KMC X9.93 Chains

What's not to like?

Chains should be inexpensive, durable, and shift well. KMC chains tick all the boxes. I run them on all my bikes, and they work fine with Shimano, SRAM, and Campy cassettes.

The factory lube is a little on the sticky side, so wipe the chain down before you hit the road or trail (I use some Pro-Link on a rag).

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 15, 2013
Reviewed by: GRAVELBIKE.com, Colorado

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KMC X9.93 Chain

I stayed with the same chain brand (KMC Z9900) that came with my 2007 Schwinn World DBX which I've owned since 2008 because of price and reliability. This is only my second chain.

I try to commute all year whenever I could and I average at least 4000 miles/year (24 miles round trip). As you can see, I put on at least 16K on the chain before it finally broke. It is a very long lasting chain if you regularly maintain it.

Pros: Long lasting and very affordable.

Cons: None other than it's plain looking. I wish KMC will introduce color to this line.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 17, 2013
Reviewed by: NONY R., Oregon

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Best Chains For the Price

I started using the KMC chains a few years back and haven't had any issues. Plenty of bang for your hard earned buck. Easy to install and if maintained properly will last a very long time. A good buy.

Pros: Price
Durability
Easy To Install

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 13, 2012
Reviewed by: Jesse D., Washington

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Solid and smooth. The X9 works great with my SRAM 8-speed cassette. It came with a missing link which made installation quick and easy.

Pros: comes with a missing link connector

Cons: none so far

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: August 27, 2012
Reviewed by: Jim H., Texas

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Strong, Great shifting

Chains are like saddles. If you notice them, something is wrong. Despite grit and mud from 3 xc races during this "beautiful" WET spring in the Pacific NW, I ave had flawless shifting with this chain (SRAM shifters, Shimano cassette). I bought this chain to replace a SRAM chain that I broke with a poorly timed shift under load. IT has held up well.


Pros: Shifts well, even under load
Right price

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 02, 2012
Reviewed by: Bryan S., Portland, OR

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great temporary chain

i got this in a pinch cause im upgrading my shifting. so i made a single speed using this chain due to haveing 9 speed componants. works nice.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 21, 2012
Reviewed by: brad P., Wisconsin

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KMC makes strong chains, that don't cost a fortune. You can pay more, but why would you? with sram & shimano components, these shift great, don't stretch too much, and LIVE.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 22, 2012
Reviewed by: eric b., Oregon

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I've used KMC chains in the past and have always been happy with their performance, especially when I consider the price I paid. I bought this one for a friends bike that I was building because I needed to keep costs down and in my experience, KMC chains are probably the best, low cost chain there is.

I've never had a problem with the master link that comes with it, but i do know a couple people who have.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: April 19, 2012
Reviewed by: Chad M.

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Great inexpensive chain

Why pay more for a chain? this gets the job done, has a qr link, and its cheap. get it when you need a 9spd chain. you wont be dissapointed.

Reviewed on: November 16, 2011
Reviewed by: Ryan O., California

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after useing countless sram chains wanted to try a different chain and the stong design and quick links are handy.very strong chain and durable.as my chains broke ive been refitting them with kmc

Pros: strong, durable, priced very well

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 06, 2011
Reviewed by: scott m., California

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Good Workman-Like Chain

I run this model on all 3 of my recumbent bikes. Part is due to the price, a typical recumbent needs 2 or 3 chain lengths for a single bike. Part is because these work well. They seem to wear just as well as the more expensive "Brand-S or W" chains and I can't tell any difference in shifting. I really like the missing-link, makes it a lot easier to work with. I do recommend getting an extra or two however, if not some day you will drop half of the link and will never find it again. (don't ask me how I know this).
They aren't as light as the uber-expensive hollow pin / cut plate designed ones, but for me saving a bunch of bucks is a lot more appealing than saving a few ounces in chain weight. (I'll just cut out the morning doughnut to make up the weight difference).
I work on friends bikes as well as my own, and at this price I can afford to keep an extra on hand for when it's needed.

