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Carbon Chainrings?

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Old 04-03-08, 08:10 PM
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stea1thviper
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Carbon Chainrings?

Was thinking of buying a 53t FSA K-Force Aero TT Chainring for my bike, but wonder about the durability of carbon wrapped chainrings. Anyone here with experience?

-Steve
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Old 04-03-08, 08:18 PM
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consider asking in the weightweenies forum as well, there are more than a few people there who use the carbon chainrings often, if not everyday.

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/fo...wforum.php?f=3
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Old 04-03-08, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by stea1thviper
Was thinking of buying a 53t FSA K-Force Aero TT Chainring for my bike, but wonder about the durability of carbon wrapped chainrings. Anyone here with experience?

-Steve
OK ... I'll bite. What could you possibly gain from rockin' a carbon chainring? What's the weight difference?

-mark
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Old 04-03-08, 08:22 PM
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It's actually just aluminum teeth with a thinner aluminum body, and wrapped in carbon, IIRC.
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Old 04-03-08, 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by geneman
OK ... I'll bite. What could you possibly gain from rockin' a carbon chainring? What's the weight difference?

-mark
wasn't looking for any gains. was just looking for a diff look for my race bike. i wouldnt be surprised if this chainring weighed more than my current (DA) chainring actually. it's suppose to be more aero, but the day that helps anyone on these forums win a race is the day stupid people stop posting in the road forum. i am looking for durability though.
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Old 04-03-08, 08:48 PM
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News Flash ... there's really nothing "stealthy" about a carbon chain ring. Alu is good. Alu is your friend. Carbon slapped onto a chain ring is a marketing tool. Avoid giving "the man" more money than he deserves.
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Old 04-03-08, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by geneman
News Flash ... there's really nothing "stealthy" about a carbon chain ring. Alu is good. Alu is your friend. Carbon slapped onto a chain ring is a marketing tool. Avoid giving "the man" more money than he deserves.
?

stealthy for what? anyway, Al is fine. I just so happen to prefer the look of these over my current ones. once again not expecting any performance gains. just wondering about durability.
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Old 04-03-08, 09:01 PM
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"stea1thviper"

?

Man who lives in glass house should change clothes in basement.
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Old 04-03-08, 09:20 PM
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Steve,

They're basically a lenticular shaped, carbon-over aluminum chainring. They'll be heavier (a dozen or two grams, here) but if you're looking for something that screams "I'm here to party, let's get down" they're hard to beat.

They are NOT what I would call a carbon chainring. Those are for WW idiots (the idiots among the WW crowd, most of whom are just fine).

FSAs are pretty commonly found on TT rigs. I'll be using a 54t during crits/hilly RRs this year, to force me to keep my cadence up, but give me a nice weeee little bit extra on downhills.
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Old 04-03-08, 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Duke of Kent
Steve,

They're basically a lenticular shaped, carbon-over aluminum chainring. They'll be heavier (a dozen or two grams, here) but if you're looking for something that screams "I'm here to party, let's get down" they're hard to beat.

They are NOT what I would call a carbon chainring. Those are for WW idiots (the idiots among the WW crowd, most of whom are just fine).

FSAs are pretty commonly found on TT rigs. I'll be using a 54t during crits/hilly RRs this year, to force me to keep my cadence up, but give me a nice weeee little bit extra on downhills.
sounds like it's time to rock n roll
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Old 04-04-08, 05:15 AM
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Originally Posted by geneman
OK ... I'll bite. What could you possibly gain from rockin' a carbon chainring? What's the weight difference?

-mark
The chainring is designed for time trial applications. The carbon is there to reduce drag.

On a road bike, it seems pretty pointless.
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Old 04-04-08, 08:19 AM
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Originally Posted by bdcheung
The chainring is designed for time trial applications. The carbon is there to reduce drag.

On a road bike, it seems pretty pointless.
huh?
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Old 04-04-08, 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by wfrogge
huh?


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Old 04-04-08, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by wfrogge
huh?
I think he's referring to the relative contributions of wheels vs. a 53/54/55t chainring to aerodynamic drag coefficients.

I.e., if you're looking for big gains, chainrings are about the last thing you should consider. Even if it has a lenticular shape to it, like these.

However, as stated before, they look positively BAD ASS.
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Old 04-04-08, 08:52 AM
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Aero Chainring?


Sorry but.....







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Old 04-04-08, 09:03 AM
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Again, as stated...I don't think anyone uses them for their aero properties.

They buy them for 1) the size and 2) the looks.

Get over it.
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Old 04-04-08, 09:06 AM
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I'm joking because it's funny, I'm over it
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Old 04-04-08, 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by jfmckenna
Aero Chainring?<snip>
Works for this guy...
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Old 04-04-08, 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by bdcheung
Works for this guy...
You're right ... his job as a moving billboard is obviously very effective if he has convinced people that they need a solid, carbon-covered chainring. That sure does work for him ... and Cervelo ... and FSA. If you hate your money so much, I'd be happy to provide my paypal address and you can just give it to me.

-mark
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Old 04-04-08, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by geneman
You're right ... his job as a moving billboard is obviously very effective if he has convinced people that they need a solid, carbon-covered chainring. That sure does work for him ... and Cervelo ... and FSA. If you hate your money so much, I'd be happy to provide my paypal address and you can just give it to me.

-mark
Provide me with enough incentive to send you some money and I will.
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Old 04-04-08, 12:02 PM
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There are full carbon chain rings available, if you are interested and have the money for it.
https://fairwheelbikes.com/index.php?...dex&cPath=8_33
(example on a bike: https://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=862)

There are also carbon+ti chainrings available, which may last a little longer than the full carbon chainrings. They also look really great, but cost a bit more.
https://fairwheelbikes.com/index.php?...dex&cPath=8_34
(example on bike: https://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4227)


Again - let's not give each other sh*t for individual preferences in components. If some people are interested in tuning for lightweight bicycles, then that's their interest and let them enjoy it - it has nothing to do with you.
If some people simply want to buy components for the aesthetics, again - that's their individual interest and it has nothing to do with you. Either be helpful to their pursuits or find another topic to comment on. (I admit in this aspect I've made comments on people's overly decal'd bikes... but really, I shouldn't)

Last edited by prendrefeu; 04-04-08 at 12:12 PM.
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Old 04-04-08, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by geneman
You're right ... his job as a moving billboard is obviously very effective if he has convinced people that they need a solid, carbon-covered chainring. That sure does work for him ... and Cervelo ... and FSA. If you hate your money so much, I'd be happy to provide my paypal address and you can just give it to me.

-mark
Please share your tunnel data.
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Old 04-04-08, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by geneman
You're right ... his job as a moving billboard is obviously very effective if he has convinced people that they need a solid, carbon-covered chainring. That sure does work for him ... and Cervelo ... and FSA. If you hate your money so much, I'd be happy to provide my paypal address and you can just give it to me.

-mark
sounds like you hate your job

really now, it amazes me how narrow-minded educated people can be sometimes.
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Old 04-04-08, 04:44 PM
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I don't understand why some of you are all bent out of shape about these chainrings. If you want to talk about money wasted on negligible gains, we can talk about Record, Dura-Ace, or Red groups.

To the OP: buy those suckers. I would.
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