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It's been a while since I last bought an oval chainring, I've had them from Uberbike and Absolute Black in the past. They used to be hard to come by but a quick Google shows they are everywhere now. So the question is, how much do I need to spend? AB are still top end but is this one on ebay going to be made of cheese or is it worth a punt?
Thanks
I recently replaced my Absolute black oval. 32t in non boost offset for Raceface Cinch. The only option I found available in stock and that was another Absolute Black.
My first one lasted years and didn't look all that worn even. I only replaced it because I was replacing cassette and chain and it made sense to. When your bike ties you in to SRAM XD driver cassette, what the cost of a chainring? Am I right?
I did look at the cheaper alternatives, but none ideally suited as the whole world has gone boost now, so either wait for a cheaper one to come into stock somewhere, or pay a little extra for one that I knew would last well and get out riding sooner. Seemed a no brainer.
I have stopped buying bicycle components off Amazon due to the high incidence of counterfeit and low quality products. YMMV.
Had a few from Works components over the years which have lasted well. I'd swerve AB on the basis of all the bolloxology they talk about ovality, but they're well made components for all of that.
Look for 7075 T6 aluminium, ideally hard anodised rather than just pretty anodised.
However, it's hard to know if people are telling the truth about such things. I tend to stick with Garbaruk rings. Expensive but they seem to last well.
I don't think that amazon chainring is oval, it's just the angle it's photographed at.
The round chainrings of ebay and the like are OK. some wear fast, some don't and it's pot luck which you get. however I've not seen an ebay oval chainring that's been clocked right, most I've seen are oval at the 12 o clock position, rather than the 2 ish o clock as most others are.
there are occasions where you'll find oval chainrings on discount somewhere, (for example: https://www.tradeinn.com/bikeinn/en/blackspire-oval-sram-direct-mount-gxp-6-mm-offset-chainring/138156715)
but Superstar components is normally a good starting point for oval rings and a variety of direct mounts, colours and offsets.
If Superstar have stock of what you need, their rings are very durable IME.
Works Components seem good too (not had mine long enough to wear out yet, but it is 7075 as Onza recommends).
Burgtec and Uberbike both wore to the point they kept dropping the chain disappointingly quickly for me.
Works would be my first port of call, then superstar.
I must have had a different experience to everyone else with absolute black- I fitted one in the spring one year and was dropping chains left right and centre by the brighton big dog in augustish. (In comparison I’d expect either of the above to last a year on comparable mileages).
Superstar for me. I'm not sure the tooth profile is perfect for Shimano 12sp but it works well enough.
if you're looking for a 104 (105?) bcd 34 oval drop me a line. i have at least one brand new that is unlikely to be used, ever. i forget who makes it but it's gert lush. (-;
i believed the hype that you could up two teeth. not in my ****ing manor you can't!