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KMC Chain

MSRP $
# of Reviews 61
Average Rating 2.43/5
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Description: KMC Chain


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    Submitted by Michael Shirk a Racer from Austin, Texas
    Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    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.

    I do! It is silent.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by martin a Cross Country Rider from memphis, tn
    Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $3.00
    Purchased At:ebay
    Strengths:easy to put on
    Weaknesses:cheaply made and next to impossible to remove.
    Similar Products Used:extra links and pins and a chain tool.
    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.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:2

    Submitted by Matt Guttmann a Weekend Warrior from Chester UK
    Date Reviewed: December 13, 2007
    Favorite Trail:pfffft.. Street all the way
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $6.00
    Strengths:Andrew from canada, its you who must be the chain tool.

    this chain is amazin hasnt snapped in a year, snapped 2 KHE half link chains in half that time.
    Weaknesses:andrew dunt have a clue what hes on about. its amazin
    Bike Setup:No brakes, no gears. all bout it
    Bottom Line:it works n there well cheap.
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by m k a Weekend Warrior from Dallas, GA
    Date Reviewed: June 28, 2007
    Favorite Trail:Blankets
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Strengths:no problems, strong
    Weaknesses:none yet.
    Bike Setup:k2 attack stock, so far.
    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).
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Andrew a Weekend Warrior from CANADA!
    Date Reviewed: February 1, 2007
    Favorite Trail:anywhare with rocks
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Purchased At:came on bike
    Strengths:its shiny
    Weaknesses:basicly everything, sory, i ment everything
    Similar Products Used:shimano
    Bike Setup:khs dj 50, sun ditch witch rear formula hubs, avid bb5's
    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.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Mikhail Scosyrev a Cross Country Rider from Los Angeles, CA
    Date Reviewed: January 15, 2005
    Favorite Trail:deserted highway
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Price Paid: $10.00
    Purchased At:Schwinn Shop
    Strengths:price, availability (for me)
    Bike Setup:12 speed Schwinn Traveler
    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...
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Al a Weekend Warrior from Westland, MI, USA
    Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004
    Favorite Trail:yes
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Purchased At:came stock on bike
    Strengths:Nope, can't think of any...
    Weaknesses:Sloppy shifting, broke after two weeks
    Bike Setup:K2 Zed 3.0, stock except Candy SL pedals
    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.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by amc amc a Cross Country Rider from winder ga usa
    Date Reviewed: September 12, 2003
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Purchased At:Hub
    Strengths:uh,,,it worked 3 times
    Weaknesses:Well, it broke after 4 rides...thats all i can say
    Similar Products Used:none
    Bike Setup:Bianchi Grizzly
    Bottom Line:Well, i havent ridden much, but i know that i rode my new bike 4 times, and on the 4th time, the chain broke. So, after reading all these other reviews, i can assume this chain sucks big ones...
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Maxim Chuchalin a Weekend Warrior from Moscow, Russia
    Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Purchased At:Came with bike
    Bike Setup:Gary Fisher Wahoo'01
    Bottom Line:This chain run more then 3000 km without any problem(no break, no bend).


    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Jean-Marie a Weekend Warrior from Marseille
    Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Price Paid: $33.00
    Purchased At:Shop de BK
    Strengths:need not much to be lubed
    Weaknesses:Just fine
    Similar Products Used:Shimano/Sachs
    Bike Setup:XTR
    Bottom Line:ever used various kinds of chains, among which I prefere KMC for not so expensive as Shimano but provide quite good quality and durability.

    Mes friends and fighters think so aussi....
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Earnest a Cross Country Rider from Costa Rica
    Date Reviewed: July 12, 2002
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Purchased At:came on my bike
    Strengths:Cheap, good shifting with SRAM 7.0 sprocket
    Weaknesses:Rust easily, weak plates.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano cassettes
    Bike Setup:Schwinn w/ Deore combo
    Bottom Line:It worked well while I stayed off the dirt. On my first visit to the mud, I bent a plate during a missed shift. I weight 155 lbs. and didn't started to break a sweat when this happened. It ruined my ride big time!!
    Value Rating:2Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by tom gibney a Cross Country Rider from novato,CA
    Date Reviewed: January 9, 2002
    Favorite Trail:too many to list...
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Price Paid: $22.00
    Purchased At:ClassCycle Novato, CA
    Strengths:none...it broke after second ride...!!!
    Weaknesses:Link connectors (where pin goes in) ..WEAK fractured in several areas
    Bike Setup:99' Marin Eldridge grade
    Bottom Line:Not recommended...
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Derrick a Cross Country Rider from Queens, NY, USA
    Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001
    Favorite Trail:the next one I ride
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Purchased At:25
    Strengths:strength, responsiveness
    Weaknesses:company support
    Similar Products Used:Shimano
    Bike Setup:Cannondale SuperV700, XT cranks and chainrings, SRAM Superglide 9.0 cassette, KMC Z9900
    Bottom Line:I replaced my Cannondale drivetrain with this setup when I started breaking chains at the end of last year. So far this year, this setup - with the KMC Z9900 chain at its core - has been as smooth as silk. It shifts very quickly, although I don't clean it nearly as much as I should. I lube it every ride with White Lightening and that's about it. I am about 200 pounds, and I've been told that I grind in too big of a gear, but I am not going to change my ways if I don't have to. I'd rather pay the extra bucks for the equipment that'll let me grind and not complain. So pay the extra $10 for the Z9900 and you won't be disappointed. Otherwise buy a cheaper chain, know your trails, and shift early enough to make up for any shifting lag - and while you are losing momentum, I'll be cruising by in a higher gear, and shifting later!
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Ryan a Weekend Warrior from Sodus, NY, USA
    Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001
    Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
    Price Paid: $9.00
    Purchased At:bike shop
    Strengths:cheap
    Weaknesses:cheap
    Bike Setup:Mongoose A50R with LX cranks, KORE clipless pedals
    Bottom Line:ok, i have heard enough crap on this chain. my bike came with a KMC Z-Chain, i ride my bike very rough. I weigh 200 lbs, and my original 3-year old chain is still working good, and i just purchased a new one to replace it (only because it was cheap) i see no problem with it, as long as you put a REAL master link on it instead of KMC's POS 'missing link'
    Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

