Visited the local LBS and found some new fixed gear sprockets and lock rings for $12.99. Other then weight and overall durability are there any issues with cheap sprockets and lock rings?

Be careful with lockrings. Ask the lbs if they recommend the lockring, or if they know someone's ridden with one. Too cheap lockrings might be poorly threaded, thus leading to stripping and possibly the eventual "Why aren't my legs slowing me down?" moment.

I've got a cheap (10 dollar) 17t I use for hilly trips, and other than being noisier and a little rougher than my more expensive cog it hasn't really given me any issues. After about 1,500 miles on each cog neither is wearing any more than the other, and they both stay in place fine. I have front and back brakes for stopping though, so I don't know how they would perform if you're a skidder.

Not worth it. You risk stripping out the hub. Of course if you don't ride hard, ride with brakes then it might be ok. You can get dura ace for $20-$25, retail non-sale. Why even bother with ****ty cogs and lockrings? Is your wheelset worth stripping out?

Are ALL lock rings steel ? .. beacuse, then they ALL could have the possibility to strip the
( alu. ) hub. ( if your a hack . )


.
.
.

I agree with operator on this one. Always get a quality cog and lockring. If you strip the hub you are either going to injure yourself or have to replace the hub and run a higher bill either way.

thanks!

If you're on a budget, go with DURA-ACE cog + lockring!!

silly to put your life in danger (or ride junk) to save two dollars.

No. I have several aluminum lock rings.

Probably just a bit of stupid personal experience but I actually prefer the Surly cog and lockring to the Dura Ace...though to be fair I don't know what kind of lockring I was using with the DA setup. Neither ever failed on me or caused me any mechanical problems, but the Surly cog is quieter and their lockring is thicker which I like. Neither is "cheap" though but they're both good.

how does formula's lockring compare to say Surly or Dura Ace? i've read that lockring is less essential and needn't be as good as the cog~ what do you guys think?

i'll take a pic of how ****ty they are when i get home.

Think your lockring threads aren't as essential either? Would you mind if they stripped out because you tried to save $5 over a $10 dura ace lockring?

wait but you didnt answer my question~ but by what you said, i picked up that you're implying that formula isnt too good ya? no its just it was "packaged" together when i got my EAI cog from my fixed gear lbs~ if its bad, i should get another? or wait? or is it too late?

make sure everythings secure and enjoy riding. if you can, picking up a lock ring with a better track record whenever you get a chance would likely be a good idea.

Formula lockrings are aluminum

So the gist of what you guys are saying are that cheap cogs are generally accepted (safety wise), but, cheap lock rings are not due to the possibility of un threading my hub (which by the way is the stock formula hub from the alex - da22's)

wait if this is true, wouldnt a formula lockring be more ideal because all the other lockrings (steel) will strip your hub (aluminum) where as formula lockring (aluminum) will less likely be strong enough to strip the hub?