Middle Chainring Advice

steelo

Specialized Rockhopper Disc '07. I need to replace the chain, cassette, middle chainring and headset. I'm pretty set on an XT cassette and Sram chain along with a Cane Creek S3 headset. But i'm unsure on which middle chain ring to go for.

Any ideas? Previous thought was for an LX but have heard mixed things about it.

supersonic

If you want it to last, a steel deore one. May have to file it slightly on older verisons.

dave_hill

I've found Middleburn and Blackspire both to be more than capable. Whatever you do don't replace it with an ally Shimano one, they're made from cheese.

steelo

If you want it to last, a steel deore one. May have to file it slightly on older verisons.

Does that mean Shimano Deore LX is okay then? If its a 4 bolt then it should be a straight swap shouldn't it? Why is there a need to file it?

supersonic

The BCD is same, but for some reason the none HT2 deore chainrings interfered with the tabs on the Ht2 spider.

Deore LX is alloy I think (do check!)

steelo

So let me get this right. Pricier chainrings which are made from lighter, stronger alloys are softer and don't last as long as cheaper steel ones?

What would be your pick of middle chainring given that the Shimano factory fitted one on my Spesh 'hopper has excessively worn after 10 months?

And its an octalink chainset (Shimano FCM-442-8, Octalink Spline, 9-speed, replaceable rings w/ alloy outer), not hollowtech 2.

supersonic

Steel is much harder than standard chainring alloy - though some newer ones are better (or coated). If you dont mind an extra few grams, and want the ultimate in wear, get a steel one.

What chainset is it? (number, model?)

steelo

The info listed on the Specialized website is as follows;

Shimano FCM-442-8, Octalink Spline, 9-speed, replaceable rings w/ alloy outer.

The bike shop recommended full XT running gear but I don't think thats necessary!

I was opting for an LX chainring as the rear cassette will be XT, purely by choice, and the chainrings are usually a step down from the cassette?!?

supersonic

I think that deore one will work fine on the octalink chainset, as it aint HT2.

Be aware tthat HT2 chainrings may not fit well on none HT2 cranks.

steelo

Sorry about this game of verbal tennis, but which 'Deore one' are you referring to, the LX chainring?

supersonic

Deore is deore. Deore LX is usually shortened to just LX. This is the one I mean:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=5699

artillerydave

As I stated previously in the other post would not go for LX, go for race face or middleburn as stated previously, better more expensive alloy rings will last much better than LX. and be lighter than an old Deore one you would have to file?

dave_hill

What we're saying is...

Don't use ANY Shimano ring that's made of aluminium. The grade that they use is pants and it will wear out within a matter of weeks.

Middleburn, RaceFace and Blackspire are all good choices for aluminium rings. I paid £22 for a 34T Blackspire Super Pro about 18 months ago and it's still going strong - I've fitted 3 new chains to the bike in the same period and they've all worked on that ring with no problems.

A good aluminium chain ring will actually get harder and wear less the older it gets (the more you batter it, the harder aluminium becomes. It's a process known as "work hardening" - the downside is that as the aluminium gets harder it also becomes more brittle and is therefore liable to fracture).

Once again DO NOT buy a Shimano ring if it's made of aluminium.

steelo

So to summarise -

Buy a decent quality aluminium chainring.

Don't buy aluminum Shimano chainrings.

What about the cassette sprockets? Is XT okay are is this bad Shimano aluminium as well?

nicklouse

cassettes are a totally different thing. more variables.

supersonic

They are all chromed steel, excpet XTR where the big four are Ti.

The deore will work on your chainset, as it is not HT2

nicklouse

supersonic wrote:

They are all chromed steel, excpet XTR where the big four are Ti.

The deore will work on your chainset, as it is not HT2

but then there is the alloy carrier (spider) on the XT and XTR which is good for alloy freebodies.

supersonic

Hehe, was a bit of a generalisation ;-)

Some are nickel too.

steelo

Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhh!

It's all too confusing! I feel like i'm wasting my money now as i'm not sure what to buy to replace the worn out stuff. I want to upgrade with some lighter gear but I want it to last longer and not cost too much.

About £70-80 for the Chain, Chainring and Cassette.

HELP!!!!

supersonic

I'd get:

XT cassette
SRAM PC971 chain
Deore chainring
FSA Orbit XL2 headset (saying that, what type is it? ;-))

nicklouse

XT cassette and a sram PC99 chain (or what ever it is now).

steelo

It's a standard 1 1/8th threadless, specialized factory fitted. LBS have recommended a Cane Creek S3 which I would have to say i've heard nothing but good things about.

supersonic

There isnt much in the Orbit and S3, same bearings I think, both made by Th industries.

Sikora

Has this always been an issue with Shimano Aluminium chainrings, or just the '08 stuff?
Surely the most popular transmisson manufacturer in the world would rectify this if their higher end items were wearing out so fast.

Are the XT and XTR chainrings affected too?

supersonic

Well, they are introducing the carbon composite/alloy rings which wear better. Cant remember the older ones been as bad though.

artillerydave

they have rectified this on their top end groups as 08 XT and XTR now has steel teeth in composite middle ring (the one that gets the most wear) however LX is not top range stuff so this does not get the upgrade. We are not saying shimano chain rings are crap per say, the question is about LX rings, as stated by practically everyone there are much better wearing alternatives to Shimano rings out there. if you wish to stick to Shimano rings and ignore our advice that is ok, but be prepared to replace the rings alot more often.