    Submitted by Mike Croteau a Cross Country Rider from New Jersey
    Date Reviewed: April 5, 2001
    Favorite Trail:Ringwood
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Strengths:yeah right.
    Weaknesses:weak links, all of 'em
    Similar Products Used:shimano
    Bike Setup:shimano hyperglide, grip shift
    Bottom Line:Don't buy one of these chains.
    Mine was the KMC Supershuttle model.
    It's well worth the extra $ for shimano.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Charlie a Cross Country Rider from Milford, pa,usa
    Date Reviewed: February 7, 2001
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Strengths:everything, it runs smooth and i hardly ever clean my chain
    i also hit it on logs and things in the trail and it has not broken

    Weaknesses:none that i have found yet, if i ever will
    Similar Products Used:only have used this kind
    Bike Setup:gary fisher w/manitou,shimano,kore,panaracer,selle italia
    Bottom Line:i have used this chain for almost 2,000 miles and it is still going strong. i have never experienced any problems with this chain and don't think i ever will
    its a good chain, i think anyway!
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Tyler a Cross Country Rider from Toronto
    Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000
    Favorite Trail:Durham Forest
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Strengths:Good for practicing how to fix a chain, TOO GOOD!
    Weaknesses:Duct tape would work better.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano
    Bottom Line:I weigh just over 110 pounds and I broke the coat hanger type quality chain. This chain made me replace my casset, deraliur, and chain rings, not to mention the new chain I had to buy.

