That's actually one hard truth for other riders. I've knew kmc was in partnership with Shimano. Cause I used to have a Shimano branded chain with kmc z logo at the sides.
No different than Giant making about every bike out of Taiwan and China, doesn't make them the same.. My Shimano and KMC chains are very different.. I'll take the Shimano chain any day..
It is not completely true. At least the high end models of Shimano chains are actually made by a Japanese chain maker IZUMI, who is probably not widely known but is a chain manufacturing giant of the highest craftsmanship. They have produced a special track racing chain, developed with USA cycling national team, for 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. If you guys are interested, here is a short introduction of the company: ruclips.net/video/JaBlkrbYZlI/видео.html Don't be much fooled by stereotyped rumors. KMC chains are good, but..... Just my 2 cents
Was a LBS mechanic for 20 years. Retired in 98. At that time KMC chains were a joke. We carried a mid level bike, of which we sold a couple of hundred a year. We would replace the chains with entry-level Shimano chains during the initial assembly. It made the shifting much crisper and the sensations at the pedals much smoother. We felt like it helped sell the bikes. That was a long time ago. Maybe things have changed, maybe not. I'd be hard pressed to use a chain not branded by the drive train manufacturer.
Interesting. KMC started supplying for Shimano in 86, so maybe there were a lot of leftovers from other suppliers until 98? There manufacturing/branding supply chains are crazy! It's really hard to tell who makes what and why the quality is so and so (unless the companies themselves disclose it)
Ultimately, you'd want a shimano dura ace chain, completely cleaned and dried out... then heat up the chain and have hot wax lube filling in the internal tolerances... then let it dry... This will be the fastest, frictionless, and longest lasting setup possible. KMC SL's will outlast dura ace, but it will wear out your groupset drivetrain quicker since it wasn't made to work with the pickups and drop offs of the drivetrain like the shimano chains are. If I could remember the interview I watched of one of the Team Sky mechanics talking about this, I'd link it, but I can't find it off the top of my head.
I went from a kmc on my grant trance 29 1 12x to a shimano, and it was night and day different. Smother, better shifting and quiet. My drive train ia all SLX. My bike came from the dealer with a KMC, so i figured id put some miles on it until i needed a new one, but after 60 kiles I hated it. I'm big on, if you have a complete group set, get the same brand chain. It just works better together.
Whether KMC makes shimano chains or not (which i read conflicting reports online about) is beside the point. The point im making is that KMC branded chains are designed to be universal, which is cool and the are not bad chains, but Shimano chains are superior for shimano drive trains. As they have design features to match the tooth profiles of shimano chain rings and cassettes.
KMC X11SL with wax! Last forever, very quiet. But I'm running Shimano Cassette and front ZRACE with SIGEYI Powermeter and a Sensah Groupset. Yes, call me a freak, but it works so nice!
Had great experiences with kmc X8 and X9. I live on the seaside and even with proper car shimano chains become a rust bucket in a couple months and star to become quite noisy. KMC seem to tolerate that a little better.
Hello there, I got to this video by search on youtube. So, I can confirm all you said. Currently I have two bikes, one vintage road bike with 10 speeds and when I replaced the old chain I out on KMC Z6 chain and it works really fine, it is silent and shifts fine. My other bike is Cube MTB which came with KMC X10 chain frim factory. When the bike was in 3x setup it was let’s say OK. But later I converted it to (yes I am trying to do repairs and upgrades by myself) 1x setup as I found it perfect for my needs. So, I often record my rides with GoPro camera and I noticed how loud KMC chain is, specially in low gears, really loud. Now I am upgrading my bike again 😂 to 1x11 with wide range cassette. Now waiting for Shimano CN-HG601 Chain to come to set all up. That chain has Sil-Tec technology so I am pretty sure it will be much quieter than KMC.
