I’ve broken chains 3 times this year already I have no idea how some of you guys can say never snapped a chain in 10 or 20 years….
I’ve seen people get 10,000 miles out of a chain. I’ve seen people stretch a brand new chain beyond 1% in under 200 miles.
WAY too many variables for people to make sweeping statements about “I’ve never snapped a chain in 20 years of riding, I am god you are an idiot” kind of comments. If you’re 9st ringing wet, spin a very high cadence, and never shift under load, then I’d expect your chain to last a LOT longer than someone who’s 18st, struggles to top 75rpm cadence at all and stomps on the pedals a lot.
FWIW me experience is that KMC chains last longer than Shimano or SRAM. I couldn’t tell you Shimano or SRAM chains are bad, just that my experience says that KMC are much better VFM. Briefly tried a Connex Wipperman chain… NEVER again. I’ve only snapped about 3 chains in 20 years of riding, one was a Shimano and lack of maintenance (and it was heavily stretched) as a kid, another was a SRAM on a demo bike I hired and it was Waaaaaaaaaaay beyond 1% stretched when I hired it and trying to pop a quick wheelie snapped the chain instantly! The Connex I fitted brand new to my bike last year, it snapped on its 3rd ride, and after fixing it, snapped again on the 6th ride whereupon it got slung in a hedge and I hobby-horsed it home…