Bicycle Mechanics - 105 vs ultegra chainring

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Radix
06-11-10, 05:11 PM
Anyone know the difference between a 105 & an ultegra 42 tooth middle chain ring? I'm mostly curious about performance, but also the weight difference. I checked a few sites and couldn't find the respective weights.

Thanks for any info you may offer.

HillRider
06-11-10, 05:17 PM
They are for all practical purposes identical. The Ultegra will have a prettier finish but that's about it. Weight difference, if any, will be infinitesimal.
Radix
06-11-10, 06:07 PM
cool! Thanks for the info!

joejack951
06-11-10, 06:08 PM
I recall hearing that the Ultegra rings are machined versus the stamped 105 rings (I am certain of the latter). Doesn't necessarily make them better but as HR suggests, they are probably prettier.
Radix
06-11-10, 07:04 PM
Equally interesting. Thanks!
Chris_W
06-14-10, 07:33 AM
Definitely some 105 rings are stamped and some Ultegra rings are machined. Machined rings cost more to manufacture and last longer. It's hard to know whether this applies to the two rings that you are considering.
HillRider
06-14-10, 08:08 AM
Machined rings cost more to manufacture...
True

.....and last longer......
I don't know about this. I've had 105 chainrings last over 30,000 miles. What more should I expect?
furballi
06-14-10, 08:26 AM
Hardness affects durability. Machining does not significantly alter the hardness of Al, therefore durability should not increase. Machining can yield much tigher tolerances. However, the steel chain will quickly wear away any minor burrs during stamping.

High-end components rarely improve the joy of cycling. There will be negligible speed improvement for 99.99% of the cyclists. It's all about the MOTOR.