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Boring, I know and I apologise now....
10€ for a Sram NX or spunk more on (insert more expensive chain here)...?
I think I probably know the answer.... My wallet certainly does.
XT or X1 i believe?
Merlin have short XT for (11 speed) for £15 atm
Eeb or neeb?
I'd be spending more on an eeb one personally.
Cheap one is false economy IMO as the more expensive ones last longer than the equivalent cost of several cheap ones. EG my XTR chain was twice the price of the SLX and so far has lasted over four times as long (probably more but I switched to wax so I have guesstimated very conservatively, from a mileage perspective it has done over 10 times the mileage but the SLX wasn’t waxed…).
Cant find the article/test now but for SRAM; XO1 is best value in terms of price to longevity (though my NX is over 1700km and not yet at 0.5%).
I believe it said for Shimano, XTR edges out XT as XTR is the only one Shimano make themselves. The rest are made by KMC so the durability isn't as good.
I’d swerve nx and gx if sram as the side plates can crack. On 11 speed X1 sram is great. On 12 speed I go XX1.
I’ve not found Shimano chains good on 12 speed - they don’t seem to like mud / grit.
KMX X11 or X12 have been decent for me - the gold ones.
Cheaper chains always seem to corrode horrifically for me no matter what I do.
Another vote for XO Sram here.
GX wear too fast and get surface rust really easily.
I've just picked up a YBN chain from AliExpress to replace my GX chain; just over £40; looks awesome can't wait to give it a try - I've heard good things about them.
Took almost exactly a week to arrive
12 speed XO1 and on the couple of 11 speed we have X1
Seen too many GX side plates cracked to even risk putting on one.
Last lot came from here
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233560367926
Cheers guys.... You've convinced me.... X1 11 speed. More than double the cost of NX, but cheaper than XTR level.
👍
I am using XX but will replace with GX they are so cheap - Steve Ali Express aren't the products fake on that site?
PLanetX have NX for £20 at the mo. Chains last me ages, I only ever go by price, £30 or under. Usually KMC, never had a plates break or fall apart.
Some stuff on AliExpress is fake, the bulk is just unknown/Chinese brands (some of whom are less than scrupulous I guess) - YBN are a known chain brand (I think MSW pre waxed chains are YBN) from Taiwan - As long as you aren't going for "stuff that's clearly a knock off" I think you're generally ok - at least, I have been anyway 😁
I'm much less trusting around random eBay accounts selling cheap chains tbh ...
PLanetX have NX for £20 at the mo.
NX 8.99€ in Bike Discount.
X1 19€
Had various Chains over the years and the XTR is by far the best sturdiest chain I’ve used
12 speed NX had the worst shifting of any chain I've ever owned.
GX or SLX have been fine for me on an eeb but I've got an X01 ready for when the drive train next needs replacing.