KMCE9 9 Speed E-Bike Chain, Silver, 122 Link

Easy to install, works well on our Trek Verve3+.This chain should be standard on all E-bikes.I highly recommend this chain.

Kind of obvious after you think about it. When you have a 110 Nm Class 3 ebike with high torque, you better have durable parts in your drive train.KMC is a reputable supplier of quality chains.

The original vado spec mentioned e9t npnp, but KMC says now it's just called e9t. But it does come in 2 finishes from KMC, and this one is less expensive and is the one that rusts / corrodes faster. I bought the corrosion resistant version from KMC US website. (The US version of the chain also has 136 links I believe, more than 122 for sure). The 122 version is from KMC Netherlands. Also, the vado uses a 40t alloy chainring. Mine was very noisy after putting on this new chain. But a new $45 OEM chain ring from my specialized dealer totally quieted it down to a perfect new drive system again. I had waited over 2000 miles to change the chain, so the chainring was worn quite a lot, with this powerful motor!

I put this chain through a severe test. I don't think anyone at KMC expected their chain to stand up to the demands I put on it. I ride a tandem bicycle with a mid-mount 1000W electric motor. My typical ride is 50-60 miles long on mostly flat trails with occasional hills. The rides are 80% paved and 20% crushed granite. The combined weight of bike and riders is probably 450 lbs. I am a fit bicyclist, but my son has Down Syndrome and barely puts out any power. I usually add in around 150 watts from the electric motor to give us a speed of 15-20 mph on level ground. On very steep hills, I will gear down and add up to 750 watts to help us over the top but this amounts to less than 1% of our ride.I installed the KMC e9 chain in March of this year and 5 months later, my wear indicator said it was time to change it (.75% elongation). I estimate I put 1500 miles on this chain. I use spray-on wax lube with teflon or tri-flow lube depending on riding conditions. I remove and clean the chain in a solvent bath when I see grime buildup (probably 4 times over its life).I know 5 months doesn't seem like a long life for a chain, but with the extreme environment it sees, I think it's reasonable. My only complaint is this chain is about twice as expensive as the X9 chain sold by KMC. As e-bikes become more popular, maybe we'll see the price come down.

I'm not sure how different this chain is from the X9 version. My X9 lasted about 3000 miles (ok maybe I should have replaced it at 2000). Will the E9 last more than 3000? If I remember, I will update this review when I replace the chain.

my bicycle chain was worn out, slipping over rear drive sprocket teeth. new chain fixes that.

Came quickly. easy to install.

Looks like good quality - I don’t have enough miles using this chain to give a thorough review