Replace SRAM Flattop Chain with KMC X12: Great with Shimano Too!

Рет қаралды 3,810

Күн бұрын

Recently, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew devoted a bunch of time, swapping wheels with cassettes by Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM, between bikes fitted with those systems to determine what works, and what doesn't.
During this lengthy exercise, he learned of the existence of KMC's X12 chain, one that promises to run reliably on every 12 speed drivetrain circa 2024.
In this video, JOM presents his findings with over 500km on this chain paired to SRAM eTap AXS Force... and some kilometres with the chain on a Shimano Ultegra 11-30 12-speed cassette.
Reminder:
ALWAYS BE A STEWARD FOR GRAVEL CYCLING: Respect the roads, respect the locals, respect the land, respect your fellow cyclists.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:35 KMC X12 Chain
1:11 KMC X12 with SRAM AXS
2:49 KMC X12 with Shimano Ultegra 12-Speed & SRAM AXS
3:26 KMC X12 & Campagnolo
3:31 Closing
4:07 General Madness!
Links of Interest:
Mixing 12-Speed Cassettes: Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM - • Mixing 12-Speed Casset...
KMC X12 Chain on Amazon - amzn.to/44doziU
Time ADHX 45 Long-Term Review - • Time ADHX 45 Long-Term...
How to Create Amazing & Fun Gravel Routes! - • How to Create Amazing ...
North Florida Freeride Gravel Series - / norflafreeridegravelse...
Gravel Cyclist's Route Library - www.gravelcyclist.com/gravel-...
Gravel Bike Tire / Tyre Pressure Guidelines - www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle...
Amazon Affiliation Link:
No cost to you, but every purchase made helps keep Gravel Cyclist up and running! - www.amazon.com/?&_encoding=UT...
Web: GravelCyclist.com
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Пікірлер: 35

@petersouthernboy6327 2 ай бұрын

You just can’t leave well enough alone 😂. Good to see you in the States 👍

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

Someone has to tinker with all of these parts :)

@billybob7088 2 ай бұрын

I run mine on my Force 1x, very happy

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

Nice, thank you for chiming in, was interested to hear how the X12 performed on a SRAM 1x system.

@hardmtnbiker 2 ай бұрын

I’ve been using KMC chains on all my bikes. For me it’s a better choice. I wax my chains with Silca and that keeps everything nice and smooth. I only have Shimano derailers but different cassettes and chain rings.

@RicardoRocha-lg1xo 2 ай бұрын

Good to know they work!

@chrisscott8362 2 ай бұрын

yes!

@bengt_axle 2 ай бұрын

Are the plates on this chain beveled, so as to engage the tooth on the cassette that sticks out a bit, and still shift smoothly going down the cassette?

@hansschotterradler3772 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. It appeared that the shimano cassette offered slightly smoother shifting than the sram cassette.

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

For certain. Bear in mind that Shimano cassette was paired with a SRAM Force drivetrain,. I have yet to try all Shimano, I expect that will be near perfect.

@Thomas-fy9yc 2 ай бұрын

Couple people in my bike group ran them on various AXS setups, and they all ditched KMC and went back to SRAM as they seemed prone to drop chains on 2x systems.

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

No chain drops yet, no changes made to front derailleur setup.

@sandswan 2 ай бұрын

@@GravelCyclist Funny - I had two dropped chains at Mid South with the flattop SRAM chain 😂 Thanks so much for testing this. I'm really looking forward to buying one of these KMC's in gold. My chain is the last bit of kit on my ADHX still in silver!

@Ingrimmsch91 9 күн бұрын

SRAM has notoriously poor front shift … a dropped chain is normal for them

@trialmx 2 ай бұрын

My first thought was " Yes, I do need a gold chain".

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

100%!

@jamesenloe2791 2 ай бұрын

Fact: gold chain adds an additional 3-5 watts

@DogDude4all 2 ай бұрын

My experience using a non flattop chain on SRAM 12s road was that it shifted fine, but felt like pedaling through broken glass. I assume this was because of the smaller rollers on a cassette intended for larger rollers.

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

I can assure you there is none of the pedaling feeling you are describing. SRAM Rival Flattop chains are certainly cheap enough (and good enough) that I expect KMC's option won't be adopted in a broad manner.

@michiganstate149 2 ай бұрын

KMC seems to split the difference between Sram and Shimano. Works on both, not impressive on either. Good option for some.

@ianthedondaws7559 2 ай бұрын

I always prefer a kmc chain..👍

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

Looks fab in gold 👌

@sandswan 2 ай бұрын

The US KMC store states this on their website: Compatibility: SRAM Eagle, SRAM Eagle AXS, Shimano, and Campagnolo Bicycle Type: MTB, Road, Gravel, Cyclocross *Not Compatible with SRAM eTAP and Flattop You're testing it on the SRAM Force Wide and it seems fine... any reason why it wouldn't work on the D2 SRAM Force 2x ?

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

I based my testing on what is displayed on the chain packaging, I hadn't checked the website disclaimer in some time. You can see how it performed here, but I suggest you use at your own risk. SRAM may not recognize any potential warranty issues if you use this chain. Good luck!

@markreams3192 2 ай бұрын

The shifting is not impressive in this video. I’ve used KMC on Shimano 11sp. While it worked, the shifting is not as crisp as a Shimano chain. The Shimano chain lasts longer as well.

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

In case you missed it, this is a Shimano 12 speed cassette, SRAM Force drivetrain, KMC X12 chain. I have yet to try it with an all Shimano drivetrain, which I expect may shift the best of all.

@0rangekick 2 ай бұрын

the last time I bought a KMC chain was about 10 years ago, because it was cheap. Once installed, I checked it with my Park Tool chain checker and it indicated not the 0.5 or less, but it indicated 0.75 or more - and that's where I normally replace with a new chain. The chain was out of tolerance before I even got out of my driveway. BUYER BEWARE!!!

@GravelCyclist 2 ай бұрын

Ten years ago is a long time.

@iamsamjackson Ай бұрын

Where did you purchase? I know there are a lot of fake chains from KMC on ebay and amazon

@0rangekick Ай бұрын

@@iamsamjackson I bought it from Amazon.... I've tried others too, any chain made in China fail my Park Chain Checker. A new chain whether it's Shimano, SRAM, Wippermann Connex, Campagnolo, should read zero straight out of the box it came in.

@iamsamjackson Ай бұрын

@@0rangekick KMC is TW based. I would be surprised if the chain you ordered on Amazon was genuine. KMC manufactures some of shimano's chains, and generally produces high quality products.

@0rangekick Ай бұрын

@@iamsamjackson thanks