Looking for a 28T 74mm chainring that is 10 speed compatible.
Salsa seems to be only 9 speed.
TA maybe 10 speed?

Thanks

I am using the Salsa 28t with 10 speed. I like it better than the TA Specialites one (which could not hold torque on extremely steep grades)

+1 for the Salsa. Very stout, tall teeth, and fits the 10 speed chain just fine. Shifting is as good as shifting to a 28t could ever be.

Not that I don't believe you, but even Salsa's web site says only up to 9 speed.
Could be they never bothered to update their specs, I think I will give them a call tomorrow.
What chain are you using?

Chainrings are not really speed specific, only the spacing between them needs to be appropriate for the chain width. The spacing between the middle and big rings is a bit difficult to adjust, but the spacing for the inner ring is really easy to modify with spacers, plus most inner rings are simply flush with the mounting posts, and so all end up being in the same plane. Having said that, Shimano's inner rings are spaced a bit further away, so if you are switching a Shimano chainring on a Shimano crankset to some other brand of ring, then you do normally need to add narrow spacers between the new ring and the mounting posts. If it is not a Shimano crankset then you should have even less to worry about.

Anyway, my point is that most chainrings should work, don't worry about the official speed designation, the teeth on them are all pretty much the same width. It is the spacing between the rings that you have to worry more about. I believe there is something about this on Sheldon Brown's site somewhere.

I use TA Specialites rings when possible and Sugino otherwise (because they are cheaper and are available from a more local source), and have been happy with both. The TA definitely seem to have a better finish and look like they'll wear less quickly, I haven't worn out either type yet, but the longest-serving one only has about two years use on it.

The answer back from Salsa (maybe they don't know any better?)

Hi Joel,

None of our rings are 10 speed compatible, sorry to say. Thanks for the email and Happy Holidays!

Eric

Salsa Cycles

You should try a "9-speed" ring. When I converted one of our tandems from 9- to 10-speed, I left the original 9-speed front derailleur, crank and (53/42/28) chainrings on the bike just to see what would happen. Works as well or better than ever (and I'm quite particular about how our bikes work) so I left well-enough alone.

[FWIW, the 53 and 42t rings are Shimano Ultegra; the 28t is third party -- could be Salsa, for all I know.]

When dealing with tandems in general, it's best to look at component manufacturer specifications as guidelines not absolutes.

Moreover, if you ever ask for anything in writing or via Email, don't expect to get much more than a restatement of the approved specifications and uses. The latter is why I tend to call and search out technicians who are willing to have a practical and throughful discussion that "can't be used in a court against them".

Frankly, if all of the various specifications and incompatibility issues were real and endorsements for use on tandems were required, you'd be hard pressed to find enough parts to build a tandem.

Just my .02.

I got a phone call from Salsa and they again told me their chainrings are not 10 speed compatible and they could not recommend using them with 10 speed. I explained to him it had been done successfully and he said it could work, they just don't recommend it. So now I find myself in yet another dilemna ordering parts for this tandem I could get TA which is definitely 10 speed compatible or Salsa which isn't, but in reality might work as well or better and costs less. While I highly regard Marco's advice we don't do 20% grade hills and don't put out that much power. If there ever was a torture test for a tandem he is it and I did take his advice on the Mavic SSC brakes.

This is why forums exist and are invaluable to folks like us who ride tandems...

I am running 10 speed drive train and much to the dismay of many it is ---- 52 - 39 - 24 with a shimano 11-30 on the rear. Both the 52 and the 24 are Salsa. To really confound the masses here when doing loaded touring I run a IRD 11-34 on the rear

all combinations work VERY well... a point of clarification --- I do run an N-gear chain stop up front --- have yet to drop the chain

have over 5,600 miles on the cassettes in the last 12 months.... and they look fine.. (I have replaced the chains)

I am using a Salsa 28 with my Record 10sp set up, no issues [53-42-28].

Salsa it is then!