Submitted by
dlq001
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa,FL
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2011
Strengths: Long life, strength
Weaknesses: None that I've found... Well, I finally had to replace it after ~8000 miles of urban riding, yea, it's worn some...LoL
Bottom Line:
This is a review for a KMC XSP-X9 chain. It came on the bike so I don't know the cost of one. I'm gonna guess that it's in the $15 range.
I ride 150-160 miles a week, to/from work and trails on the weekends.
It is toast now and I'm replacing it with another KMC chain. And why not, after 8000 miles it still shifts good, and doesn't jump teeth on the sprockets. More than I can say about the Sram PC-971 which I tried and it jumps on all the rear gears including the ones I never use.
Haven't decided between the KMC X9-73 or the X9-93, both under $35.
I would recommend KMC to anyone looking for a good chain...
Submitted by
pacmanjason
a Racer
from Marquette, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2011
Strengths: quiet, shifts quickly, no problems so far
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This is the best chain I have ever had. Its very quiet and it shifts instantly. I have had no issues with durability, but have only been using it one month.
Weaknesses: I manage to bend them with chain suck (I think that would be true of any chain though....)
Bottom Line:
Could not agree more with the last reviewer re type of chain tested; So X10SL KMC chain, gold links, hollow pins, hollow side plates, and x pattern on side plates.
This chain shifts fast, really fast, smoothes out the drivetrain really well, lasts well in either muddy (tropical) or fine dusty (dry season) conditions. Looks great and does not break. I do bend them though neccesssitating replacement, but that is due to super close tolerance of sram xx and mojo frame, one chainsuck and its stuffed, any chain would suffer this though. So subjectively a great cheap and long lasting product.
Submitted by
jpeters
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2010
Strengths: Strong Nickel Plated Looks good
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
THE REVIEW IS FOR ::: KMC X9 93::: Chain FIRST I NEED TO SAY Kmc makes different quality chains just like Shimano for example Shimano has low end Hg50 high end Hg93. I will compare with the shimano Hg73 because that is about the same price and that is what I ran b4 this. The kmc chain is much stronger looks better and last longer. This review is just for the x9 93 kmc chain. I am sure if you buy the 6 or 10 dollar chain you wont like it. The low priced chains are for the trekking bikes or city bikes not for the hard xc riders or the race road bikes. If you are going to be pounding on your chain get a good one not a budget one. We all know you get what you pay for. SO PLEASE SPECIFY WHAT NUMBER CHAIN YOU PURCHASED B4 YOU LEAVE A REVIEW!!!!!! IF SOME ONE NEW TO BIKING IS LOOKING FOR A GOOD PRODUCT AND THEY READ ALL OF THESE REVIEWS THEY WILL JUST ASSUME ALL KMC CHAINS ARE CRAP AND THATS NOT TRUE!!! LOOK ITS THE SAME WITH MOTORCYCLE AND ATV CHAINS. So to all tne people thrown off by this reviews check the forums you will find many good riders using kmc and they swear by them
I am using Finish Line ceramic lube. I keep the chain reasonably clean and follow the lube's instructions. The links are perceptibly loose (I can feel the clearance) after about 1000 road miles and, over the total length, the chain is half a link longer than new! I have never replaced a chain with this few miles on it.
Bike Setup: Cervelo R3-SL mainly DA with EC90 crank
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
maurothebiker
a Cross Country Rider
from italy,ciociaria's capital
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2010
Strengths: a good chain go with new bike,my friend in my favorite trails:walkside ride,highway in the bush,mariposa and the lizard
Weaknesses: anonymous,I love colored things,technologics,ethnics,inusuals,eccentrics and extravagants.I think I will paint with gold varnish one link yes and one link not
Favorite Trail: mariposa and the lizard,walkside ride,highway in the bush
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: dealer atala s felic
Similar Products Used: regina(I'm italian), tec,
Bike Setup: Atala replay 2009 hardtail,ergal,anticorodal,shimano tourney,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
LCTexSS
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2009
Strengths: Many I am sure
Weaknesses: Also many I am sure
Bottom Line:
seeing as how KMC makes 23 different chains, this entire review section seems totally utterly pointless since noone seems to know nor states what model chain they are reviewing, love or hate. I'm no fan of giant Asian industrial monoliths making bike parts, but I'm sure not all their product is crap nor all perfect and exquisite. So if anyone else posts a review here, PLEASE tell us which model chain you are reviewing!!!!!!
Submitted by
Michael Shirk
a Racer
from Austin, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008
Bottom Line:
Amazing piece of equipment. I had been riding Campy Record on my Colnago. Took it in for tune-up and was told by mechanic to just try KMC chain . . . that I'd like it better than Campy Record.
Submitted by
martin
a Cross Country Rider
from memphis, tn
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008
Strengths: easy to put on
Weaknesses: cheaply made and next to impossible to remove.
Bottom Line:
this review is for the KMC Missing Link. don't use it. period.
if you've got a chain tool on the trail when your chain breaks you'd be better off with some other product. and if you don't, you're not going to be able to get it on your chain anyway. either way, it goes on quickly and easily and NEVER comes off until it breaks while riding and you need it the most. if you put this on your chain, it becomes another link. don't think you're going to use this to easily take your chain on and off.
after trying to remove it unsuccessfully for an hour by compressing the links to either side of it, i tried to break it with my chain tool to get it out, which only bruised and hurt my hands. i ended up having to take out the links to either side of it to get rid of it after i ruined it trying to get it out. what a piece of crap. save yourself time, money, and a lot of frustration.
Submitted by
m k
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, GA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2007
Strengths: no problems, strong
Weaknesses: none yet.
Bottom Line:
I ride pretty hard and haven't had any issues w/ the chain. I suppose there are a few bad eggs in every batch but come on... breaking after 15 minutes of riding...I don't buy it (referring to some prevoius post).
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from CANADA!
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2007
Strengths: its shiny
Weaknesses: basicly everything, sory, i ment everything
Bottom Line:
sucks, rode my bike around back yard when i got home and the thing broke in about 15 minutes as i was admireing my once plush forks, dont leave the shop with out a chain without a diffrent brand on it.
Bike Setup: khs dj 50, sun ditch witch rear formula hubs, avid bb5's
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mikhail Scosyrev
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2005
Strengths: price, availability (for me)
Bottom Line:
I used this chain to ride a fully loaded bike from LA to NY. 3800+ miles. Chain was worn out in the end, but kept working for another 1000+ miles of commuting. Replacing now with the new chain of same type, along with other parts. Hey, it's just a chain...
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from Westland, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004
Strengths: Nope, can't think of any...
Weaknesses: Sloppy shifting, broke after two weeks
Bottom Line:
Worthless piece of crap chain that broke after about 30 miles of riding (about two weeks after I got the bike). This was the IG-31, the IG meaning IMMEDIATELY GONE! I am a big guy (6'0", 205 lbs.), but I lube the chain before I go out every time and I clean it every couple of times out, so it shouldn't have broken, especially this fast.
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