I'm getting about 10,000 kms out of an ultegra ringset (the middle one starts slipping, when straining up steep hills, at about 8,000 kms)... I wipe and lube the chain about every month (some 1,500 to 2,000 kms) and change the chain about every 5,000 kms... I always change the chain when changing the ringset or cassette... I'm getting about 20,000 kms out of an ultegra cassette as they seem to wear slower...
I've read about the TA chainrings on Peter White Cycles' website... but they're still made of aluminium and I'm unsure about how much more use I'll get out of them (?)...
I found titanium cassettes at Cycle Dynamics and will try one out on my next trip... But can't find titanium or high quality steel chainrings anywhere...
Any other comments ? ideas ?