How to choose your road bike chain?
A component of your drivetrain whose role is to transmit your power to the wheel, choosing the chain is fairly straightforward.
Standards
- The number of speeds, today: 9, 10 or 11;
- The brand of your drivetrain: Campagnolo, Shimano, or Sram.
Chain types
All components of a drivetrain are designed to work under a speed standard, so you cannot pair a 9-speed chain with a 10-speed drivetrain, for example. Today, most road bikes have a cassette of 10 or 11 speeds, but 9-speed can still be found.
In theory, it is preferable to fit a chain from the brand of your drivetrain to ensure perfect compatibility between the various components. However, you will likely find that a Shimano chain generally works well on a Sram drivetrain and vice versa. On the other hand, a Campagnolo drivetrain remains incompatible with any other chain unless it is specifically designed for that brand.
Beyond brand and speed standards, some chains offer a higher level of quality thanks to alloys or surface treatments that are more resistant to wear or corrosion. To lighten your drivetrain and thus reduce its inertia, you can also find hollow-link chains for a weight saving that can double depending on the model.
For fitting your chains, brands such as Sram, KMC or Yaban offer quick linksa that simplify this operation. Whereas other brands such as Shimano or Campagnolo are only designed for fitting by rivetingb with a specific pin.
Which chain should you choose?
The choice will depend on your usage.
For amateur use
A chain with a special alloy or treatment should be preferred for maximum reliability.
For competitive use
You should opt for a chain with a special treatment and reduced weight to optimise the performance and reliability of your drivetrain.
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ROAD - Chains
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12-Speed Chain SHIMANO SLX 105 CN-M7100 Quick Link E-Bike Rated
Regular price From 19,94 €Regular priceUnit price per -
SHIMANO XT ULTEGRA CN-HG701-11 E-Bike Rated 11-Speed Chain
Regular price From 26,24 €Regular priceUnit price per -
12-Speed Chain SHIMANO XT ULTEGRA CN-M8100 Quick Link E-Bike Rated
Regular price From 31,49 €Regular priceUnit price per -
SHIMANO SLX 105 CN-HG601-11 11-Speed Chain E-Bike Rated
Regular price From 19,94 €Regular priceUnit price per -
12-Speed Chain SHIMANO DEORE CN-M6100 Quick Link E-Bike Rated
Regular price From 16,79 €Regular priceUnit price per -
10-Speed Chain SHIMANO DEORE CN-HG54
Regular price 15,74 €Regular priceUnit price per -
SHIMANO ULTEGRA CN-6701 10-Speed Chain
Regular price 26,24 €Regular priceUnit price per -
10-Speed Chain SHIMANO CN-HG95
Regular price 24,14 €Regular priceUnit price per
