Best Bike Chains for Road Bike of 2025

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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For avid road cyclists, ensuring that their bike is equipped with a reliable and durable chain is crucial for optimal performance. Bike chains for road bikes come in a variety of materials and designs, each offering their own unique benefits. A high-quality chain can improve shifting efficiency, reduce wear and tear on other components, and provide a smoother and more enjoyable ride. There are many options on the market, so it's important to do your research and seek expert advice to find the best chain for your specific needs.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

JJ PRIME 5/6/7 Speed Bicycle Chain Cover #TOP 1
JJ PRIME 5/6/7 Speed Bicycle Chain
ftb score rating icon 9.9
TOOPRE 6/7/8-Speed High Strength Bicycle Chain Cover #TOP 2
TOOPRE 6/7/8-Speed High Strength Bicycle Chain
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Laxzo Bike Chain for 5-8 Speed Bicycles Cover #TOP 3
Laxzo Bike Chain for 5-8 Speed Bicycles
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Bike Chains for Road Bike

#TOP 1

JJ PRIME 5/6/7 Speed Bicycle Chain

Silver
14.7mm x 116 link
JJ PRIME 5/6/7 Speed Bicycle Chain Cover
JJ PRIME - 5/6/7 Speed Bicycle Chain for Gear Mountain Bike Road Hybrid 1/2 x 3/32 Inches, 116 Links Anti Rust Steel Bike Derailleur Chain

The JJ PRIME Bike Chain is crafted from high-quality steel, ensuring durability and lightweight performance. Its user-friendly design allows you to easily disassemble and clean the chain, enhancing your riding experience. This chain is perfectly suitable for 5, 6, or 7 gear bikes, making it ideal for various types of bicycles, including mountain, road, and hybrid bikes. With its smooth shifting and quiet operation, you'll enjoy a seamless ride, making your cycling adventures even more enjoyable.

What We Like
High-quality steel construction
Easy to install and remove
Compatible with multiple bike types
Smooth and quiet shifting
#TOP 2

TOOPRE 6/7/8-Speed High Strength Bicycle Chain

BES-JJOXLMN
Silver
6/7/8-speed
TOOPRE 6/7/8-Speed High Strength Bicycle Chain Cover
TOOPRE 6/7/8-Speed Bicycle Chain, 116 Links ​​Steel High Strength Bike Derailleur Chain for 6/7/8-Gear Road Mountain Bicycle (4.9ft)

The TOOPRE Bicycle Chain is crafted from high-quality manganese steel, ensuring durability and rust resistance. Its nickel-plated surface makes it easy to clean, which is especially beneficial for maintaining your bike's performance. Installation is a breeze; simply use a magic clasp to connect the links, allowing you to quickly get back on the road or trail. With a double X bridge design, this chain offers smooth and fast shifting, enhancing your riding experience and making gear changes effortless.

What We Like
High-quality manganese steel
Easy installation
Smooth and fast shifting
Rust-resistant nickel plating
#TOP 3

Laxzo Bike Chain for 5-8 Speed Bicycles

JE58
Laxzo Bike Chain for 5-8 Speed Bicycles Cover
Laxzo ® Bike Chain 5/6/7/8 Speed Bicycle Chain, Anti Rust ​Steel High Strength Bike Derailleur Chain Gear Road MTB Mountain Hybrid Bicycle

The Laxzo Bike Chain is an excellent choice for cyclists needing a reliable chain compatible with 5, 6, 7, and 8-speed bikes. Its high-quality materials ensure durability, allowing you to enjoy smooth rides without worrying about wear and tear. Designed for smooth shifting, this chain provides precise gear changes, making your rides more enjoyable. Plus, its user-friendly design makes installation quick and easy, so you can spend less time maintaining your bike and more time riding.

What We Like
Universal compatibility
Durable and long-lasting
Smooth and precise shifting
Easy installation
#TOP 4

WAIZHIUA 9-Speed High Strength Bike Chain

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Silver
Silver
WAIZHIUA 9-Speed High Strength Bike Chain Cover
WAIZHIUA 9-Speed Bike Chain 116 Links Bicycle Chain High Strength Manganese Steel Cycling Chain with Magic Buckle for Road Mountain Bike

The WAIZHIUA 9-Speed Chain is crafted from high-quality manganese steel, ensuring it is strong and durable while resisting rust and corrosion. With its size of 1/2" * 11/128" and 116 links, it provides an optimal length for various bicycles. Its double X bridge shape design promotes fast and smooth shifting, making your rides more enjoyable. Installation is a breeze with the included magic clasp, allowing you to connect the chain effortlessly. This chain is compatible with most road and mountain bikes, enhancing your cycling experience.

What We Like
High-quality, durable material
Smooth and fast shifting
Easy installation
Wide compatibility with bikes
#TOP 5

ERTYUI 6/7/8 Speed Bike Chain

B095RX6PMC
6/7/8 speed
ERTYUI 6/7/8 Speed Bike Chain Cover
Single/6/7/8/9/10/11/12 Speed Bike Chain, Bike Chain for Road Mountain Racing Cycling (6/7/8 speed)

The ERTYUI Bike Chain is designed for 6, 7, and 8 speed bicycles, featuring a robust size of 1/2×3/32 inch with 116 links. Its double X bridge design enhances both tensile and torsional strength, ensuring a smoother ride. Made from special forging steel, this chain is built to last, offering resistance to rust and wear. Additionally, installation is straightforward; you can easily adjust the length to fit your bike using a chain cutter and hook (not included), making it convenient for all cycling enthusiasts.

