KMC X12 Chain: Installation and Review

Instead of a SRAM Eagle 12 speed chain, I installed a KMC X12. How did it do?

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[WilliamrikerNCC]

I bought an expensive KMC DLC12 chain during covid to put on my shimano drivetrain bike. Chains were extremely hard to find at the time and I spent more than I wanted on it. That being said, it’s been a great chain, shifted as well as the stock shimano chain, and still going strong, and hasn’t hit .5 stretch yet, that’s when i usually replace

[mahonah]

I use the KMC X11 and X11SL on my bikes. I have two MTB, 2 gravel and 3 road, and all have been excellent. One of my road bikes is on my direct drive smart trainer and I put in regular hard efforts on it. No issues with shifting after several months, and no significant chain stretch. I don't have that particluar chain checker but I can tell you that it's not reached 0.5 yet on the chain checker I have.

[Stussy]

I always use KMC chains. I have been running KMC X12's on my Shimano XTR drivetrain for two seasons now. I usually replace the chain twice a year (just before the spring/summer race season and then heading into the winter months). No issues whatsoever. Shifting is spot on every time without fail. I think at the end of this season of racing I will be looking at changing the cassette, chainwheel AND jockey wheels when I next replace my chain. Top tip with KMC though is never submerge them in those chain baths otherwise you risk dispersing all of that factory installed grease. Just some decent degreaser, a rag and the now quite rare KMC dual sided brush (looks a bit like a dual sided toothbrush).

[paradox]

You know with the CC-2 you are supposed to replace the chains at .5 not .75 per Park Tools instructions for 11 and 12 speed chains.

[mytoyota]

Thanks. Never had issues with KMC in the past always shifts great and longevity like you said. My Giant came with SRAM 12 speed Crankset with those really thick teeth. I thought I was now stuck with SRAM eagle chains. Well, I'm really glad you did this video since I need a new chain. Thanks again.

[shirtlessGraveler]

I have this chain checker arriving soon this week they finally were back in stock directly from Park tool so far, they still make the best chain checker I’ve ever had. By the way, mySRAM mountain cassette I have had for years I did a conversion from a two by to the original SRAM GX 1 x . I’m probably swapping out chains at least once a year and my mountain bike gets the most use everything shifts flawlessly. oh, and by the way, my local bike shop didn’t have any SRAM 11 speed chains in stock, and this was last October 2022 so they sold me more expensive SRAM RED 11 speed road chain . I recently also converted the front chain ring to an absolute black oval ring. Everything shifts fine and the chain is still great and shifts well.

[tomf]

I like your tech always learn something new.

[chuckfernald]

Agree with several of the other comments that KMC 12sp chain paired with Eagle X01 AXS RD/cassette was noisier and less smooth than I thought it should have been. Switched to an Eagle X01 chain, improved both noise and shifting smoothness. X01/XX1 chains are purported to be longest lasting on the market...time will tell.

[Paddyhudson]

Used that exact chain for my 1x12 gravel bike this year. The choice was pretty clear when i started comparing all the chain choices ($$$).

[Zetler]

KMC E-12 on my eMTB. My bike is wolf in sheep clothing, looks exactly like class 1 but it’s actually a class 3 that’s not even legal. It can put out massive torque that can reach 120nm. I only trust KMC with this bike. Even the best SRAM chain can easily snap but with KMC, no issues.

[wildman]

never used the KMC x12 but I did put a KMC x11 on my old hardtail after the factory Sram-cheaper one PC-1110 its what they had for 11 speed in the local shop. still holding up good my brother now rides that bike. right now I have Sram GX chains 12 speed on both my mountain bikes and Shimano HG700 11 speed for my GRX gravel bike. havent needed to replace any of them so far we will see how long they last. seems to be every 2 seasons for me or at least has been with no need to replace cassettes. Cheers

[Sr.]

I just ran through 2 xx1 chains in a year. I'm going back to kmc also. I like that their quick links last much longer the sram power links. I wax my chain every 250 miles, so I spend as much on power links as xx1 chain. Lol

[LJ-ytio]

I noticed you used the proper Park chain link piers, but instead you used the "stomp" method to connect the new chain. This invites possible errors where one side will seat properly and the other won't, leading to a future snapped chain. Instead use the Park tool as designed to seat the new quicklink, holding inner and outer plate in perfect alignment while doing it. That way you'll be sure the new link will be seated 100% properly.

[TivonSanders]

I own an x9 SL chain in gold that I bought last August, and with a Park Tool CC-3.2, it still doesn't measure at the .5 mark. It's a $50 chain, but paid for itself with it's longevity in the long run..👍🏾

[XCRiders]

I had bad luck with kmc on sram 11 speed, using their top tier chain one side of a link broke I didn’t notice right away and was causing ghost shifts for a couple rides lol.
i’m meticulous about taking care of my drivetrain just didn’t catch it right off.
So I swapped it out for a SRAM XX1 12 speed (yes on a 11 drive )
works excellent!!
I now keep an extra one

[testalino]

On the park tool website they recommend: 11-to-12-speed chains*: replace at or just before 0.5% - Ive been following this advice but you will never know if you could have waited longer...

[TC-hlws]

I buy three chains when I put a new cassette on a bike and the three chains go into a rotation. Works great.

[benbencom]

When you're changing a wear component and looking for a replacement that "wears less", beware that when you have all of these surfaces rubbing together, one of them is going to be the hardest and last the longest, and one of them is going to absorb more of the wear. My first thought when you say this chain wears better is that it's just shifting the wear equation toward wearing the chainring and cassette.

(this is not specific bike experience, just general knowledge about mechanical systems, where you always want to be deliberate about which part will be the "sacrificial" wear part in any situation)

[zenscapeUKmedia]

Great review. I've used the KMC X10SL Ti-N Gold on my Shimano XT 10-by set-up, using an oval chainring. If you keep up with regular clean & lub, this super-light, slotted link chain (only 240gm on 114 links) will perform superbly. By the way, the Missing Link is designed to last for around 3 re-uses, or until it locks/unlocks a bit too easily. A great way around breaking the chain for bath cleaning is to undo one of the pulley wheel bolts, slip the chain off the rear mech cage and chain-ring then soak in a plastic container to soak off the trail grime. Slip it back on the same way and lube sparingly, wiping of the grip-attracting excess. Job done. By the way, there's an old British motorcycle trick to ascertain chain wear if you don't have a gauge. Jut pull the chain up and away from the chain-ring at the 3 o'clock position. If it lifts too far, the chain's stretched. Simple.

[HereForAGoodTime]

KMC chains work great! Had a brand new Sram Force XO1 chain snap on its first use (no, it did not snap at the quicklinks).