    A word of advice is if you have any problems with the chain, including a stiff link, replace it before it becomes a problem!!
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by allen baker a Weekend Warrior from san diego
    Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:None
    Weaknesses:cheap, weak, garbage, breaks...need any more?
    Similar Products Used:sachs
    Bike Setup:litespeed tanasi, raceface crank/rings, shimano XTR cassette,derailleurs
    Bottom Line:I can't believe I possibly put this on my bike. After spending 5,000 on a bike I was riding downhill and the chain broke. That wasn't enough, it broke my rear derailleur and proceeded to wipe out spokes meanwhile I was testing the durability of my helmet. I was going about 40 when all this happened. It pretty much ruined my bike. If I could I would like to take the broken chain, wrap it around the person who designed this things neck and pull really hard. Knowing my luck it would break. If I ever tell anyone not to buy a product it will begin with "kmc". If I could give it -100 flaming piles of crap I would.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Tyler a Cross Country Rider from Kennesaw, Ga, USA
    Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000
    Favorite Trail:Their are way to many.
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:None
    Weaknesses:Everything !
    Similar Products Used:What ever chain come stick on a Sugar 2
    Bike Setup:Gary Fisher Sugar 2
    Bottom Line:This Chain Sucks What A Waste of Money,Time And Effort! I should have questioned it after I have nothing but problems since puting this chain on my bike less than 2 weeks ago. The end all bottom line is after a drive 1 1/2 hours to go to a trail and not even making it out of the parking lot before breaking the chain once then riding .5 miles and breaking it a second time forget it. This Chain is very bad. The chain has now broke 3 time in 2 weeks what a piece of crap.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by buck wild a Weekend Warrior from staples, Mn
    Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000
    Favorite Trail:Oregon Trail
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:Can be used as weapon after it breaks
    Weaknesses:Worthless, Breaks, general crap
    Bike Setup:99 Voodoo hoodoo
    Bottom Line:First time riding this flaming piece of $hit broke. At least I got out of the parking lot. I got about 1/2 mile in the woods and it broke. It's a waste of metal far as i'm concerned. I give it one flaming pile of $hit because thats exactly what it is.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by RATTLED a Cross Country Rider from houston tx usa
    Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000
    Favorite Trail:ho chi minh
    Duration Product Used:6 months
    Strengths:None. This chain is a piece of sh*t.
    Weaknesses:Broke after 10 miles. Stretched so much after 500 miles I had to replace chain AND cassette AND middle chainring. This on a NEW BIKE.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano.
    Bike Setup:Two wheels, Handlebar, and now a SHIMANO CHAIN.
    Bottom Line:Stupid me. I should have gotten a clue when the chain broke after 10 miles. Instead I took the broken link out and kept riding on it. 500 miles and one race later the chain has stretched so badly I had to toss it. AND buy a new chainring. Dont buy one of these chains aftermarket, and if you buy a new bike, make sure the chain on it isn't KMC. If it is, insist the dealer replaces it.
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Mario Padac a Cross Country Rider from Vz, Croatia
    Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000
    Favorite Trail:--
    Duration Product Used:1 Year
    Strengths:Very strong. Best for the buck.
    Weaknesses:---
    Similar Products Used:Shimano, Sachs
    Bottom Line:Exelent chain.
    Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by Cliff a Racer from Central Texas
    Date Reviewed: May 25, 2000
    Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
    Strengths:None
    Weaknesses:Weak
    Similar Products Used:Shimano, Sachs
    Bike Setup:Voodoo Canzo, XT/XTR, Kooka Crank, RaceFace Chainrings
    Bottom Line:Put the chain on, snapped it on my preride during a climb, replaced the broken links, the following day, broke it during the race on my first climb. Less than 50 miles and it's out of here. Will not stand up to high torque. Can place you in a possibly dangerous position. This chain should be taken off the market completely!!!
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by rattled a Cross Country Rider from Houston,Texas
    Date Reviewed: April 13, 2000
    Favorite Trail:HOE Chi Minh
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Strengths:It hasn't broken a second time.
    Weaknesses:It broke the second time I rode on it- after about 15 miles.
    Similar Products Used:Shimano, Sachs
    Bike Setup:'00 Scwhinn Moab1, Kore Elite Flatbars to replace the fonky Hellbents that came OEM.
    Bottom Line:The Super Narrow chain came stock on my bike. The second day I rode on it it broke, while riding an easy uphill in the big chainring. I was pretty pissed. The link tore completely. To it's credit I haven't had any trouble with it since (I took out the failed link). Still, based on my experience and what I have read here the next time I buy a chain it will NOT be a KMC!
    Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by SockBoy a Weekend Warrior from Nashville, TN
    Date Reviewed: January 12, 2000
    Favorite Trail:Fairview
    Duration Product Used:3 months
    Strengths:Strong, really! take apart without breaking the chain.
    Weaknesses:bad reviews, thats about it.
    Similar Products Used:sachs and shimano chains
    Bottom Line:Not a bad chain at all. the trick is that YOU CANT BREAK IT AND TRY TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. The pins are so flared that it weakens the chain too much to break it, so you have to use the little link to put it back together. This is a must, if you dont do so, your chain will break. if done right, its a very very strong chain. I wouldnt want to break one on the trail though, but I dont have to worry , because I do it right and this thing isnt going to break! The plates are ramped on 4 sides so they shift really fast. I think its great!
    Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

    Submitted by MeandMyslef a Racer from nowhere
    Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Avalon
    Duration Product Used:
    less than 1 month
    Strengths:
    none
    Weaknesses:
    I had it for less than one month because that is how long it took me to break this cock sucker twice
    Similar Products Used:
    SACHS RULES
    Bike Setup:
    An XC bike
    Bottom Line:THIS CHAIN SUCKS MY GIRLFRIENDS COCK!!!!
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by Brad Quartuccio a Cross-Country Rider from Pittsburgh PA
    Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    Works well, does what a chain should do.
    Weaknesses:
    None that I've seen so far, other than the grease it was packed in was heavier than most other chains.
    Similar Products Used:
    Our, lets say that this riders had seen enough chains come and go on his bikes.
    Bike Setup:
    Easter Woods Research modified trials bike. Front freewheel, rear fixed cog. 18x12.
    Bottom Line:I am using a KMC bmx chain. It works well and I havent had any problems with it breaking or anything of that sort. Just put it on and haven't thought about it for the past 3 months.
    Overall Rating:5

    Submitted by Rob a Cross-Country Rider from Las Vegas, NV
    Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999
    Favorite Trail:
    Rattle Snake Ridge, Boulder City
    Duration Product Used:
    3 months
    Strengths:
    What Stregths?
    Weaknesses:
    Un-removable master link
    Tendency to twist
    Similar Products Used:
    Sachs PC-21
    Shimano IG-51
    Bike Setup:
    Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
    Bottom Line:I bought this chain after blowing out my stock PC-21 chain that came on my bike, which lasted over 1000 miles. (Not bad for a crappy low end chain). My new KMC Supper Schuttle lasted about 50 miles before it started giving me problems. First it twisted during a ride causing annoying ghost shifting until I could get back to the car and fix it. 2 rides later, It met its final demise on a easy downhill in top gear. (No shifting under torque, no weird chain angles). I felt the chain bind up about 3/4 down the fast, fun 2 mile section. I coasted to the bottom, only to find the chain twisted like a double loop roller coaster. I had to pop a link to get it straight! I bought a meddium grade IG-51 to replace the peice of crap and have had no problems in 200 miles. Don't waste your money or your patience on this junk!
    Overall Rating:1

    Submitted by