KMC X11SL DLC BLACK chain - very disappointed !

[Lafolie]

Been using KMC chains on my aero bike which is built with Shimano Ultegra. So, thought I would try out the top of the line KMC X11SL DLC chain on my new build with Campagnolo super record 11 chainset. Not impressed. Didn't shift sweetly and quite clunky. Also.....the black coating started to come away after a few rides. So......swapped out for a new Campag Record 11 chain. Now runs extremely sweetly!

[spdntrxi]

I use the gold one... Awesome so far .. 1200 miles

[wheelsONfire]

Thanks for clearing that out! I have also been thinking of buying that chain, but i skip it now.

[Lafolie]

I use the gold one... Awesome so far .. 1200 miles

agreed. I run the gold on my shimano ultegra groupset. Very sweet. Sadly,,,didn't have the same experience on Campag

[srshaw]

I have used kmc chains for years and never had issue. But thanks for the heads up.

[audiojan]

Strange… I've found the X11SL (and the X10SL before that) to be the best chains for Campy...

[Mackers]

Same here.

[stevec1975]

My KMC X11SL DLC has been perfect, still all the coating on and runs smoothly.

[zulu695]

Same here running perfectly, chorus cassette and rear derailleurs, no issue butter smooth.

[shaolin]

No issues at all on SR2015 FD and RD with Chorus cassette. Works perfect.

[choiboi]

Been using the gold one for 20,000km over 4 chains. Perfect.

[xnavalav8r]

I am using these chains on two road bikes and two mtn bikes. All with great results. No complaints at all.

[Timujin]

No issues at all on SR2015 FD and RD with Chorus cassette. Works perfect.

same setup here. no issues.

[audiojan]

Have to ask… you didn't by chance get it from eBay or an unauthorized KMC dealer? It could be a counterfeit… especially since the coating is wearing off already. It's pretty darn durable, so something's up...

[jvanv8]

I wouldn't have proposed it, but Audiojan might have a point.
I've been using the 10sp DLC chains for the past 3 years and they never discolor. Black as night after 4000km. The rollers and points of contact might start to take a shade of silver near the end of life but it always looks like a black chain up until the day I replace it with another. That said, I also get mine from eBay.com via GoSale.com who filter out less reputable sellers... which perhaps you stumbled on.
I will also add that I've never managed to break a KMC chain.... after breaking a half dozen Shimano and Sram chains annually. But maybe I'm getting old and can't produce enough power to snap 4 or 5 chains per year like I used to. Or the KMC design is superior. Who knows.