This chain is not compatible with Shimano narrow-wide chainrings (at least). When compared with KMS/Shimano chains you can see the difference in dimensions and geometry of the inner plate and the roller between Connex and KMS/Shimano chains:
1. The inner plate of KMS/Shimano chain has a facet all around the roller, but the Connex’s inner plate does not have one.
2. The inner plate of the Connex chain seems to be thicker than that of KMS/Shimano.
3. The Connex roller seems to be narrower than the other two.
I fitted this Connex chain on my hardtail with Shimano XT 11-speed Chainring SM-CRM81 34T, and SunRace CSMX8 11-speed Cassette 11-40, and Shimano XT 11-speed Rear Derailleur RD-M8000 GS Shadow+. The result is:
1. The shifting with the Connex chain is horrible. This chain practically doesn’t shift.
2. The chain doesn’t come off the chainring at the point where it should. I mean the links just get stuck to the chainring’s teeth somehow, so, at this moment, the chain starts pulling on the rear mech and you feel a sudden resistance of the pedal, and then the chain does come off the chainring’s teeth and at this moment the pedal all of a sudden goes down too easily making you lose your balance. This makes this chain unsafe to use.
3. When you start to backpedal, the chain jumps off the chainring immediately.
4. When you try to just ride without even shifting your gear, the chain makes a horrible noise all the time and it feels as if it is trying to shift on its own accord up and down all the time.
I was not able to ride with this chain at all. Chains from Shimano and KMS worked nice and smooth with this same setup, and I have not changed any settings of the rear mech or anything else when I fitted this Connex chain on.
Conclusion: It is obvious that this chain is not compatible with Shimano narrow-wide chainrings (at least). And this fact must be stated clearly in the description of this “product”. So, be warned. Other than that this chain looks nice.
