KMC X8 Bike Chain 8 Speed Silver Grey

KMC Chain Industrial Co., Ltd. is a roller chain manufacturer headquartered in Taiwan, R.O.C. with corporate entities in the US, Continental Chain Company, and Europe, KMC Chain Europe BV.^[2] They make cam driving chains, balance driving chains, oil pump chains, motorcycle chains, and industrial chains.^[3] They manufacture and market bicycle chains and master links under their own KMC brand and supply them to others, including Shimano.^[4] KMC chains are used in the Tour de France by riders such as Gustav Larsson, Swedish time trial champion.^[5] KMC was founded by Charles Wu in 1977,^[1] and was the largest bicycle chain manufacturer in the world in 2011.^[6]

Compatibility[edit]

They are known for working well with Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo drivetrains.^{[7][8][9][10]} Bicycle manufacturers, such as Specialized Bicycle Components provide KMC chains on new bicycles with SRAM and Shimano components.^[11] 2013 Bianchi team bicycles include a KMC X11SL chain on a Campagnolo Super Record EPS electronic transmission.^[12]

Varieties[edit]

KMC makes bicycle chains with roller widths of 3/16, 1/8, 3/32, 11/128 inches and with external widths compatible with single-speed, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11-speed drivetrains. They offer chains with hollow pins and with cut-outs in the links and made of stainless steel, with a titanium nitride coating, or painted in a variety of colors.^[2] In 2012, KMC launched a chain model specifically for electric bicycles.^[13] In 2010, KMC won the iF Product Design Gold Award for its BMX ‘Kool Knight Chain’.^[14]