Can anyone comment on what the shifting performance is like using non-pinned/ramped rings. I need to get a new set of rings for my triple. The Sugino non-pinned/ramped rings are a lot cheaper than the ramped and pinned. I'm fine if the shifts aren't as fast, but not if it's going to result in dropped chains and chain suck.

Long before there were pins and ramps, riders of derailleur bikes managed to shift perfectly well without them. The drill was to momentarily soft-pedal during the actual shift—a second or two at the most. When derailleur bikes were pitched to everyone, pins and ramps were needed to allow crude shifting under full power. The short of it is that you'll do fine without those shifting aids. Just anticipate your shifts and use a bit of pedaling finesse during them.

Just anticipate your shifts and use a bit of pedaling finesse during them.


Which, really, you should be doing anyway.

FSA has chainwheels with shifting assistance that are Shimano 9 and 10 speed compatible. I haven't used them myself but have thought about grabbing a couple to tighten up my gearing and put a 39 in the middle. Don't know how they compare in price with Suguino but I'm still kicking myself for missing the end of an auction by the bay where a new 39 tooth middle sold for $11.50

Dropped chains (to the inside or outside) are a result of improper limit screw setting. Period. Chain suck is due to worn (bad) chairing teeth (shark tooth wear pattern most often) and is not a result of ramping or lack thereof. Ramping is an assistive device for shifting (mostly) under load and does little during light pedaling as noted by poster wim above. I have used both and as long as you ease up during shifting, which takes some anticipation, you will have no problems whatsoever without ramps. Keep in mind that for Shimano there are "A" and "B" ramps depending upon which chainring you use. But dropping/throwing chains is not affected in the least by ramping/pinning.

Can anyone comment on what the shifting performance is like using non-pinned/ramped rings. I need to get a new set of rings for my triple. The Sugino non-pinned/ramped rings are a lot cheaper than the ramped and pinned. I'm fine if the shifts aren't as fast, but not if it's going to result in dropped chains and chain suck.

As others have noted, shifting still works without the pins and cut down teeth. The addition of these features does improve shifting. They were invented because Shimano wanted to make front shifting idiot proof, and their front shifting system is designed with them as part of the system. You may have to fiddle more with both setup and shifting itself with Shimano to get things working well. With Campy Chorus/Record, it would be much less of an issue.

Unlike the rest of these yay-hoos, I'd spend the extra 15 bucks or whatever for the real deal chainrings. You certainly can use the cheap rings, but they don't work as well and can cause problems, especially when using large gear ranges, like a 34/50.

Unlike the rest of these yay-hoos, I'd spend the extra 15 bucks or whatever for the real deal chainrings. You certainly can use the cheap rings, but they don't work as well and can cause problems, especially when using large gear ranges, like a 34/50. Man up and get a real double and your shifts will be smoother no matter what chainrings you use.

Unlike the rest of these yay-hoos, I'd spend the extra 15 bucks or whatever for the real deal chainrings. You certainly can use the cheap rings, but they don't work as well and can cause problems, especially when using large gear ranges, like a 34/50.

I don't think we're ya-hoos for answering the original question, which was to give our assessment of shifting without ramps. He wasn't asking our opinion on whether he should spend an extra $15 dollars. Or did you not read the original question?

And I'm not in the habit of telling other people how they should spend their hard earned money. That's a personal decision. However, questions of technical specs are what this forum is designed for. There are other on-line forums for how to spend your money if that is what you desire.

Cheers!

Yikes! I should have known I'd get that response. I run a single, non-ramped Salsa ring up front, but if I were running two, I'd get ramped and pinned chainrings because they perform better.

Yikes! I should have known I'd get that response. I run a single, non-ramped Salsa ring up front, but if I were running two, I'd get ramped and pinned chainrings because they perform better. Does it suprise you that some of us don't appreciate being called yay-hoos, or is this how you routinely interact with others?

Yikes! I should have known I'd get that response. I run a single, non-ramped Salsa ring up front, but if I were running two, I'd get ramped and pinned chainrings because they perform better.

Got to agree with that. For some, the ostensibly improved, idiot-proofed version of any mechanical contraption is the only way to go.

If you like to shift rings while standing, get the ramped rings. Otherwise, you can go cheap.

Yay-Hoos upsets you? I'm glad my feelings are not so delicate or I would be depressed all the time.

Yay-Hoos upsets you? I'm glad my feelings are not so delicate or I would be depressed all the time. You make a statement followed by a question mark directed at whom. I'm convinced that you and the person you are defending are the real yayhoos.

If you like to shift rings while standing, get the ramped rings. Otherwise, you can go cheap.

I got a pair of old shimano 600 rings, for 7 speed drivetrains. Currently my setup is 9 speed. Whenever I'm using those rings, if shifting up front, while the chain is in the back on the 15,14,13 or 12 cog, the result would be a dropped chain.
With ramped 105 chainrings, this would happen only when the chain is on 12, 13 T cog in the back.
(a 39x13 or x12 is anyway too crossed to ride, so virtually the chain never gets dropped as i'm never on the small chairing and on those two cogs.)

Front derailler is shimano rx100 and it is already set up properly (2 mm distance downwards to large chainring, outer plate parallel to the chainrings when viewed from above.)

What could be the problem?
(i'm not shifting under load. also I remeber that my even older shimano 600 arabesque drivetrain with downtube shifters shifted ok in the front and the chainrings didn't have any kind of pins or ramps)

thanks,
brblue