I think it depends a lot more on how you treat and use the chain than who makes it (or markets it). I'm not hard on my chains - I don't ride through mud and dirt - so I can't speak to that type of use. I've been using KMC chains on SRAM, Shimano and Campy setups for 20 years and the chains are quiet and last a long time. What has made the biggest difference to me is the lubrication. I've tried everything. Some lubes last longer. Some are quieter. Some are cleaner. Pick 2. The chains are all fine. Just make sure that they aren't counterfeit.
Recently put KMC x11 chain on my Sram 1x11 equipped mountain bike and like you said - it's noisy but works. I wish I had spent $8 more and purchased another Sram chain.
@@mattk8810 Exactly. They are putting brand new chains on part-worn chainrings and cassettes then wondering why it's noisy! Ride it for a few hundred miles and as if by magic, it won't be. There's always a light scrunching noise from a new chain on an (even slightly) used drivetrain.
Interesting musings. Have the KMC 11 speed, but having an Industry Nine Torch hub, I can't hear anything above the SOB (swarm of bees) sound coming from the hub. I did bid and won on a new KMC 11 ($33), but having a Kore chain rings and Garbaruk cassette, I guess any chain will do with my Frankenstein set up. Checked out the Absolute Black lube that you referred to. Whoa. $145 for a 4.7 oz bottle. For myself, I'll use the lube on hand, but maintain the lube through more frequent applications. Thanks for the video.
I don't believe any given brand is optimized. These components have been a standard size for years. Is there any evidence for it, outside of Shimano marketing?
I think KMC 9 speed chains are great. 9 speed Quick Links not so much. The last few pairs that I bought, the pins on the 9 speed Links are .41 mm wider than the pins on the kmc 9 speed chains. Making the links sloppy when deflected compaired to a chain link. The link pins are only .15mm (.006 in.) narrower than the space needed on a 9 speed cassette. To make the chain work properly I do a very slight grind on 10 speed links so I can get them apart and they are perfect. (I use wax on my chains and links) Wish they would make the Quick links the same wodth as the chain. : )
I’ve broken every shimano chain I have ever had. I switched to SRAM before they ever made a derailleur. All my bikes were one kind of campagnolo group or another until my current bike which has a shimano group set because it seems that is all they sell anymore. The campy chains were really no better mostly because, at the time, they did not use a quicklink. I don’t care if SRAM chains are noisy. They shift well enough and when you are standing going up hill at maximum effort, I can trust that at least I won’t get kicked in the nuts because the chain breaks. So if anyone suggests that you should use a shimano chain, just kick them in then nuts to explain why not .
@@DR_1_1 I couldn’t say if you can run a 12 speed chain on an 11 speed set-up. I am actually not particular about shift quality or noise, so long as it is functional. I come from toe straps and friction shifters on the down tube so overall functional quality spans all brands IMO. I also don’t care if it isn’t the lightest chain out there. What I won’t tolerate are broken chains, which is why my general recommendation is to never buy a Shimano chain. I’ve never worn one out. I always break them. As it is, I am actually running my first KMC chain now. I still think I prefer SRAM. If I don’t break it in one season, then at least I have options for chains. Yes, I run a 2 x 11 drive train and buy the corresponding size.
@@mortimersnerd9991 I was a toe strap guy for 25+ years too, but I removed them 1-2 years ago, some shoes don't fit well... both bikes still with flat pedals! I just bought a Connex chain for my old 2 x 7 bike, 20-30 € range, the previous one was not completely worn out (0.75% chain checker), but looking more closely it was not straight anymore, some sections rubbing against the derailleur cage, other not... Btw, I was asking about 12sp on 11 sp cassettes, because SRAM 12 sp XX1 and X01are supposed to be 2 x more durable than most other brands/models, on zerofrictioncycling.