Pros: Priced right
Shift and work well
Missing Link ROCKS

Cons: Not the first choice for weight-weenies

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 31, 2011
Reviewed by: Stephen W., Tennessee

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works fine, cheap

I've used KMC chains for a couple of years now, and they seem to work as well as anything out there.

Pros: Works fine.
Cheap.

Cons: Better use the quick link to connect it, or you'll end up breaking the chain while climbing a hill in a 'cross race. Ask me how I know.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 18, 2011
Reviewed by: Eric D., Ohio

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Standing up to it

Loving this chain. Quiet, decent shifting and the last one I bought wore well (4000 miles, often gritty). Not your lightest but I would rather have durability than strength.

Pros: Price, strength, wearing

Cons: none

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 12, 2011
Reviewed by: Griffin W., Minnesota

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This is a great deal on a 9-speed chain and the quality is the same or better as SRAM or Shimano. The removable link makes sizing and installing the chain very easy.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: May 01, 2011
Reviewed by: Tyler B., California

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Not kidding when they say "stretchproof"

I bought two of these chains and ran the first one for ~2500 miles before swapping it for the other. When I put the two chains side-by-side, there was /maybe/ 1/32nd inch of stretch on the old one.

Pros: light,durable

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 23, 2011
Reviewed by: David P., Oregon

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Sram who?

I really like this chain, it's easy to install, wears well and the magic link (included) makes service simple.

Pros: Looks nice
quiet
durable

Cons: factory "lube" goo is a sticky mess

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 17, 2011
Reviewed by: Jason, Minnesota

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This chain has done well on my bike so far. It's cheap and seems quite reliable.

Pros: Cheap, reliable

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 16, 2011
Reviewed by: Michael G., Virginia

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cheap, does not come with a powerlink be careful buying if you don't have a spare powerlink you can use

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 01, 2011
Reviewed by: Gregory N.

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Amazingly nice, high quality chain. KMC offers huge value compared to more high end brands. finish and function is top notch, missing link is an awesome feature.

Pros: Half Nickle Plated links are a nice touch at this price

Cons: none really

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 24, 2011
Reviewed by: Charles G., Washington

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Best cheap chain out there -- these are workhorses, and I have never broken one (but I've broken a *lot* of SRAM chains). I don't see any reason to buy anything fancier than this, as long as it's a 9-speed bike.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: January 22, 2011
Reviewed by: Jeff O., Oregon

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Inexpensive yet reliable

I bought this for my commuter bike. It has performed well throughout this wet winter. Shifted fine despite the grime and gunk build up. Quick link made for a simple install. Inexpensive enough to toss after the winter season.

Pros: Inexpensive.
Shifts fine.
Easy to install.

Cons: None.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: December 03, 2010
Reviewed by: Noel B., Oregon

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This chain makes the gears go round, what more do you want?

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: November 21, 2010
Reviewed by: David S., Wyoming

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an inexpensive replacement chain that doesnt strech that easy have over 2500 miles on this chain and still working good. seems to not want to shift as well as wipperman but lastes a lot longer.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 30, 2010
Reviewed by: Jason S., Iowa

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Great inexpensive chain. I bought it mostly because of the price and it turned out to be very strong. I use it on a fixed gear bike and so far it has held up well, no wear or stretch yet. It includes a quick release chain link but it immediately snapped when I used it. Just connect it like a normal chain.

Pros: Cheap. Strong.

Cons: Quick release link.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 26, 2010
Reviewed by: Richard B., New York

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Pretty good stock replacement chain for low end equipment. Seams to last longer than Sram/Shimano at a cheaper price.

Pros: Cheap
Slightly more durable than Sram/Shimano

Cons: Not nearly as good at shifting on Shimano Cassettes as Shimano or even Sram Chain.

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: James Z., Iowa

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