cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/49655095
This is an Ultegra 11s chain after 1000km of wear from a 1500W mid-drive. Used to ride a Tangent back in 2016. T'was shredding till it went *clunk*.
this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2025
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Only 1000km damn… I know chains don't last as long on e-bikes but still, that broke quite quickly! I remember some advice from a bike shopkeeper: cheeper chains can be more durable since high-end chains are made for pros who look for lightweight parts above all (but these are less durable as a consequence).
You might find the opposite is true actually. I saw something (maybe on youtube?) recently where someone tested chain wear on a range of Shimano chains by setting up a jig and running it for ages, measuring it at intervals until it got to .5 wear (which is when most recommend changing the chain).
The XTR/Dura Ace chain lasted the longest. No only that, on a dollar per kilometre basis it was also the cheapest chain overall!
They put it down to the added treatment or coating on the rollers that the other chains don't have.
Did it sling road grime/sand and water onto the test rig?
No I don't think so, that would be a good test though I agree.
Based on the fact that the result was put down to the physical difference in the chain material, I'd think that it would still last longer, but maybe it wouldn't turn out to be cheaper by the km, as potential the grime could rip through a coating pretty quickly.
I think it really depends on the chain too. I have a no-name chain from China that came on a 1,300w ebike, and it's still good 3,701 km later. Though this is a single speed, so perhaps there's less wear and tear because of that.
One shop also put a 12 speed chain on an 11 speed bike, and I managed to snap it clean off with just my legs on my standard mountain bike. Stuff like that can also be a factor.