User submitted reviews
Review by Anonymous
Had a SRAM Red 10 speed chain on my wish list for quite some time now & given up all hope that BTD is once again going to stock them which is understandable being that they have basically become obsolete in the wake of 11 & 12 speed bicycles so I purchased this very economical but heavier, alternative from KMC on sale at BTD, just in case of emergency? I can't give account as to my experience with this item but I have had no issues or complaints using KMC chains on my other bicycles in the past, although I must admit that I prefer to use OEM when I'm able to, which in this case maybe questionable at this point in time unless I'm just lucky enough to stubble upon one on-line or in a shop?
Review by Anonymous
I've been using this chain for a couple of years. Clean my chain about ever 300-400 miles and I get over 6000 miles on chain. When properly adjusted chain quiet and smooth. I really like the removable link.
Review by SA_biker
Over the years I have used Campy, sugino, Shimano chains. They all lasted really long and were somewhat easy to replace. Now riding a ten speed freewheel with Shimano and replacing the chain, I needed a tool to cut the pin with the new chain. That didn't work out so good. So, I bought the KMC ten speed chain. Less than 5 minutes to replace the Shimano with the KMC chain! I like the ease and have more time to ride. So far I have rode just under a 1000 miles on this KMC chain. It's quiet, smooth and I love it. The price was right and the shipping was cool.
Review by GKSki
KMC has a serious issue with Chinese counterfeits. This KMC 10sp chain checked out as the real McCoy.
Review by Anonymous
Use these chains with 10 Spd dura-ace and they wrk great. For sure the Shimano works best but these KMC chains are a great alternative at a reasonable cost.
Review by Eric V
I have two Catrikes and chain replacement means 3 new chains each. KMC-10 is a very economical choice for me and a set will last about 9000 miles with proper lubrication. This is an excellent chain for my needs.
Review by Tanbri53
Perfect right fit
Review by MSL
I usually get about 3 - 4 K miles out of these chains. They work great with my Shimano and SRAM drivetrains.
Review by Anonymous
I was eager to try this inexpensive alternative on my bike with 7800 DuraAce components. Right away I noticed it to be smoother and quieter than the Shimano chain that I removed, which was a newer, asymmetrical model. I recommend this chain for anyone running pre-asymmetrical 10-speed drivetrain.
Review by Rob
I have a house full of bikes with a wife and son who also race. I used Dura Ace chains almost exclusively because the durable nickle finish and long life. With the dawn of hollow pin and hollow link chains, I'm only getting 1,500 to 2,000 miles on a chain (Dura Ace, Ultegra, Whippermann, SRAM) but I'd rather change a chain frequently than ride it stretched and wear out the cassette and chainrings (which are rather expensive on high end bikes). My Epic came with this KMC X10 chain and has been really good. Shifting is consistently on the mark, even when wet and muddy and even after many more miles than I care to run other chains up to. I'd rather have a solid chain that will work perfectly for a long time, than save a few grams, so this is what I now put on all our mountain, cyclocross and rain bikes. Still using the Dura Ace on the road bikes just because I still have a few spares. This is an excellent chain for SRAM or Shimano, lasts a long time, shifts like new even with a lot of miles on it and is cheap to replace. We' have been through several of these over the years and will keep using these as long as they are available. Now go ride!
Review by Anonymous
good value only chain I will use on my rain training, MTN, and cross bikes with 10spd drive trains.
Review by Anonymous
Both the 10 speed and 11 speed versions of the KMC X10SLX11SL are top notch. As soon as I get a new bike or as soon as a chain is due for replacement, I put one of these one. Smooth and quiet pedaling. No snapping, no other problems. And the master links make replacing and cleaning super easy. Nuff said.
Review by DaveL
I had been buying SRAM replacement chains (PC 1071, PC 1051) for my Rival drive train and they really did not last too long. So far the KMC 10.93 is holding up better, is quiet and shifts cleanly. I tried this chain on the basis of several reviews I saw on the BTD site and am very satisfied. I also like that I do not have to replace the link each time I remove the chain to clean the drive train. So far I believe the performance improvement is a good trade for the minor weight difference. I ride over 3500 miles a year.
Review by PGB
How do they do it? Every other chain I've used stretches but these don't. This is a replacement for one that had over 5000 miles on it. I bought another one because the first one got a little noisy. That's it. I checked it all the time with my Park chain checker and it wasn't even stretched .75. Shifts great with my SRAM too.
Review by Fractal Unit
This chain replaced a [$] campy chain. It shifts as well as the Campy unit ever did and I expect it will last about as long. I kept the box so I'll know what to order next time.
Review by Rick
This chain will last 150% as long as a Shimano Ultegra. And costs about 2/3 of the Shimano. Works just as well. Only drawback is the weight. Since the pins are not hollow, it is a little heaver. If you think you are a racer, and money is no object, you do not want this. But for the average rider this chain is great.
Review by Anonymous
Good value.
Review by Puget Sounder
I have been using the KMC X10 chain for several years. I ride in the rain during the fall, winter, and spring, so the ability to quickly remove the chain for thorough cleaning is a big plus.
The split link can be a bit tricky to open up so I bought the Park Tool pliers to make the job really easy. I take the chain off, soak it in citrus solvent, clean it with a stiff brush and rag, then lube it with ProGold. Keeping it clean this way seems to extend the life much longer than using the rotating brush and reservoir setup.
The KMC chain lasts longer than the Shimano chain.
Review by NWBiker
I had this chain originally when I bought my new bike. After about 2200 miles I replaced it with Sram PC-1091R (hollow pins). The Sram 1090r is a few grams lighter, shifts smoother and quieter when new but after about 700 miles the chain was stretched like a noodle with moderate climbing. So, I switched back to this KMC, put it through the wringer and been happy with it so far. Just keep clean and lube every 1-2 rides (100 miles) and it runs just fine. So I'll stick with this chain for its durability, the penalty is a few grams heavier.
Review by Anonymous
I tossed this chain onto a sulry cross-check with FSA Pro Road chainrings and a SRAM OG 1050 cassette on the rear. I had problems from the beginning with chainsuck (on a road bike!) if I stood up to sprint while in the small ring. After the chain broke in, the problems went away. Perhaps this wouldn't have been a problem on a stiff race bike, but for this steel beast I'll go back to SRAM or Shimano chains.