anyone tried the TA Specialites 33-tooth chainring?

[rgmerk]

Specialites TA apprently sells a 33-tooth front ring that's compatible with Shimano compact cranks.

Has anybody given it it a try?

Yes, I know it's only a 3% difference, but I'll take anything I can get for Baw Baw.

 

[lostintime]

I doubt you'd even be able to tell the difference between a 33t and a 34t. Use a gear chart like this one ....http://home.earthlink.net/~mike.sherman/shift.html It's about 1 gear inch difference, measurable in a lab, but in the real world, no.

Are you using the largest cassette cogset for your drivetrain? The only way to make a real difference in your gears is to go from a 27t cog to a 32t. Then however, you need a new rear derailleur too. Yeah, a few gear inches is going to cost you $$. You may be better off losing a pound of weight, it's free

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

+1 on gear inches. One tooth means nothing. Also, the aluminum TA uses is extremely soft, wears out fast. Myself and others I know have tried them once, and never again just for that reason.

 

[lostintime]

+1 on gear inches. One tooth means nothing. Also, the aluminum TA uses is extremely soft, wears out fast. Myself and others I know have tried them once, and never again just for that reason.

Which TA rings are you referring to, surely not the ones made of 7075 T6 aluminum like the Alize or Zephyr ? http://www.specialites-ta.com/produits/plateaux_gb.htm#

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Had a set of Horus rings, also 7075 T6, and I can testify without a doubt that I wore out the big ring in half the time it takes to wear out a standard issue Campy ring, and I didn't all of a sudden ride twice as much as usual. Same thing happened to my Shimano equipped friends that tried TA rings. Not an aluminum expert, but I'm guessing the T6 hardening process isn't the same across the board.