KMC Z8RB Chain Zinc Plated Anti Rust

[Trevtassie]

Name of product
KMC Z8RB Chain

Where bought and price
11.99 pounds for SJS Cycles

How it is used
Supposedly for heavily used abused commuter bikes

Description
8 Speed Chain with an anti rust coating.

Positives
+ Well, it doesn't rust.

Negatives
- 2200km of touring and it's completely stuffed, like destroyed my new Rohloff Hub Sprocket. In no way durable.

Reccomendation
Do not buy


OVERALL SCORES

Quality

Performance

Value for money

[ironhanglider]

Just in case you thought you had the bad apple. I can report a similar experience with the same chain. I got barely 1000km out of the first and less than 2000km out of the second, before they stretched too far for my chain checker. (I did ride through a lot of bad weather with the first chain). My cassette survived due to keeping an eye on the chain wear.

I suspect when they talk about the ability to withstand abuse, they really mean neglect. For many bikes rust prevention would be a higher priority than wear.

Cheers,

Cameron

[rkelsen]

Wish I'd seen these reviews before plonking down the cash on two of these from Wiggle...

First ride out, I found that this chain was pretty rough compared to the Shimano HG40 it replaced, even on a brand new cassette. It skips, it's noisy and I've taken it off after only a few hundred km. I tried my hardest to tune it properly, but I could never tune the skipping out of it.

Agree with the above. Don't buy.

Edit: Just noticed that the OP was about the Z8. My post is in reference to the X8 Anti Rust. KMC chains used to be very good. This is a little disappointing.

[Halfamillion]

Ref:https://www.kmcchain.com/en/product/bic ... rb-8-speed
The chain is called a KMC Z8.3 RB now! The 3rd revision may mean it is upgraded? I have just fitted a KMC Z92 (Supplier states for 6 7 8 Speed 1/2 x 3/32 inch 116 links). I guess a Z9 is a 9 speed chain and a Z92 is with 2 design revisions? Works well at a discount price so I ordered 2 more. Chain life of a quality chain has a lot to do with loading (How much force it experiences), sprocket match, alignment (e.g running as straight as possible not or limiting cross-chaining), tension (not over tight or to loose), maintenance (cleaned and quality lub) and the environment (mud salt road grim temperature etc).

P.S. A Rohloff geared hub usually uses a single speed chain(Wippermann Connex Hub Gear Chains) or Gates belt!