I've got an entirely SRAM 3x10 setup at the moment - but I've bent the crank spindle/axle, so I want to replace the chainset.
Was looking at the new 3 ring XT chainsets and was going to replace the chain at the same time, but my questions are:
Should I buy a shimano, or a SRAM chain? The blurb for the chainset says buy a shimano chain..... but will that work ok with the rear cassette (SRAM)? After all, if it needs to be specific for the chainset, will it work with a different cassette? Same principle innit?
I am expecting the answer to be "buy a shimano chain, it will work fine", but I just want to check!
Either chain will work fine, I'd buy a KMC though.
Currently have Shimano Cranks with Middleburn Rings, Sram chain and Cassette with Shimano mech.
no real issues
10 speed is a little different because they did directional chains and what not, and to be fair I had a slightly worn (SRAM) cassette that was absolutely fine with a new SRAM chain and totally unusable with a new Shimano one, so I think there's some merit in what the manufacturers say, but they're certainly cross compatible.
so, "yes" but "no"?
Will look at the KMC ones.....
You're taking your life in your hands. You'll almost certainly die!
Apparently the chains and cassettes work better together as one has narrower plates and the other has narrower sprockets to give the same overall width.
And obviously mech and shifters have to match (altough someone said apparenly they're close enough to work?)
But chainsets are all much the same.
My anecdotal evidence about using a worn cassette with a new chain aside I've never noticed a difference when mixing and matching, so I really wouldn't worry about it!
I've used SRAM, Shimano and KMC on SRAM and Shimano cassettes, and they do all work just fine.