How to choose your mountain bike chain?

How to choose your mountain bike chain?

Choosing the mountain bike chain is fairly straightforward, and will be guided by the number of gears in your MTB transmission.

Standard

  • Number of gears: 9, 10, 11 or 12

CHAIN TYPES

Some chains offer a higher level of quality, thanks to alloys or surface treatments that are more resistant to wear or corrosion.

To lighten your mountain bike transmission and thus limit its inertia, you can also find openwork chains for weight savings ranging from simple to double, depending on the model.

For chain assembly, brands such as Sram, KMC or Yaban offer quick-release fasteners that simplify this operation. Other brands, such as Shimano, are only designed for riveted assembly with a specific axle.

WHICH CHAIN TO CHOOSE?

Your choice will depend on the number of gears in your transmission and the performance you're looking for.

All the components of a transmission are designed to operate under a standard number of speeds, so you can't combine a 9-speed chain with a 10V transmission, for example. Today, most MOUNTAIN BIKES are 10 or 11 speeds, but you can still find a 9-speed, or even an 8-speed.

  • For occasional use, a basic chain with a quick-release to simplify assembly will suffice.
  • An amateur will prefer a chain with an alloy or surface treatment for maximum reliability.
  • Finally, a competitor will opt for a lightened and treated chain to optimize the performance and reliability of his drivetrain.

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