SRAM Eagle Chainring – Stay with Sram or go ‘aftermarket’?

Hey folks,

My X01 Sram chainring has been on the bike about 2 years now and is looking pretty warn out. I am not dropping my chain, but the teeth look pretty battered. Current one is aluminium, mates suggest i get a steel one (less money, last longer but heavier).

There seems to be plenty of ‘after market’ options out there.

So should i keep with Sram or go with an alternative? Like for like Sram ones seem to be around £75, so not the cheapest of items, but if it lasts 2 years, price isn’t bad at all (IMO).

Or do other options perform just as well and last just as long? Wolftooth, Unite etc etc.

32t, 12 speed for reference.

Cheers in advance!

X-sync 2 chainrings are ace – I’d stick with them if I were in your position – I’ve got them on both of my bikes.

Historically I’ve always used the steel ones for about £20 but I had both the current cranks come with alloy ones sonim using those at present.

The steel ones last and last and last – value for money they’re excellent. It just depends if the weight is an issue. The alloy ones feel really light – comparing a 32t sram one vs a cnc machinesd Northshore Billet alloy ring frame the sram one feels a lot lighter.

cheers for the info Joe.

looks like one of these will do the job at a fraction of the cost of the alloy one….

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.SRAM-X-Sync-2-Steel-Direct-Mount-Chain-Ring_201228.htm?sku=605739&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwuYWSBhByEiwAKd_n_tkEXx3rF4q_B4VAdDYJqOwsx7qB5xF96QVCXf1nfeYGRVAbqlA2ghoC-nIQAvD_BwE

ive got a brand new gx eagle boost 32t for sale if your interested! after pittance compared the aftermarket/branded ones! 😉

I have used Burgtec rings recently – they worked well and were pretty good value.

Just bought another steel one, as wanted a 30t rather than 32t for my bikepacking bike, £15.

But the one I bought in Dec 2020 was £7.50…

Both genuine SRAM.

At £15 for steel I’d say is one of the few good value bits of SRAM kit

I’ve only got experience of Burgtec in 28t and Sram alloy in 32t.

The Sram ones seem good, but are crazy expensive for what they are.

The Burgtec one was fine for a few months, but after only that use it was very noisy when I changed to a new chain. Also the black anodizing faded badly, which is the fault for which they sent me a replacement. I haven’t tried that second one yet.

I wish Absolute Black would make a 28t round ring for Xsync

steel ones last and last and last – value for money they’re excellent. It just depends if the weight is an issue

The old “pick two” conundrum. I went cheap & steel and the weight gain isn’t noticeable. SRAM steel chainring, Sunrace all steel cassette, Hope Pro 4 steel freehub. I run GX Eagle chains and they’re the only component in the drivetrain that needs regularly replacing.

SRAM steel. Cheap in both short and long term as they last for ages. Will never notice weight difference once fitted.

Superstar oval chainring for 2 years here, all good for two years and lighter than SRAM GX

I run GX Eagle chains and they’re the only component in the drivetrain that needs regularly replacing.

try an X01 eagle chain, i’ve found they last way over twice as long for twice the price.

not that i can see it when riding but i just don’t like the look of the sram steel rings. just replaced my alloy one at a year old after bending it on a rock somehow and comparing it to the new one wear was very good so it would have lasted quite a lot longer, if a £63 chainring lasts 2 years i’m happy enough to stick with that.

cheers for all the feedback folks.

I went with a steel Sram one. Cant complain for £15!

I think the weight gain is about 10 grams or something small like that…no brainer really, steel as it lasts far longer.

The steel ones from memory are WAY heavier, I didn’t think it would be much but I think it added about 100g or so! (just checked and a 32T steel ring is double the weight of a GX alloy ring, so some 70g heavier)

+1 for X01/XX1 chains, they last way better than GX!

and yup, GX chains are a false economy. X01 is the way to go!

Superstar rings last very well and they have a 25% off code on their homepage at the mo.

But I notice you’ve got a steel one, which is probably the best choice anyway.

Ouch…a whole 70g of weight that won’t be noticed but will keep wallet heavier for longer…each to their own though. Buy what works for you and make sure the bike gets ridden a lot.