Best Road Bike Chains in 2023: Top 15 Picks

Sometimes it might be quite difficult to find the best road bike chains. With every niche market offering so many different products, it makes sense that this is the case.

Unfortunately, this very fact can make it incredibly difficult to find the item that best suits your needs, which is why we’ve put together this road bike chains buying guide.

We Recommend:

#	Preview	Product
1		SHIMANO Tiagra 10 Speed Road Bicycle Chain - CN-4601 - ECN4601116	Check Price
2		SRAM PC-830 6/7/8-Speed Road/MTB Bike Chain 1/2" x 3/32" 114L fits Shimano Campy	Check Price
3		Inkesky 11 Speed Bike Chains - 1/2" x 11/128" 116L - Compatible with Shimano/KMC/Campagnolo/SRAM for...	Check Price
4		SHIMANO Ultegra 6701 10-Speed Chain	Check Price
5		Shimano Ultegra/XT CN-HG701 11-Speed Chain W/Quick Liink	Check Price
6		SHIMANO CN-HG40 Hyperglide Chain	Check Price
7		SHIMANO CN-6600 Ultegra 10-Speed Chain	Check Price
8		6/7/8 Speed Bike Chain Rainbow Chain for Bike 1/2" x11/128 116 Links Lightweight Bicycle...	Check Price
9		KMC Unisex's X8,X9,X10,X11 Road/Mountain Bike EPT Chain, Dark Silver-New Blue Packaging (X10, EPT)	Check Price
10		Inkesky 12 Speed Bike Chains - 1/2" x 11/128" 126L - Compatible with Shimano/KMC/Campagnolo/SRAM for...	Check Price
11		Shimano Unisex's CN-HG701-11 Bike Chain, Grey, One Size	Check Price
12		PYC Hollow-Pin Bicycle 11-Speed Bike Chains 116L for Road/Mountain/Cyclocross/Gravel/MTB etc.use...	Check Price
13		SHIMANO CN-HG53 9-Speed Bicycle Chain	Check Price
14		VG SPORTS 6/7/8/9/10/11 Speed Bike Chains, Half Hollow/Full Hollow Lightweight Bicycle Chains for...	Check Price
15		YBEKI Bike Chain 6/7/8/9/10/11 Speed Bicycle Chain 1/2 x 11/128 Inch 116 Links (6/7/8 Speed,...	Check Price

15 Top Road Bike Chains Reviews:

SaleBestseller No. 1

SHIMANO Tiagra 10 Speed Road Bicycle Chain - CN-4601 - ECN4601116

• Model: CN-4601
• Super narrow HG chain for 10-speed
• Not compatible with 9-speed system
• Pin link plate: Gray --- Roller link plate: Brown
• Type: HG --- # of Links: 116 Links

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Bestseller No. 2

SRAM PC-830 6/7/8-Speed Road/MTB Bike Chain 1/2" x 3/32" 114L fits Shimano Campy

• Speed Compatibility: 6, 7, and 8-speed .,Number of Links: 114 .,Width: 7.1mm., SRAM PowerLink included .,For City, MTB, Race, Trekking, and Hybrid Bikes .,Weight: 310g / 114L

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SaleBestseller No. 3

Inkesky 11 Speed Bike Chains - 1/2" x 11/128" 116L - Compatible with Shimano/KMC/Campagnolo/SRAM for Road & Mountain Bike (Rainbow/Ti-N Coating / SX11EL (Lighter))

• ✅【Specifications 】11 speed, 116 links, 1/2 x 11/128-inch,255 grams (Model: SX11EL-Rainbow)
• ✅【Color & Coating 】Rainbow & Titanium Nitride Coating. It's high hardness and corrosion resistance coating, better performance than Nickel Plated
• ✅【One Chain for ALL】High compatibility for KMC/Shimano/Campagnolo/SRAM and other 11-speed drivetrain system.
• ✅【Extra Light Weight】SXEL serials chain with hollow outer plates and hollow inner plates design, makes chain more light than SX serials chain.
• ✅【What You Get】- 1 chain, 2 quick links, and great customer service, 1 year warranty

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SaleBestseller No. 4

SHIMANO Ultegra 6701 10-Speed Chain

• Redesigned inner and outer plates
• New shaped outer plate, 116 links
• New shaped inner plate for smoother rear shifting
• Enhanced press-in construction for stable shifting

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SaleBestseller No. 5

Shimano Ultegra/XT CN-HG701 11-Speed Chain W/Quick Liink

• Material: Sil-Tec coating
• Links: 126
• Connection: quick link
• Compatible Components: Shimano 11-speed
• Includes: quick link

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SaleBestseller No. 6

SHIMANO CN-HG40 Hyperglide Chain

• Shimano HG-40 Hyperglide Chain

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SaleBestseller No. 7

SHIMANO CN-6600 Ultegra 10-Speed Chain

• Package Dimensions : 2.54 cm L X 5.791 cm W X 23.596 cm H
• Sport type: Cycling
• Package Weight - 0.227 kilograms
• Material Type - Steel

