Thoughts / observations welcome.

Yay - they're made in so many forms that you can find one you like for the correct application. Been running a 1/8" 32T 104BCD velosolo one for yonks (it's done 2 strathpuffers and billions of rides round loughborough without cleaning) and been fine. Also lightweight shimano things seem to be working fine with gears. They do use aluminium chainrings on motorbikes after all.

No, no, no, no, no!!! This is a pet hate of mine. The weight saving over longevity of inner/middle chainrings in their high wear applications is just not worth it in my opinion. Decent steel rings are hard to come by as everyone buys alloy so that's what the manufacturers make. They are of course more than happy to do this as alloy rings wear out quicker so they make lots more money and a decent set of replacement rings is far from cheap to buy!!! Sorry, rant over.

s8tannorm wrote:Thoughts / observations welcome.

Why, you thinking of going into production then Stu?

I always use a steel granny (22) and a Middleburn alloy 'big' ring (36t)*. The Middleburn seem to last fine and aren't as expensive as some. Don't even think you can get a steel 36t anyway.

*I hate triples

For 1x10 I like them as the whole drivetrain seems to wear out at same time.

For weight weenie SS I like them.

For normal SS then the Surly Stainless is an absolute joy and indeed last forever.

restlessnative wrote:*I hate triples

Restless, what design mech/shifter do you use for the front, double or triple?

I use a shimano slx one that they did specially for 22/36 which works a treat.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... tAodRSsAJw

A triple one does work if you set it up like there is a big ring still there but you tend to need a light weight bash to stop the chain coming off the outside (no need for this with the proper mech as it sits right down on the 36)

Thanks for that, may well be investing.

Just been looking at bash guard prices and given the cost of them you might as well just get the double mech, will look nicer too.

cheap light 'bash' rings if you do want one

http://bbgbashguard.com/