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Weight and bling factor are not important to me, but I do want something specific for the job. What about a stainless steel, single speed ring from on-one, ok for 1x9 ie a "bad" chain line most of the time?
Why "Bad" chainline?
I used an E-13 guide ring very tough and strong. 36t mounted on the middle ring mounts. Good chainline all the time.
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/7070287921_9d0fe09db5.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketdog/7070287921/ ]Wonky[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/rocketdog/ ]rOcKeTdOgUk[/url], on Flickr
Or
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/7024769807_f6744a29fb.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketdog/7024769807/ ]Velo solo[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/rocketdog/ ]rOcKeTdOgUk[/url], on Flickr
Or
[url= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4107/5063008616_da86514d39.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocketdog/5063008616/ ]Renthal + N-Stop[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/rocketdog/ ]rOcKeTdOgUk[/url], on Flickr
the On One SS ones are good, if heavy (110g). They'll last for ever though.
For alu then the usual suspects - Renthal, Hope, E13...
Renthal or Hope - both look cool and weigh little....Hope maybe slightly better value too...
Renthal
Middleburn hardcoat.
For hardest wearing On One or Surly. The Surly is completely reversible so you can flip it round to make it last longer.
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Renthal all the way imho. No one has more experience in chain rings than them.
Just on the back of me reading this thread i went looking for 44T rings and they are a bit thin on the ground to say the least and bloody expensive!
I just came across BETD's site (I have used their stuff before) and have ordered a DH Goldtec ring (alu) for £18 delivered!!!
They also have others but not with the number of teeth I want for my 1x9 commuter.
I have an unramped FSA one I got from Charlie the Bikemonger. Very happy with it.
Plain old steel Doere take some beating. Literally.