russell39

I've never been able to afford the expensive stuff, but I can say that the regular steel track gears last about 2-3 years with daily use. (Sometimes 1-2 years if its a really bad winter.)

I've had more trouble with the chainrings wearing out.

illnacord

russel39: Chainline problems causing premature wear on lightweight aluminum chainrings? How about a 1/8 plate stainless steel chainring, then you'll be fine.

No doubt Phil is "objective" about selling Phil products, they'd be out of their mind not to. I picked up the Phil steel cog 1/8 over the rest. I almost rested on a Surly 1/8 steel but the local bike shop didn't have the right tooth count in stock so I special ordered the Phil & Co spec. Boy, am I glad I did. Do it right the first time or go home.

Here's a pic of some quality, not mine. Dura-Ace lock ring shown (this setup was mounted to a Suzue gold disco high flange track hub)

Shortsocks

I've got to say. After putting on the eai gold medal cog with the izumi super toughness chain being pulled by the sugino zen chainring has been an amazing combination. I was hesitent at first because of the cost but 175 miles later. ITS SMOOTH!!!
I'm very happy I bought this.
It's suprisingly quiet. But man oh man. It's soild as hell.
Not saying that the combination was bad that I had before. It wasn't. Not in anyway.
This one though feels so nice, that I want to move further away from work so I could ride longer.
Socks

illnacord

adriano: regarding kool-aid, it's an opinion sure, but not fact. Here's a fact from Phil Wood's Brent (no longer at PW, this is circa 2004):

"Please don't use Surly (ISO) cogs on our hubs. We have seen about 8 stripped hubs in the last two year, 6 with Surly and 2 with Soma. Surly cogs do not engage enough thread and the ISO threads do not match up which is why it was rough going on. I have also heard they are redesigning them, just don't know when. Soma cogs are ISO also and tend to seize, something to do with the plating they use. Plating will also tend to "pool" in the valley of the threads so it will round off our nice threads even more than others. Dura-Ace cogs are the best bet that we have played with.
Ours will be available in about two months. Thanks, Brent."

fatallightning

i have a token 14t on my track bike, which looks (is?) the same. no problems.