Chains O ring vs X ring

[mick_dundee]

Which is better and why?

[ttc]

o ring has one point of contact to seal

x ring has 2
xw has 3

that's simplyifying it, probably a bit much

but more points of contact means that the grease inside the chain stays there longer, increasing it's life

[Smitty]

as TTC sez

also heat is an issue
hipo bikes generate more heat
and should use a better X or XW chain
coz the lubricant stays in.. the chain lasts longer

[Barrabob]

Depends on maintenance as well but it is worth shopping around for price, local dealers wanted around 200 bucks for a xring chain in a box and I got a xwring for 130 fitted.

Also depends how long you intend to keep the bike and if you clean and lube regularly.

Do the did website and the rk website they all say theres is the best strangely enough and if you are thinking of doing a million kms in the near future steel sprockets might be a idea as well.

Either is going to do a easy 20000kms some will go 40000kms and i am told that with a scott oiler they will go 90000kms the diference as i see it is just to get a chain that lasts longer and needs less looking after adjusting etc.

[Neka79]

yea..o ring older tech...then x...then w...

also mate...how much is the price diff??

i run x i think....

[mick_dundee]

Ordered an x ring and 2 sprockets from Race Rep today, xring is $10 dearer so went that way, think $260 all up plus fitting.

[Barrabob]

Yeh price is important and if you don't do a lot of kms the xring is probably just as good, they also speak of hp with a better chain but i reckon its all bull myself.

[mrmina]

x is the way to go. its about mid range in price.

[Gosling1]

Mick - the other big difference with the O-ring v X-ring v W-ring arrangement is *friction*.

As TTC said, the O-ring only has 1 point of contact to hold the internal lubricant. But that 1 piece of contact is 'constant', ie between the outer plate and the inner plate, there is a always 1 big solid squashed piece of rubber O-ring rubbing against both plates.

On my old Z1000, changing from an O-ring 630 H/D chain , to a smaller 530 non O-ring chain, released another few horsepower and reduced sprung weight by almost 1kg

The X-ring chain has 2 much smaller points of contact between the inner and outer plates, and this reduces friction a lot, which in turn allows the chain to act more like a non O-ring jobbie, but with the protection of oil-seals to hold in the internal lubricant.

W-ring are just the next version of an X-ring, with benefits improved again, in the same manner as X-ring over O-ring.

Barra - Its true about the HP gain from a better chain, we aren't talking a hell of a lot, but its definitley noticeable. Its a combination of less friction and less weight that gives you the increase.