Shimano Ultegra CN-6701 Chain - 10 Speed

What Is the Shimano Ultegra CN-6701 and How Is It Different From Standard Chains?

The CN-6701 is Shimano's Ultegra-tier 10-speed chain for double chainring road drivetrains, engineered for smooth, quiet operation under sustained load. The chain uses an asymmetric inner and outer plate design, where inner plates are shaped to reduce friction contact with cassette cog faces during rear shifts, and outer plates are perforated to cut weight while reducing chainring tooth contact area. Together these geometrical changes produce cleaner, quieter shifts under hard pedaling compared to symmetric plate chains where full-face inner plates create more drag. The reinforced pin engagement construction tightens the tolerance between side plates and connecting pins for more consistent lateral chain flex, contributing to the stable, predictable shift action associated with Ultegra-tier components across high training and racing mileage.

The CN-6701 is compatible with Shimano's 10-speed HG cassettes and Ultegra, 105, and Tiagra 10-speed derailleurs and chainrings. It is designed for double chainring road use, and Shimano notes triple front configurations are not the intended application for this chain model. For riders on any Shimano 10-speed double road drivetrain replacing a worn chain, the CN-6701 delivers the Ultegra-grade shift quality that matches the performance tier of R6700-series and equivalent 10-speed groupset components. The asymmetric outer plate geometry maintains this shift precision over extended mileage without the performance degradation that lower-grade chains exhibit as they stretch.