I just bent my 4 bolt surly chainring in half and from what I have read this has happened to other people as well. I am wondering what an alternative would be that would be stronger and prevent this from happening again? Would an aluminum ring be a better choice?
yep, the available aluminum ss rings are stiffer. Salsa and Blackspire are both nice
from what i've read, steel rings can be made stiffer than those Surly's by using a better grade of stainless steel. I think ISAR uses a different alloy for his chainrings (see the homebrew thread in this SS forum)
Of course aluminum will wear faster than steel. I've bent my Surly ring a few times - usually trying something I shouldn't - but have always been able to bend it back. I've not bent mine in half, though. The good thing about the steel? I've been through many chains on this one ring and there is no appreciable wear. On my last aluminum ring, I wore it out in one chain's worth of riding time.
That ring is a 304 grade stainless which has a very low yield strength, much lower than aluminum. This means that it bends like butter. I've tacoed one years ago just by climbing a hill, and i know im not the first or the last. Also, i've had teeth bend 90 degrees on many occasions. All it takes is your chain looseining up a little on a ride, and a little pedaling down a bumpy trail.
For this reason, i will not make stainless chainrings. I do make stainless cogs, but i use a much higher grade of stainless that is heat treated. To use that same stainless for chainrings, they'd cost as much as ti, which wouldnt make sense to buy (hey, that rhymes).
Does Ti last as long as the stainless? I'm thinking about Ti chainring and cog, but the $$$ made me balk. If, however, they last a long time (like my surly SS cog), then I would buy 'em for sure...
Does Ti last as long as the stainless? I'm thinking about Ti chainring and cog, but the $$$ made me balk. If, however, they last a long time (like my surly SS cog), then I would buy 'em for sure...
ti has a higher yield strength and tensile strength than stainless by a bit, so it will actually last longer. I dont think i've heard of anyone wearing out a 6al4v ti (like Boone's) chainring yet, but if someone has, please let us know how long it lasted, and if you kept up on chain replacements.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
15.4M posts
515.2K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!