DLC stands for 'Diamond Like Coating' which is a hard coating KMC applies to the chain to reduce abrasion and wear. The X11SL has other high-end chain features too: the inner and outer link plates are all hollow, as are the pins, meaning that it's light for a chain at 240g for 116 links. Find your nearest dealer here Buy this online here If anything, the X10SL has reminded me just how impressive a modern bicycle chain can be. While it offers up great performance and durability, it certainly doesn’t ask for much in return. So you can spend less time cursing at your chain, and more time concentrating on the ride. Wax based lubricants accumulate less road grit than traditional oil based chain lubes, so there is much less wear of chain pins and inner plates, hence slower elongation rate. KMC’s 10 speed chains are compatible with all major shifting systems. Shifting performance, durability and easy mounting are other key attributes of KMC chains. We have the perfect chain for all type of riders.

My regimen is to remove chain and cassette from bike every 1000-1200km and clean chain and cassette with solvent. Enhanced Durability: With unique SP (stretch-proof) treatment, the durability has been effectively enhanced by reducing the attrition between inner plates and pin. As a result, chain life has been significantly prolonged.

KMC X11EL 11 Speed Extra Light Chain

KMC have also pioneered a number of patented special coatings to increase the surface hardness and friction coefficient of their chains, resulting in smoother shifting and stronger durability. In the case of this X10SL Ti-Nitride chain, there’s a fair bit else going on too, so I’ll do my best to break it down for you; Well compared to sexy carbon handlebars and loud buzzing rear hubs, the bicycle chain is a rather an unglamorous component, and I don’t think it gets enough praise for the important jobs it undertakes. In most cases, you probably only pay attention to your chain when something has gone wrong, leaving you to curse your stupid chain that has ruined a ride and destroyed hundreds of dollars worth of rear wheel. Bad chain. Bad. That’s why you can see it was easy for us to give KMC X10SL 10 Speed Super Light Chain such a high overall score of 9.3 / 10. It seems to have the perfect combination of features, quality and price making it a great all-rounder. If you find an item at a lower price with another commercial internet retailer, you will receive it from us at the same price, provided the conditions listed in the link are met.

The Non-Directional design makes it independent of direction which allows maximum compatibility on MTB or Race bikes. With its unique stretch-proof treatment, the durability has been enhanced massively by reducing the attrition between the inner plates and pin. As a result, chain life has been significantly prolonged. The upper bridge forms a slant vault parallel to the tip of the tooth movement. This vault shape makes the tooth and chain engage much more precisely.Non-Directional Design: assembly of this chain is independent of direction! It allows maximum compatibility, no matter MTB or Race: this chain fits all. The X stands for the ‘Double X Bridge Shaping’, which uses grooves on the external plates to assist guiding the chain as it passes up and down the cassette. Supplied KMC missing link makes chain removal a breeze. Link is best handled with a removal tool. Get one that can both close and open the link. KMC recommend Missing Link only be closed and opened three times, but I have never had problems from going several cycles beyond this limit.

The gold finish of the (blingin’) x10sl is not only good looking but also has a titanium nitride coating, which is claimed to improve the wear. In use, the best thing about any chain is that you don’t notice it, and that’s exactly what I found with the KMC. It’s as crisp shifting and smooth running as the Campag C10 it replaced, and after a couple of months’ use it hasn’t stretched or stiffened and still looks relatively good – not as pristine as it was as new, but that’s to be expected. How much different in performance is the KMC chain from its competitors? Well in regards to shifting, there isn’t a huge difference there. The main difference I noticed was how little degreasing the Titanium-Nitride coating required to stay clean, as it’s slippery surface seemed to be less susceptible to grease build up. The less you have to degrease your chain, the less of the internal grease you’ll strip away and therefore the quieter and smoother your chain will be. In my opinion, this is a very big advantage. They make a dizzying array of different chains, including specific models for BMX, geared bikes, singlespeeds, and even a chain just for electric bikes too. That said, they don’t make specific chains for mountain biking or road cycling, and their chains are cross-compatible with other brands groupsets. If it’s a 10-speed chain, it’ll work with a 10-speed Shimano Deore XT groupset just as well as it’ll mesh with a Campagnolo 10-speed Record groupset. Or so KMC claim anyway. Price Matches may only be honored on identical items. The product must be the same make and model (i.e., the same size, color, year, etc.). I’m not going to lie. Testing a mountain bike chain is a relatively uneventful process. I peeled off the Deore XT chain I had originally fitted to my test bike, and replaced it with the shiny gold KMC chain. I’ve been riding the chain for 6 months, which has involved periods of time where I haven’t touched it at all (no cleaning, no lubricating, no nothing), and periods of time where I’ve experimented with dry lubes, wet lubes, wax lubes and degreasers.

KMC X11 11 Speed Super Light Chain

I also have several sections dedicated to ranges by Pinnacle, Polygon& Carrera Bikes, including the popular Vengeance, Sulcata, Karkinos and other Carrera Mountain Bikes, as well as hybrid ranges such as the classic Subway, Crossfire and Parva models. No matter what type of bike product your buying, from the simple accessories through to the full setup of your custom built road bike, there are lots of important considerations that you should take into account, especially when you’re shopping online and unable to test the product first. This is especially true when you’re buying products like Chains. Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply.