Chainring ramp/pin question

[RockiMtn]

Looking for some rings and noticed some middle and outers don't have shifting ramps/pins. Usually these are less expensive than ones with. I know it improves shifting but not having owned ones without ramps/pins, was wondering if it's a huge difference.

Was looking at a set that comes in a grey colour as opposed to black/silver, but having no ramps/pins has put me off pulling the trigger.

 

[Xesh]

Having used both I've noticed that the ones with ramps and pins seem to shift faster as well as smoother (especially under load).

If you can get them where you are Middleburn make some hardcoat rings that're grey. It's actually a ceramic coating rather than anodising though. It does, however, make the lifespan of the rings longer (barring any accidents ).

Have a look here: http://www.middleburn.co.uk/

 

[sam264]

yeah, in my experience, middleburn make some good stuff at a good price, uk made too.

 

[hamster]

For: faster shifting
Against: more chainsuck, can catch or tweak the chain when on smallest rear cog.

I think that they are a key thing to make indexed front shifting work, but if you have thumbies then there is limited benefit. Personally I'm guite content without them and my first consideration is decent rings with long life (e.g. Middleburn, TA) and not Shimano's gimmicks. TA rings have tiny steel insert studs which lift the chain, but nothing like the huge Shimano ramps.

 

[RockiMtn]

looking at some Blackspire rings, a Canadian brand which have what I feel is a "retro" look to them. Seems fairly similar looking to old Race Face rings. But I'll give Middleburn a look.

The Pro rings have machined ramps.

http://www.blackspire.com/qs/product/83/5948/263223/0/0

while the Epic is an "economy" product without mention of any ramps

http://www.blackspire.com/qs/product/83/5948/263222/0/0

 

[FluffyChicken]

Original first year M900 cranks had no ramp on the top ring (SG), only the middle had ramps (SG-X)

Anyways, they do aid shifter especially under load.

Symptoms you'll get when not having them are no pick up as and when you expect. Possibly having to over shift (not a problem with gripshift) to get it to pick up.

 

[RockiMtn]

so would ramp/pins extend the life of the chain and rings? guessing there would be less wear and tear as opposed to non ramped/pinned rings?

 

[FluffyChicken]

I don't know.
he ramps mean you can shift under greater load, so putting more strain on the chain.
The material of the chainring will be what decides how long it will last. You do get wear against the side of a none ramped pins, but the Middleburn seem to be a soft Alloy in that respect compared to the Shimano (at least my Retro Middleburn 48T in Red compared to my M900 SG ring).

These Modern Middleburn seem to be very soft and also, I have a nearly new hardcoat slickshift set that show similar wear, its a soft alloy again

Saying that the wear to the teeth profile never seems to be a problem or lodging my Red 48T over the 15+ years into rocks or logs etc.. hasn't been a problem. Just the edges from shifting and if I must say the modern Hardcoat slickshift seem more delicate from initial use.