Unanswered ebike specific chains in the UK.

[Pezzar]

Sorry if this has been asked already. First ebike, still on the original chain - KMC E12S, E-Bike Specific Chain - anyone found a normal chain is any good? or are the forces too strong from a motor? Also - where do you get yours from and how much are you paying? I can get the above KMC chain for just over 50 quid on Amazon - that about what you all pay?
Ta in advance.

 

[Mikerb]

All that is important is getting a 12 speed chain for a 12 speed cassette. My cassette is SRAM Eagle and I use SRAM GX Eagle chain usually
about £30. I am not convinced there is any benefit in supposed E bike specific chains especialy if you are paying a premium for one...and £50 is a premium!!

 

[MickS]

IMHO for the price of that KMC chain you can have 2 SRAM NX Eagle chains which are good enough (never failed me) and you can do swaps between these 2 chains let's say after 200 km on each. Your cassette will thank you for that (and your wallet, too).

 

[Dax]

I'm running a regular XT chain on my old kenevo. Oil it regularly, wash it occasionally. When it gets too disgusting I soak it in proprietary ebike chain cleaner (diesel) for a few days.

 

[Pezzar]

So basically, if I use a 'normal' 12 speed chain, I won't die. Cheers lads.

 

[Dax]

So basically, if I use a 'normal' 12 speed chain, I won't die. Cheers lads.

I wouldn't buy the cheapest one available, a full fat ebike is putting a lot more load through the chain than a regular rider, so by something half decent and carry a couple of spare quick links

 

[Pezzar]

Yeah I'll go with a 'normal' KMC, they are the best I've tried and good suggestion with the quick links.

 

[chris f]

Pez i have just ordered the same chain as the bike came with from amazon 23 quid just a SRAM NX EAGLE which bike was delivered with so thought gona be good enough

 

[Evolution Stu]

Buy a good quality 12 speed chain and you will be fine.

I’ve personally moved from KMC ebike chains, to Shimano XT and found they shift better (as you would expect to be fair) and lately have changed to Shimano SLX which are even cheaper. The last 4 have been SLX.

I tend to get approx 500miles from a chain before I get to 0.75% wear which is around when I change them.

Note, my go-to terrain is like this.

I show you these just to point out I am stood up on the pedals in full power mode on a lot of my climbs and I have NEVER broken a chain In 3 years and over 5000 miles of riding these-bikes In the mountains.

MTB premiums are normal paid for lightweight materials.
Rarely are lighter materials stronger, and I believe drivetrain should be retained as strong as possible on these machines.

 

[Pezzar]

Buy a good quality 12 speed chain and you will be fine.

I’ve personally moved from KMC ebike chains, to Shimano XT and found they shift better (as you would expect to be fair) and lately have changed to Shimano SLX which are even cheaper. The last 4 have been SLX.

I tend to get approx 500miles from a chain before I get to 0.75% wear which is around when I change them.

Note, my go-to terrain is like this.

View attachment 93347 View attachment 93348 View attachment 93349

I show you these just to point out I am stood up on the pedals in full power mode on a lot of my climbs and I have NEVER broken a chain In 3 years and over 5000 miles of riding these-bikes In the mountains.

MTB premiums are normal paid for lightweight materials.
Rarely are lighter materials stronger, and I believe drivetrain should be retained as strong as possible on these machines.

Brilliant, thanks for that, I'll give it a try I think.

 

[Doomanic]

NX chain is nasty. I've run NX and SLX back to back and the SLX is quieter and shifts better.