KMC chains are great because you can use them on any drivetrain whether it be SRAM Shimano Campy it can be used it can also be used for both MTB Road or maybe gravel if youre going to get a Shimano drivetrain its best to use a Shimano Chain but KMC also makes chains for Shimano so it will work too
That has been proven to be incorrect. Shimano is faster when new. But wears faster. Ultimately, you'd want a shimano dura ace chain, completely cleaned and dried out... then heat up the chain and have hot wax lube filling in the internal tolerances... then let it dry... This will be the fastest, frictionless, and longest lasting setup possible. If I could remember the interview I watched of one of the Team Sky mechanics talking about this, I'd link it, but I can't find it off the top of my head.
kmc chains are quality chains , not optimised in any way but as you said it works , for someone witha frankenstein drivetrain (shimano shifter and deraileur , sunrace casette , race face chainring) the kmc is definitely the better option especially if you also get thier reusable master links if you are someone who waxes thier chains(me lol) .
I just went back to my Shimano 9100 12s chain from my KMC DLC 12s black chain..after 1k kms the KMC started getting noisy, doesn't shift well, rattles a lot and just felt sluggish. Going back to my Shimano DA 12s and it shifts like a dream, quiet as well 👌👌 DONT buy the KMC DLC chains guys..they don't last.
By the way... 8:56, you put your chain link on backwards. Not that it would make much a difference, but if you're truly OCD... then flip that sucker around lol :D
You don’t know what you are talking about. There is no such things as its optimized to a groupset as they all work the same. The chains you are comparing arent even equivalents side by side chains. You also have to note that most inline KMC chains are fakes. No, they are not noisy at all. They test quieter than others literally.
Right. They are fitting brand new chains to part-worn drivetrains then complaining because they don't mesh together silently. It's never going to at first, they have to wear together or at least have a chance to. Even if you swap to a new chain after just 100 miles on a new cassette it will not be the same as a new chain on a new cassette. Riding it makes it silent eventually, are these people even riding their bikes... hahahahahahaha!
As far as I am aware Shimano chains are made by KMC anyway. I have always liked KMC chains but none of them last very long regardless of who makes them.
I have a 10 speed mtb that came with Hg chain and sprocket says use HG chain only. I did not no about compatibility except that the chain needed to be certain link count. I put a kmc chain on and looks like it wore down my chainring…
shimano chain are very different to kmc I don't think ether is better but remember to put the shimano one on the right way or it will skip like crazy the ramp are only on one side
This bike was really easy to assemble ruclips.net/user/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
I was trying to find a new chain and ended up speaking with a Shimano dealer. He told me Shimano chains are made by KMC.
That's actually one hard truth for other riders. I've knew kmc was in partnership with Shimano. Cause I used to have a Shimano branded chain with kmc z logo at the sides.
but with different specifications
Where is the links that proved this claims?
I can confirm its true
No different than Giant making about every bike out of Taiwan and China, doesn't make them the same.. My Shimano and KMC chains are very different.. I'll take the Shimano chain any day..
KMC makes chains for Shimano. The 2 major chain manufacturers are KMC and Wipperman.
It is not completely true. At least the high end models of Shimano chains are actually made by a Japanese chain maker IZUMI, who is probably not widely known but is a chain manufacturing giant of the highest craftsmanship. They have produced a special track racing chain, developed with USA cycling national team, for 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. If you guys are interested, here is a short introduction of the company:
ruclips.net/video/JaBlkrbYZlI/видео.html
Don't be much fooled by stereotyped rumors. KMC chains are good, but..... Just my 2 cents
@@MindDesignFactory (they are not good)
Was a LBS mechanic for 20 years. Retired in 98. At that time KMC chains were a joke. We carried a mid level bike, of which we sold a couple of hundred a year. We would replace the chains with entry-level Shimano chains during the initial assembly. It made the shifting much crisper and the sensations at the pedals much smoother. We felt like it helped sell the bikes. That was a long time ago. Maybe things have changed, maybe not. I'd be hard pressed to use a chain not branded by the drive train manufacturer.
