How long should a chainring last?

PB Forum :: All Mountain, Enduro & Cross-Country

Author	Message

gbeaks33

O+

Posted: Jul 12, 2020 at 10:19

Quote

For the last 6 years, every time I change my chain, it results in a really annoying and loud grinding sound from my chainring. This is over various bikes and different types of Sram x01 11 speed, x1 11 speed, GX 12 speed, etc. Have tried Raceface, Wolftooth, Sram, Oneup and Blackspire chainrings over the years. It goes away when I change my chainring.

I figured i was just letting my chain go too long but this season I bought a bunch of chains and plan to rotate them every month to keep my cassette and chainring lasting a long time.

But...after only a month with a brand new chainring, chain, and cassette...my chainring is still doing the grinding sound when I put my new chain on. Chainline is correct and I do my best to keep it clean and running smooth.

Is it normal to replace your chainring with every chain swap? Seems like a waste. I have the OneUp switch system on there so at least its easy to change.

Danzzz88

Posted: Jul 12, 2020 at 10:44

Quote

I wouldn't say it's normal to change them but it is recommended. All the parts wear on each other and mate together, so soon as you introduce anything new to the system it can do that.

Did you fully degrease the gears and remove all grit, as putting a new tighter tolerance chain on a dirty gritty chainring will definitely make noise.

This problem is worse with 12 speed though I have to say even though I prefer Shimano's shifting, my XX1 Eagle was super durable, by far the most durable drivetrain I've used.

nematon785

Posted: Jul 12, 2020 at 12:46	Quote
Steel chainrings are cheap, heavy and brutishly strong. I run mine without a bash guard. Now the cassette wears out first...

Johnhe

O+

Posted: Jul 12, 2020 at 12:59	Quote
Mine lasts exactly the same length of time as my chain and my cassette! Which is about a year if riding 3-5 ties a week, for 45-90 minutes per ride.

Danzzz88

Posted: Jul 12, 2020 at 13:04

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Johnhe wrote:

Mine lasts exactly the same length of time as my chain and my cassette! Which is about a year if riding 3-5 ties a week, for 45-90 minutes per ride.

Same, I can't think what people must be doing to only make them last a month. Granted the stuff of 10 years ago wore out fast but I never snapped a chain or worn out my Eagle XX1 after over a years use even in the UK weather, though I would give the drivetrain a good spray with muc off degreaser and a jetwash and relube fairly often. The chainrings do need a good scrub with a firm brush to get the compacted gunk and grit of though. You have to get the chainring spotless for it to make no noise.

Also weren't some chainrings better suited to Shimano chains and others to Sram because of tooth profile, it could be incompatabilty issues you are having?

gbeaks33

O+

Posted: Jul 14, 2020 at 8:23

Quote

My chainring(s) will last as long as my chain and cassette if I never change my chain. I never have once experienced grinding or noises from my chainring with the chain that it started with. It's when a new chain goes on there, immediately the grinding and shitty sounding chainring starts. I can tell right away in a driveway test.

I fully degreased and cleaned my chainring with a wire brush this last time, thinking that maybe some dirt or grit might be the problem. But it was the same outcome. I put a new chainring on and voila, zero sound and zero grinding immediately.

What I think I'll do is rotate chains with the chainring that is now useless. When I put that other chain back on as part of my rotation, I'll put that chainring back on too. That should work, I think.

eshew

Posted: Jul 14, 2020 at 8:33

Quote

Johnhe wrote:

Mine lasts exactly the same length of time as my chain and my cassette! Which is about a year if riding 3-5 ties a week, for 45-90 minutes per ride.

Does one chain last you that long? If you're killing a cassette at the same time as the chain I'd guess you should be replacing the chain 3x as often, might get a second season out of the cassette and ring

DonLopez

Posted: Jul 14, 2020 at 11:01

Quote

I put on a $15 aluminum NW chainring more than 3 years ago and it still works great. I bought a new chain because I thought the original chain would be too short as my new chainring was 4t bigger. Well the original chain is still on and works prefect, and new one still in the box. The bike gets ridden 2-4 hours per week, drivetrain is XTR except for the cheap chainring. I never make any adjustments and it always shifts great.

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