KMC

KMC makes chains for a great many other companies as well as under its own name, and it appears twice on this site.

Where it appears here

The e10 10-speed chain, which is the best-selling chain in this catalogue, and a wide-range 10-speed cassette.

What it is genuinely good at

Stating cross-brand compatibility explicitly. The e10 lists Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo. Chains at the same speed count are frequently interchangeable between brands, and a manufacturer saying so removes a real hesitation.

Including the connector. The MissingLink ships with the chain, so joining it needs no tool at all. That also means a chain that breaks on a ride is a five-minute stop rather than a walk home, provided you carry a spare link.

Where it is ordinary

The cassette listing is thin — a speed count, a tooth range and a material, with no weight and no freehub standard stated. On a cassette, the freehub standard is the specification that decides whether it fits at all.

What to know before buying

Speed count is the only number that has to match on a chain: count the sprockets on your rear wheel. For the wide-range cassette, check your rear derailleur’s published maximum sprocket size — 42 teeth exceeds what many standard derailleurs are rated for.