Are there differences in chainring qualilty?

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

That aside, I think chainring quality is not as important as whether
you need pins & ramps. Aftermarket rings like Engagement, Willow,
Silver, and Salsa are all made by the same mfr in the US. They are all
good quality and very reasonably price. Sugino and SR are similar
brands that are good value too. Some of these rings are pinned &
ramped, others are not.

Campagnolo, TA and Shimano are all a step above in terms of quality,
but are also pricier too. Unless older versions, most will have pins &
ramps.

If you're indexing your 9 speed drivetrain, then I would focus more on
getting rings that have pins & ramps and not worry so much about the
name.

bfd said:

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

Quoted message said:

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

Quoted message said:

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

That aside, I think chainring quality is not as important as whether
you need pins & ramps. Aftermarket rings like Engagement, Willow,
Silver, and Salsa are all made by the same mfr in the US. They are all
good quality and very reasonably price. Sugino and SR are similar
brands that are good value too. Some of these rings are pinned &
ramped, others are not.

Campagnolo, TA and Shimano are all a step above in terms of quality,
but are also pricier too. Unless older versions, most will have pins &
ramps.

If you're indexing your 9 speed drivetrain, then I would focus more on
getting rings that have pins & ramps and not worry so much about the
name.

Huh? AFAIK, no barend shifters have indexed front shifting (thank
gawd!).

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them. As a
further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

Sounds like you got good service from those 7-speed chainrings. Nothing
to complain about. Anything wears out eventually.

Quoted message said:

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

$28 is a good price from a shop. It should last a while, and it is only
$28.

--

David L. Johnson

Let's be straight here. If we find something we can't understand
we like to call it something you can't understand,
or indeed even pronounce. -- Douglas Adams

Ozark Bicycle said:

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them.

That is not quite the case. $50 is closer to "brand name" price these
days.

As a

Quoted message said:

further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

For one, Sugino is on the cusp of name brand in this case. Shimano and
Campagnolo are considerably more expensive. And, where do you find this
for $14?

--

David L. Johnson

What is objectionable, and what is dangerous about extremists is
not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. --Robert F. Kennedy

On Feb 26, 4:40 pm, "David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them.

That is not quite the case. $50 is closer to "brand name" price these
days.

Depends on the "brand" and the source, eh?

Quoted message said:

As a

Quoted message said:

further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

For one, Sugino is on the cusp of name brand in this case.

Sugino is solid stuff, every bit the quality of Shimano rings, IMO.
Unless, of course, you guage "brand" by advertising profile. In that
case, yeah, Sugino is a no name.

Quoted message said:

Shimano and
Campagnolo are considerably more expensive. And, where do you find this
for $14?

Find what? Sugino rings for $14?

Ozark Bicycle said:

On Feb 26, 4:40 pm, "David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them.

Quoted message said:

That is not quite the case. $50 is closer to "brand name" price these
days.

Depends on the "brand" and the source, eh?

Quoted message said:

As a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

Quoted message said:

For one, Sugino is on the cusp of name brand in this case.

Sugino is solid stuff, every bit the quality of Shimano rings, IMO.
Unless, of course, you guage "brand" by advertising profile. In that
case, yeah, Sugino is a no name.

Quoted message said:

Shimano and
Campagnolo are considerably more expensive. And, where do you find this
for $14?

Find what? Sugino rings for $14?

$28 for a brand new chainring, from a LBS, is not a bad price.

However, Air Bomb in England has Sugino rings starting at $14. Excel
and Janson has Sugino rings starting at $15. Those are all real good
prices!

On Feb 26, 4:40 pm, "David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them.

That is not quite the case. $50 is closer to "brand name" price these
days.

As a

Quoted message said:

further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

For one, Sugino is on the cusp of name brand in this case. Shimano and
Campagnolo are considerably more expensive. And, where do you find this
for $14?

Will $16.99 do? Sugino 38 tooth 110mm bcd.
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=CR1157

Dimension brand is $14.99. Salsa brand is $20.99.

Shimano 36 tooth Deore DX/LX middle ring. 110mm bcd. 5 bolt. Not
available over the internet but any shop should be selling Shimano for
the same price. $21.99. If he is willing to go with 36 instead of
38.
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=CR1944

Quoted message said:

--

David L. Johnson

What is objectionable, and what is dangerous about extremists is
not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. --Robert F. Kennedy

bfd said:

On Feb 26, 2:56 pm, "Ozark Bicycle"

Quoted message said:

On Feb 26, 4:40 pm, "David L. Johnson" <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ozark Bicycle wrote:
> As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
> for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

That is not quite the case. $50 is closer to "brand name" price these
days.