Interesting. KMC started supplying for Shimano in 86, so maybe there were a lot of leftovers from other suppliers until 98?
There manufacturing/branding supply chains are crazy! It's really hard to tell who makes what and why the quality is so and so (unless the companies themselves disclose it)
I’m a KMC guy. My group set is microshift. They work perfectly for that setup.
Ultimately, you'd want a shimano dura ace chain, completely cleaned and dried out... then heat up the chain and have hot wax lube filling in the internal tolerances... then let it dry...
This will be the fastest, frictionless, and longest lasting setup possible.
KMC SL's will outlast dura ace, but it will wear out your groupset drivetrain quicker since it wasn't made to work with the pickups and drop offs of the drivetrain like the shimano chains are.
If I could remember the interview I watched of one of the Team Sky mechanics talking about this, I'd link it, but I can't find it off the top of my head.
I went from a kmc on my grant trance 29 1 12x to a shimano, and it was night and day different. Smother, better shifting and quiet. My drive train ia all SLX. My bike came from the dealer with a KMC, so i figured id put some miles on it until i needed a new one, but after 60 kiles I hated it. I'm big on, if you have a complete group set, get the same brand chain. It just works better together.
Whether KMC makes shimano chains or not (which i read conflicting reports online about) is beside the point. The point im making is that KMC branded chains are designed to be universal, which is cool and the are not bad chains, but Shimano chains are superior for shimano drive trains. As they have design features to match the tooth profiles of shimano chain rings and cassettes.
as long at the chain doesnt break its good enough for me
KMC X11SL with wax! Last forever, very quiet. But I'm running Shimano Cassette and front ZRACE with SIGEYI Powermeter and a Sensah Groupset. Yes, call me a freak, but it works so nice!
Had great experiences with kmc X8 and X9. I live on the seaside and even with proper car shimano chains become a rust bucket in a couple months and star to become quite noisy. KMC seem to tolerate that a little better.
Hello there, I got to this video by search on youtube.
So, I can confirm all you said.
Currently I have two bikes, one vintage road bike with 10 speeds and when I replaced the old chain I out on KMC Z6 chain and it works really fine, it is silent and shifts fine.
My other bike is Cube MTB which came with KMC X10 chain frim factory. When the bike was in 3x setup it was let’s say OK. But later I converted it to (yes I am trying to do repairs and upgrades by myself) 1x setup as I found it perfect for my needs. So, I often record my rides with GoPro camera and I noticed how loud KMC chain is, specially in low gears, really loud. Now I am upgrading my bike again 😂 to 1x11 with wide range cassette. Now waiting for Shimano CN-HG601 Chain to come to set all up. That chain has Sil-Tec technology so I am pretty sure it will be much quieter than KMC.
I have used both. X11SL and Dura Ace and I prefer the dura ace ( I have dura ace group-set )
Yep my KMC X11SL gold is noicey, but my dt swiss 350's hubs with 54t noiser 😊
I think it depends a lot more on how you treat and use the chain than who makes it (or markets it). I'm not hard on my chains - I don't ride through mud and dirt - so I can't speak to that type of use. I've been using KMC chains on SRAM, Shimano and Campy setups for 20 years and the chains are quiet and last a long time. What has made the biggest difference to me is the lubrication. I've tried everything. Some lubes last longer. Some are quieter. Some are cleaner. Pick 2. The chains are all fine. Just make sure that they aren't counterfeit.
Good information, Thanks for sharing.
Recently put KMC x11 chain on my Sram 1x11 equipped mountain bike and like you said - it's noisy but works. I wish I had spent $8 more and purchased another Sram chain.
Lol KMC is tested to be less noisy.
They also make most other chains under white labelling.
You guys don’t know what you are talking about.
@@mattk8810 thanks for your kind response. I must be listening to someone else's bike with someone else's chain. Silly me. Have a nice day.
