Shimano's 7-speed to 12-speed chain differences

Shimano’s Chain Lineup

First, let’s look at Shimano’s main chain lineup.

Compatibility of Shimano Chains

For detailed compatibility information, check out the article below:

6, 7, and 8-Speed Chains

Chains for 6, 7, and 8-speed drivetrains are compatible with one another. There was a time when the CN-HG40, an extremely affordable chain priced under $10, made 8-speed bikes famously cost-effective. (Since a price increase in May 2022, the price has gone up slightly.)

For a higher-grade option among 6, 7, and 8-speed chains, the CN-HG71 is part of Shimano’s MTB Acera-grade lineup. It’s roughly twice the price of the CN-HG40, but features chromizing treatment on the connecting pin for enhanced durability.

9-Speed Chains

For 9-speed drivetrains—used on SORA for road bikes and ALTUS, ACERA, and ALIVIO for MTB—the standard chain comes with 118 links, which is two more than typical 6–8 speed chains.

Priced around $16.10–$18.00, two main options are available: the CN-HG53, part of the CAPREO grade often used on small-wheel bikes, and the CN-HG93, a higher-end chain previously used in DEORE XT, ULTEGRA, and SAINT groups. The difference between the two lies in their surface coating.

Both are slightly more affordable than chains for 10-speed or higher drivetrains.

10-Speed Chains

10-speed chains are found on TIAGRA for road bikes, DEORE for MTB, and GRX for gravel bikes. They come in both 116 and 118 link versions and are priced around $20, roughly $10 more than 9-speed options.

There are three key models: CN-HG54 from the current DEORE grade, CN-4601 from the previous TIAGRA grade, and CN-6701 from the previous ULTEGRA grade.

Note: Chains used for new and old 10-speed systems are different, so be sure to confirm compatibility.

11-Speed Chains

The 11-speed standard is used in top-tier road components like DURA-ACE (R9100 series), ULTEGRA (R8000 series), and 105. Unlike older generations, Shimano no longer separates road and MTB chains; instead, a shared chain design is used for both.

There are two main models: the CN-HG601, commonly found in 105-grade road bikes, and the CN-HG901, used in the premium DURA-ACE lineup.

Both are 116-link chains priced between $22–$30, putting them in the same price range as some cassettes.

12-Speed Chains

Used in the latest DURA-ACE, ULTEGRA, and 105 for road bikes, and high-end MTB components like XTR, DEORE XT, SLX, and DEORE, as well as the new GRX gravel groupset, 12-speed chains are designed specifically for the most modern drivetrains.

The high-end CN-M9100 chain sells for over $50, making it more expensive than four 6–8-speed chains combined. On the more affordable end, the CN-M6100 can be found for around $30.

12-speed chains are shared across road and MTB platforms, and Shimano offers long 126-link chains to accommodate large setups—like the DURA-ACE outer chainring with 54T or MTB cassettes with up to 51T sprockets.

Regarding 12-speed chains, since MTB components transitioned to 12-speed before road components did, Shimano initially developed 12-speed chains for MTB use. These chains are now shared across both MTB and road systems, but the models remain labeled under MTB series.

Differences Between Chains by Speed

Chain Width Varies by Speed

The inner width (or thickness) of chain links varies depending on the number of speeds in the drivetrain.

This variation exists because adding more gears to a limited freehub space means each cog must be placed closer together. As the cog spacing narrows or widens to fit different speed configurations, the chains must also be adjusted in width to ensure compatibility.

For example, 6–8-speed cassettes share the same cog spacing, meaning the same chain can be reused when upgrading among these speeds. Only the sprockets themselves get thicker as speeds increase.

However, for 9-speed and above, the chain width changes with each speed class. Upgrading to 9-speed or higher requires replacing the chain with one specifically designed for that speed, as mismatched chains will not engage the sprockets properly and will significantly reduce shifting performance.

Even within the same speed class, compatibility with front chainrings and rear derailleurs can vary by product. It’s always best to consult Shimano’s official compatibility charts.

What Does Chain Link Count Affect?

As previously noted, Shimano chains are available in 116-link, 118-link, and 126-link versions.

Whether a certain link count is sufficient depends on your bike’s gear ratio and distance between gears.

• Gear Ratio: The larger the number of teeth on your front chainring or rear sprocket, the longer the chain required. For example, a front outer ring with 54T will need a longer chain than one with 50T. Likewise, a large 51T low sprocket will require more chain length than a smaller one.

• Gear Distance: This refers to the physical distance between the bottom bracket (BB) and the rear axle. On full-suspension MTBs, the rear triangle is longer due to rear suspension travel. Similarly, many modern road bikes have extended rear triangles to accommodate wider tires, increasing the chain requirement.

This is something you may not know until you actually install the chain. However, Shimano components are generally designed to work with 116-link chains. Bikes with oversized chainrings or full-suspension MTBs may require 126 links.

According to Shimano’s official manuals, the chain length should be set by one of the following methods:

• When in the front outer ring and rear top sprocket, the rear derailleur pulley cage should be vertical to the ground.
• Or use the formula: Front outer + Rear lowest gear + 1 link.

If you’re unsure whether your chain is long enough, shift your current bike into the same gear position and count the number of links you’re using.

Gear Speeds and the Cost Performance of Shimano Chains

According to Shimano’s official recommendation, chains should generally be replaced after about 4,000 km of use.

As we saw earlier, the price of a chain can range significantly—from around ¥900 to ¥4,000—so the more you ride, the more it impacts your overall cost-performance.

For example, if you use your bike for commuting or school and ride 5 km each way every day, you’ll travel about:

10 km x 245 days = 2,450 km/year
So you’d need to replace your chain about once every 1.5 years.

On the other hand, more serious riders who do 100 km rides every weekend will rack up:

100 km x 52 weeks = 5,200 km/year
So you’ll need to replace your chain roughly once per year.

In that sense, the higher the performance required, the higher the running cost. On the flip side, light users—like commuters—get better cost performance.

Depending on your choice of components, your annual chain cost can vary by as much as ¥8,000.

That said, for 6–10 speed setups commonly used for commuting or casual riding, the cost difference between chain grades (excluding the highly cost-effective CN-HG40) is relatively minor. So you’re free to choose based on your preference.

For more serious riders logging over 4,000 km per year, many are already investing in other parts of their bikes, so the price of a chain may not be a big concern.

In fact, for road bikes in the 105 and higher race-ready grade, many riders intentionally choose more expensive chains, considering the benefits in performance and durability.

If you’re thinking, “I want to ride seriously, but keep running costs low,” then intentionally sticking with up to 8-speed components can significantly reduce your maintenance costs.

For those who don’t prioritize cost performance, the annual chain cost difference between 9-speed to 11-speed setups can be kept within roughly ¥1,000.

As for the latest 12-speed chains, they come with even higher running costs compared to 11-speed ones.

We’ve now looked at the differences in chains from 7-speed to 12-speed.

For those new to road bikes or MTBs, it can be surprising just how much your choice of components can affect your overall costs.

When selecting your drivetrain components, it’s a good idea to consider not just your riding style, but also cost-performance.

For more on 12-speed compatibility, check out the articles below: