Heard these are good ... which one for 9sp XC riding ... bit confused with their ranging 😯
Just get the one that fits your budget. They're all suitable for the job, what you're mainly getting is less weight. Down at the cheapest end you get less corrosion protection as well.
I used the X9SL for a while and found it a wee bit delicate (it's made of holes) but it's light and performs well. Was fine til 10UTB where sticky mud meant lots of chainsuck and the chain ended up twisting a lot of links.
Now I use the X9.93, which works very well. Lasts forever, comes with a quick link, is cheap.
I think I use this one:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12756
Seem to last a lot longer than SRAM chains I have used & no issues with shifting (aside from my rubbish gear set-up ability!).
All of the X9 chains seem good, plus they seem very resistent to corrosion.
My recommendation is to get one!
I use them and regard them very highly indeed. They seem to resist rust, while my previous XTR chain went rusty if you just showed it a damp morning.
I've had two X9.93 chains which have both split open at random points in the chain for no apparent reason - in both cases, one of the outer plates has splayed off a joining pin, well away from where I'd taken the initial links out and put the quick release link in. Other than that, they do seem to wear well.
This one. It comes down to £13 something when you log in, has the full corrosion resistant coating and also normal links which are stronger than the X9L and X9SL. I bent a few links in my previous X9L but not in this one.
On my 2nd X9L Gold chain - the first one performed perfectly so when replacement time came it was an easy decision.
X9 SLs on my bikes now, replacing the SRAM PC 991s which I used to run. No troubles with them to date despite a lot of miles / dubious conditions. Merlin does seem to be the best deal around at the moment AFAIK.
thanks all
I would avoid KMC as their split links are a bit rubbish, they just don't stay closed. Tried one but not having another.
I use either SRAM PC991 hollow-pin or XTR, both with SRAM split links (got a brand new 9sp XTR off fleabay for £13!)
andrewh - MemberI would avoid KMC as their split links are a bit rubbish, they just don't stay closed.
They seem much the same as SRAM ones to me, never had any problems with either.
Look very similar, but don't seem to work as well. Don't know why.
never had a problem with KMC links.
Have 2 on my chain (snapped a link when a wire got caught up in my chain) and and either one can be undone when out on a ride with the right technique and neither one has given me any trouble. They are under tension when riding so should never come undone.
Except when I was putting the chain on once and slipped and half when flying over the car - 2 times in a row. At least my rear mech still has good tension!
I have been using the KMC X9 SL for as long as I can remember. As soon as they wear out I am straight back to the X9 SL.
I have never had any problems- don't know what some people get up to with their chains! If the link is really such a problem (never been in my experience) then just buy one from a different manufacturer for about £1.
As someone has already said, Merlin Cycles is the place to buy from
superb right throu the range tbh as mentioned the hollowplated are more for xc/light users but most of the x9 seris work spot on and never had a problem with splitlinks had mine for about 6-7 months now come rain or shine bit of a lube and all good
Always bought my x9sl's off eBay from overseas sellers for around £25-28
Has 2 now from 2 different sellers, no issues great chains
Ditto Northwind and andyl - no problems with KMC chainlinks. Did manage to bust a SRAM PC 991 one though - but that was probably due to my pish shifting 😳
If concerned, you could always sub the one they provide with a SRAM powerlink.
was a serial chain breaker until I started using kmc chains. Use the x9 on the big bike and sl on xc bike. no complaints. merlin is pretty cheap too.
x9.93 - faultless IME
I get mine from Parker. They were £10.50 each but more now 🙁
(free postage when you order 2).