@@mattk8810 Exactly. They are putting brand new chains on part-worn chainrings and cassettes then wondering why it's noisy! Ride it for a few hundred miles and as if by magic, it won't be. There's always a light scrunching noise from a new chain on an (even slightly) used drivetrain.
From my Experience With 11s. My kmc X11 is Quieter Then my deore Chain.
What's the point of a hollowed out chain when the chain will just filled with muck negating much of the weight savings ?
I tend to use wax and clean the chain after every ride and don't have the issues i did when using oil.
Interesting musings. Have the KMC 11 speed, but having an Industry Nine Torch hub, I can't hear anything above the SOB (swarm of bees) sound coming from the hub. I did bid and won on a new KMC 11 ($33), but having a Kore chain rings and Garbaruk cassette, I guess any chain will do with my Frankenstein set up. Checked out the Absolute Black lube that you referred to. Whoa. $145 for a 4.7 oz bottle. For myself, I'll use the lube on hand, but maintain the lube through more frequent applications. Thanks for the video.
I don't believe any given brand is optimized. These components have been a standard size for years. Is there any evidence for it, outside of Shimano marketing?
Ye ITs gonna be Just for Money. I dont believe that either. I have hg+ Setup and normal Setup With kmc and shifting is the Same on both.
I think KMC 9 speed chains are great. 9 speed Quick Links not so much. The last few pairs that I bought, the pins on the 9 speed Links are .41 mm wider than the pins on the kmc 9 speed chains. Making the links sloppy when deflected compaired to a chain link. The link pins are only .15mm (.006 in.) narrower than the space needed on a 9 speed cassette. To make the chain work properly I do a very slight grind on 10 speed links so I can get them apart and they are perfect. (I use wax on my chains and links) Wish they would make the Quick links the same wodth as the chain. : )
Thanks for this - i have to replace a chain on a 9 Shimano cassette & didnt know what to go for
Me too. But the Shimano 9 speed comes with a pin and not a quick link. I guess we have to buy a tool or re-use the old KMC link?
Do the cheap chains fit for all bikes?
I’ve broken every shimano chain I have ever had. I switched to SRAM before they ever made a derailleur. All my bikes were one kind of campagnolo group or another until my current bike which has a shimano group set because it seems that is all they sell anymore. The campy chains were really no better mostly because, at the time, they did not use a quicklink. I don’t care if SRAM chains are noisy. They shift well enough and when you are standing going up hill at maximum effort, I can trust that at least I won’t get kicked in the nuts because the chain breaks. So if anyone suggests that you should use a shimano chain, just kick them in then nuts to explain why not
.
Are you riding 2 x drivetrains with SRAM chains?
If so, can you use a SPRAM 12sp on a 2 x 11?
@@DR_1_1 I couldn’t say if you can run a 12 speed chain on an 11 speed set-up. I am actually not particular about shift quality or noise, so long as it is functional. I come from toe straps and friction shifters on the down tube so overall functional quality spans all brands IMO. I also don’t care if it isn’t the lightest chain out there. What I won’t tolerate are broken chains, which is why my general recommendation is to never buy a Shimano chain. I’ve never worn one out. I always break them. As it is, I am actually running my first KMC chain now. I still think I prefer SRAM. If I don’t break it in one season, then at least I have options for chains. Yes, I run a 2 x 11 drive train and buy the corresponding size.
@@mortimersnerd9991 I was a toe strap guy for 25+ years too, but I removed them 1-2 years ago, some shoes don't fit well... both bikes still with flat pedals!
I just bought a Connex chain for my old 2 x 7 bike, 20-30 € range, the previous one was not completely worn out (0.75% chain checker), but looking more closely it was not straight anymore, some sections rubbing against the derailleur cage, other not...
Btw, I was asking about 12sp on 11 sp cassettes, because SRAM 12 sp XX1 and X01are supposed to be 2 x more durable than most other brands/models, on zerofrictioncycling.
