KMC X11SL DLC BLACK chain - very disappointed !

[NiFTY]

I only run KMC chains across 3 bikes - ultegra di2 x1, Sram red x 2. Gold coating has never worn off. I have only snapped one chain, might not have installed the quick link properly.

[Machinenoise]

No problems with KMC chains X10sl or X11sl. I have been using them for last 6 years on various bikes always perfect, slightly noisier than record 11 chain on Campagnolo setup, but crisper shifting (ever so slightly).

The gold coating does wear off, but shouldn't do so before the chain is cooked anyway! Threw away the one from my winter bike yesterday, with slight loss of the gold colour, but that's after probably 4000miles of wet weather abuse!

DLC coating should last even longer. There are fake DLC chains out there so i hear...

[cendres]

I've been using KMC chains for more than 10 years on all sorts of bikes. I've never been anything but pleased. However, something strange happened with my most recent X11SL silver.

I was using it with an Ultegra 6800 12-25 cassette. When on the 21 cog, there was a steady clunk-clunk-clunk noise, sort of like a small stone embedded in the tire. No noise on any other cog. The cassette has less than 500 miles on it and was never subjected to a worn chain. I went through a whole rigmarole trying different combinations of cassettes, chains, hubs and bikes trying to chase down the noise. Stupidly, I never suspected the chain, but that's what it was.

Anyone else experienced this?

[Lafolie]

my bike shop just heard back from KMC........Apparently they have an issue with the 'black' chain which they are working on!

[wheelsONfire]

Good to know! I actually have the black/ red at home now. Never heard of this before!