Here’s the truth:
Bike chains are the MOST IMPORTANT accessories on the planet. Because without them, there would be no such thing as cycling.
This is crazy, or isn’t it?
Let me put it this way:
You can have all premium and fancy accessories fixed on whatever your favorite bike is. But if you don’t have high quality chains connecting the cassette with the crank, you can as well forget such a thing as an exceptional bicycling experience.
And the bottom line is?
If you want to have a great time cruising the city urban, put your cycling skills to work on hilly trails, or simply beat rough trails and get to your destination, then you need nothing but the best bike chain for your two-wheeled “vehicle”.
Here are some recommendations to consider.
Remember to get Bike Chain Cleaner Tool to make cleaning and maintaining your chain easier.
Contents
Top Rated Bike Chain Comparison & Rating Chart
| Preview | Product Name | Weight | Number of Links | Suitable for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
KMC CHAIN 1SP S1 BRN , 0.5 inches X 0.13 inches | 330 grams | 112 | single speed chain | Check Price |
 |
Shimano Ultegra 6701 10-Speed Chain | 275 grams | 116 | 10-speed Chain | Check Price |
 |
SRAM PC-951 9 Speed Chain | 334 grams | 114 | 9-Speed Chain | Check Price |
 |
ZONKIE 6/7/8 Speed Bike Chain 1/2 x 3/32 Inch 116... | 340 grams | 116 | 6,7,8-speed Chain | Check Price |
 |
SRAM PC 1170 11-Speed Hollow Pin Bicycle Chain... | 283 grams | 114 & 120 | 11-speed chain | Check Price |
 |
PROCOMPANY #415 Chain HD and Free Master Link for... | 725 grams | 415 | – | Check Price |
| No products found. | No products found. | 266 grams | 116 | 7 – 8 speeds | No products found. |
Best Bicycle Chain Reviews – We Picked Top Mountain & Road Bikes Chains
1. KMC Z410 Bicycle Chain
KM Z410 is the first bike chain that we’ve ever bought for testing. If it stood out in the experiment, we would it consider it one of the top options that we would recommend to budding cyclists (like you). This caught on for us after the first test. Fixing it was easy, lubing it the first time didn’t take more than 10 minutes, and the rest came easy after that.
Z410’s design looks pretty basic, yet it’s strong enough to endure tough adventure. It features a drop buster configuration with a bit of an oversized chain plate. This configuration enhances smooth grinding and proper landing comes easy.
The nickel plating added to the anti-drop design adds a decent coating to keep the chain in use for longer, even with less lubing. The cover means maximum protection from different elements, so you end up keeping maintenance cost as low as possible.
As far as usage goes, this one only works with single speed bikes. Plus, it works quite well with SRAM, Shimano, as well as Campy.
Pros
- It’s easy to install
- Rust resistant
- A cheap bike chain that works well for all single speed bikes
Cons
- The chain tends to fade after some months
- Only available for single speed bikes
2. SHIMANO Ultegra CN-6701 Chain
Shimano is king when it comes to quality bike accessories, not to mention that the Ultegra CN-6701 chain is one of their best creations yet. This chain is all about enhanced power transfer and smooth performance. With it, riding for long hours should be fun and absolutely fulfilling.
Shimano has completely revamped this chain, giving it an asymmetric, half cutout design for both the inner and outer plates. They perforated the outer plate to eliminate chain stuck and lower the overall weight. They even went a step further to reshape the inner plate to lessen drivetrain friction so you can pedal effortlessly and enjoy a smooth rear shifting.
Generally, the overhaul has two advantages. First, it enhances the connection between the cassette and crack, proving a smoother shifting even when carrying heavy loads. Second, it eliminates chain suck and noise, so you can pedal quietly and have fun cruising the trail.
When it comes to application, this chain is as good for any Shimano 10-speed road bike. Once fixed on your bike, you can tackle hilly trails like a superstar and sprint like a pro cyclist, even if you’re a beginner.
Pros
- Completely redesigned to offer you better performance
- Lightweight, easy to install, and easy to use
- The zinc alloy coating provides resistance to elements
Cons
- It’s a bit expensive
3. SRAM 9-Speed Bicycle Chain
SRAM is one of the brands that mean serious business when it comes to chain design. And this 9-Speed, a pick with PowerLink chain connector, is an embodiment of their quality work. You get it at half the price of Shimano Ultegra 6701, making it the best budget bike chain on this list.
