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Picked up a new MTB with 12 speed Shimano SLX, the chain is the SLX M7100 Hyperglide with matching 10-51 cassette. I've noticed rust spots developing on the chain and cassette where I've left it for a few days between cleans.
I recall with SRAM that the cheaper ranges like NX dont have any rust protection, but X01 does. Is this the same with Shimano? If I picked up the XT M8100 chain would this have better protection from rust?
My latest 8100 chain is rusting much more noticeably than previous ones. Not sure what is going on. I'm pretty obsessive about cleaning, lubing, etc. so I don't leave the chain to get rusty too often.
I have found Shimano 7100 and 6100 chains quite bad for this, especially if there is any road salt involved. Not sure what the answer is but it is annoying.
Thank you both for the replies, annoying to hear the 8100 chain also suffers from this!
I understand it wont impact the chain integrity, but its sure annoying to look at! maybe time to look at competitors chains which would fit shimano 12 speed.
In the case of chains, XTR has full SIL-TEC coating and AFAIK XT has coating on teh inside and outside of the plates, SLX has coating on the outside of the plates, Deore is just shiny.
XTR also last about 35-40% longer than XT and XT likewise with SLX and so on. buy an XTR.
For cassettes, XTR is a mix of Ti, stainless and alloy, so is unlikely to rust.
Has anybody tried 12 speed KMC chains? I used to use them on 10 speed and never had any issues, curious if it will solve this issue as they are similar in price for 6100/7100.
I’m using a 10-51 xt cassette and it does seem to occasionally get rust spots no matter how I look after it.
I’ve run Sram XX1 chains personally - the gold one and the oilslick one. Never had a single spot of rust on them and they last for ages before stretching. I hated the XT or SLX (I forget which it was) chain I had - as well as rust spots I just felt it was noisy / skippy in bad weather. Seemed to hold the muck inside the link where XX1 doesn’t.
I’ve got a gold kmx x12 on my hardtail running with a GX eagle 10-50 cassette setup. That also seems to avoid rust and runs alright.
Given the choice I’d go XX1 all the way - although the kmc is £15-£20 cheaper generally.
I have used KMC X11 chains for years without any problems.
Recently converted my hard tail to 12s and the chain (SLX, I think) was showing rust spots within weeks. I know they don't affect the chain but it looks horrible. When winter is over I'll get shot of it and fit a KMC X12 and see how that goes.
I've used KMC chains on all my bikes for years, but only replaced the original chain on my newest 12s bike, with an X12 recently. So a bit early to tell, but has run fine so far. Someone slated them on another thread (though didn't specify why).
My eBike came with XT,it rusted a wee bit,Pput SLX on after it ran out and it was way worse
Then went XTR as it was on sale
Best chain I’ve ever had
Currently searching down the back of the sofa for missing cash so I can buy an XTR chain.
Currently searching down the back of the sofa for missing cash so I can buy an XTR chain.
Has anybody tried 12 speed KMC chains? I used to use them on 10 speed and never had any issues, curious if it will solve this issue as they are similar in price for 6100/7100.
The Shimano chain is on a bike that I use in the dry, only been caught out a few times in a light shower and showing rust but I never dry my chains after a ride, I think I should now.
Got a KMC chain on bike with 12 speed Deore drivetrain, was a bit annoyed that everything was Shimano apart from the chain, less so now. The KMC chain gets used in mud, rain and no rust.
KMC X are my general goto chain. Try and get either the grey silver or all silver model as these have the better coating. The Z chains aren't as will coated.