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Bestseller No. 8

6/7/8 Speed Bike Chain Rainbow Chain for Bike 1/2" x11/128 116 Links Lightweight Bicycle Chain，Bike Chains MTN BTX MTB Mountain Bike Road Bicycle Chain

• Easy to install: chain joints for the magic buckle, easy to disassemble, easy to clean, reusable
• Smooth lubrication: surface polishing, internal oiling
• Strong Rally: Special forging steel, repeated forging, strict control of materials to ensure the strength
• Accurate matching: professional equipment test spacing, professional and technical test data
• The pin shaft is stronger and more durable after several rounds of processing, and its tensile strength exceeds 1800kg.

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SaleBestseller No. 9

KMC Unisex's X8,X9,X10,X11 Road/Mountain Bike EPT Chain, Dark Silver-New Blue Packaging (X10, EPT)

• Model: KMC EPT Chain
• Material: Alloy Steel, Color: Dark Silver
• Specificiation: 1/2"x 11/128", Link: 116 Links
• EPT Anti Rust technology, Surpasses 650 hours Salt Spray Test
• One chain for all - Compatible with Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM derailleur systems

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SaleBestseller No. 10

Inkesky 12 Speed Bike Chains - 1/2" x 11/128" 126L - Compatible with Shimano/KMC/Campagnolo/SRAM for Road & Mountain Bike (Black & Red/DLC Coating / SX12SL (Lightest))

• ✅【Specifications 】12 speed, 126 links, 1/2 x 11/128-inch, 237 grams (Model: SX12SL-BlackRed)
• ✅【Color & Coating 】Black/Red & DLC Coating. It's Diamond Like Coating(DLC), extremely hard surface and therefore reduced friction, smooth running, optimum shifting behaviour. Better performance than Ti-N Coating and Nickel Plated
• ✅【One Chain for ALL】High compatibility for KMC/Shimano/Campagnolo/SRAM and other 12-speed drivetrain system.
• ✅【Super Light Weight】SXSL serials chain with hollow outer plates, hollow inner plates and hollow pin design, makes chain super light, more light than SXEL/SX serials chain.
• ✅【What You Get】- 1 chain, 2 quick links, and great customer service, 1 year warranty

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SaleBestseller No. 11

Shimano Unisex's CN-HG701-11 Bike Chain, Grey, One Size

• Manufacturer Warranty: 2 years.
• Compatible Components: Shimano 11-speed.
• Material: Sil-Tec coating.
• Recommended Use: cycling.

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Bestseller No. 12

PYC Hollow-Pin Bicycle 11-Speed Bike Chains 116L for Road/Mountain/Cyclocross/Gravel/MTB etc.use Lightweight only 8.5oz

• An ultra-lite 11-speed road mountain bike chain compatible with the most popular 11 speed road system. SwishTi 11s chains weights at 238g which is lighter than KMC X11SL 245g. It is almost the lightest 11 speed chains you can find now.
• Features: -Quiet noiseless function -Snap link included. -Its lean construction reduces weight, improves shifting speed and smoothness, and reduces chains stuck -Includes Missing Link - Master Link -Extra stretch proof mushroomed pin -Campagnolo, Shimano & SRAM 11 Speed Compatible -Inner & Outer Plate Chamfering -Bushingless Construction -Hollow pins & plates makes the lightest chains in the world -PVD Coating
• New PVD Coating Technology. Excellent metallic luster, well-mixed color. Low friction coefficient of coating, enhancing lubricity. Coating hardness increased. Stable and environmental friendly process. Super light chain, light-weight hollow plate/pin design. Forging hollow pin and wear-resisting surface treatment to increase chain durability.
• Specs: 1/2" X 11/128" / Pin Length: 5.35 mm / 116 Links / Weight: approx.238grams/8.5oz
• Compatible with Shimano/Campagnolo/Sram system and mainly for Road/Mountain/Cyclocross/Gravel etc. bikes use

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Bestseller No. 13

SHIMANO CN-HG53 9-Speed Bicycle Chain

• Super narrow 9-speed construction
• Precistion construction
• Use for Deore and Tiagra
• 116 link

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Bestseller No. 14

VG SPORTS 6/7/8/9/10/11 Speed Bike Chains, Half Hollow/Full Hollow Lightweight Bicycle Chains for Road Bike/MTB/BMX, Rainbow 116 Links with Missing Link

• Specifications: 116- links, 1/2"x3/32", suitable for 6/7/8/16/24 speed moutain bike and road bike
• More Wear-resistant:50C high strength steel with high strength and 1800KG ultimate tension,Centerless grinding,chromizing technology,Wear resistance increase 30-50%,Half hollow slotted plates design,weight:10.12OZ
• More-Smooth: Asymmetrical External Chamfer, Rigorous Calculation Of Asymmetrical External Chamfers, Special Arrangement, Avoid Interference Between The Chain and The Chainring, high inlay force, smooth shifting without noise
• More-Secure:Three-layer vacuum plating ,super anti-rust,All-round protection electroplating layer, adapt to harsh weather,Whether it's road climbing, wading, snowy wet mudor heavy rainfall。Missing link design, easy installation
• About VG SPORTS：VG SPORTS is a professional manufacturer of bicycle accessories such as bicycle chain and bicycle cassette. The products are suitable for all kinds of mountain bicycles, road bicycles, commuter bicycles and racing bicycles. The products are compatible with VG sports / Shimano / SRAM ，If you have any questions,please feel free to contact us,we will provide you with quality service and caring answers.

