KMC X11SL DLC 11 Speed Chain

With the KMC X11SL DLC chain, KMC has taken a new step in the development of the chain. By using a Diamond Like Coating, KMC has succeeded in developing a chain with an unprecedented durability. In addition, all 'superfluous' material was removed from this chain. This makes the chain very light, without compromising its strength. The different colours also offer the possibility to make the chain fit your bike. That makes this chain a must have for the cyclist who likes to have their equipment well organised!

Technology

Super light because of the hollow parts
The KMC X11SL DLC features hollow pins and grooves in the chain plates, making it one of the lightest chains on the market at 243 grams. That way you don't take a gram too many with you!

Ultimate durability through the DLC layer
KMC chains with a Diamond Like Coating (DLC) have an extremely hard surface due to the heat and surface treatment, in combination with the nickel and titanium-carbon coating. This makes these chains very durable and they provide less friction. So these chains save you watts and last longer than conventional chains!

Assembly

Using missing link pliers
This chain comes standard with a missing link. The addition of this missing link makes mounting the chain easy, but it's also ideal for when you want to give your bike a deep clean. To open the missing link you need a missing link pliers, which you can find here.

Cut to length with a chain breaker
When you buy a chain, it's always too long. That means that you always need to cut it to length, and you do this using a chain breaker (also called a chain rivet tool). You can view our selection of chain breakers here. Some multi-tools contain a chain breaker. Make sure that you select a chain breaker for the right speed chain though - the size of the pins is different according to the speed of the chain.

Tips for fitting your chain
When fitting or removing this chain it's useful to remove some tension from the chain at the point where you want to break it or close the link. You can do this by making a hook from an old spoke, but some chain breaker tools actually include a handy hook precisely for this purpose. You use it to hook the part of the chain you want to work on, pulling the tension off it. You can read a detailed explanation of how to replace your chain in this blog.

Measure chain wear often
A chain wear tool makes it easy to see when your chain is worn, so that you can replace it timeously. You can find chain wear tools here.

User tips

How often should I wash my bike? Regular washing will keep your bike in good nick. It ensures that the parts on your bike last longer so that you can enjoy cycling happiness for longer. How often you should wash your bike is largely dependent on what sort of weather conditions you ride in. Are you always out there, come rain or shine? Or are you strictly a fair-weather cyclist? It all has an influence on the degree of wear on bike parts, and some of us have to wash our bikes more regularly than others. Refer to the plan below as a general guideline:

October to March:
• Wash every 200 km
• Rinse after every ride
• Dry and lube the chain after every ride
• Let the bike dry at room temperature

April to September:
• Wash every 300 km
• Rinse after a ride in the rain
• Dry and lube the chain after rinsing or washing
• Let the bike dry at room temperature