KMC chains are great because you can use them on any drivetrain whether it be SRAM Shimano Campy it can be used it can also be used for both MTB Road or maybe gravel if youre going to get a Shimano drivetrain its best to use a Shimano Chain but KMC also makes chains for Shimano so it will work too
the KMC chains are much more efficient. Less drag. But they wear out quicker. Good for racing / performance riding.
That has been proven to be incorrect. Shimano is faster when new. But wears faster.
Ultimately, you'd want a shimano dura ace chain, completely cleaned and dried out... then heat up the chain and have hot wax lube filling in the internal tolerances... then let it dry...
This will be the fastest, frictionless, and longest lasting setup possible.
If I could remember the interview I watched of one of the Team Sky mechanics talking about this, I'd link it, but I can't find it off the top of my head.
@@tofuguru941 and doesn't wear faster. Slower from deore onwards if I would bet
kmc chains are quality chains , not optimised in any way but as you said it works , for someone witha frankenstein drivetrain (shimano shifter and deraileur , sunrace casette , race face chainring) the kmc is definitely the better option especially if you also get thier reusable master links if you are someone who waxes thier chains(me lol) .
I just went back to my Shimano 9100 12s chain from my KMC DLC 12s black chain..after 1k kms the KMC started getting noisy, doesn't shift well, rattles a lot and just felt sluggish.
Going back to my Shimano DA 12s and it shifts like a dream, quiet as well 👌👌
DONT buy the KMC DLC chains guys..they don't last.
By the way... 8:56, you put your chain link on backwards.
Not that it would make much a difference, but if you're truly OCD... then flip that sucker around lol :D
You don’t know what you are talking about.
There is no such things as its optimized to a groupset as they all work the same. The chains you are comparing arent even equivalents side by side chains.
You also have to note that most inline KMC chains are fakes.
No, they are not noisy at all. They test quieter than others literally.
Right. They are fitting brand new chains to part-worn drivetrains then complaining because they don't mesh together silently. It's never going to at first, they have to wear together or at least have a chance to. Even if you swap to a new chain after just 100 miles on a new cassette it will not be the same as a new chain on a new cassette. Riding it makes it silent eventually, are these people even riding their bikes... hahahahahahaha!
Sweet info bro
Don't care about the lifespan aspect. I want a light weight and smooth shifting chain.
my SL kmc chain shifts the best on my ultegra 11 sp cassette than my DA chain on the same rig.
As far as I am aware Shimano chains are made by KMC anyway. I have always liked KMC chains but none of them last very long regardless of who makes them.
Partially true, Dura Ace chains are made by Shimano but the rest are made under Shimano spec by KMC.
156 Herzog Branch
I have shimano drivetrain except for the cassette it's sram so do i buy a sram chain or shimano chain
either way, both performs perfectly fine
who is the best one
KMC all day long.
I have a 10 speed mtb that came with Hg chain and sprocket says use HG chain only. I did not no about compatibility except that the chain needed to be certain link count. I put a kmc chain on and looks like it wore down my chainring…
your shimano chain is installed backwards fyi
Haha, I watched this video carefully, and noticed that too. KMC chains don't have this issue.
KMC X10 here
was your S DA chain really a S DA chain ( with all the fakes? ) and are they any worse, or better???
shimano chain are very different to kmc I don't think ether is better but remember to put the shimano one on the right way or it will skip like crazy the ramp are only on one side
Effertz Canyon
This bike was really easy to assemble ruclips.net/user/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
Good god yr fongers
That u put your bike upside down tells enough
Well spoted, yes they quick lis is reversed
They can shove that kmc 9 speed..I just broke a half link and pushed electric fatbike for miles in sugar sand..shimano 4 chains never ever happened..
Damn, everybody seems seems be recommending it as stronger than shimano
Wrist and finger tattoos = questionable judgment, instability, limited awareness and foresight
Haha... tattoos are for mindless fools.
fan boy
1094 Ziemann Station
55979 Watsica Estate