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Road Chainrings

How to choose a chain for a road bike?

The component of the bicycle that transfers the power from your legs to the wheel. Choosing a chain is quite easy.

  • The number of gears can currently be 9, 10, or 11 speeds.
  • The brand of your bike's transmission: Campagnolo, Shimano, or Sram.

All transmission components are designed to work with a specific number of gears, so you won't be able to combine a 9-speed chain with a 10-speed transmission, for example. Nowadays, most road bikes are equipped with a 10 or 11-speed cassette, but 9-speed cassettes still exist.

In theory, it is better to use a chain from the same brand as your transmission to ensure full compatibility between the different components. However, you can still use a Shimano chain that functions well with a Sram transmission, and vice versa. On the other hand, a Campagnolo transmission is not compatible with chains from other brands.

In addition to the brand and number of gears, some chains offer a higher level of quality due to more wear-resistant alloys or surface treatments that resist corrosion. To lighten the transmission and reduce the generated inertia, you can opt for hollow chains to save a few grams of weight, depending on the model.

For mounting chains from brands like Sram, KMC, or Yaban, you can use quick links (Type A) that facilitate this operation. Whereas other brands like Shimano or Campagnolo are only designed for assembly with specific rivets (Type B) or a specific pin axis.

Which chain is the most suitable?

For enthusiasts,

It is best to choose an alloy chain with a special treatment to increase its reliability.

For competition,

A model with a special treatment, lighter to improve performance and the reliability of the transmission. 

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