IdahoSpud

I'm getting back in the saddle after a long hiatus, and spent a couple of days cleaning, lubing and replacing the tires on my old friend.

I noticed the chainrings are getting pretty worn, and spent a couple of hours on the internet, looking for a replacement pair (42t and 53t). I found some on Ebay, but they were in even worse shape than mine.

So I thought I'd put it to the hive-mind here: Does anyone have a source for NOS or good-quality aftermarket chainrings for the Shimano 600 Ultegra - 6400 series? Its 130 BCD, with 7 speed cassette.

cxwrench

QBP is out. They're the largest bike parts distributor around. I saw a few on Amazon, try there.

icemilkcoffee 

Your Ebay search-fu needs some work. NOS 42T/53T chain rings, from the same seller no less:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Old-Sto...D/391805754229
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Old-Sto...D/391809326462

Bill Kapaun

Is this Steve P. in CDA?
Chain rings will have various cut outs & shift ramps spaced somewhat equally around the ring.
Are you confusing these with wear?

JohnDThompson 

IIRC, Shimano 6400 series pre-dates pinned and ramped chainrings. Any rings using the same bolt pattern and bolt circle diameter ought to suffice as replacements.

IdahoSpud

Icemilkcoffee: Awesome! Thanks for the links. I have them on order. Agreed my eBay search skill seem to be lacking... thank you for your time and effort.

Bill: No this is not Steve. I live in the woods, a ways north of CDA. We call that part of the state "Southern Idaho" LOL. Better hardware storres in CDA than up north, that's for certain!
As for the ramp teeth, yes I'm aware of them. These rings have several thousand miles on them from when I was pretty hard-core back in the day. I'll continue to use them, but I was alarmed that I might not be able to replace them when they finally get too worn down.

Thanks to you both for the quick and helpful replies!

Bill Kapaun

I grew up in CDA and my younger(est) brother's BFF is named Steve and has CDA Spud in his email addy.

Andrew R Stewart 

When using non ramped and pinned rings consider trying the Shimano trick of "W cut" teeth tops. On the middle or big ring file down about 1/3 of a pair of teeth tops, at an angle that grabs the chain plate. in a few locations about the ring will allow for quicker chain pick up and derailing back. This is about 40 year old stuff. Andy

IdahoSpud

Very cool. I grew up in the Boise area, got nicknamed Spud when I got assigned to a ship.

I can just imagine what a wonderful childhood growing up in a nice place like CDA was like.

coupster

If you're not stuck on Shimano, how about Sugino? No ramps or pins but a quality mfg.

Bill Kapaun

I always respect your advice. I'll look at your responses in threads that don't really interest me otherwise, because I often learn things from your logical explanations.
Not only being 20 years behind you of my DIY bike repairs, I'm still 20 years behind the present.
I started fixing my own when I was thrust in to a bike, bus or walk situation. I was in financial hardship and going legally blind.
I started flipping bikes to earn a few $ to help. I learned the pitfalls of trying to take a BSO and make it something you could sell with a good conscience and not lose money.
I stayed with mountain/hybrid bikes to keep things simpler, since back problems kept me from riding a road bike. I didn't want to sell anything I couldn't test ride and know it functioned at least decently. I finally reached the age to get early retirement (75%) so I could buy a lens implant.
I don't have the personality skills or speed to work at an LBS. Why ruin a decent hobby?
The last 2 years have been unkind to my health and can only make an occasional trip to the grocery store if the weather is warm enough and minimal breeze.
I had/got through bladder cancer 2 years ago, but the BCG (immunotherapy) following caused chronic fatigue. Dec. 28th I went in for a needle biopsy to confirm lung cancer, but the "mass" had shrunk from 22x41mm to 8x9mm. They canceled it! They think it's a lung infection of some type and will give me another CT scan in about a month. Meanwhile, I'm extremely short winded. I'm sure hoping I can recover to my normal COPD state.

Eric S.

I use Vuelta chainrings on some of my bikes. Perfectly good quality and reasonably priced.

https://www.vueltausa.com/components/chainrings.html

IdahoSpud

Thanks Eric. I may very well need a second set of rings for another bike I'm in the process of purchasing - and if they need replaced, I'll use them.
The original Shimano items are pretty expensive for a semi-consumable item.

Eric S.

I should have posted a different link - that one is for their ramped/pinned rings that get pretty expensive as the teeth increase.

All the ones I have are the cheaper plain jane rings; here is the link, and of course you can likely find them cheaper from eBay sellers than what you see here:

https://www.vueltausa.com/components...ings-flat.html

IdahoSpud

Thank you very much, Eric! Yes mine are the older rings.

Eric F 

For future reference, FSA rings will work fine, too. As has been mentioned before, pretty much anything with the 130BCD pattern will get the job done.

IdahoSpud

Good to know. Maybe I will hang the NOS Shimano rings on the wall for a future restoration, and wear out some off-brand rings instead!