultegra/105) and mtb chains (xtr/xt/lx...).

maybe the mtb chains have different coating to make them more durable since they are likley to see mud? can't see it myself but ......

I bet it's just marketing - sell specific Ultegra chains for those using Ultegra, specific 105 for those using 105, Tiagra for those using Tiagra, LX for those using LX, etc, etc

Probably shifts more chains that way, keeps people onboard, whereas if they simply sold plain-vanilla 8sp chains, 9sp chains and 10sp chains, people might actually figure-out that any-old 9sp chain would work on their 9sp system and buy one of the other brands...

 

[gbb]

yes. kinda wierd why shimano would sell road chains (dura ace/ultegra/105) and mtb chains (xtr/xt/lx...).

maybe the mtb chains have different coating to make them more durable since they are likley to see mud? can't see it myself but ......

Don't know if i'm right, but perhaps the ramping on chainring types is different. I seem to remember reading that some newer chains, although i can't remember if it was Campag, had specifically designed sideplates to aid shifting.

 

[fossyant]

A chain, is a chain, is a chain..........will work on either. All major manufacturers will tell you their chain is better. Use the specific 'speed chain' and you will be OK. The slightly more expensive the better made.

I use KMC on two of my bikes (same chain on an MTB and road bike), Shimano DA on the DA bike, and Izumi on the Fixed. My wife's hybrid has a KMC. KMC are very good.

 

[gbb]

Don't know if i'm right, but perhaps the ramping on chainring types is different. I seem to remember reading that some newer chains, although i can't remember if it was Campag, had specifically designed sideplates to aid shifting.

Just did a bit of homework...
To quote..
'Starting in 2009 with the DuraAce chain, shimano introduced an assymetric chain...since the demands of upshifting are different from those of downshifts, the chain is different on the two sides...'

Therefore you come to the conclusion specific chains will optimise designs built into specific chainrings and cassettes. But what that doesn't mean of course than a normal generic chain of the same speed won't work. Of course it will...just perhaps not to the same degree. Whether or not you'd see or feel the difference is argueable. Personally, i couldn't give a monkeys to make sure the right chain went on..it'd never make a jot of difference to my kind of riding. But then, i dont have high end componentry.

 

[andrew_s]

To quote..
'Starting in 2009 with the DuraAce chain, shimano introduced an assymetric chain...since the demands of upshifting are different from those of downshifts, the chain is different on the two sides...'

I bet that most of the people using one will just stick it in the bike without reading the instructions, and half of them will have it on the wrong way round.

 

[gbb]

I bet that most of the people using one will just stick it in the bike without reading the instructions, and half of them will have it on the wrong way round.

No doubt your right...the article follows..
'to obtain the correct orientation, ensure the outer link plate (with the shimano brand and model stamped on them) face away from the wheel.'

I'm a maintenance engineer...and i've been known to fit bits 'incorrectly orientated' so i wouldnt be surprised.