What's the strongest/ longest lasting chain that will work (well) on my SRAM 11 speed?

Suns_PSD · Oct 13, 2023

This is for a mid-power e-bike, and I care mostly about low wear and then great shifting. I run SRAM 11 speed cassettes exclusively.

Have been running 12 speed XX1 chains that have been great but wondering if there is anything better?

Would almost certainly prefer to stick with SRAM products.

Thanks for your input.

SunsetRide · Oct 13, 2023

Chain Tensile Strength Testing - Zero Friction Cycling

zerofrictioncycling.com.au

William P · Oct 14, 2023

Zero Friction Cycling has everything on strength, wear, lubrication and even cost/mile break downs. But I think SRAM chain on SRAM cassettes is the good stuff.

Suns_PSD · Oct 13, 2023

Thanks.

Looks like a 12 speed X01 it is.

THX again!

DETarch · Oct 13, 2023

Not on an ebike (yet!), but I run X01 Eagle/12 speed chains on XG-199 cassettes as well. It's by far the most durable combo I've found, especially when waxing the chain. My points of comparison are NX/GX Eagle and SLX/XT. Nothing compares IMO for durability/longevity.

Suns_PSD · Oct 14, 2023

roberrtt said:
Hello there,
Considering your preference for SRAM products you can opt for the SRAM 11-speed chains, such as the SRAM PC-XX1 or SRAM PC-X1. These chains are designed to work seamlessly with SRAM 11-speed cassettes, providing reliable shifting and durability.
I hope this will be helpful.

Thanks A.I.!

OneTrustMan · Oct 14, 2023

The X01 11 speed chain on my ebike is already close to 4000km.
Still hasen't reached the 0,5 mark.
I also use Squirt dry lube.

My ( non E )Trail bike from 2017 came with a full X01 Eagle group.
After close to 10000km I'm still one the orginal X01 chain, also still hasen't reached the 0,5 mark.

High end Sram chains are the real deal.

William P · Oct 14, 2023

I ran Squirt and liked it, But ZFC convinced me that "Effetto Mariposa Flower Power" sunflower seed wax was 2x as good. Parts last 2x longer and you apply it 1/2 as often. I burn through chains and cassettes on my 1500W urban Ebike. I also switched to 11s chain on an 8s drivetrain because the chains supposedly last longer. I did given up on Connex links a long time ago. First time 11s on 8s and first try with Mariposa so it will be a while but ZFC has good rep. so I'll see what happens in my high powered cross chained world. The skinny $25 11s Connes didn't last one ride. It works fine on my 1x11 pedal bike.

TylerVernon · Oct 21, 2023

YBN SLA 11 has the same cost of ownership. Is there a shifting quality difference between that and the XX1 on 11 speed?

ghettocruiser · Oct 21, 2023

I have an SLA 11 on my road bike and the shifting seems great but.... it's on a very narrow-range road cassette (with Di2).

I suspect a wider range cassettes will amplify shift issues that might not be otherwise apparent.

TylerVernon · Oct 21, 2023

I've used SLA 11 on three mountain bikes for the last two years and they shift great.

William P · Oct 21, 2023

I want to try YBN on my Ebike, but all I can find are hollow pin lightweight stuff. I also don't use Connex type links, and they only provide the rivet with their lightweight racing stuff. They show an Ebike chain in their online catalog, but nobody sells it. Alao they come precut with no oversize options. Zero Fiction Cycling likes them a lot.
So I'm still in Wippermann land. 11sE in various lengths. I'm running it on an 8 speed driveline and I use shimano 9s rivets and a couple 8s outer plates to join it. I cross peen the rivets instead of relying on the press fit. I've asked Luna cycles to look into YBN for Ebikes.

silklash · Oct 25, 2023

Hands down X01 XX1 eagle.

William P · Oct 25, 2023

I saw testing at Zero Friction that SRAM chains wear much longer than anything else, but that they can wear out Shimano cassettes. So the SRAM cassettes seem to be different too.

DETarch · Oct 30, 2023

Hey @Suns_PSD , bumping this thread because I'm interested in your experience with 11 speed on your e-mtb.

Just bought a base Levo and I'll be swapping out most of the components, including the drivetrain. I have both a GX Eagle drivetrain or XX1 11 speed available to use. Either one will be used with an X01 Eagle 12 speed chain.

Do you have any issues with range with the 42T ring on the 11 speed SRAM cassettes? I assume an e-bike makes it a non-issue? Only thing I've read is that you want to have a decent low gear so you can spin at higher cadence when climbing...seems that low cadence + extra assistance is a recipe to quickly drain batteries.

Have you been satisfied with high-end SRAM 11 speed on your e-mtb so far?

Suns_PSD · Oct 30, 2023

Totally satisfied and although brief, never more than a couple hundred feet of climbing around here and most much less, some of it is insanely steep and I have zero issues chugging up these spots on my mid power ebike with an 11 speed X01 cassette. Wouldn't change a thing.

Note that I run a 27.5 x 2.5 rear tire which does give me some 'gearing ' Compared to a 29er.

Even did a chill trail ride with no battery with the same gearing.

Never checked what the front chainring is on my Relay but I think it's a 32.

I just pieced together my 3rd 11 speed set up and it's in the mail, this one is for my wife's bike and will replace AXS.

I hope that sram still makes these because nothing about 12 speed appeals to me.

DETarch · Oct 30, 2023

Suns_PSD said:
Totally satisfied and although brief, never more than a couple hundred feet of climbing around here and most much less, some of it is insanely steep and I have zero issues chugging up these spots on my mid power ebike with an 11 speed X01 cassette. Wouldn't change a thing.

Note that I run a 27.5 x 2.5 rear tire which does give me some 'gearing ' Compared to a 29er.

Even did a chill trail ride with no battery with the same gearing.

Never checked what the front chainring is on my Relay but I think it's a 32.

I just pieced together my 3rd 11 speed set up and it's in the mail, this one is for my wife's bike and will replace AXS.

I hope that sram still makes these because nothing about 12 speed appeals to me.

Appreciate the insight- that’s kind of where my head is at- I’ve got to imagine a full-power Levo will make up for a 50T cog without issue, even with lots of hilly terrain here in SoCal. And I strongly prefer the shorter RD cage and lower unsprung weight of 11 speed SRAM. Planning on ditching the low end stock Eagle and giving it a go with XX1 11 speed 👍🏼

What's the strongest/ longest lasting chain that will work (well) on my SRAM 11 speed?

Chain Tensile Strength Testing - Zero Friction Cycling

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