road chain on an MTB?

[I Are Baboon]

Does it really make a difference if you use a road bike chain on a mountain bike? The last time I brought my bike into the shop (like a year ago) I told them to throw a new chain on. I figured they were already working on the bike, so what the hell. Anyway, I had to break my chain the other day to get it off the bike (long story) and noticed it was a Dura-Ace chain. I just thought that was kind of odd. I guess I never noticed until just now.

[binary visions]

Shimano's top level chain used to be the same for both their roadie group and XTR.

As long as it's 9spd, it works :thumb:

[I Are Baboon]

Thanks, BV. I didn't know if there were minute differences in link thickness, length, strength etc between a road and MTB chains, so I was not sure if they were use-specific.

[binary visions]

The cassette & chainring tooth spacing is the same, and the cassette freehub spacing is the same, so everything should work in harmony assuming the same number of gears. Downhillers often use roadie cassettes and derailleurs to improve ground clearance.

On the lower end, I would assume there are differences in the construction of the chains and I don't know what the implications are for real-world use. But on paper, they'll all work :).

[Wumpus]

http://www.probikes.pl/img/itm/big/18.jpg

[GotMyGED]

I was under the impression that the only shimano chain that actually said Dura Ace on it was a narrow 10spd chain.

I could be wrong though.

[binary visions]

I was under the impression that the only shimano chain that actually said Dura Ace on it was a narrow 10spd chain.

I could be wrong though.
Only now that the Dura Ace group is 10spd only (at least, I can't find any evidence that the new Dura Ace group has a 9spd option :think: ). I'm sure there's still a lot of old stock of the Dura Ace/XTR chains kicking around.

[motomike]

They still make the D-A/XTR 9spd chains. As well as Ultegra/XT and 105/LX, since mtbs haven't gone the way of 10 spd yet and there are still a ton of 9spd road groups being used.

[sunny]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Campy chains? They seem to be the only ones that are beveled on the edges. I'm told they shift smoother than Shimano or SRAM and can be used with either Shimano or SRAM cassettes on the mtn bike.

Anyone know about this or have an opinion?

-sunny
(who knows just enough to be slightly dangerous)

[sanjuro]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Campy chains? They seem to be the only ones that are beveled on the edges. I'm told they shift smoother than Shimano or SRAM and can be used with either Shimano or SRAM cassettes on the mtn bike.

Anyone know about this or have an opinion?

-sunny
(who knows just enough to be slightly dangerous)
Without asking the boss, who is known as the "Campy Nazi", I would think it is a bad idea. I think the shifting ramps on Shimano-compatible chainrings would not play well with Campy chains.

However, I will quiz the "Campy Nazi" and relay his opinion.

[maxyedor]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Campy chains? They seem to be the only ones that are beveled on the edges. I'm told they shift smoother than Shimano or SRAM and can be used with either Shimano or SRAM cassettes on the mtn bike.

Anyone know about this or have an opinion?

-sunny
(who knows just enough to be slightly dangerous)
It will work just fine, the ramps and what not are just there from the begining, as oposed to most chains that develope them as they wear out. I would still recomend the Sram 990 because it is so cheap compared to the Campy. I do use the Record 10 speed on my road bikeand can atest to Campy shifting smoother than sex, but that may be more because of the Record driveline more than just the chain.