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Blackspire revisited

By philberesford - Posted on 18 March 2010

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Since posting this last year I now find myself in a similar situation with my Shimano Hone/LX (XT compatible) crankset. The Shimano rings on it have worn more easily than I would've liked. And now, given the km's it's time to renew. LBS reckons the Blackspire middle chainring is much harder wearing than Shim one and will go on with no problem. I didn't discuss the outer chainring, but I'm guessing that this would also be true.

Has anyone had any experience good or bad putting Blackspire chainrings onto Shimano Hone/LX cranks?

Thanks
Phil

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MTB Gear

SLX?

Submitted by hawkeye on Thu, 18/03/2010 - 18:39.

The new SLX middle ring is CF with steel teeth - just like the XT middle ring. Worth a look to see if it will fit?

XT / SLX CRankset

Submitted by Dicko on Thu, 18/03/2010 - 18:57.

Phil

At $185 for a full XT Crankset or $130 for a full SLX Crankset on CRC at the moment - it is almost worth replacing the whole lot.

Gotta luv the Aussie dollar against the pound at the moment.

Forex

Submitted by daveh on Thu, 18/03/2010 - 19:29.

I work for a foreign exchange company and have been buying a fair bit of stuff, mainly from the UK, lately. If you're keen to buy from OS and make the exchange that bit more attractive, PM me, I would be happy to make sure anyone who is keen gets looked after.

CRC

Submitted by philberesford on Thu, 18/03/2010 - 22:53.

Thanks guys, the XT crankset is tempting, but I quite like the all-black Hone set on my black Yeti - stealth mode! Plus I have heaps of other parts/spares I'm picking up from CRC and my shopping list is quickly spiraling north. CRC have the Blackspire rings way cheaper than my LBS at:

Middle = $46 (LBS $100!)
Outer = $60

Daveh, your offer sounds tempting. Will drop you a PM

Phil

Blackspire

Submitted by Harry on Fri, 19/03/2010 - 06:51.

I was sold a blackspire once before by LBS and I don't believe it lasted any longer, longest lasting I've had so far is Deore (not black though). Find things last a lot longer if I change chains as soon as it gets to 0.75% wear.

Middleburn

Submitted by jpack on Fri, 19/03/2010 - 09:55.

I bought 2 middleburn hardcoat rings. so far so good, seem very strong and durable.
that said, i have a blackspire ring on the old Norco Atomik. It is bullet proof, but solid and heavy

One off experience

Submitted by warpig on Fri, 19/03/2010 - 11:42.

I put a 34T Blackspire chainring on my rigid commuting bike (LX ders) and it just wouldn't shift cleanly. Back to Shimano and it's back to normal! I don't think some of the BS chainrings have the ramps worked out as well as Shimano.

Phil the Black spire rings

Submitted by Fankles on Fri, 19/03/2010 - 18:43.

Phil the Black spire rings are pretty bog average. Shift quality .... well there is none!
I'm pretty sure that the new XT and SLX steel inner rings won't quite fit on your hone cranks sadly. They have the best durability and shift quality you can get plus outlasting the previous alloy models by some 3/4 times.