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Common Ground News

Are KMC chains good?

Author

James Craig

Updated on March 02, 2026

Are KMC chains good?

What are the Pros of KMC Chains? The KMC Chains' have a reputation for their durability and compatibility with 8 speeds and measure around ½â€ x 3/32″ with 116 links. They are also known renowned for their inaudibility and smooth gear shifting response.

Keeping this in consideration, how long does a KMC chain last?

A chain can last anywhere from about 500 miles to 5000, depending on the quality of the chain, the sprockets, how the bike is ridden, and the maintenance. I clean my chain about twice a year, whether it needs it or not, and I get about 2000 miles out of mine.

Subsequently, question is, when should a KMC chain be replaced? When the elongation reaches 1%, it is the time to change your chain. The easiest way to check chain wear down is when you feel the chain has lost its smooth running and agile shifting function.

In respect to this, what is the best bicycle chain?

Best Bike Chains

  1. KMC X8. 99 BICYCLE CHAIN. KMC X8.99 BICYCLE CHAIN.
  2. KMC Z50 BICYCLE CHAIN. No products found.
  3. SHIMANO ULTEGRA CN-6701 CHAIN. SHIMANO ULTEGRA CN-6701 CHAIN.
  4. Shimano XT 10-Speed Chain CN-HG95. Sale.
  5. Zonkie 6/7/8 Speed Bike Chain. This bike chain is very easy to install.

Do KMC chains have a direction?

From KMC: to confirm, Shimano 10 speed road and MTB chains ARE directional. Installing them in the wrong direction will affect shifting performance and gear wear. All KMC chains are non-directional.

How often should I lubricate my bike chain?

once every month

Can I use wd40 on bike chain?

Spray the WD-40 Bike Degreaser onto the surface of your bike chain and give it adequate time to work. On top of that, the WD-40 Bike Degreaser can be used for the cleaning and degreasing of other moving parts as well.

How many miles does a chain last?

Replacing your chain regularly can prolong the life of your drivetrain. Most mechanics agree that you should replace your chain about every 2,000 to 3,000 miles, depending on your riding style.

Should I clean new SRAM chain?

A new chain usually feels sticky at first. These are residues of the high-performance grease used during assembly. Remove this grease with a thin-bodied oil or cleaner (no aggressive grease solvents!), lightly oil the rollers and remove excess oil with a cloth. We recommend never to degrease the chain completely.

Should I oil my new bike chain?

The factory lubricant all by itself is usually good for several hundred miles of service if the bike is not ridden in wet or dusty conditions. It is best not to apply any sort of lube to a new chain until it is clearly needed, because any wet lube you can apply will dilute the factory lube.

Does bike chain Quality Matter?

Differences can cause variations in shifting performance between brands and models. Additionally, chains will vary in the quality of steel used. Better chains that are more durable and longer lasting tend to have harder rivets. Riding a bike tends to wear and thin the rivet as it is pulled against the inner plates.

Should I replace a rusty bike chain?

If your bike chain is severely rusted, replacing it entirely may be best for the health of your bike. Imperfections in severely deteriorated chains can damage other parts of your drivetrain. After the chain is clean, you'll only need to reattach and lubricate it before you're ready to ride.

Which is better KMC or Shimano chain?

Summary. The difference between the Shimano chain and the KMC is marginal; your choice will always come to personal preference. Despite the inconvenience of adjusting the chain, the Shimano runs a lot smoother and will provide you with long-lasting use.

Are expensive bike chains worth it?

No. The only advantage of expensive chains within a specific brand is the minor reduction in weight. The ones with extra plating do look nicer and provide some corrosion resistance, but it takes almost no effort to keep your chain rust free.

What is the lightest road bike chain?

Titanium chain

What chain do pro cyclists use?

Pros often use a 55×11-tooth high gear for time trials. On flat or rolling stages they might have 53/39T chainrings with an 11-21T cassette. In moderate mountains they switch to a large cog of 23T or 25T. These days, they've joined the big-gear revolution like many recreational riders.

Are some bike chains better than others?

Both Shimano and SRAM can comfortably claim to have improved longevity with their top-tier 12-speed chains versus the equivalent 11-speed options. “Both the X01 and XX1 chains were so far ahead of any other chain from a pure elongation wear measure that I had to re-run the tests. The results were basically identical.

How much should a bike chain cost?

A bike chain costs anywhere from $10 to $90 depending on the brand, quality, and type of bike you're buying it for. Basic, cheaper bikes that need a simple chain will be closer to $10. Higher quality chains that are durable and made for top notch road bikes will cost $60 to $90.

How often should you replace bike chain?

every 2,000 miles

How do I know if my bike chain is worn?

Measuring chain wear the free and easy way

Pull the chain at the front of the chainring as shown. If the chain starts to lift off the top and/or the bottom of where it sits on the chainring teeth, this means that the chain is starting to wear or is worn. If your chain lifts off the ring like this, it's likely worn.

How do I know if my chain is too long?

If the chain is really short, then you might not even be able to shift into the largest cog. Then, if you shift into the smallest chainring and smallest cog and if the rear derailleur pulls the chain back so far that it comes in contact with itself, the chain is too long.
Yes, you can reuse them. Issues? Every time you remove and refit the link it will get looser. When the link is new it will be a pig to open but take it off and on a few times and it will just slide apart.

Do bike chains stretch?

Do bicycle chains really stretch? The short answer is no, however they do wear in such a way as to cause their maximum length to increase. Mechanics usually refer to this as chain “stretch.” It is the sign of a worn out chain that should be replaced.

How long should a chain be?

After a measurement is obtained, its a good idea to opt for a necklace size that is at least the second size up from your neck size. For example, if you have an 18 inch neck, you should probably choose a chain length of 20 inches or more. An 18 inch chain would feel too tight.

Does direction of chain matter?

Chain direction matters if the chain is worn. If you remove and soak your chain regularly (which, by the way, is not recommended, regardless of how easy it is to remove the chain), then you won't have a problem regardless of orientation of chain.

Do SRAM chains have a direction?

Install SRAM Quick Link

While SRAM's chains are not directional, THE SRAM QUICKLINK IS DIRECTIONAL. If you look closely you will see an arrow engraved into the face of the quick link. Make sure to get this arrow pointing the right way to avoid any chain skipping. Here is one trick to snap the quick link into place.

Are Shimano 9 speed chains directional?

Re: Shimano Chain Direction

Only the new Dura-Ace 7900 chain is directional. HG93 is 9-speed, I prefer SRAM Powerlinks for these and KMC Quicklinks for the 10 speed (both available from PhantomCycles). Wipperman Connex links are directional.

Can you put a bike chain on the wrong way?

It does not impact brand new chains' performance if you do inadvertently put the chain in the “wrong” direction. Due to wear and tear, failure to replace the chain how it was before will result in the chain and gears slipping.

Are Shimano HG chains directional?

This means that the HG-X chain is directional. It must be installed in a specific manner -- the Shimano logo should be right-side up on the section of chain between the top of the cassette and the top of the chain ring.

Can you reuse KMC chain pins?

If that pin is just slightly crooked, the chain could snap on you. The only time you should re-use a pin is when you have no choice (out on the trail stuck, etc) Otherwise you should just use a master link.

Are KMC x12 chains directional?

The Non-Directional design allows maximum compatibility.

Are KMC 12 speed chains directional?

Design: Non-directional.

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