How to Choose the Right Chain: Differences in Speed, Brand, and Coating

Introduction: The Overlooked King of the Drivetrain

You spend a fortune on a carbon fiber frame and ceramic bearing wheels, yet you use a NT$200 no-name chain? That’s like wearing a suit with flip-flops—it works functionally, but something just feels off.

The chain is the core component of the entire drivetrain, connecting every pedal stroke you make to every rotation of the rear wheel. Choose the right chain, and shifting will be as smooth as butter; choose the wrong one, and your chainrings and cassette will suffer the consequences.

Speed Compatibility: The First and Most Important Choice

Why Does Speed Matter?

Chains for different speeds have different widths, which directly affects whether they can properly seat into your cassette sprockets.

Speed	Outer Width (mm)	Inner Width (mm)	Common Bike Types
8-speed	7.1	2.38	Entry-level road bikes, commuter bikes
9-speed	6.6	2.18	Mid-range road bikes
10-speed	6.2	2.18	Mainstream road bikes / mountain bikes
11-speed	5.62	2.18	High-end road bikes / mountain bikes
12-speed	5.25	2.18	Top-tier bikes

Backward Compatible? Not Exactly

In theory, a narrower chain can be installed on a wider cassette, but:

• 11-speed chain on a 10-speed cassette → It works marginally, but shifting precision decreases
• 10-speed chain on an 11-speed cassette → It will jam. Never do this
• Same brand, same speed → Always the safest choice

Golden Rule: The chain speed must match the cassette speed exactly. No exceptions, no buts.

Brand Comparison

Shimano

As the brand with the highest market share, Shimano chains offer these advantages:

• Best compatibility: Perfectly matched with Shimano drivetrain systems
• Reasonable pricing: Options available from entry-level to top-tier
• Easy availability: Every bike shop in Taiwan has them in stock

Main models:

• CN-HG601 (11-speed entry): Approximately NT$500
• CN-HG701 (11-speed mid-range): Approximately NT$800
• CN-HG901 (11-speed top-tier): Approximately NT$1,200
• CN-M8100 (12-speed XT): Approximately NT$900

KMC

Pride of Taiwan! KMC is one of the world’s largest chain manufacturers:

• Made in Taiwan: Consistent quality, competitive pricing
• Excellent quick-link design: KMC’s Missing Link is the industry standard
• Wide range of coatings: From basic nickel plating to top-tier DLC

Main models:

• X11 (11-speed standard): Approximately NT$500
• X11SL (11-speed lightweight): Approximately NT$1,000
• X11SL-DLC (11-speed top-tier DLC): Approximately NT$2,000

SRAM

If you use a SRAM drivetrain:

• Power Link quick link: SRAM’s quick-link design is also very user-friendly
• Best compatibility with SRAM systems: Especially the 12-speed Eagle system
• Higher price point: But the quality is genuinely good

Campagnolo

The Italian boutique route:

• Only compatible with Campagnolo systems: The most closed compatibility
• Highest price: Italian boutique goods are simply expensive
• First-rate quality: Everyone who has used one sings its praises

Coating Analysis: The Science of Surface Treatment

The chain’s surface treatment (coating) directly affects durability, friction coefficient, and price:

Coating Type	Durability	Lubricity	Rust Resistance	Price Range
Nickel Plating	★★☆	★★☆	★★☆	$
Chrome Plating	★★★	★★☆	★★★	$$
Titanium Nitride (Ti-N)	★★★★	★★★	★★★★	$$$
DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon)	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	$$$$
Hollow Pins	★★★	★★★	★★★	$$

Is DLC Coating Worth It?

DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) is currently the most advanced coating technology:

• Friction coefficient reduced by approximately 30-50%
• Lifespan is 2-3 times that of a standard chain
• Almost never rusts
• Price is 3-4 times that of a standard chain

Conclusion: If you ride more than 10,000 km per year, the cost-performance of a DLC chain is actually very high. If you only ride on weekends, the basic model is sufficient.

Confirming Chain Length

New chains typically come longer than needed and must be cut to the correct length:

1. Big ring, big cog method: Route the chain around the largest chainring and largest cassette cog (not through the rear derailleur), then add 2 links for the correct length
2. Old chain comparison method: Lay the new and old chains side by side and cut to the same length
3. Shimano official method: Follow the recommended length in the manual

Note: A chain that is too long will hit the chainstay; one that is too short may tear the rear derailleur apart when in the big ring and big cog combination. Better one link too long than one link too short.

Proper Chain Installation

Quick Link vs. Connecting Pin

• Quick Link: Easy to install and remove; suitable for riders who work on their own bikes
• Connecting Pin: Shimano’s traditional method; requires a special tool

Installation Direction

Some high-end chains have a designated installation direction:

• The brand lettering on the outer plates faces outward (toward you)
• Some chains have pins with special designs that can only be installed from one direction

When Should You Replace the Chain?

Using a chain checker is the most accurate method:

• 0.5% wear: Safe to continue using
• 0.75% wear: Replacement recommended
• 1.0% wear: Must be replaced immediately, otherwise it will wear out the cassette and chainrings as well

In general:

• Standard chain: Approximately 3,000-5,000 km
• DLC chain: Approximately 8,000-12,000 km
• With wax lubrication: Can extend lifespan by an additional 30-50%

Buying Recommendations for Taiwan Riders

1. KMC is the best cost-performance choice: Made in Taiwan, good quality, reasonable price
2. If you use a Shimano system, use a Shimano chain: Best compatibility
3. Taiwan’s humid environment calls for a better coating: At minimum, choose nickel plating or above
4. Keep a spare quick link in your saddle bag: A lifesaver if your chain snaps on the roadside
5. A chain checker is worth the investment: You can get one for NT$150, which is far cheaper than replacing a cassette

Conclusion

The chain is the most overlooked consumable on a bicycle, yet it is the component that most directly affects riding efficiency. Choose the right chain, pair it with proper maintenance, and your drivetrain will stay in peak condition.

Remember: A cheap chain paired with an expensive cassette = both get ruined together. Investing in a good chain is protecting your entire drivetrain.

Related Reading

• Chain and Drivetrain Maintenance Frequency: The Scientific Approach to Extending Lifespan
• Chain Wear Measurement and Replacement: Key Knowledge for Extending Drivetrain Lifespan
• Chain Length Calculation and Installation: The Drivetrain Setup Beginners Most Often Get Wrong
• Drivetrain Wear Assessment: When to Replace the Chain, Cassette, and Chainrings?