A heavy-duty 12-speed chain built to handle the extra load of powerful e-bike drivetrains.
The YBN MK12E-TIC is a high-strength 12-speed chain designed specifically for the increased torque and wear that comes with e-bike use. With 136 links, it's particularly useful for mid-drive e-bikes and other bikes that need a longer chain than a standard 12-speed setup.
YBN uses solid pins and plates along with hardened chromium carbide-treated pins and rollers to improve wear resistance and chain life. With a claimed tensile strength of 1200kgf, the MK12E is built to cope with sustained drivetrain loads while still providing smooth and quiet shifting.
Despite its e-bike focus, the MK12E-TIC isn't limited to electric bikes. It's compatible with Shimano, SRAM and other 12-speed derailleur drivetrains, making it suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes, commuters and touring bikes where extra durability is useful.
The TIC version gets YBN's distinctive titanium multicolour finish, giving you something a little different from the usual silver or black chain.
Key Features
- Heavy-duty 12-speed e-bike chain
- Designed for high-torque mid-drive e-bike systems
- Compatible with Shimano, SRAM and other 12-speed derailleur drivetrains
- 136 links for compatibility with longer e-bike drivetrains
- Solid pin and plate construction
- DHA chromium carbide-treated pins and rollers
- Hard chromising treatment for increased wear resistance
- High-strength construction
- Claimed tensile strength of 1200kgf
- Designed for smooth and quiet shifting
- Suitable for e-MTB, MTB, road, commuting and touring bikes
- Titanium multicolour / rainbow finish
Specifications
- Speed: 12-speed
- Size: 1/2" x 11/128"
- Links: 136
- Width: 5.25mm
- Construction: Solid pins and plates
- Tensile strength: 1200kgf
- Pin and roller treatment: DHA chromium carbide
- Finish: Titanium multicolour / rainbow
- Compatibility: 12-speed derailleur drivetrains
Why Choose the YBN MK12E-TIC?
If you're replacing a chain on a mid-drive e-bike, we'd rather use a chain that's actually designed to deal with the extra torque than simply fit a lightweight 12-speed chain because it's compatible.
The 136-link length is another advantage. E-bike chainstays and drivetrain layouts can require more links, so having some extra length gives the mechanic room to size the chain correctly rather than discovering a standard chain is a couple of links short.
It's also a good option for conventional bikes where durability is more important than having the lightest possible chain.
Our Thoughts
E-bike chains have a hard life, particularly on powerful mid-drive bikes. You've got the rider putting power through the pedals and the motor adding considerably more through the same chain, often while climbing or shifting under load.
That's where the heavier-duty construction of the MK12E makes sense. We'd particularly look at it for an e-MTB, commuter or touring e-bike that's doing plenty of kilometres.
The rainbow finish obviously isn't going to make your bike shift any better, but if you're spending the money on a good chain and want something that looks a bit different, this one certainly does.
We'd also check chain wear regularly rather than waiting until shifting deteriorates. Replacing a worn chain early is considerably cheaper than wearing out a 12-speed cassette along with it.