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Bestseller No. 15

YBEKI Bike Chain 6/7/8/9/10/11 Speed Bicycle Chain 1/2 x 11/128 Inch 116 Links (6/7/8 Speed, Multicolour, 1)

• ☆ REINFORCED BIKE CHAIN - The surface is rust-proof and fully electroplated to make it shine for a long time. It adopts quenching heat treatment, new structure for impact resistance, one-piece stamping, and high-rigidity forging process, which can withstand the instantaneous explosive force from the high strength of the bicycle
• ☆ FINE MANUFACTURING - It is made of rigid carbon steel, and the surface is fully plated with silver to make it anti-rust and anti-corrosion, and it is more durable and wear-resistant, and its service life is prolonged. Instead of the traditional natural color electroless ordinary chain, the shortcomings of easy rust and low tensile strength
• ☆ EASY TO INSTALL - The chain link is a magic buckle, which is easy to disassemble and clean, and it is equipped with 3 additional magic buckles, as well as Bike Link Plier and chain hooks for installing the chain, making it easier to install
• ☆ CHAIN PARAMETERS - Specification: 8 Speed 1/2 x 11/128 Inch 116 Link. Weight: about 314 g. Suitable for most mountain bikes, road bikes, folding bikes, etc.
• ☆ QUALITY GUARANTEE,6 MONTH WARRANTY. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with the purchase you have made, do not hesitate to email us, We will prepare you as soon as possible to solve any problems for you until you are satisfied. Or you only have to return the product for a full refund.

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Last update on 2023-06-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to find the best road bike chains?

Here, we’ll be going over a number of factors that you can use to ensure that you’re purchasing the best road bike chains for you.

Regardless of which type of item you’re looking to buy, chances are that there are existing buying guides on the internet, all of which aim to give you good road bike chains recommendations.

Despite these recommendations, however, it’s always a good idea to do your own research. In addition to this research, asking yourself the following questions is also super helpful:

• What features does the road bike chains need to have to be perfect for my needs?
• What is my budget?
• Do I need to purchase a certain brand?

Once you’ve answered these questions and have a good idea of what you’re looking for and the buying process becomes much easier. Keep in mind that when looking for the best product, there’s no need to rush. In fact, very rarely are the ideal products found by choosing the first one you see or by basing your decisions on only one factor. Take your time and enjoy the process!

Now, with the answers to the previous questions in mind, we urge you to use our upcoming buying guide for road bike chains to find what you’re looking for:

Brand

In some cases, the brand of road bike chains is very important. For example, if you’re looking for an item that works in tandem with another, you might very well need both products to be the same brand. If this is the case, it’s vital to pay attention to this factor, as choosing the wrong product can mean the difference between wasting your money and buying a great product that functions as it should.

Features

The features in any given road bike chains are important because they can dictate which version of an item you need and how much money you need to spend. Consider all the key features that you want your item to have and don’t settle for anything that doesn’t check at least ¾ of your boxes.

Reviews

Customer reviews about road bike chains are crucial – especially when you’re buying a product that costs a lot of money or serves a big importance. Luckily, most products can be found online, which means that it’s common for there to be scores of customer reviews from those who have already purchased any given product.

Pay attention to these reviews. Take note of the pros and cons that they mention, and factor these into your big decision. In some cases, you’ll be forced to sacrifice one con in order to gain a particular pro, but being aware of the potential con is going to be beneficial in either case.

Quality

Of course, quality is key. You don’t want to purchase a low-quality product. If you do, you run the risk of your item breaking, not working properly, or otherwise proving to be very disappointing, as well as a waste of money.

You can compare road bike chains quality by researching what your potential purchases are made from, contrasting the individual items against each other to discern which one is made of the best materials.

Warranty

Warranty isn’t always going to be important, but it definitely can be. This is especially true if the item in question is tech-related or expensive. A good warranty will be valid for an extended time after purchase and cover a variety of problems ranging from item defects to random accidents, water damage, and other miscellaneous events that could ruin your product.

Conclusion

The quest to find the best road bike chains can be daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. It can be made much easier by asking yourself a few simple questions and then thinking critically about the items you want to buy. Consider their features, quality, brand, warranty, and customer reviews and you’re more likely to make a great purchase.