Best Road Bike Chains of 2020 – Complete Round-up

Bike chains are probably the most important part of a bike. This is because, without them, it would literally not move. There would be no cycling, no dirt, or mountain biking if the chain is broken or just not there. You can have every accessory in the world to make your bike’s appearance better. But it would all be just a waste. 

The chain is the most important part because it helps with the transmission of power from the pedal to the wheel, which is the first thing that a bike needs to move. It also offers a lot of other features, which we will be getting into below.

So in this article, we have rounded up some of our top picks for bike chains, their strength, and durability.

Comparison of the Best Road Bike Chains

Are All Road Bike Chains The Same?

No, not all bike chains are the same. There are variations in the speed systems they are compatible with, as well as things such as links, outer and inner plates, lengths, etc.

Different companies also come out with exclusive features for their chains, and they vary in material as well. The lengths mostly depend on the type of bike they are for, such as mountains, road, BMX, and their speed systems.

What Size of Road Bike Chain Do I Need?

It depends on the type of speed system your bike is composed of. It is possible to connect a chain with a master link, cut it to a certain length, and then reattach it if it does not suit your required length.

As stated, the lengths of the chains vary for different speed systems. For instance, a single-speed system has a chain of 7.9mm width, 6-speed with a width of 7.8mm, 7-speed with a width of 7.3mm, 8-speed with a width of 7.1mm, and so on. 

How Do I Choose a Road Bike Chain?

It is important to know what type of bike chain you require so that you do not end up buying or trying to install something that is not even compatible with your bike or it’s model.

Below, we have a few key points on how to choose the right bike chain.

Type of Chain

All bike chains are made to make bikes move. But not all of them are for the same bikes. They also vary in terms of speed and the purpose for which you want to use it. 

The speed systems mentioned above are a great way to understand the size of the chain required by your bike. But there is still the matter of other things such as material, color, etc.

Purpose

The kind of bike you have has a great impact on the type of chain you require. Are you into mountain bikes, road bikes, dirt bikes, BMX bikes, etc.? Each of these requires a bike chain with a specific type of strength, durability, material. Even the kits for each one are different.

Material

A material that is able to withstand wear and tear is preferable in bike chains. It is necessary to know that there are different types of terrain, and you will require something different for each one. The most popular choices are alloy steel, nickel-plated, and titanium chains.

Other factors, such as ease of installation, rust prevention ability, speed, etc. are also important to keep in mind.

Review of the Best Road Bike Chains

Now that we have described some of the important points to keep in mind when buying a bike chain, let’s get to our favorite models.

Below we have reviewed our top picks for bike chains, given their details, and what makes them stand out to us.

Advantages of Investing in a Quality Road Bike Chain

Here are some of the reasons you should invest in a high-quality bike chain.

Durable

A good-quality bike chain is going to be with you for a long time. Most of the chains these days are made of stainless or carbon steel, which is quite high in quality by itself. But they have the added feature of being nickel or titanium-plated, which are great when it comes to preventing corrosive damage.

Loose Chain Condition

After a while of use, the bike chain will wear out and lose its ability to maintain its grip. 

It will keep on slipping until it is fixed or replaced, and in extreme cases, may even snap on too sharp of a turn, which can be very dangerous as it can lead to the biker getting severely injured. This is called the loose chain condition. A good-quality bike chain will be able to prevent such a thing for a long time. 

Movement of the Bike

You want a chain that will help your bike in moving smoothly. It is important to understand that a good bike chain has good transmitting power to help the wheels roll by rotating pedals. 

The links that hold the rollers of the chain in place vary, but they help the rollers move smoothly to lock in the sprockets' teeth. You want a good-quality chain because it can offer all of this.

How to Clean a Road Bike Chain

It is quite easy to clean a bike chain, and it is important, too, because it helps with the durability and function of your chain. 

The steps that can guide you and help you with the process are as follows:

1. It is recommended that you use a bike-specific degreaser, as it is specifically formulated to clean the bike's chain.

2. The easiest way to do it is by using a designated chain cleaner tool.

3. Open it and fill its reservoir with a degreaser.

4. Wrap the tool around the chain as instructed and backpedal.

5. The brushes of the degreaser will clean the chain, getting into all the corners and tough spots, and the dirt will be collected in the degreaser.

6. If you do not have a degreaser, do not worry. You can use a simple toothbrush or a nail brush to get the job done.

7. Add some degreaser to the brush, and brush the top and bottom of the chain while backpedaling.

8. Make sure to brush only the section of the chain at the bottom of the drivetrain, as brushing the top will just create a big mess along with the degreaser dropping on the frame and your cleaned chain.

9. Now, rub your chain down with soapy water and rinse it. This will completely remove the remaining degreaser and make the lubricant fully stick to the chain.

10. Now the type of lubricant you use depends on the type of terrain you ride your bike on. 

11. Wet lubricant is great for wet and muddy conditions, as it lasts longer and is more waterproof, but it will attract more dust and dirt in dry conditions. Dry lubricant is great for drier conditions; though it will need to be changed more often, it is great for repelling dust.

12. This process can be used for any type of bike chain, not just for a road bike.

This completes the step-by-step guide to bike chain cleaning. If you have problems with understanding the steps or want to compare your technique with someone, we have linked a video below that will help.

Conclusion

There you have it: a review on some of our top picks of bike chains and a step-by-step guide on how to clean them. We have compiled this list with the help of customer reviews and thorough research. 

We hope that this article helps you out, as a reader, in selecting the right bike chain for you.

People Also Ask

Even though we have tried our best to give out as much information as possible, there may still have been some things that might be overlooked or confuse our readers.

So to help with that, we have answered a few questions that are relevant to bike chains.

Are KMC Chains Better Than Shimano?

On average, KMC chains are more expensive than Shimano chains. It is also common that one KMC chain is compatible with different speed systems. They are also more stretch-proof and have a reputation for durability. So in a way, yes, KMC chains are better than Shimano.

What is the Difference Between HG and IG Chains?

HG stands for HyperGlide, while IG stands for InterGlide. The main difference between HG and IG chains is their width. The HG chain is 6.6mm wide, and the IG chain is 7.1mm wide. Also, HG is for nine-speed drive systems, while IG IT is mainly for eight-speed drive systems.

How Often Should You Replace a Bike Chain?

It is recommended that you should replace your bike chain after it has usage of 200 miles. This is to prevent extreme wear and tear of the cassette and chainrings of the chain.

How Often Should You Clean a Road Bike Chain?

It depends on how often you ride. If you use your bike several times a week, you need to clean and lubricate the chain just as much. Professionals recommend that you do a thorough clean at least once a month to maintain perfect performance and keep its durability to the maximum.