3/32 Chain ring suggestions?
#1
Thread Starter
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From: Bay Area
Bikes: Wabi Classic, Cannondale Quick 5
3/32 Chain ring suggestions?
Want to snaz up my bike and get a silver chain ring (currently black) Most chain rings I'm finding online are 1/2x1/8" Anyone have suggestions for a decent 144bcd 3/32" chainring?
#2
dumb
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 355
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From: Tucson
I might be missing something here, but why are you limiting yourself to 3/32? Just personal preference?
#3
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I left out some info. My bad. My current chainring is an Andel 144bcd 3/32nd chainring so I figured a direct swap would be ideal. My current chain is also a 3/32 and is in perfectly fine working order so was hoping to not have to change that if need be. Also my rear cog is a 3/32. It was mainly for ease of swapping. Seems I either find something on ebay or get a new 1/8" chain and 1/8" chainring. Just thought maybe I was missing something somewhere as most stores seem to only carry 1/8" chainrings.
#4
dumb
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Tucson
I left out some info. My bad. My current chainring is an Andel 144bcd 3/32nd chainring so I figured a direct swap would be ideal. My current chain is also a 3/32 and is in perfectly fine working order so was hoping to not have to change that if need be. Also my rear cog is a 3/32. It was mainly for ease of swapping. Seems I either find something on ebay or get a new 1/8" chain and 1/8" chainring. Just thought maybe I was missing something somewhere as most stores seem to only carry 1/8" chainrings.
#5
Senior Member

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I've run a 3/32" drivetrain for years and have never had any problems finding whatever I want for it whether it be rings, cogs, or chains - just search on the google
Here are some makers who offer 3/32 144BCD rings...
DuraAce
TA Specialities
Blackspire
Here are some makers who offer 3/32 144BCD rings...
DuraAce
TA Specialities
Blackspire
#6
Senior Member


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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Try Mojo. I don't know if they make 144 3/32" but I believe they make a good selection and they appear to be decent rings. (I've got 5 110 BCD 1/8" Mojos for one of my fix gears and you don't see those everywhere.) Ordering from their website was easy.
That said, I went from 3/32" I rode since 1976 to 1/8" 18 years ago and never looked back.
Ben
That said, I went from 3/32" I rode since 1976 to 1/8" 18 years ago and never looked back.
Ben
#7
dumb
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Tucson
1/8” is just so much easier to deal with... at least for me. Think of it this way... you’re being limited by something as simple as a chain. I don’t know what chain you’re fond of, but me personally I run kmc chains, and sram pc-1... none of my chains cost more than $23 and most are $10-$12. That in itself is worth running the “cooler” styled 1/8” rings on the market, but again that’s just me. The only justification I could find in running strictly 3/32 would be maybe a period correct build or a strict resto. But I don’t think that’s the case here.
Last edited by mouse; 01-05-19 at 01:03 AM.
#8
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From: Bay Area
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All good info here, thanks everyone. There's nothing wrong with my chain as it is but I wouldn't mind changing that too in the near future so maybe I just take the leap to 1/8 given all the options going forward. I was keen on some of those Dura-Ace rings which do have 3/32 options but most of them are ebay based, and I was also keen on the debate that 3/32 chains are lighter and quieter but I can't imagine it's that big of a difference in the end. Ideally I'd love for all my cogs to line up size wise but as I understand it I can still use my rear 3/32 cog with the 1/8" chain so it's not a huge hit if I have to change the chain with the chainring.
Again, all good info here, thanks everyone. I'll keep ya posted when I pull the trigger on something.
Again, all good info here, thanks everyone. I'll keep ya posted when I pull the trigger on something.
#9
aire díthrub
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 553
Likes: 55
From: chatham-savannah
Bikes: Raleigh Competition, Pashley Roadster Sovereign, Mercian Vincitore Speciale
Is this a SS or fixed gear?
I run a 3/32 SS Setup, and have never felt any reason to use 1/8. Of course I agree, it’s been debated to death. Your problem of course is that 144 is pretty much all 1/8 and pretty much all 3/32 is 130 or smaller. That’s the rub, and there’s no getting around it. So the simplest advice, would be that if your crank is 144, you are practically speaking, better off using 1/8. I use a 130bcd dura ace 7400 crank, so I have a plethora of options, and I run a dura ace 7900 10spd (11/128) chain and a WI 3/32 freewheel. It just makes sense, and also makes it dead simple to convert to a 1x derailleur setup, essentially within minutes.
the Andel crank is a perfectly fine bit of kit, so unless you’re willing to go all in and spend money swapping the entire drivetrain, in your case, going 1/8 is perfectly fine.
of course the one option that hasn’t been said yet, is that you crank strip the anodising off the chainring and polish it. Yea it’s a bit of work, but it’s the cheapest option, and who knows, you might enjoy the process. I did that for both my crank and chainring.
you could consider some vintage options, if you don’t mind spending time on eBay. The Sugino mighty cranksets were all 144 and 151bcd and had both track and road versions, so there are plenty of older Sugino 144 3/32 chainrings. There are also plenty of 144 bcd campagnolo rings out there. But getting a NOS ring or one with very little tooth wear could prove difficult. Not a very practical avenue, but I thought I’d mention it anyway.
I run a 3/32 SS Setup, and have never felt any reason to use 1/8. Of course I agree, it’s been debated to death. Your problem of course is that 144 is pretty much all 1/8 and pretty much all 3/32 is 130 or smaller. That’s the rub, and there’s no getting around it. So the simplest advice, would be that if your crank is 144, you are practically speaking, better off using 1/8. I use a 130bcd dura ace 7400 crank, so I have a plethora of options, and I run a dura ace 7900 10spd (11/128) chain and a WI 3/32 freewheel. It just makes sense, and also makes it dead simple to convert to a 1x derailleur setup, essentially within minutes.
the Andel crank is a perfectly fine bit of kit, so unless you’re willing to go all in and spend money swapping the entire drivetrain, in your case, going 1/8 is perfectly fine.
of course the one option that hasn’t been said yet, is that you crank strip the anodising off the chainring and polish it. Yea it’s a bit of work, but it’s the cheapest option, and who knows, you might enjoy the process. I did that for both my crank and chainring.
you could consider some vintage options, if you don’t mind spending time on eBay. The Sugino mighty cranksets were all 144 and 151bcd and had both track and road versions, so there are plenty of older Sugino 144 3/32 chainrings. There are also plenty of 144 bcd campagnolo rings out there. But getting a NOS ring or one with very little tooth wear could prove difficult. Not a very practical avenue, but I thought I’d mention it anyway.
Last edited by seamuis; 01-05-19 at 06:35 PM.
#10
dumb
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Tucson
#11
Thread Starter
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From: Bay Area
Bikes: Wabi Classic, Cannondale Quick 5
I don't mind the bit of work TBH - I'll research that just to be certain I want to spend the time....and you're totally right Seamuis, it's the 144bcd that's the culprit. I did however find a bunch of old race dura-ace chainrings on ebay and NJS export. Most of them coming from Japan and used, but seem to be in ok condition. They're also half the price of a new 1/8 chainring which is kinda appealing. I don't feel the need to change the entire drivetrain so I'll stick with the Andel and work around it. It fits the bike anyhow.
Thanks again for all the suggestions, I really appreciate the help.
Thanks again for all the suggestions, I really appreciate the help.
#15
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 397
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From: Alameda, California, USA
I just picked up a NOS 144bcd 45t Campagnolo chainring at Bike Recyclery for a 3/32 chain. I did a quick glance and it looks like they are sold out, but you may want to contact them.
Retro-gression also has some in the past but their site is down as they move from San Diego to Portland.
Wabi stripped the black of my chainring for my Andel cranks and it came out nice. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Retro-gression also has some in the past but their site is down as they move from San Diego to Portland.
Wabi stripped the black of my chainring for my Andel cranks and it came out nice. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
#16
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From: Bay Area
Bikes: Wabi Classic, Cannondale Quick 5
I just picked up a NOS 144bcd 45t Campagnolo chainring at Bike Recyclery for a 3/32 chain. I did a quick glance and it looks like they are sold out, but you may want to contact them.
Retro-gression also has some in the past but their site is down as they move from San Diego to Portland.
Wabi stripped the black of my chainring for my Andel cranks and it came out nice. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Retro-gression also has some in the past but their site is down as they move from San Diego to Portland.
Wabi stripped the black of my chainring for my Andel cranks and it came out nice. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
#17
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Joined: Oct 2012
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Thank you for reminding me about that movie - even if it was kinda cornball, I liked it back when it came out. And it reminds me about the underling theme, which hopefully will help me to not forget to have more empathy for those who are...errrr, lets just say...less fortunate than I. Keep up the good work

