Phil track cogs (do not) look like crap
 

I just manhandled a few phil track cogs at Ace in Somerville, and I was quite disappointed. They are copper plated with chrome on one side. Yes, chrome on the outside face. And the chrome finish looked like crap. Why on earth would they chrome the outside? So they can charge $40 for the cog is my guess. No thanks.

the one i have is gorgeous.

wow, jrowe- a strong statement coming from a trustworthy and knowledgable source. i'm really surprised to hear it- Phil usually knows what he's doing.

I have one and it is smooth and silent. I guess that their quality control is down in terms of releasing lame ones every once in a while. And while the shine is only on one side, the quality I am experiencing is worth the $40.

I wouldn't have paid $10 for these. I should've photographed them. df, if yours is gorgeous, my guess is that these were perhaps pre-production items, although John at Ace said otherwise, because I asked. Tell you what, I'll reserve judgement until I can see another one.

also, afaik, they're not chromed, just polished.

Maybe you should go to another shop(?). Or ride a good one before passing judgement on the whole lot. I stil love mine. But, whatever...

I saw a shiny, new one over at yo-j's and it looked good to me. and I'm really not into the shiny things to begin with.

Well I am into shiny things, but not if it's only on one side. It reminds me of houses with brick in the front and vinyl siding on the other three sides.

Spike, you seem mildly offended. Relax. Saying these four examples looked like crap doesn't reflect badly on your taste. If your cog doesn't look like crap, then that's fantastic. And if I find one that doesn't look like crap, you can be certain that I'll buy it.

Those are the current ones. I love 'em. I want to get one to just hang.

They are not plated - they are polished. Brent at PW even commented in the Campy vs. Phil BB thread that they're not plated but polished.

I'm surprised too that you don't like them.

you're right about that — I thought it was weird, too. especially since the unpolished side looked so raw in comparison.

but bad-mouthing phil?
that's just blasphemous. ya hear? blasphemous.
ya will be extra-sized. ya hear? extra-sized.

I believe their were 3 different Phil Sprockets so far (correct me if I am wrong).

The first were shiny on one side and kinda funny on the other. I think those might have been plated. Never purchased or tried one.

THe second batch was blackish (like EAI) hardened steel. Used one - it was great. Con it rusted a little, but that could be wiped off easily.

The third (current) batch: Triple hardened stainless steel polished! That is the one I am using now. So far perfect. The best cog I have ever seen and used.

I've seen the second one as well - looks like an EAI. And the current ones look pimp. I need one for my Phil of course, to match everything up...

Take a page from Tomity's book and polish the other side yourself. It'll still be the same cog, but at least you'll have one less thing to complain about.

I don't like the shiny cogs, they get dirty anyways. I love the EAI and DuraAce cogs, high quality and okay price. The biggest reason phil cogs are 40 is because it's Phil. I'm not saying they aren't nice cogs, but it really isn't worth 20 more than the DA I use except for the bling factor.

Ultimate bling cogs... Sugino NJS cogs for the ultimate NJS *****.... only 90 clams at business cycle. Ultimate NJS bling....

To having a perfectly matching cog on my beautiful hub was worth the extra $20.
Phil hub thread pitch is not quite the same as a DA or EAI cogs so they are only a close to perfect fit.

shouldn't any quality cog (Dura-Ace, EAI, Phil) be smooth and silent? Can you describe the 'quality [you are [experiencing]' that is worth $40?

I will need to be getting a cog soon... could I 'feel' the difference between a Phil and a Dura-Ace?

really?..and how can you tell? Do I run a lower risk of stripping threads if I get a Phil cog for my Phil hub (instead of a Dura-Ace?)?

and aren't Phil cogs relatively new?...what were people running phils putting on their hubs before?

I have one of Tomity's cogs. He has the beveled edges rounded, the teeth polished, and then the entire thing plated in nickel. The goal is to reduce friction. He has cogs in each state to explain the process. Whether or not friction is appreciably reduced is another matter, but frankly I don't care, as the quality of the finished product is excellent.

Mine's flawless.

Ask for a replacement - seems strange.

teiaperigosa,

no, I'd rather ride. And yes, I CAN feel a difference between the EAI I used to use and the Phil I use now. But, take it with a grain of salt. Granted, I can't afford the $90 Suginos but I am basing what I say on my limited experience. Try them all.

Oh, how could I ever be offended on this forum—was it the tone in my voice? (hehe).

Not to sound critical but... how?

in addition, nothing else on the bike was changed? you didn't lube the chain or anything?

What did the proprietor of the shop have to say about them? ;)

I would love to see the cog that you got from Tomity; the pictures I've seen of them are gorgeous.

he can feel his wallet being lighter ZING