Chainring advice

[Island Jim]

Hi Retrobikers

I recently bought a Saracen Tufftrax (89/90 ish) from a rogue on eBay. The chainrings are biopace (Exage Country) and need replacing. I’m after some guidance with buying replacements round rings.

In essence, I think it’s 110 BCD and a trawl of google and my tape measure seem to confirm this.

Does anyone have any recommendations for replacement rings? Either ones to buy or ones to avoid. It’s my general, knock about/pub/take-the-girl-to-nursery bike, so I’m after function and reliability rather than period authenticity or bling.

Also, it’s seven speed. Looking round I’ve seen rings advertised as 8/9 speed. Presumably these rings will work with a 7 speed chain?

I’ve attached a couple of photos for reference.

Many thanks in advance, Jim

 

[JCS]

Hi Jim - you have a couple of options. Ideally find a lightly used full chainset second-hand for a good price - this can work out cheaper than buying individual chainrings. Or failing that, buyindividual used chainrings.
Your top priority is the middle ring, as that’s the one you will use most.
You can also buy new (Spa cycles have a good range). my advice is to put a wanted ad on here and see what comes up.

 

[Island Jim]

Thanks mate, I’ll have a look at my options. My one concern with used drivetrain components is they’re often already pretty worn and I don’t want to throw good money after bad. But it’s useful advice and I’ll have a look around.

 

[Fourbikes]

Why do you need to replace them? They don't look too bad. Is it because they're biopace?

 

[bikeworkshop]

^seconded.

Biopace is retro.
Those steel rings will outlast any cheap alloy ring by a factor of 10

Stronglight do 110, which lookslike the pcd

 

[ishaw]

You can still get 110 bvd chainrings new, though I'd not bother replacing the granny ring unless you simply want matching rings.

Looking at the rings you have, the middle is the most worn so you could just replace that, though you'd have to find a biopace one for that route.

Those steel rings fitted last forever.

 

[Island Jim]

Why do you need to replace them? They don't look too bad. Is it because they're biopace?

If you look in the first picture you can see that the chain isn’t sitting properly on the rings. I don’t know how old the chain is, although it looks in decent condition, likewise the rear sprockets are all very new looking. The chain runs smoothly over the rear cassette but jumps around at the front in either the middle or top ring. Granny is fine.

 

[Island Jim]

^seconded.

Biopace is retro.
Those steel rings will outlast any cheap alloy ring by a factor of 10

Stronglight do 110, which lookslike the pcd

The originals have been on for 36 years so if I get 3 1/2 years from a cheap alloy ring I’ll be very happy with that!

 

[bikeworkshop]

Looks like a stretched chain.
If you can pull the chain 2/3 up the tooth at the front, it's a goner.