Ok so I’m currently using an xt groups , and have been told my xt chain is wearing already after very little use. My question is is the xtr any tougher ? I’m a big bloke 15st and push hard I guess on the pedals I just never expected it to stretch so quickly. Literally 5 months of not much use. Probs 2 rides a week since my new job.

Told by who? I’m a lot heavier than you and my XT chain lasted over a year, used weekly or more.

There are two ways of looking at chain wear imo.

First off is change them when they hit .75% on the old chain-wear-o’meter. I do this on my nice roadie as it keeps the gears crisp. I never go above XT, ultegra level as they are a consumable part.

The other school of thought is wear the whole lot into the ground which is what I do on my winter roadie. I have had 8000+ miles out of a chain and when it was time for it to go then the whole lot needed replacing.

Out of interest was the chain measured with a park tool gauge.? If so take it with a pinch of salt as a new chain will show as being worn on one of those.

5 months for a chain is fine.

And the XTR will in no way be stronger or longer lasting than XT, only lighter.

That’s what I thought. My old xt chain seemed to.last a lot longer. I do measure regularly lol

I stopped using shimano chains years ago because of that backward connector pin thingy. Do they still use that?.

Yeah , hate the way Shimano still haven’t developed a split link !

And yes , I do know the KMC ones fit.

Chain may not be worn. Measure over the longest section you can with a steel rule and see if it’s above or below 0.5% worn.

Chain checkers are pessimistic. I only use one to tell me when to switch to the steel rule.

^^^ not quite sure what you mean. How would I know if I never knew the length before ?

It’s standard.

Cheap chains last as long as expensive chains ime, your paying for fancy plating that achieves nothing other than making them look nicer for longer.

I agree with dirty dog excepting the cheapest brown chains etc which wear more quickly IME.

I’d prefer to go on some proper testing though!