Quoted message said:

Depends on the "brand" and the source, eh?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

As a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
> the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For one, Sugino is on the cusp of name brand in this case.

Quoted message said:

Sugino is solid stuff, every bit the quality of Shimano rings, IMO.
Unless, of course, you guage "brand" by advertising profile. In that
case, yeah, Sugino is a no name.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Shimano and
Campagnolo are considerably more expensive. And, where do you find this
for $14?

Quoted message said:

Find what? Sugino rings for $14?

$28 for a brand new chainring, from a LBS, is not a bad price.

However, Air Bomb in England has Sugino rings starting at $14. Excel
and Janson has Sugino rings starting at $15. Those are all real good
prices!-

They are *fair* prices (as evidenced by how many sources will sell
these rings for $14-16) based on the wholesale cost of the rings.

As for the $28 LBS price, the LBS could pay the $14 internet retail
price and make over 40 points (allowing for shipping, etc.) gross
margin at point of sale. Not bad....for the bike shop!

Ozark Bicycle said:

bfd said:

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!
My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.
My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

That aside, I think chainring quality is not as important as whether
you need pins & ramps. Aftermarket rings like Engagement, Willow,
Silver, and Salsa are all made by the same mfr in the US. They are all
good quality and very reasonably price. Sugino and SR are similar
brands that are good value too. Some of these rings are pinned &
ramped, others are not.

Campagnolo, TA and Shimano are all a step above in terms of quality,
but are also pricier too. Unless older versions, most will have pins &
ramps.

If you're indexing your 9 speed drivetrain, then I would focus more on
getting rings that have pins & ramps and not worry so much about the
name.

Huh? AFAIK, no barend shifters have indexed front shifting (thank
gawd!).

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them. As a
further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

Where can I get that Sugino ring for less than half of $28? I'm interested.

I don not have indexed front shifting. Are pins & ramps therefore
irrelevant?

Thanks.
BC

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!
My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.
My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

Quoted message said:

bfd said:

That aside, I think chainring quality is not as important as whether
you need pins & ramps. Aftermarket rings like Engagement, Willow,
Silver, and Salsa are all made by the same mfr in the US. They are all
good quality and very reasonably price. Sugino and SR are similar
brands that are good value too. Some of these rings are pinned &
ramped, others are not.

Campagnolo, TA and Shimano are all a step above in terms of quality,
but are also pricier too. Unless older versions, most will have pins &
ramps.

If you're indexing your 9 speed drivetrain, then I would focus more on
getting rings that have pins & ramps and not worry so much about the
name.

Ozark Bicycle said:

Huh? AFAIK, no barend shifters have indexed front shifting (thank
gawd!).
As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them. As a
further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

I'm not sure $28 is overpriced. Sugino only stamps the tooth size in a
plain plastic wrapper. Maybe, maybe not. More data needed.

What can you get for $12~$15? Not Sugino. Vuelta? Nowhere near Sugino
quality.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

BC
unchained

yes, there are differences in quality. they affect shift precision and
gear longevity. yes, pins and ramps are important for shift precision.
you can make do without them, but shift quality sucks in comparison.

jim beam said:

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

Quoted message said:

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

Quoted message said:

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

Quoted message said:

BC
unchained

yes, there are differences in quality. they affect shift precision and
gear longevity. yes, pins and ramps are important for shift precision.
you can make do without them, but shift quality sucks in comparison

That last part is OSAF if, like the OP, you are using a friction front
shifter.

David L. Johnson said:

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

Sounds like you got good service from those 7-speed chainrings. Nothing
to complain about. Anything wears out eventually.

I'm not complaining. I have had good service from this bike.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

$28 is a good price from a shop. It should last a while, and it is only
$28.

The price is less important to me than the performance. I won't be
changing this ring again for ten years. If I can get even slightly
better shifting performance by using a better ring, I will have the
benefit of it for ten years!

I don't have lots of bikes and am not constantly upgrading equipment, so
I am not aware of whether pins & ramps make a difference, or a whether a
true 9sp ring will make a difference.

So, to restate my original question, should I put an unbranded 38 tooth
ring on my crank for the next decade, or should I make an effort to get
a brand name? Will pins & ramps make a difference in shifting?

BC
toothless

Ozark Bicycle said:

jim beam said:

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!
My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.
My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?
BC
unchained

yes, there are differences in quality. they affect shift precision and
gear longevity. yes, pins and ramps are important for shift precision.
you can make do without them, but shift quality sucks in comparison

That last part is OSAF if, like the OP, you are using a friction front
shifter.

I don't know what OSAF means.

