what chain are you using?

Cavi

Active member
Jun 15, 2020
374
123
California, usa
on my 21 Rise I went for over a year with the stock Shimano chain. I then replaced it with a Sram XX1 thinking I was doing a good thing, but it is only a bit over two months old and the shop said it is almost time for replacement. I am running a AXS SRAM drivetrain, and the front chainring was new with the new chain. What are you all running to get more life?
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,103
4,633
Weymouth
I am not convinced there is much difference between chains in terms of wear. It all depends on the conditions you ride in and how you clean and lube the chain. I use SRAM GX chains and change them at 0.5% but the old chain continues to provide value as a spare I carry with me. Equiped with a new powerlock connector it is a perfectly useable and quick change if I get a chain break etc ( thats only happened to me once!). I hear peole say the more expensive Sram chains last longer but then they cost at least twice as much as a GX so they need to!!
 

The EMF

🔱 Aquaman 🔱
Subscriber
Nov 4, 2020
1,147
1,982
South East Northumberland
I run the GX chain but only change it when it’s over 0.75 on the Park tool chain checker. I’ve never had a problem with a “skipping chain” I run a stock Sram NX 12 speed cassette that came supplied with my Whyte E150 RS. I agree with @Mikerb regarding the cost of the chains, when ever I see a Sram GX for between £20-£30 I’ll buy it. Keep the chain clean and well lubed and it’ll perform better longer.
 

Ark

Active member
Mar 8, 2023
384
321
Newcastle Upon Tyne
I am not convinced there is much difference between chains in terms of wear. It all depends on the conditions you ride in and how you clean and lube the chain. I use SRAM GX chains and change them at 0.5% but the old chain continues to provide value as a spare I carry with me. Equiped with a new powerlock connector it is a perfectly useable and quick change if I get a chain break etc ( thats only happened to me once!). I hear peole say the more expensive Sram chains last longer but then they cost at least twice as much as a GX so they need to!!
you can reuse powerlocks multiple times, I've seen bike mechanics on youtube even saying they have reused the same one up to 5 times.


GX chains definitely don't last as long as xx1 chains
I've got a GX on my bike right now and it's done about 330miles, it seems like I can probably get 500-600 before it will need changing.
I'#ve seen a lot of posts on internet forums from people saying they only got 400miles.

I've got an XX1 chain ready as it should last 2-3k miles
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,103
4,633
Weymouth
I think the confusion re reuse of powerlocks etc is that it depends whether it is Eagle ( 12 speed)...which is a one time use only.........and 10/11 speed which can be used up to 3 times. It is also the case that any chain used on an EMTB..including the powerlock.........is under a great deal more strain than on an analogue bike.
I change at 0.5% for 2 reasons. Firstly, my cassette ( XG 1275) is expensive and it is worn chains that wear the cassette. I can often get GX chains at £20 and they typically last 500-600 miles to 0.5 depending on the season. Secondly, the used chain is still perfectly useable as a spare.
 

getbusyliving

New Member
Oct 27, 2022
12
7
Fairfax, CA
on my 21 Rise I went for over a year with the stock Shimano chain. I then replaced it with a Sram XX1 thinking I was doing a good thing, but it is only a bit over two months old and the shop said it is almost time for replacement. I am running a AXS SRAM drivetrain, and the front chainring was new with the new chain. What are you all running to get more life?
Agree that you should get a chain checker and check for yourself, as your shop is likely wrong. The most recent Park chain checker works fine and is very inexpensive. I've done a good amount of testing and lower end chains like GX last me around 500-600 miles, but my last XX1 chain was good for over 2,000 miles. Currently trying X01 chain, which I hear lasts as long as XX1, but we'll see.
 

Mr-EPIC-3

Active member
Feb 25, 2020
181
118
USA, So Cal
I went to a Microshift Advent 9-speed system and use KMC x9 chains, getting 1200miles on the chains and 2400miles on the Microshift 9-speed cassette.
 

YZDude

Member
Aug 28, 2022
23
17
Eagan, MN USA
KMC ebike 11 speed. Sunrace steel cogs. About 600 miles, all still looks fairly new.
Save the lightweight stuff for riding in the stretchy pants.
 

thebarber

E*POWAH Elite
May 28, 2018
986
596
Norfeast
I'm nearly 1500mls on original slx shimomo
Had replacements well over a year but they're still going strong.
Replace when they start to skip.
 

ilostmypassword

Active member
Apr 5, 2022
394
420
New Zealand
My trance (2022) came with a KMC e12 E-Bike 12-Speed Chain and after 7 months it was stretched so replaced with a SRAM 12 speed chain that snapped twice and cracked under load. Went back to the more expensive KMC e12 E-Bike 12-Speed Chain and had no further issues. From my experiences the stronger ebike chains matter.
 
Last edited:

Nomad1

New Member
Apr 2, 2023
200
62
03818
I would check the chain yourself, I got over 3000km on my last XX1.
Was that a nice way of saying that sounds a little fishy the chain would be worn that quickly? If it is there is something wrong. I like Shimano and also use Sram for that chain to wear out that quick is not normal.
 

Nomad1

New Member
Apr 2, 2023
200
62
03818
I think the confusion re reuse of powerlocks etc is that it depends whether it is Eagle ( 12 speed)...which is a one time use only.........and 10/11 speed which can be used up to 3 times. It is also the case that any chain used on an EMTB..including the powerlock.........is under a great deal more strain than on an analogue bike.
I change at 0.5% for 2 reasons. Firstly, my cassette ( XG 1275) is expensive and it is worn chains that wear the cassette. I can often get GX chains at £20 and they typically last 500-600 miles to 0.5 depending on the season. Secondly, the used chain is still perfectly useable as a spare.
Truthfully, it's a liability issue about reuse. The higher up chains do perform better for the most part. The question is it worth it for you? I tend to use xt chain as far as Shimano as I find them to be the best fit for me but won't bother xtr chains unless they are on sale for the price of the xt or I can't get xt chain. As far Sram I do something similar. People make blanket statement about it being about weight that's not it. I do use the XT cassettes vs XTR because of the wear factor and difference between the two is pretty much the weight.
 

EMTB Forums

Since 2018

The World's largest electric mountain bike community.

518K
Messages
25,442
Members
Join Our Community

Latest articles


Top