Good luck barnabaas - it really ain't that hard to find what you are looking for...
#18
dumb
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 355
Likes: 2
From: Tucson
Thank you for reminding me about that movie - even if it was kinda cornball, I liked it back when it came out. And it reminds me about the underling theme, which hopefully will help me to not forget to have more empathy for those who are...errrr, lets just say...less fortunate than I. Keep up the good work 
Good luck barnabaas - it really ain't that hard to find what you are looking for...

Good luck barnabaas - it really ain't that hard to find what you are looking for...

#20
Last edited by 50voltphantom; 01-09-19 at 08:59 AM.
#21
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Ok, sorry to revive this thread but I had another stupid question and instead of making another post I figured I'd ask real quick. Can any chainring be mixed and matched with any crankset provided their bolt center diameter's match up? Seems logical to me but I could be missing something and wanted to make sure.
Any exceptions I should know about?
Any exceptions I should know about?
#22
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Ok, sorry to revive this thread but I had another stupid question and instead of making another post I figured I'd ask real quick. Can any chainring be mixed and matched with any crankset provided their bolt center diameter's match up? Seems logical to me but I could be missing something and wanted to make sure.
Any exceptions I should know about?
Any exceptions I should know about?
#23
aire díthrub
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 553
Likes: 55
From: chatham-savannah
Bikes: Raleigh Competition, Pashley Roadster Sovereign, Mercian Vincitore Speciale
Ok, sorry to revive this thread but I had another stupid question and instead of making another post I figured I'd ask real quick. Can any chainring be mixed and matched with any crankset provided their bolt center diameter's match up? Seems logical to me but I could be missing something and wanted to make sure.
Any exceptions I should know about?
Any exceptions I should know about?
#24
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From: Bay Area
Bikes: Wabi Classic, Cannondale Quick 5
Pretty much. So long as BCD is the same you are good to go. Though things do get a little wonky with the newer Shimano 110 Asym stuff and SRAM as well I believe, along with all the direct mount stuff but if you find a 130 bcd crank you can put pretty much any 130 bcd chainring on it. However will it all work with your drivetrain is another issue. Most stuff will do ok but 11 and 12 speed stuff might not play so nice with 6-9 speed stuff.
Great thanks guys
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