What We Like
Durable special forging steel
Double X bridge design
Easy installation
Compatible with various bikes
Rust and corrosion resistant
#TOP 6

Hycline 6/7/8-Speed Bicycle Chain

Rnry-MAYA-M30uk
6/7/8-speed
Hycline 6/7/8-Speed Bicycle Chain Cover
Hycline Bike Chain 6/7/8-Speed,Bicycle Chain 1/2x3/32 Inch,Special Steel for Road Mountain Racing Cycling (116 Links)

The Hycline Bike Chain is an excellent choice for those who own 6, 7, or 8-speed bicycles, including racing, road, and mountain bikes. Its high compatibility ensures it fits various models, making it versatile for different cycling needs. The chain's special forged steel composition provides exceptional strength, giving you confidence in its durability. With a polished surface and internal lubrication, it offers smooth operation while protecting against corrosion and rust. Additionally, its compact design and portable packaging allow you to carry it with ease, making maintenance simple and convenient.

What We Like
High compatibility with multiple bikes
Exceptional strength and durability
Smooth operation with rust protection
Compact and portable design
Easy installation and removal
#TOP 7

Laxzo® High Strength Bike Chain

LG13731
Laxzo® High Strength Bike Chain Cover
Laxzo ® Bike Chain,Single-Speed Speed Bicycle Chain 1/2 x 3/32 Inch 116 Links ​​Steel High Strength Bike Derailleur Chain 5/6/7/8 Speed For Road Mountain Bicycle

The Laxzo® Bike Chain offers easy assembly and maintenance thanks to its magic buckle, allowing you to swap or clean it effortlessly. Its top-quality construction is trusted worldwide, ensuring reliability for both mountain bikers and casual road cyclists. With wide compatibility across Shimano, Sram, and other popular gear systems, you can enjoy seamless gear transitions. Additionally, this chain supports 5, 6, 7, and 8-speed rear gears, making it versatile for various biking setups and styles.

What We Like
Easy assembly with magic buckle
Reliable and trusted globally
Wide compatibility with gear systems
Versatile for multiple speeds
#TOP 8

Cosswe 6/7/8 Speed Bicycle Chain

Cosswe 6/7/8 Speed Bicycle Chain Cover
Bicycle Chain,6/7/8/24 Speed Cycling Chains Reusable for Road Mountain Bike

The Cosswe Bicycle Chain is an excellent choice for cyclists needing a reliable solution for their bikes. It includes five stainless steel links, making it suitable for 6, 7, and 8-speed bicycles. The high-quality connector is crafted from special forged steel, ensuring durability and resistance to rust and corrosion. This chain is ideal for temporary repairs or replacements, allowing you to get back on the road without hassle. Installation is a breeze, thanks to its polished surface, which makes disassembly, cleaning, and reuse straightforward.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel links
Rust and corrosion resistant
Easy to install and clean
Suitable for multiple speeds
#TOP 9

Prophete Multi-Colour MTB Road Bike Chain

Multi-Colour
Prophete Multi-Colour MTB Road Bike Chain Cover
Prophete MTB Road Bike Chain - Multi-Colour

The Prophete MTB Bike Chain is an excellent value replacement chain suited for a wide range of bicycles. With 116 chain links, it ensures a reliable connection between the crankset and the rear wheel hub, allowing you to transfer torque effectively during rides. This feature enhances your cycling efficiency, making your rides smoother and more enjoyable. The multi-colour design also adds a stylish touch to your bike, allowing you to customise your look while ensuring top performance.

What We Like
Great value replacement chain
116 chain links for versatility
Effective torque transfer
Stylish multi-colour design
#TOP 10

VBESTLIFE 8 Speed 108 Links Bike Chain

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VBESTLIFE 8 Speed 108 Links Bike Chain Cover
8 Speed 108 Links Bicycle Chain for MTB Road Bike

The VBESTLIFE Bike Chain is an excellent choice for both mountain and road bike enthusiasts. Its easy installation and disassembly feature make it highly convenient, allowing you to reuse it without hassle. Made from durable steel material, it promises longevity and reliability during your rides. The chain’s double X bridge shape ensures smooth shifting, enhancing your overall cycling experience. With a weight of approximately 300g, it strikes a balance between strength and performance.

What We Like
Durable steel construction
Smooth shifting performance
Easy to install and reuse
Lightweight design
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are road bike chains different?

MTB and road chains are not the same, MTB chains are designed to shift up more easily under load because oftentimes on trails you face stiff ascents and you aren't in the right gear, road chains are designed to shift down more quickly and this helps when you get prepared for a sprint.

2. What size chain do I need for my road bike?

If your bike is equipped with the derailleur, you need a 3/32″ or 11/128″ chain. If you have a single-speed or internally geared bike, you need either 1/8″ or 3/32″. You should get the correct size, but if it is not possible, you can get the 1/8″ because it has limited compatibility with the 3/32″ sprocket.

3. Are road bike chains universal?

No. Not all makes and models of bike chains fit on all bikes. Most modern bike chains are made to the one-half inch pitch, but this dosn't mean all chains fit all bikes.

4. Which is the best cycle chain?

SHIMANO ULTEGRA CN-6701 CHAIN As a top-rated bike chain, it's one of the best 10 speed chains for road bikes.

Editor's Notes

During our bike chain for road bike research, we found 306 bike chain for road bike products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 13,786 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bike chains for road bike list. We found that most customers choose bike chains for road bike with an average price of £7.60.

The bike chains for road bike are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bike chains for road bike, including JJOnlineStore, LATERN, Laxzo, WAIZHIUA, ERTYUI. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 244 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Luke Dobson Avatar

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.