Carbon chainrings ?

[Dewa6975]

Currently using XMCS carbon chainrings (V1), love the look and the weight but shifting performance is not good enough for me.
I am looking for carbon chainrings that still offers decent shifting performance. I am aware it won't be as good as Shimano but I really enjoy the look of them.

I got a quote from DFS (see picture) but was looking at other recommendations that have been road tested.

Thanks.

[Dan S.]

I got a quote from DFS (see picture) but was looking at other recommendations that have been road tested.

Hmm, what’s the point of using carbon chainrings, if they are basically the same weight as the Shimano ones? Just the looks?

[Dewa6975]

Hmm, what’s the point of using carbon chainrings, if they are basically the same weight as the Shimano ones? Just the looks?

Yes .

[Tines]

V2 are slightly heavier and I don’t know about shifting performance yet.
I’ll probably stay with DA chainrings.
Or carbon ti. Don’t know whether cybrei are fine. But sacrificing weight AND shifting performance compared to Shimano doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.
More expensive as well probably. 

[Sander2177]

I’ve been using Cybrei chainrings for around two years now without any issues. Those are aluminium chainrings with carbon plates bonded to the faces.

I also have a set of the new LiteTech chainrings. These use a full carbon spider/body with aluminium chainring sections, similar to the Carbon-Ti design. Mine are the aero version, although they also do standard rings with cut-outs.

I haven’t had the chance to try them yet as they’re destined for my new SL9 build, which is currently on hold while I wait for one small, annoying part to arrive!

Assuming the mechanic is happy with the shifting performance, they’ll go straight onto the bike. I do have a set of Cybrei rings ready as a backup just in case, but for now I can’t really comment on long-term performance because I haven’t had the opportunity to ride the LiteTech rings yet.

[Tines]

I’ve been using Cybrei chainrings for around two years now without any issues. Those are aluminium chainrings with carbon plates bonded to the faces.

I also have a set of the new LiteTech chainrings. These use a full carbon spider/body with aluminium chainring sections, similar to the Carbon-Ti design. Mine are the aero version, although they also do standard rings with cut-outs.

I haven’t had the chance to try them yet as they’re destined for my new SL8 build, which is currently on hold while I wait for one small, annoying part to arrive!

Assuming the mechanic is happy with the shifting performance, they’ll go straight onto the bike. I do have a set of Cybrei rings ready as a backup just in case, but for now I can’t really comment on long-term performance because I haven’t had the opportunity to ride the LiteTech rings yet.

I checked LiteTech page a week ago and when I saw the prize i asked myself why should anyone chose these over carbon-ti. Guess cybrei should be right in the middle ? (Edit: hm no I think the cybrei are similar to the XMCs, with the aluminum base plate, but probably better teeth profile etc.)

[Dewa6975]

I’ve been using Cybrei chainrings for around two years now without any issues. Those are aluminium chainrings with carbon plates bonded to the faces.

I also have a set of the new LiteTech chainrings. These use a full carbon spider/body with aluminium chainring sections, similar to the Carbon-Ti design. Mine are the aero version, although they also do standard rings with cut-outs.

I haven’t had the chance to try them yet as they’re destined for my new SL8 build, which is currently on hold while I wait for one small, annoying part to arrive!

Assuming the mechanic is happy with the shifting performance, they’ll go straight onto the bike. I do have a set of Cybrei rings ready as a backup just in case, but for now I can’t really comment on long-term performance because I haven’t had the opportunity to ride the LiteTech rings yet.

Lookink forward for you review then ! I really like their Aero rings.

[Sander2177]

I checked LiteTech page a week ago and when I saw the prize i asked myself why should anyone chose these over carbon-ti. Guess cybrei should be right in the middle ? (Edit: hm no I think the cybrei are similar to the XMCs, with the aluminum base plate, but probably better teeth profile etc.)

I had a set of cheaper rings before and the shifting was never quite right. When I had the bike serviced, I asked the mechanic to check them properly and I also had a set of Ultegra rings there as a backup. Even with the chainline and front derailleur set up correctly, his assessment of the cheaper rings was basically that they were “dog shit” 😂 and he recommended going back to Ultegra. So those went in the bin.

As for LiteTech versus Cybrei, the LiteTech rings are lighter and there may potentially be a stiffness advantage from the full carbon spider/body, although whether I’d personally notice any difference in stiffness is another question.

Carbon-Ti is obviously another option, but the LiteTech rings are cheaper, the weight difference is fairly small, and as far as I’m aware Carbon-Ti don’t offer a full X2 aero chainring set — only the X1 aero outer ring. I specifically wanted the full aero look.

One other thing with fully enclosed aero rings is that they can amplify drivetrain noise a little compared with conventional cut-out aluminium rings. Once my chain is freshly waxed it’s generally not something that bothers me, though.

Ultimately, shifting performance is the important bit for me. The LiteTech rings look good on paper, but I’ll reserve judgement until they’re fitted and I’ve actually ridden them.