Bicycle Mechanics - Alternative replacements available for massive Ultegra outer ring.

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lungimsam
08-04-12, 08:50 AM
I have one of those modern 10 speed, grey-ish colored outer rings. The ones that look like it has Star Wars stormtrooper mask parts on it, if ya know what I mean. I am not a racer, and I bought the bike used. Instead of paying 100$+ for a replacement ring, can I use a cheapy 30$ replacement more traditional looking ring?
Besides the aesthetics part of it, can I use any ring to replace as long as the toothcount, 10-speed, and bolt spacing is the same?

I have one that looks kinda like this:
http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?IGPK=2126194187

saturnhr
08-04-12, 10:17 AM
If it has the same BCD (either 130 or 110), you can use any replacement ring which was built for 9 or 10 speed. Have done so with similar Dura ace rings.
BikeWise1
08-04-12, 10:34 AM
It might not shift as well, after all, that's why those chainrings are designed that way, but you can do it.....remember to order new chainring bolts as well, since the ones you have will not work.

lungimsam
08-04-12, 12:05 PM
OK, thanks for the info!
ivan_yulaev
08-04-12, 12:12 PM
Praxis makes similar looking chain rings, that work better than the originals I'm told. May want to look there.
saturnhr
08-04-12, 12:50 PM
Praxis makes similar looking chain rings, that work better than the originals I'm told. May want to look there.
According to the praxis website they don't sell their chain rings individually but just as sets, with the cheapest road set starting at $170.
milkbaby
08-04-12, 11:08 PM
Are you looking for a replacement chainring because you think your current one is worn? If so, just in case you don't know, modern chainrings have teeth with varying profiles, some teeth very pointy, some short and flat, others a weird fin shape. These are designed that way to help shifting, so you may not need to replace it.

Aftermarket chainrings on the Ultegra spider look funky, IMHO...
Simonius
08-05-12, 01:57 AM
Rings not designed as a pair might work nicely or tolerably together, especially if you don't need to shift fast or under power.

But be prepared to go back to the shop for the matching ring. The old 52-42T is a difference of 10 teeth, but 53-39T is 14 teeth and that is not so easy to shift without special features which are possible with a matched pair.

I find it hard to believe anyone can make rings which are simply "better" than Shimano's, other than better value for money if you don't need slick shifting under heavy load. Ring design needs a bigtime engineering research budget that aftermarket players just don't have.