Which KMC Chain

[lejogger]

My Boardman CX has now done over 3,000 miles, so I reckon I'm probably due a replacement chain. I know mine is a KMC X10, but there seems to be a fair bit of choice on top of this... e.g. X10-73, X10-93, X10-EL, X10-L, X10-SL etc. There are also options which have 112 links (I assume this is longer than standard??)

My assumption is that these will all be compatible, but will I need to make sure I get the 112 link option seeing as I'm running SRAM Apex with an 11-32 rear cassette with a longer cage mech?

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[jim55]

Just get the same one again ?

 

[lejogger]

I don't know which exact model it is as it just came on the bike, and the website just states KMC X10, not a particular version of the X10 or how many links.

I was hoping someone might know off the top of their head to save me going downstairs and getting my abacus out!

 

[Edge705]

X10 is the gearing ie 10 speed so any x10 chain will do the job the variations will be strength and weight I would imagine just go for the cheapest I do and I get 2-2.5k out of them its no good byuing expensive chains no point at all unless you want to race - just my opinion of course

I should point out I assume your cx is a road config i.e road gearing and not mtb gearing? - Also i think if I recall correctly they are both shimano and campag compatible thats what it said on the box when i bought them

 

[lejogger]

X10 is the gearing ie 10 speed so any x10 chain will do the job the variations will be strength and weight I would imagine just go for the cheapest I do and I get 2-2.5k out of them its no good byuing expensive chains no point at all unless you want to race - just my opinion of course

I should point out I assume your cx is a road config i.e road gearing and not mtb gearing? - Also i think if I recall correctly they are both shimano and campag compatible thats what it said on the box when i bought them

Thanks for this Edge...

I think the cheapest is the best option - definitely Shimano and KMC compatible, not sure about Campag with SRAM cassette???
It's a road set up as the workhorse, commuter, tourer, winter club run etc bike sothere's no point forking out for the best kit when it's probably going to be doing give or take 5,000 miles a year.

Any idea on the link count?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

not a clue but everyone know the gold coloured KMC chains are the fastest.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I use KMC X10 chains on both my bikes. One's Shimano cranks with Sram cassette, one's Campag cranks with Shimano cassette, (don't ask). Point being 10 speed is 10 speed

 

[Edge705]

Thanks for this Edge...

Any idea on the link count?

If you mean how many links you need then thats not important at the buying stage I think they all come with between 114 and 120 anyway BTW dont measure your old chain to get the length of your new chain I didnt realise how much mine had stretched ! - check out the web to fit the chain correctly (lots of vids on youtube)

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

not a clue but everyone know the gold coloured KMC chains are the fastest.

+1 and if you read between the lines here you will be able to see that the Gold SL are faster than the fastest, by 2.71828 mph in England on average, but only 2.71828 kph in e.g. France.

 

[biggs682]

so lets get this right the gold chains are faster in the uk than france !

so what is the technical reasoning behind this

 

[Fab Foodie]

Get the cheapest. All the other 'fancier' (more expensive) versions offer little benefit in terms of wear if the chain's well cared for. Take a look at the KMC website, lots of useful stuff. Buy the cheap one and change regularly ( a chain-tool measuring tool will help).

 

[GrumpyGregry]

so lets get this right the gold chains are faster in the uk than france !

so what is the technical reasoning behind this

self evident dear biggs682. The UK is superior to France. End of.

 

[fossyant]

All KMC chains are great. Run the cheaper if you want (they aren't cheap chains). For me it would be the colour so if the 73 was black/silver and the 93 was all silver - it would be the 93, but I think the 73 is just two shades of silver so get that,

Gold colour is just wrong, unless on an all black bike.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

All KMC chains are great. Run the cheaper if you want (they aren't cheap chains). For me it would be the colour so if the 73 was black/silver and the 93 was all silver - it would be the 93, but I think the 73 is just two shades of silver so get that,

Gold colour is just wrong, unless on an all black bike.

works well on a white one too. The black un is about to get a goldie in an homage to JP racing teams of years gone by.

 

[slowmotion]

I bought one of these last week.

http://www.customisedbikes.co.uk/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=817&referrer=google

My last one is on 4400 miles with between 0.5% and 0.75% stretch, but I don't exactly stress it...