Just replaced my middle ring, chain and cassette. Have kept the granny (steel) and big ring (alu) as they didn't seem worn. Test ride didn't throw up any issues.
Im worried though, should I have replaced the big ring? Will it wear the new chain prematurely? The chain doesn't seem to lift off it anymore than the new middle ring when I try with my finger.
Pretty sure Im worrying needlessly....
NOBODY??! I cant believe it!
worrying needlessly
Thank you, the voice of reason.
On the plus side, thats £38 I dont need to spend on a new big ring. Yaay!
Yeah it'll be fine, middle ring takes the brunt of poor shifting and does more miles for most riders.
I'm no engineer physics type but it would appear to me that more teeth equals more spread of the load so less strain on individual teeth in bigger rings - but genuinely happy to be told I'm talking rubbish 😀
Also, if you use a chain tool and catch a chain in time, I find a cassette will survive two chains and chain rings will generally survive 2 cassettes (and thus four chains) but it's a rule of thumb that really depends on the exact components being used but I find it works for every day stuff like Deore/SLX...
I've decided this time to go for a steel middle ring, which im hoping will last longer than the former alu one.