[Closed] Chains... is it worth spending more?

I hadn't appreciated that this article is almost 2 years old, but as it covers 12 speed it should still be valid. Its road based of course, but the read across (for Shimano) should be easy enough (I promise that it's quite interesting given the subject matter)

https://cyclingtips.com/2019/12/the-best-bicycle-chain-durability-and-efficiency-tested/

Thanks mashr that's really helpful. There's a whole section about the SRAM 12 speed durability. Like you say it's road based but the principal is the same although perhaps not subjected to such harsh conditions:

If the durability of SRAM’s 11-speed XX1 chain was impressive, then the results of SRAM’s high-end Eagle chains are simply mind-blowing. The top-tier X01 and XX1 Eagle chains both beat Kerin’s 5,000 km test and only recorded 70% of the allowed elongation wear at the time of doing so. Extrapolated out, these chains would likely have hit 7,000 km with the terrible control chain lube. They’re so durable, in fact, that they had started to wear through the cogs from pure abrasion before measuring as worn. Keep in mind that the control lubricant was intentionally abrasive, and so you can expect great life from your SRAM Eagle drivetrain if you keep it clean.

“SRAM claim the world’s longest-lasting chain with their XX1, and they are not kidding,” Kerin said. “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. Their longevity is phenomenal.”

However it’s not all rainbows for SRAM, and as I’ll discuss in the next section, those tight tolerances are seemingly costing them watts. Likewise, the same great durability, unfortunately, isn’t present in SRAM’s cheaper Eagle NX and Eagle GX. If you run SRAM Eagle, then spend the extra on an X01 chain.

I run 11 speed SRAM and find the PC-1130 (GX) last a lot longer than PC-1110 (NX) because the do not immediately start rusting the moment you stop pedalling.

We run SRAM and generally go for X01 as find they're more resilient to surface rust if you happen to leave the chain damp overnight. If you can find one in stock that is!

Hmm..... interesting stuff, and that article is really helpful as well.

I took a punt on a cheaper YBN chain and confirm pretty rapid wear which has probably taken my XT cassette and Garbaruk chainring with it 😣 My fault for not checking more often.

Am very tempted to spring the £40-50 for a better chain now, it just seems criminally wasteful to be binning multiple cheap chains or entire drivetrains every 3000-5000km otherwise. Happily the road bikes don't go through them that fast, just the gravel/CX bike.

I've read that about the top end SRAM chains, they are seriously draggy and from experience the low end ones are just shite.

Keeping them properly clean helps massively, I run with Squirt wax lube on fully degreased chains and as it stands my road bike (Ultegra R8000 chain) is on 7000km and next to no wear, MTB (XTR M9100 chain) is at 2000km and next to no wear and gravel bike (HG601)is also at 2000km, make of that what you will.

No experience with SRAM, but I get measurably longer mileage from XT level 11 speed chains than I do from the SLX ones. So much so that the price difference is worth it. Currently on my 4th XT chain using the same XT cassette, so price to wear ration is good.

The lowest end Shimano ones simply rust after the first ride.

gravel bike (HG601)is also at 2000km

I think I should have replaced at 2000km if I'd wanted to salvage rest if drivetrain. What wear is the chain at?

My NX chain has only done approx. 1000 miles and it's already over the 0.75%, seems a bit rubbish really that it's not better than that, but I guess it's only a £20 chain and it's been through some pretty horrible weather. Saying that I clean my bike after every outing (not so much in the summer!) so it's been well looked after. I'm definitely tempted to get something better now to help prolong the life of the GX cassette, which is definitely fairing better!! Now to try and find a chain.....

I've had a few GX chains which only lasted me around 750 miles until they reached 0.75 wear (I ride all year round). Last time I bought an XO1 chain and it's currently on 1572 miles and it's not at 0.5 wear yet. So for twice the price, it will last more than twice as long, so it's better value and lighter in my experience.

By changing chains at 0.75 wear, my GX cassette has just reached the 4000 mile mark and is still going.

Thanks 1timmy1 I think that's answered the question for me!

My NX chain has only done approx. 1000 miles and it’s already over the 0.75%

Wait til you find out we're supposed to change chains at .5 on 11 and 12speed.

interesting, my gx eagle drivetrain is now on 900+ all year round riding, chain has been off once and properly degreased, but it does get run through a chain cleaning machine thing on occasion. It does rust easily (and has often in my care), but the last time i checked it it was no where near worn/stretched

My NX chain has only done approx. 1000 miles and it’s already over the 0.75%,

IME with 12 speed you need to change the chain at 0.5, otherwise you bollox the rest of the drivetrain.