This 9-speed bike chain is one of the strongest that SRAM has ever build. Riveted in a 2-step process, which enhances Push Pin Power, and hardened with a chrome pin treatment, this 114-link chain is one of the most durable bike accessories that money can buy.
SRAM’s chain durability calls for responsibility. Occasional cleaning and lubing is enough to get it to last for long. And thanks to the PowerLink connector, removing the chain from the drivetrain for cleaning is a breeze and putting it back in place comes easy after that.
It also features a Power Chain II technology, which helps with front and load shifting. And it doesn’t have any negative effect on the shifting precision.
We genuinely assume that you what more than just an accurate shifting when riding your bike. More often than not, you also want the shift to be as fast as possible. And that’s exactly what this SRAM chain gives you, thanks to the design of the inner and outer plate profile.
Pros
- Works well with Campy and Shimano drivetrains
- Cheap yet durable
- Plaited for protection from elements
Cons
- Doesn’t last long, tend to stretch out after a year
- May be short for some riders
4. Zonkie Bike Chain
Zonkie is also one of the cheapest bike chains that you should consider if you’re on a budget. One of the best things about this one is that the chain joints are easy to disassemble, clean, and put back in place. And regular lubing should give you a good riding experience.
Made of special forging steel, the Zonkie is one of the best bike chains out there. Plus, it has a smooth surface polishing and internal oiling that make it suitable for use immediately after the first install.
You will love Zonkie bike chain because it’s versatile. As inexpensive as it is, it’s a good fit for multiple drivetrains, which is something we haven’t seen with other chains on this list.
It’s a 6, 7, and 8-speed chain that fit really well.
Pros
- Cheap bike chain for multiple drivetrains
- Features a strong steel construction for strength and durability
- It’s rust and corrosion resistant
Cons
- Not suitable for use in bad weather
5. SRAM PC 1170 Bike Chain
If you’re looking for a lightweight bike chain with hollow pins, SRAM PC 1170 is a good option to consider.
SRAM has completely revamped this model by reshaping the outer plates, keeping noise to a minimum when pedaling.
Plus, they’ve cut down the weight for easy pedaling, making it 20 grams less the weight of the 9-speed model.
The hollow pins don’t just offer more retention strength. They also enhance front and rear shifting as you ride your bike.
Moreover, it features a PowerLink integration, which makes it easy to remove the chain from the drivetrain for cleaning.
Pros
- A good pick for 11-speed drive train
- PowerLink included to make cleaning and lubing easy
- Coated inside out for durability and resistance against elements
Cons
- This bike chain is a bit expensive
6. King Pro Company Bike Chain
Do you own a motorized bike and need a chain that can work well with it? Then you should consider this one here.
It’s an affordable yet heavy-duty bike chain, a good pick for a2 stroke bike engine.
This bike chain is versatile, a good build that works well for all 80cc, 66cc, and 49cc pedal bikes.
Thicker than many standard bikes, this 415-chain can take a beating from motorized bikes and harsh environments and perform just fine.
You even get a free master link for the price, an addition that makes the chain easy to handle mostly when it comes to installation.
Pros
- Heavy-duty bike chain designed to give you the best value for your money
- Works well with multiple cc bikes
- Includes a free master link for easy installation
Cons
- This bike chain is heavy
7. Ztto Gold Silver Grey Bicycle Chain
No products found.
Ztto is one of the most powerful bike chain on this list. It’s also one of the most affordable options that you can buy if you’re under a budget.
Made through a roller and circle riveting process and treated with a long lasting chromium carbide, Ztto chain will last longer than many standard chains do.
Ztto keeps friction to a minimum by adding multiple contact point to this chain. This way you can ride your bike fast while pedaling less.
The Ni-PTFE Teflon coating on both plates not only enhances the durability of the chain by offering maximum protection from elements but also ensures a smooth and quiet shifting.
And to eliminate chain drop, particularly when backpedaling, Ztto adds a chamfering on the inner plate.
One of the things that make this chain to stand out is the wide compatibility. It works well with Campagnolo, Shimano, and SRAM in the range of 7 to 33-speed MTB and road drivetrains, which is something unique about it.
Pros
- Cheap bike chain with mass compatibility
- Properly treated for strength and durability
- It’s a lightweight bike chain, weighs only 266 grams
Cons
- Some links don’t line up correctly
No products found.
