8 speed chain recs?

[superstu]

Slowly doing my first self-build, no experience at buying chains other than getting my lbs to fit them...

Looking for a cheap 8 speed chain...plenty on CRC and the like, anyone have any specific recommendations? Using a shimano cassette, not sure what chainset yet but likley a shimano unit.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Cheap chain = false economy! :shock: Why do it?

I almost always use SRAM chains but shop around; big price difference for the same thing! :?

 

[Charlieboy28]

KMC all the way, Sram ok at a push, Shimanooooooo they are crap IMO

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KMC-X8-X8-93- ... 564ce0807d

though at a slight tangent whats the difference in .99 and 93 can anyone tell me

 

[Keewee]

Hey Stu

I run this chain

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=20608

On this block

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=5212

with xt739 rear mech & shifter, a single RaceFace front ring on my 1x8 and it really is silky smooth when shifting!!!

Cary

 

[mynchiboy]

I tend to use the cargo bikes at work as a barometer for how good chains are as they get a fair amount of abuse...normally we use Sram 850 ones as they are reasonably priced, readily available and seem to hold up well. We have had a few chain breaks though with them, that said we do tow 50-60 kilos around every day on most trips

I'm currently running another bike with a KMC chain and (so far) all seems fine.

As for my own bikes, most have SRAM and KMC again, I've also been using a Taya chain which seems OK

 

[drystonepaul]

Practically all my seven and eight speed bikes on Sram PC-870 chains and have done for many years.
I used the Sachs-Sedis PC-7 and PC-8 chains before them which pre-date the Sram versions.

Great chains in my humble opinion.

 

[suburbanreuben]

Sram every time.
KMC are agricultural junk.

 

[superstu]

Thanks for all the comments, think SRAM wins it.

Cheap chain = false economy! :shock: Why do it?

Good point Steve, wasn't thinking ridiculously cheap just don't want to break the bank!

 

[dbmtb]

Connex are my favourites at the moment.

 

[FluffyChicken]

KMC for me, the X8 (and X9 for that fact) series have done and are doing me proud.

Really any of the 10 to 20 quid chains on CRC/ebay should do you fine.


Of course a quick search will show exactly the same conversation happening every time many times. You may even get a few that like Shimano chains (rare thing though)

...slight tangent what's the difference in .99 and 93 can anyone tell me

the finish of the chain grey/grey silver/grey or silver/silver, same as the move up the PC8xx series and the higher HGxx series.
but basically the high number is silver/silver, though you sometimes get the lower number mentioned as silver-silver as over here the X9 version has (or had?) no official version but they do make it.

'silver' is a nickel plating by the way, and it'll be the outer plate that plated on the silver/grey.