The HG601 11-speed chain from Shimano is a dual purpose road / mountain chain at the R7000 105 and M7000 SLX levels. As such, this 105-level road design meets the needs of 11-speed mountain groups that require the HG-X11 special asymmetrical design. This streamlines the Shimano chain offerings and makes it simpler for regular road and mountain riders to have spare equipment on hand.

Shimano applies it's SIL-TEC plating treatment of carbon and flourine molecules to the HG601. The chemical process is applied to the Roller Link Plate, which greatly reduces friction and prolongs drivetrain life. Shimano claims a 60% improvement in friction over its equivalent nickel-only plated chains, and 20% greater wear. SIL-TEC also repels water and dirt, allowing your drivetrain to run cleaner and drier through any road or trail conditions. Even if variables reduce those claims by half in real life usage, those are still significant gains. For those who want to understand the differences, the HG901 Dura-Ace chain features a hollow pin design, and SIL-TEC is also applied to the rollers. The HG701 Ultegra-level chain features the treatment on both the Pin Link Plate and the Roller Link Plate. There is not weight difference between the HG601 and HG701, but the HG701 does test to improved wear and reduced friction due to the added treatment.

Proper installation is crucial, as the HG601 has a directional design, and Shimano includes their 11-speed Quick Link for simple and speedy application.Please keep in mind that the Quick Link is intended for one-time use, so when you remove it, you should replace it with a new one. At 262 grams, this versatile 11 speed chain is competitive with other high-end chains, and with the SIL-TEC treatment, a great value due to lower maintenance, longer life, and reduced wear of other drivetrain components.