I would bother with a top of the line chain, but if you look around you can find it for less than $200 online, or at least you should be. I usually find a X ring chain for around $120 bucks or so if I keep my eyes peeled.
Depending on the bike, 20K miles is pretty reasonable for a chain. I tend to get about 16K, but it all depends how's it's used, how it's lubed, and how much power it has to transmit. I suppose chain life is also related to how often you're willing to adjust the slack. Once it has to be adjusted every 500 miles I'm replacing mine.
Depending on the bike, 20K miles is pretty reasonable for a chain. I tend to get about 16K, but it all depends how's it's used, how it's lubed, and how much power it has to transmit. I suppose chain life is also related to how often you're willing to adjust the slack. Once it has to be adjusted every 500 miles I'm replacing mine.