Gamut Thick Thin Race Ring – Review
We thought we’d jump on the thick/thin ring band wagon and try out Gamut’s latest offering – the TTR.
The principle behind Thick/Thin rings is straight forward enough – alternating teeth dimensions (one narrow and one wide) create a stronger chain and ring connection and increase chain retention thus reducing the burden on your chain device. When matched up with Shimano Shadow or SRAM Type 2 mechs, negate the need for a chain device at all.
The Gamut TTR is a lovely looking chain ring, machined from 7075 T6 Aluminium, in ‘Renthal Gold’ and hard anodized it promises to be seriously hard wearing. A true fit and forget item. It comes in 30T, 32T, 34T and 36T sizes and is compatible with 9, 10 and 11 speed set-ups. Gamut still recommend using a top guide when riding in severe conditions or a full chain device for extra piece of mind but I thought I’d try my 32T ring without any device at all initially just to see how good a Thick/Thin ring really is.
I had no expectation that my chain would stay put without a chain device on super gnarly conditions and I wasn’t willing to risk life and limb finding out. So with that in mind I decided to try typical trail centre terrain, in this instance the ‘Monkey Trail’ at Cannock Chase in the West Midlands.
Cannock Chase Trail Centre does have a reputation as being riddled with an excess of braking bumps so, despite the claims often made about Thick/Thin rings I wasn’t optimistic I would complete the trail without dropping the chain at least half a dozen times. I was utilising a Shimano Shadow rear mech and I was looking forward to seeing how the combo faired.
The ‘Monkey’ Trail lived up to its reputation of being braking bump central and the moment I arrived at the first severe line of panic induced braking bumps I braced myself. I needn’t. The chain stayed right where it was… And it continued to do so and with its seeming unwillingness to let go of the Gamut Chain Ring I decided to turn the pedals a little quick and enter subsequent corners with a bit more vigour. It was only when I decided to hit a sequence of particularly sharp edged bumps (Mini-Whoops by all accounts) as fast as I normally would with a full chain device that the chain ring finally let go. I’d found its point of failure but it was a point way beyond what I had expected.
I am very much converted on Thick/Thin rings, why wouldn’t you use one? I will use mine with a chain device or at least a top guide from now on but I will never have any niggling doubts about dropping a chain again. Throwing everything you can at keeping a chain in place is the way to go and the Gamut TTR is an extra weapon in the armoury .
At £39.99 you have nothing to lose, certainly not a chain anyway.
Sizes: 30T, 32T, 34T ( 36T coming Summer 2014)
Weights:34 -40 grams
Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum w/ clear hard coat finish
RRP: £39.99
The Words and Pics – Simon Lacey