Product Review: TA Specialities 130bcd chainrings

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_537_538_540_650&products_id=3167&zenid=1633dc4de892c1b333b2e214de416641

I was just wondering what you guys think about these rings for riding fixed gear and I wanted to get their 50t
so any help on this product before I buy would be great




or are they no better than Sugino Standard?

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_537_538_540_649&products_id=4477&zenid=1633dc4de892c1b333b2e214de416641

Thanks!

Plus, TA makes odd-tooth rings in 130/135/144 BCD, which I'd guess makes it easier to fine-tune your gearing. They have a PDF listing all currently manufactured rings; the track rings are available in a tooth counts from 44 to 52, in all three BCDs.

Posted By: bensonisajewI was wondering how much rounder are they compared to Sugino Standard chainring and they are more expensive so I guess they would be better?

In theory, every chainring except Biopace is supposed to be perfectly round, whether it's cast or machined. There are manufacturing variations, to be sure; but a company that produces consistently not-round chainrings is a company that's likely to have angry customers showing up at the factory with pitchforks and pump shotguns.

Not to belabor the obvious, but I can think of a few other possible causes of the symptoms you describe:

1) Insufficiently tight chainring bolts
2) Insufficiently tight drive-side crankbolt
3) insufficiently tightened bottom bracket
4) Insufficiently tight pedals

With any of these, a little variation could cause uneven chain travel as the crank rotates. Are you 100% sure on all these? Has a reasonably trustworthy shop wrench looked at them and said "These are all fine; your chainring's not round enough"?

I recently had my BB overhauled from the winter riding and regreased everything down there and the shop I go to has a great mechanic and cranked everything down to spec, my chain ring bolts are tight, my pedals are tight.
My LBS says that chainrings are round but lets compare Sugino standard chainring to a Zen ring now I know there would be a difference in its roundness, unless im wrong.
But I think the TA ring would be better than the Sugino Standard

Posted By: bensonisajewI recently had my BB overhauled from the winter riding and regreased everything down there and the shop I go to has a great mechanic and cranked everything down to spec, my chain ring bolts are tight, my pedals are tight.
My LBS says that chainrings are round but lets compare Sugino standard chainring to a Zen ring now I know there would be a difference in its roundness, unless im wrong.
But I think the TA ring would be better than the Sugino Standard

Your chain might be stretched in various spots which could also cause your slack hotspots.

Posted By: brooklynbombs

Posted By: bensonisajew...My LBS says that chainrings are round but lets compare Sugino standard chainring to a Zen ring now I know there would be a difference in its roundness, unless im wrong.
But I think the TA ring would be better than the Sugino Standard

Your chain might be stretched in various spots which could also cause your slack hotspots.

Also, what's the likelyhood of your bb spindle being bent? I think that's what my problem is on my basket bike right now. I haven't spent more than 5 minutes looking at it but so far that's what it looks like...

I had a 49t TA chainring in 144bcd. It worked.

Posted By: the rabbig that something being more expensive equates to it being better is a slippery slope, especially when it comes to something where there is very lit

Im convinced hahaha

Posted By: eaglerock

Posted By: bensonisajewWhen I got my IRO my whole drive chain was new

Sure, but how many miles have you put on it since? And how many of those miles have been mash-miles?

Oh I dont know Ive put many miles ever since I bought it but the day I got it I went home to adjust my chain tension, it was like that

Could be the ring not being centered on the spider.

Let me answer that question with another question... Why do you want to go that big?