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Speed count decides the chain; length is a separate measurement

The best bike chains for 2026

A chain is chosen by speed count first: an 11-speed chain is narrower than a 9-speed one because the sprockets behind it are closer together, and fitting the wrong width shifts poorly or not at all. Length is a second, separate figure — chains ship at 114, 116 or 122 links and are shortened to the bike. We compare speed compatibility, supplied link count, whether a reusable quick link is included or the chain joins with a pin, and coatings that slow wear.

By

What we recommend

  1. Prophete bicycle chain coiled in its packaging

    Prophete Sport and touring chain, 6/7/8-speed

    The entry chain here: a steel chain for 6, 7 and 8-speed drivetrains, suited to city, trekking and mountain bikes.

    Speed compatibility
    6, 7 and 8-speed
    Material
    Steel
    Bike types
    City, trekking, mountain bike
    Amazon reference
    B007D0D31S (identical on 4 markets)
    EAN
    4009208002232
    • Covers 6, 7 and 8-speed in one part, which is most older and city bikes
    • The cheapest of the European chains in this hub
    • Not listed on the British or French markets

    Best for: A city or trekking bike with 6, 7 or 8 sprockets at the back.

    Check price on Amazon
  2. SRAM PC-830 bicycle chain with its PowerLink connector

    SRAM 6/7/8-speed, 1/2" × 3/32", 114 links

    SRAM’s 6, 7 and 8-speed chain: 114 links, a published 7.1 mm (0.28 in) width, and a PowerLink quick link in the box.

    Speed
    6, 7 and 8-speed
    Size
    1/2" × 3/32"
    Width
    7.1 mm (0.28 in) — published
    Links
    114
    Quick link
    SRAM PowerLink, included
    Compatibility
    Shimano and Campagnolo at 6–8 speeds
    Use
    City, MTB, race, trekking, hybrid
    Weight
    310 g (10.9 oz) per SRAM; 349 g (12.3 oz) on the relevé
    Reference
    46.2758.114.005
    Plating
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B00H2B6BGC
    EAN
    0802774851655
    • The only derailleur chain in this group, and the only one to publish a width in millimeters
    • A PowerLink quick link in the box, which is what gets a drivetrain cleaned
    • Publishes two different weights, 310 g (10.9 oz) and 349 g (12.3 oz), without saying which is the chain

    Best for: A 6, 7 or 8-speed city, trekking or mountain bike, cleaned regularly

    Check price on Amazon
  3. HuGuWdy brown-plated single-speed bicycle chain

    HuGuWdy Single speed, 1/2" × 1/8", 114 links

    A brown-plated single-speed 1/2" × 1/8" chain at 114 links for single-speed road, MTB, BMX, folding and small-wheel bikes.

    Speed
    Single speed
    Size
    1/2" × 1/8"
    Links
    114, stated to be shortened to fit
    Plating
    Brown, entire chain
    Price
    $7.99 — the cheapest of the American chains here
    Plate shape
    "Double X-bridge"
    Joining
    Not stated — no quick link mentioned
    Weight
    Not published
    Tensile strength
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B0DD6WJ1HX
    EAN
    0722549986873
    • The cheapest chain on this page, at $7.99
    • The only listing here that says the chain is shipped long and shortened
    • Claims smoother gear shifting on a chain with no gears to shift

    Best for: The cheapest honest replacement on a single-speed or folding bike

    Check price on Amazon
  4. Shimano HG 40 bicycle chain in its box

    SHIMANO HG 40 chain, 116 links, 7/8-speed

    Shimano's workhorse chain for 7 and 8-speed drivetrains, supplied at 116 links and around 300 g (10.6 oz), compatible with single, double and triple chainrings.

    Speed compatibility
    Rear 6/7/8-speed, front 1/2/3-speed
    Link count
    116
    Weight
    approx. 300 g (10.6 oz)
    Amazon reference
    B0017XXGCI (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    4032191635750
    • Published link count and weight, which almost no chain listing gives
    • Explicit front compatibility as well as rear — single, double and triple
    • One hundred and sixteen links may need shortening substantially on a small frame

    Best for: Replacing a chain on a Shimano 7 or 8-speed drivetrain with the part it was designed around.

    ≈ $75
    Check price on Amazon
  5. Schwinn single-speed replacement bicycle chain in its packaging

    Schwinn Basic single speed, 112 links

    A basic single-speed 1/2" × 1/8" chain at 112 links for BMX, cruisers and other non-derailleur bikes.

    Speed
    Single speed, non-derailleur
    Size
    1/2" × 1/8"
    Links
    112
    Suits
    BMX, cruisers, single-speed adult bikes
    Joining
    Pin — a chain tool is required
    Price
    $8.55
    Weight
    Not published
    Plating
    Not published
    "Anti-drop design"
    Claimed, never explained
    Amazon reference
    B0089WXYHW
    EAN
    0026599752465
    • Publishes the three facts that decide fitment: size, links, compatibility
    • $5.33 below the ZONKIE chain on this page
    • No quick link — a chain tool is required to fit it

    Best for: A cheap replacement on a single-speed bike, for someone who owns a chain breaker

    Check price on Amazon
  6. KMC e10 silver bicycle chain with its MissingLink connector

    KMC e10 Silver chain, 10-speed, 122 links

    The best-selling chain here: a 10-speed chain with reinforced pins and minimized tolerances, supplied at 122 links with a MissingLink connector.