I am using a friction (non-index) front shifter. Does this mean I would
not benefit from pins&ramps?

BC

WELL, YOU HAD GOOD WEAR FROM THE 7 SPEED BUT FROM HERE ON OUT
FORGETABOUTIT

BCDrums said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

bfd said:

On Feb 26, 12:23 pm, "BCDrums" <[email hidden]> wrote:

> I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and
> saw that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been
> reduced to points!
> My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings,
> 110/74 BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed
> chain (although the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting
> has seemed fine to me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg
> doesn't look worn. My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock
> for $28.
> Should I bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?
That aside, I think chainring quality is not as important as whether
you need pins & ramps. Aftermarket rings like Engagement, Willow,
Silver, and Salsa are all made by the same mfr in the US. They are
all good quality and very reasonably price. Sugino and SR are
similar brands that are good value too. Some of these rings are
pinned & ramped, others are not.

Campagnolo, TA and Shimano are all a step above in terms of quality,
but are also pricier too. Unless older versions, most will have
pins & ramps.

If you're indexing your 9 speed drivetrain, then I would focus more
on getting rings that have pins & ramps and not worry so much about
the name.

Huh? AFAIK, no barend shifters have indexed front shifting (thank
gawd!).

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name
price for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them.
As a further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less
than half the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

Where can I get that Sugino ring for less than half of $28? I'm
interested.
I don not have indexed front shifting. Are pins & ramps therefore
irrelevant?

Not completely irrelevant. They help "grab" and guide the chain as opposed
to smashing the chain into the chainring, especially if your cables and
housing are a bit gunked up. They make most bikes easier to shift up. Not
really any help in downshifting.

--
Phil

BCDrums said:

Ozark Bicycle said:

jim beam said:

BCDrums wrote:
> I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and
> saw that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been
> reduced to points!
> My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings,
> 110/74 BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed
> chain (although the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting
> has seemed fine to me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg
> doesn't look worn. My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock
> for $28.
> Should I bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?
> BC
> unchained
yes, there are differences in quality. they affect shift precision
and gear longevity. yes, pins and ramps are important for shift
precision. you can make do without them, but shift quality sucks
in comparison

That last part is OSAF if, like the OP, you are using a friction
front shifter.

I don't know what OSAF means.

I am using a friction (non-index) front shifter. Does this mean I
would not benefit from pins&ramps?

You would benefit from pins and ramps while upshifting. Downshifting less
so.
--
Phil

"Ozark Bicycle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

bfd said:

BCDrums said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

Quoted message said:

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings,

110/74

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain

(although

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

Quoted message said:

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

That aside, I think chainring quality is not as important as whether
you need pins & ramps. Aftermarket rings like Engagement, Willow,
Silver, and Salsa are all made by the same mfr in the US. They are all
good quality and very reasonably price. Sugino and SR are similar
brands that are good value too. Some of these rings are pinned &
ramped, others are not.

Campagnolo, TA and Shimano are all a step above in terms of quality,
but are also pricier too. Unless older versions, most will have pins &
ramps.

If you're indexing your 9 speed drivetrain, then I would focus more on
getting rings that have pins & ramps and not worry so much about the
name.

Huh? AFAIK, no barend shifters have indexed front shifting (thank
gawd!).

As far as brand names, the OP is being asked to pay a brand name price
for a no brand chain ring. I'd find another LBS, were I them. As a
further example, a 38T/110mm Sugino ring can be had for less than half
the $28 the LBS is asking for a Brand X ring.

The Shimano FC-M730 is a 1987-88 Deore XT crankset with Biopace II
chainrings. The OP may or may not have shifting problems going to a round
middle chainring.

Chas.

"BCDrums" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I removed my crank the other day to repack my bottom bracket and saw
that my middle chainring was quite worn. The teeth have been reduced
to points!

My setup is a Shimano FC-M730 triple crank with 48-38-24 rings, 110/74
BCD, and bar-end shifters. I am running a SRAM 9 speed chain (although
the rings are from the 7 speed era), and shifting has seemed fine to
me. I live on the middle ring; my big ringg doesn't look worn.

My LBS has only an unbranded 38 tooth ring in stock for $28. Should I
bother looking for a brand name? Do I need pins & ramps?

BC
unchained

Your Shimano FC-M730 is a 1987-88 Deore XT crankset that originally came
with Biopace II chainrings.

If your chainrings are still Biopace II you may or may not have shifting
problems going to a round middle chainring. If you want to stay with
Biopace, I've seen the 38 tooth rings regularly selling on eBay for
$14-16.

Several of the shops that support this NG also may still have some of
these chainrings.

Chas.