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Is there any meaningful difference compatibility wise between 11 speed Shimano road stuff and 11 spd mtb chains, such as a PCX1? Other than weight etc... I'm pretty sure there isn't...
Ta!
Probably better off with KMC chains..
Supposedly the SRAM 11spd MTB chains (PCX1, PCXX1 etc.) aren't optimised for front derailleur shift performance. I've not tried an MTB chain in a road setup to be fair, but the plates do look a little different to the PC1130/PC1170 etc. Prefer KMC chains myself anyway, tend to last longer than SRAM or Shimano in my experience.
I'm NO expert on anything bike related but I'm a tad anal about chains, I think the difference you can see between the road and the MTB is down to quality and construction to be fair, think SHIMANO LX for 1130 and XT type quality for the 1170. Road?
I Fiited an 1170 last November, and as I felt like being stupid? Inquisitive? Or whether I wanted to just know I ran it for 1K miles "on the road" in all that rain late last year with the factory wax on it. Probably not the best idea or the best method of prolonging a chains life but I'd always wondered about the packaging lube and if it was any good at protecting a chain. At 1K miles it showed no signs of rusting but it was pretty black to be fair, I left it on the bike and lathered it in GT85 and it came up like new, I quite liked this new shiny look so I ran it for a good 500 miles using only GT85 before switching to Muc Off Wet Ceramic in the depths of winter. I Lubed it up and wiped it down after every ride, I replaced it at 5K miles. The rollers were pretty worn and angled and there were signs of stretching but that was the 2nd chain on that bike.
The whole running gear lasted out 2 chains.
I Put a new chain on in late June, a new rear cassette and both jockey wheels. It's ready for winter again. Not sure I'll run it out to a K before its lubed though.
I'd still run KMC on a MTB though and never a SHIMANO on anything.
I have no idea what xyeti's talking about. I don't believe you ran a chain for 5000 winter miles without it annihilating your cassette though.
As said, Shimano (and possibly SRAM) chains have different profiling on the plates to optimise front or rear shifts depending on road or MTB designation. I ran a road chain on an MTB and it was obviously fine, no meaningful difference.
On the presumption you're buying new I'd buy either road or MTB as required, if you want a general chain for 'stock' on whichever needs it first then get a KMC. Or get one either.
Hm. More to it than I thought then... I do tend to default to KMC for most things but have been getting SRAM chains for the 11 speed MTB stuff.
Does anyone have any thoughts on that new FSA team chain that PX are knocking out dirt cheap?
It'll be fine, but I'd stick to something known myself. Doesn't look to have nickel coated inner plates, the RRP looks daft, don't be taken in by that I'd say.