Wow, OK, good to know and hopefully not too late for mine. My cassette still looks pretty good, hoping I can get away with it as buying a new cassette (even just a GX) is getting into serious cash and tracking one down is probably a nightmare!!

interesting, my gx eagle drivetrain is now on 900+ all year round riding,

Yep mine's on 1500 miles +, mix of GX and XO1,  I keep checking it, but it's wear resistance so far is nothing short of astounding. Got all the bits together earlier this year looking to change it about now, but I reckon it'll easily see off another winter

IME with 12 speed you need to change the chain at 0.5, otherwise you bollox the rest of the drivetrain.

Depends what 12 speed components you run doesn't it? A steel NX chainring will last years for a slight weight penalty. GX cassettes generally are very durable. Not had issues running GX chains to .75 with this setup.

I've had a different experience with 11 speed. Cheapest SRAM chain on one bike. All new drivetrain. XT (thrice the price) the other, also all new. 1000km to the XT until 0.5% and 750km on the SRAM. I ride in quite sandy conditions which seems to wear chains fast.

I bought a Box 11 speed chain a while ago, because it was fully nickel plated. Has lasted ages!

Plus XX1 comes in gold and oil slick 😍🥰

I've bitten the bullet and ordered an XX1 chain.... in gold!

maybe time Rolhoff made chains again..they were always the gold standard IME.

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered an XX1 chain…. in gold!

Good man - I’ve just replaced my oil slick xx1 with a gold one for a change and it looks really nice.

I get a approximately 3 months out of a GX or NX chain. Brought a XO1 because I couldn’t get the other two, it’s been 5-6 months and the chains just approaching .5 wear. I’m pretty impressed and this summer has been pretty grotty.

IME with 12 speed you need to change the chain at 0.5, otherwise you bollox the rest of the drivetrain.

Depends on your changing routine though. I replace all at the same time, and run it too destruction rather than change chains at .75 wear. It works out about the same over a few years anyway, and longer with decent GX/XO1 stuff.

Keeping them properly clean helps massively,

Sound advice for any chain really.

I switched to X01 chains from GX after reading that article. They're noticeably better. GX wore ok for me, because I'm probably more fastidious than most about chain cleaning and lube (after every ride), but I worked out I'd blown 13 separate links, between 2017 and 2019. No such problem with XO1. I have nearly 900km on my FS in the 'dry season' this year, with barely any perceptible wear.

That's really good to hear Scienceofficer I do a fair amount of climbing (roughly 4000/5000ft a week) which definitely puts a lot of strain on the chain. I also clean my bike after each ride and clean the chain with a device at least every couple of weeks to keep it running smooth. Hoping the XX1 lasts me a bit longer and my cassette isn't too far gone!

NX chain came standard on my bike, lasted 218 miles before getting to 0.5, changed to a X01 chain which has done 451 miles to date and is quite far off 0.5 on my checker.

The NX annoyed me too as its plates have no anti rust coating, so when riding in the winter in if I didn't clean the chain immediately after finishing it would get surface rust which was very annoying.

We are all aware that sram 12spd chains require a specific measuring technique/tool yes?

Just checking.

I am not aware

Its talked about here:

Long boring chain wear discussion

I've excised a few of the bits from the article.

SRAM chains are one clear exception to using these suggested tools. Most chains on the market start with a roller that’s 7.63-7.65mm in outside diameter. SRAM’s chains are larger — for example, rollers from a Red 22 chain are 7.69-7.70mm, while an Eagle 12-speed chain uses rollers that measure 7.72mm. And SRAM’s new Flat-Top chain as part of the Road AXS groups is larger again (7.90mm).

Of course, that throws off any tool that measures from opposing sides of the rollers. This is where Pedros’ Chain Checker Plus II, or Park Tool’s CC-4 come in. These backside-to-backside chain checkers will work across all chains, including SRAM.

I guess this thread is 'done', but to add some more weight...

- I get 500-600 miles from a Campy Record 9 speed (and they are surprisingly cheap for how posh they are!).

- Tried a PC971 - dead in 300 miles.

- Have used HG40s in the past and they are only good for wearing out the rest of the drivetrain after a couple of rides.

This is on a singlespeed MTB, dragged kicking and screaming through all the slop the North West can muster.