    Speed
    10-speed, 1/2" × 11/128"
    Link count
    122
    Connector
    MissingLink included
    Compatibility
    Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo
    Amazon reference
    B07J361ZN7 (identical on 6 markets)
    EAN
    4715575890043
    • Rank 1,677, the best-selling chain in this hub
    • A MissingLink connector included, so no chain tool is needed to join it
    • The most expensive chain here

    Best for: A 10-speed drivetrain, whichever brand made it — this is the chain that fits all three.

    ≈ $62
    Check price on Amazon
  7. ZONKIE single-speed bicycle chain with its reusable quick link

    ZONKIE Single speed, 1/2" × 1/8", 116 links

    A 116-link single-speed chain at 340 g (12 oz) with a reusable quick link, so it fits and comes off for cleaning without a chain tool.

    Speed
    Single speed
    Size
    1/2" × 1/8"
    Links
    116 — the longest in this group
    Weight
    340 g (12 oz) — published
    Joining
    Reusable quick link included
    Weight per link
    2.9 g (0.1 oz), against 4.1 g (0.1 oz) on the KMC K1
    Finish
    Polished, internally oiled — no plating named
    Pin length
    Not published
    Tensile strength
    Not published
    Amazon reference
    B078HRX7QS
    EAN
    0799355629195
    • A reusable quick link, so the chain comes off for degreasing and goes back on
    • 116 links, the most length to work with in this group
    • No plating or coating named, on a chain sold as corrosion resistant

    Best for: A single-speed or hub-geared town bike whose chain you intend to clean

    Check price on Amazon
  8. KMC K1 black and silver single-speed BMX bicycle chain

    KMC K1 BMX chain, single speed, 100 links

    KMC’s heavy-duty single-speed chain for BMX and track: 100 links, 411 g (14.5 oz), tall inner plates and reinforced riveting.

    Speed
    Single speed — BMX, track, fixed, internal hub gears
    Size
    1/2" × 1/8" (3.18 mm (0.13 in))
    Links
    100
    Weight
    411 g (14.5 oz) — published
    Pin length
    9.5 mm (0.37 in)
    Plates
    Oversize outer, tall inner
    Riveting
    Mushroomed, reinforced
    Finish
    Nickel plated, black and silver
    Reference
    BK1WNB110
    Quick link
    Not stated — expect to need a chain tool
    Derailleur use
    No — too wide for a cassette
    Amazon reference
    B07JVC7HB7
    EAN
    4715575898117
    • The only chain in this group to publish a weight and a pin length
    • Tall inner plates and reinforced riveting, which is what resists pitch growth
    • 100 links — the shortest here, with no spare length to shorten

    Best for: A BMX or track bike where the drivetrain takes standing loads

    Check price on Amazon

For which need, in bike chains

A chain long enough

The number of links has to cover the bike's largest gear. A chain that is too short destroys the derailleur the first time it goes onto the big sprocket.

KMC BE10TNP22

Matching the number of speeds

An eleven-speed chain on a twelve-speed cassette skips under load, and no adjustment fixes it. The stated speed count is decisive, before length and coating.

KMC BE10TNP22

For whom, within bike chains

A chain stretched past the gauge
A chain changed in time preserves the cassette and chainrings. It is the most rewarding maintenance on the drivetrain.
Modern drivetrain
The number of speeds sets the chain width. A chain for a different number of speeds does not work properly.
Wide gear range
Very wide-range cassettes need longer chains. The length calculation becomes critical.

What each advantage costs, on bike chains

Changing early against changing late
A chain replaced before its wear threshold preserves the cassette; a chain worn beyond it wears the sprockets, which will then have to be changed together.
Quick link against rivet
The quick link goes on and comes off without a specific tool; riveting is tidier and needs a chain tool every time.
Surface treatment against price
Anti-corrosion treatments and coatings reduce friction and wear, for an extra cost that is mainly justified in heavy use.

Before buying bike chains

When should a chain be changed?

At its wear threshold measured with a gauge, not by how it looks. Past that threshold it wears the cassette and chainrings, which will have to go with it.

How do I measure wear?

With a chain gauge, which costs a few euros. It is the most rewarding tool in bike maintenance.

What length should I cut it to?

By the big-ring, big-sprocket method, plus two links. A chain that is too short destroys the derailleur on the first shift.

Does the chain have to match the number of speeds?

Absolutely: the width differs. A chain that is too wide rubs, one that is too narrow skips.

Does the cassette have to be changed at the same time?

If the chain has passed its wear threshold, yes, otherwise the new one skips on worn sprockets. Changed in time, a cassette lasts several chains.

Can a quick link be reused?

Manufacturers state it, and many advise against it after several openings. A spare link costs little.

Should a new chain be degreased?

The factory grease protects it in storage and is not an optimal riding lubricant. Many riders remove it before lubricating.

How do you know a chain is worn?

A wear gauge costs the price of a meal and takes ten seconds to use. Changing at the right time saves the cassette, which costs more than several chains.

What to remember about bike chains

A chain is changed by its wear gauge, not by how it looks: past the threshold it takes the cassette with it. A chain that is too short destroys the derailleur on the first big sprocket, and the width has to match the number of speeds exactly.

A quick look at bike chains

  • Weight: 300 to 411, on 4 of the 8 models.

Bike chains, side by side

There is no table here, and the reason is in the listings. The figure published most often across these 8 products is speed, given by 6 of them — short of the four in five a column needs to compare rather than to display gaps. Each product page says what its own maker published.

Sources and how we rank

Specifications: manufacturer sheets for bike gear and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa.

Most recent revision in this category: October 6, 2026.

How we assess bike chains

Prices quoted in these summaries are dated readings. The live price is shown next to each product.