Alternative to Wolftooth?

ugo.santalucia

As per title, was looking for 110 bcd 4 holed asymmetric single chainrings, narrow-wide that fit R8000 cranks, a 38 and a 50ish and it seems only Wolftooth exists, but almost 90 quid per ring, which is extortion.
The ever useful Superstar seem to be out of everything and apparently they are not even completely compatible… anything I am missing?

Wheelspinner

I think Rotor do compatible rings in the "No-Q" series for R8000 cranks, but whether you'll find any cheaper (or available) than Wolftooth or Shimano is another matter.

akh

AbsoluteBlack if you don't mind oval. Barely cheaper at RRP though and only their own website (which of course charges RRP) seems to have stock of the models you'd need.

ugo.santalucia

I think I do mind oval… never tried, probably don’t want to try it

super_davo

There are absolutely loads on Aliexpress if you don't mind the 3 week wait e.g.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004323710615.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1c6329396ueZ77&algo_pvid=940e306c-14a4-4d5e-b19f-5bbb80687187&algo_exp_id=940e306c-14a4-4d5e-b19f-5bbb80687187-20&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000028756527737"}&pdp_npi=2@dis!GBP!!9.69!9.69!!1.55!!@2100bdcf16544100167025442e2444!12000028756527737!sea

MattFalle

ugo.santalucia said:

I think I do mind oval… never tried, probably don’t want to try it

Why not? You may like it.

ugo.santalucia

super_davo said:

There are absolutely loads on Aliexpress if you don't mind the 3 week wait e.g.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004323710615.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1c6329396ueZ77&algo_pvid=940e306c-14a4-4d5e-b19f-5bbb80687187&algo_exp_id=940e306c-14a4-4d5e-b19f-5bbb80687187-20&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000028756527737"}&pdp_npi=2@dis!GBP!!9.69!9.69!!1.55!!@2100bdcf16544100167025442e2444!12000028756527737!sea

They are cheap, aren’t they… tempting

ugo.santalucia

I have ordered a 38 and a 48, 29 quid in total, seems a low cost way to try out going single ring…

MattFalle

How does Ali Express work by the way?

Is it basically Amazon under another name - ie sign up, press buy, enter credit card details?

ugo.santalucia

MattFalle said:

How does Ali Express work by the way?

Is it basically Amazon under another name - ie sign up, press buy, enter credit card details?

Basically, yes... it does add the tax at the end for you, so you don't have to bother with these import hassles.
I paid with Paypal, as I am a bit reluctant to give them my credit card details. Inserting a UK address was a bit awkward, as it doesn't have a predictive thing based on postcode, but at the same time it doesn't allow you to use apostrophes or dashes, so one has to be a bit creative, but it should be OK, I would think.

The rings seem to have some "marmite" type graphics on them, but I guess for 29 quid x 2 rings one can't be too fussy.
I just want to try, as I have a single ring (Hope) on the winter bike and I like the simplicity... I'll probably always use the 48 and only switch to the 38 for hill climb races. The other bike has a 44 ring, so it is more suited to a very mixed terrain

MattFalle

Just turn them round so you can't see the graphics - its what i do.

ugo.santalucia

if they are symmetric...

MattFalle

Thry're £14.

I'll hazard a guess they will be.

ugo.santalucia

Estimated delivery July 1st…

ugo.santalucia

Arrived today, promptly fitted... works fine... this is the 38T for hill climbs... had to file it very slightly, a couple of minutes job... I also have the 48 for flat and TT

MattFalle

mega sauce. granular.

winner winner OP MASSIVE food for dinner.

ugo.santalucia

I have ordered a few 2 mm washers, so I can use the original Shimano nuts, that look nicer on the spider and are easier to screw on

ugo.santalucia

Raced with the 38 ring, no problem at all… I did a couple of rides on the 48 ring and again no noise or problem at all… good buy!

ugo.santalucia

Going ring mad... I've ordered a 40 and a 44T too...