Dyna-Sys Chain replacements - non Shimano

[leftieant]

By my reckoning, the new 10s Shimano gear has probably been on the market for 6 or 8 months now. I'm guessing it will soon be time where we start replacing chains and cassettes, and the inevitable question about cross-compatibility and non-standard replacements will start to come up.

So I'll get the ball rolling. I've got a chain that needs replacing, and I'm wondering what my options are.

Options as I see it:

Original HG-X chain
Shimano road 10s chain
SRAM PC1090 or similar
Connex Wipperman
KMC 10s

Who's done what, and what has worked and what hasn't?

 

[redbruce]

Given quality chains are of similar cost, and in my experience Shimano chains work best with Shimano drive trains (in particular cassettes), why go elsewhere?

 

[tegski]

Original chain lasted about 100km before breaking.
This was replaced (during race) by LBS with an Ultegra 10speed - worked fine with a sram joining link.
Noticed a crooked link in this chain…inserted a wipperman link to try it - worked fine.
Then replaced whole lot with a Sram 10 spd - this is currently working well too.
I could not tell any difference between any of them on the XT 10 speed drive train.
Why change? Because I like to occasionally take the whole chain off and chuck it in the Aldi ultrasonic cleaner for that sparkly new look!

 

[krisko]

Shimano Ultegra 10sp since the original chain gave up (under 200k)
2000k later and the Ultegra is doing well with KMC 10 speed link.

 

[Landon]

10 Speed Chains

The XTR 10 speed chain sounds cool with the directional plates, but I've not used one yet. I'm currently using a 1091R which has revised, and slimmer, outer plates on both sides compared to the older 1090 series chains. I can't say I noticed a great improvement in shifting compared to the 1090.

From measuring a new XTR 10 speed chain and a new 1091, I found the width of the XTR chain to be 0.18mm wider across the inner plate / roller section. Still, a black SRAM Powerlock will fit the XTR chain. I've had great success with these links even after removing and installing the same link many times. I'd like to measure a Dura-Ace chain soon to compare.