"rocket track" chainring -- crap or not?
 

i'm in the process of cross-grading my drivetrain to 1/8" and have found this neat looking chainring, the "rocket track". it's here:

http://wheelandsprocket.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=7130

according to the ad copy it has "10 drilled holes- making it compatible with virtually all cranksets!", which sounds appealing since i have a 110bcd crank that i'm fond of.

so... my question is: has anyone used this or know anything real about it? is it worth my effort and money to get this thing?

I've been using one for a few months now. I'd call it reliable. I'm happy with it. I'll buy another if I want to change my gearing. I'm buying one for my wife's bike.

Far from "quality goods" but it keeps my bike moving.

Is that the same Rocket Ring that Harris Cyclery has been selling for years now? I have a couple. They're good value in my opinion.

They're fine. I used to have one, but it was too small. They don't make one in 52, or that's what I'd be using. My cranks are 110 bcd, so they're a great solution for me otherwise.

Like someone has said, they're not top quality, but they make your bike move...

It came straight and has stayed straight, very quiet, minimal wear so far with a couple hundred miles..

They are kind of ugly, though.

i suppose that's what i can ask for for $25.

I used a rocket chainring for several thousand miles...mine was fine but it wore faster than other chainrings I have used. It also didn't fit on my Shimano cranks correctly and I had to spend a couple hours with a dremel tool getting it to fit right. Others have reported similar problems.

Salsa chainrings cost the same but are made of 7075 aluminum, rather than 6061, and last longer. Go with a Salsa. They are 3/32" but will work just as well with 1/8" drive train.

http://www.webcyclery.com/product.php?productid=17150


On the other hand, if you really want a long lasting chainring, go with a steel Surly ring. It'll cost about double, but should last 3 times as long as an aluminum ring.

Good Luck!

+1 on the surly

would these work with 3 bolt cranks? i know i should replace them but its not my decision

I may be wrong but in my experience 3/32 chainring with a 1/8th chain is a bad idea. I was doing this for awhile and it totally destroyed my chainring. Not to mention that you get horrible power transfer due to the fact that the chain has so much side to side play on it.

Also that side to side play overtime can make your chainring weaker, and on larger size chainrings it can make them fold. Happened to my friend.

if your set on a 3/32 chainring just get a 3/32 chain and 3/32 cog.

but @ 25 dollars those rockets seem alright.

I have one, it goes round just like my other chain rings. No complaints. The option of using it on 110bcd or 130bcd is a nice option if you decided to move it to a dif bike , etc.

No, I doubt it. I think this will only work properly with a 5-bolt crank (either 130bcd or 110bcd). For a new 3-bolt chainring, you'll have to ask people who have converted bikes in the past for their spare ones, or could try the ebay route.

Eh...if you have a decent chainring and a good chainline, it doesn't matter. The chainring will last, and the power transfer is the same. Been there done that. Your friends problem was probably that he had a bad chainline and/or crappy chainring. The fact that the chainring folded is certainly more the fault of the chainring than the chain.