From the photo, can anyone tell what’s the most likely failure mode? Could it be due to just normal use or does it look more like a failure due to impact?
Incidentally, what’s the milage should one replace a chain-ring such as the SRAM Red? Any physical signs to lookout for that indicates that a chain-ring replacement is due?
I had just switch over to SRAM Red from Shimano 7800 3 months ago and is very happy with switch so far. Just want to be sure that I maintain it that way…
Agree that it looks like crash or impact damage, I cant see how a chainring could fail that way from normal use.
The key is to check your chain regularly for wear and replace it before it becomes excessively lengthened. Signs of a worn chainring are wide gaps between the teeth, the teeth being worn to “points” and also looking more like a shark fin on the front of the chainring where the chain sits.
Your mileage will vary, depending on how often you replace your chain, how clean you keep your drivetrain, the kind of conditions you ride in (rain and grime reduces life) and if you like to mash in the big ring in a cross ringed configuration.
Is it true as per the other forum postings that there had been multiple failures (due to design problems) encountered for pre-2009 SRAM Red chain-ring?
It looks like something smacked the ever living shit out of it. I would like to know how a chain sheared it, bent it, ground up some teeth, “punched” it like it had been struck with a die (right side), yet still remained intact. Also notice that the chain is the super crapola holy chain that no pros will run because it breaks too easily.
Just a wild ass guess, but this wasn’t a JRA failure.
From the photo, can anyone tell what’s the most likely failure mode? Could it be due to just normal use or does it look more like a failure due to impact?
Incidentally, what’s the milage should one replace a chain-ring such as the SRAM Red? Any physical signs to lookout for that indicates that a chain-ring replacement is due?
I had just switch over to SRAM Red from Shimano 7800 3 months ago and is very happy with switch so far. Just want to be sure that I maintain it that way…
Thanks in advance
Actually, I remember seeing the original post on this either on Weight Weenies or Fairwheel cycles forum. About 9 months to a year ago…
The chain ring failed while shifting on an uphill climb (in the alps if I remember correctly). Other than that, no extenuating circumstances or impact involved. I don’t think the rider was excessively heavy or anything like that. The entire group was very new.
The bloods stains were from the rider trying to bend the ring enough with his bare hands so that the chain would clear on the small ring so that he could get home. The big ring had actually wrapped over the small ring to the point where the bike wasn’t rideable.
Actually, I remember seeing the original post on this either on Weight Weenies or Fairwheel cycles forum. About 9 months to a year ago…
The chain ring failed while shifting on an uphill climb (in the alps if I remember correctly). Other than that, no extenuating circumstances or impact involved. I don’t think the rider was excessively heavy or anything like that. The entire group was very new.
The bloods stains were from the rider trying to bend the ring enough with his bare hands so that the chain would clear on the small ring so that he could get home. The big ring had actually wrapped over the small ring to the point where the bike wasn’t rideable.
Thanks for the reference. Wonder if this is an isolated incident or has it happen to others as well? If it is, then perhaps SRAM might want to examine the possibilities of a product recall?
It is not isolated. SRAM have released a ‘new’ big ring that they refer to as the Sprinter’s Ring. My club’s entire Cat 1 Elite team has had failures and they are all now on the new rings. All 2009 group sets have the new ring. That is the worst failure I have seen though. Most are just cracks that throw the chain all the time. Like any first generation gear, give it a miss (electronic DA included right now).
Last summer I had an incident with the front end of a Honda Civic on a bike with a pie plate Dura Ace 55t chain ring. I hit the front of the car with the drive side of my bike/body at an angle that allowed the ring to cut into the front bumper of the car. I took a ride and had some bumps and bruises but the bike and chain ring were perfect which is more then I can say for the bumper of the car. What ever caused this damage must have been pretty extreme.
What ever caused this damage must have been pretty extreme.
No, according to the OP, it was maybe a slightly mistimed shift under load. There was more discussion from other people that had cratered chain rings before. The most common way seemed to be a standing start in a “big gear”
The problems that SRAM had with it’s first gen 53t rings is pretty well documented and also pretty old news. It started off as a few here and there and turned into a mini epidemic once the pro’s figured out how to ‘fold’ the ring to impress themselves or the podium girls. SRAM was already back at the drawing board (or rather CADD) strategicly adding material back to the ring (or rather never removing it in the first place). The new ring became standard sometime in 2008 and following into 2009.
AFAIK there have been no reported cases of the new rings being folded (either intentionally or unintentionally).
The problems that SRAM had with it’s first gen 53t rings is pretty well documented and also pretty old news. It started off as a few here and there and turned into a mini epidemic once the pro’s figured out how to ‘fold’ the ring to impress themselves or the podium girls. SRAM was already back at the drawing board (or rather CADD) strategicly adding material back to the ring (or rather never removing it in the first place). The new ring became standard sometime in 2008 and following into 2009.
AFAIK there have been no reported cases of the new rings being folded (either intentionally or unintentionally).
T’War, thanks for the information. I bought my 08 model group set in Dec 08, is there anyway to find out if the chain ring is from the re-designed batch?
I suppose you coudl weigh it. I think that the new ones are 25g heavier than the originals. Or they should have a S/N printed on them. you could contact SRAM and see.
