Gamut TTr Chainring: Reviewed
Last month Matt Lee and I gave a glimpse into the intern bikes we would be riding and testing gear on. One of the first changes I wanted to make to the Norco Range was setting it up as a 1x drivetrain system. The Range already came equipped with a Shimano clutch derailleur, so all I needed was a narrow-wide ring to replace the 2x chainring system up front, in the form of a 30T Gamut TTr ring, along with removing 2 links from the chain.
The 30T ring I received had machined offset tabs to space the teeth away from the crank tabs, eliminating the need for spacers. These tabs are threaded on the inside which means that the bolt threads into the chainring tabs without the need of a nut on the other end. The Gamut ring can be installed on either side of the crank tabs to optimize the chainline.
I’m not much of a weight weenie, so the grams saved by converting to a 1x system weren’t a big factor for me. While riding technical trails at speed the 2x system would tend to jump the chain from the big ring to the small, even though the front derailleur was adjusted properly. After I installed the narrow-wide ring I could confidently stomp the pedals, knowing my chain wasn’t going anywhere.
I first rode the Gamut ring in Whistler. We rode both technical and flow trails, but tech ruled most of the day. For half the day the chain would come off the upper pulley on the rear derailleur, bringing me to an immediate halt. After a few laps I checked the derailleur and alas, I had it set to the clutch off position. I was surprised that the chain stayed on through rough sections without the clutch engaged. Maybe this will sway narrow-wide haters.
I am impressed with the Gamut TTr’s performance. I can’t hit the same top speed while pedaling due to having gone from a 36T to a 30T, but that compromise is countered by the simplicity of my new set up. The TTr comes in one colour, the clear hard coat finish, and accommodates tooth sizes 30T, 32T, 34T and 36T, all in 104BCD at $64.99CAD.
With another entry into the narrow-wide market, the options are endless…
Comments
DrewM
9 years, 5 months ago
Can you explain this?
"(don’t forget that narrow-wide rings won’t work without an even number of links)"
Thanks,
D
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alexpdx
9 years, 5 months ago
DrewM you are right. This makes no sense. Also this is a pretty long-winded review for a narrow-wide just like anything else. It is more of a 1X review which honestly seems a few years too late.
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Pete Roggeman
9 years, 5 months ago
Alex, I'm not sure why you felt so strongly that this was long-winded that you needed to let us know both here and on FB, but thanks for the feedback nonetheless. FYI it is 300 words, give or take, which is not long by our standards. We could restrict component reviews to one paragraph, like you'll often see in print, but my opinion on those is that they don't do anything to help a potential user - the reality is they're used more to cram more gear into an issue and appease/attract advertisers.
To be clear, the Intern Bike project is designed for our two interns to get used to reviewing parts and bikes using their long-term test platforms. We collectively missed the 'even chain links' comment Kaz has made and have fixed it - thanks to you and Drew for pointing it out - sometimes the editing process happens too quickly or late at night.
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Kaz Yamamura
9 years, 5 months ago
Sorry that was an error on my part. I wrote that, realized the redundancy but forgot to take it out.
Reply
DrewM
9 years, 5 months ago
No apology neccesary; I was trying to figure out what you were getting at.
I was overheard, not to mention seen, comments a la "why don't they make a 33t or 35t narrow wide ring" and I thought you might be referencing that.
In terms of helpful information for a review on a N/W ring, next time maybe consider posting pictures of the chainline top down (where you will see how much better a 30t lines up with the bigger cogs you will now be using more vs. 32/24t 2x setup compared to 32t) and experimenting with C/R washers (with long steel bolts) to find the most efficient - straightest chainline in the gears you most frequently use - C/R position. I think a lot of riders you benefit by moving their single ring further inboard from the stock position with little loss of efficiency in the gears they use less regularly.
D
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