Narrow wide 1x chainring

[pfm401]

Looking to consider replacing a Snail 32T 104BCD chainring with something else (1 x 11 system):

(1) Crankset is Shimano FC M617 (so originally double converted to single)
(2) REar mech SLX with 11-46 cassette

Options:
(1) Another Snail or similar
(2) Something "better" i.e. Shimano - but I can't find anything Shimano do in "narrow wide" at that BCD
(3) Replace crankset e.g. FC-M5100 (to avoid the 104 BCD issue)

Anyone have any other ideas? Do Shimano do a 104 BCD in narrow wide that would fit my crankset?

 

[DCLane]

Superstar Components do a narrow wide in 104bcd - https://www.superstarcomponents.com/products/ring-raptor-104bcd . They may be worth a look as they're in various tooth and colour combinations.

We don't use the 104bcd but son no. 2's hillclimb bike uses their 110bcd version.

 

[pfm401]

Superstar Components do a narrow wide in 104bcd - https://www.superstarcomponents.com/products/ring-raptor-104bcd . They may be worth a look as they're in various tooth and colour combinations.

We don't use the 104bcd but son no. 2's hillclimb bike uses their 110bcd version.

Thank you, they look like 12 speed?

 

[DCLane]

Thank you, they look like 12 speed?

It'll be suitable for anything from 9 to 12 speed.

 

[pfm401]

It'll be suitable for anything from 9 to 12 speed.

Yeah thanks realised I'd read it too quick - sorry!

I'm a bit of a Shimano "snob" - well not snob, more that I know where I'm at with it. How does anyone know if these things are good? I tend to to go off "if it's in bike shops online it's probably ok, if only ebay probably not". The snail is ebay only so hence scepticism! How doe we know if superstar is OK?

 

[DCLane]

@pfm401 - their chainrings pop up a lot at youth racing as they're good for the smaller gear limits imposed. Also they're used by hillclimbers because of the ability to go up in single numbers, allowing swaps between hillclimbs depending upon the course / gradients. We've used them for about six years without issue.

Oh, and I rode LEL on a pair of their 16/20 Elite wheelsets, which they sadly no longer make. The wheel snobs looked at my low spoke count and commented, but it was them that were slower. We also use their jockey wheels on the 'top end' bikes.

 

[oxoman]

What about wolftooth they do 104 bcd 30t upwards.

 

[Sharky]

The "race face" brand is an option

 

[wafter]

Looking to consider replacing a Snail 32T 104BCD chainring with something else (1 x 11 system):

(1) Crankset is Shimano FC M617 (so originally double converted to single)
(2) REar mech SLX with 11-46 cassette

Options:
(1) Another Snail or similar
(2) Something "better" i.e. Shimano - but I can't find anything Shimano do in "narrow wide" at that BCD
(3) Replace crankset e.g. FC-M5100 (to avoid the 104 BCD issue)

Anyone have any other ideas? Do Shimano do a 104 BCD in narrow wide that would fit my crankset?

Shimano pretty much abandoned the 104mm BCD standard some time ago on their core range; now it only seems to exist on budget non-series doubles and the last remaining (and probably endangered) Deore and Deore XT triples.

It appears that this change corresponded give or take with the rise of 1x; with all of Shimano's 1x cranksets being their own propriatory asymmetric 4x96mm BCD and direct mount standards.

You do have a lot of choice - there are many, many aftermarket suppliers of 104mm BCD N/W chainrings that will fit your crankset (I see some have been mentioned already) so have a look at the usual sources.

Alternatively you could always look at replacement cranksets - seems there are a lot of price reductions currently due to the state of the market so some decent gear can be had for not a lot of money... although of course it would be cheaper to stick with what you have.

EDIT: All 9-12sp chains have the same inner link width so chain speed requires no consideration when selecting a 1x chainring as they're all the same in this regard..

Also, if you're a tart for Shimano branded stuff it appears that their not-oft-encountered Zee range still uses 4x104mm for 1x cranksets, so these rings would probably fit your crankset.