THM Clavicula SE w/ Powermeter... rings?

[JorgeGortex]

Hi all,

I'm upgrading my SW Aethos from DA cranks w/an LS Stages PM to THM Clavicula SE cranks w/ the built-in power meter (used/new-to-me). My next consideration is what chainrings to run. I currently use absoluteBlack oval rings in 48/32 on the DA cranks and like them. After poking around the WW site for a while, it is hard to determine which rings are best suited for my project using the THM cranks, so I thought I'd ask and, in so doing, maybe make a unified thread.

Although I am working the WW angle with these new cranks, my Aethos is my regular ride, so reliable shifting (and reliability in general) is essential. I know it will never be as sharp as Shimano, but I'm used to the performance I get with the aB rings, so any improvement in shifting is a plus. Less so, not an option. I am also aware that oval rings (which I like, your mileage may vary, and that's fine... as is aesthetics, which is only an opinion... I have mine, you have yours, leave it at that) do not necessarily give accurate pwr numbers with oval rings, depending on the pwr meter (I've emailed THM to inquire about theirs), so that could mean back to 50/34 round rings.

So my question is: what rings have you used with THM cranks with the most success? What experiences have you had in terms of set-up? Does your favorite wear well? Are you a more a climber or sprinter in terms of application of power (weird question, maybe, but I've seen people complain about flex in some rings)? Any other thoughts about these cranks?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and appreciate your time!

Cheers, George

[spdntrxi]

Carbon- Ti EVO work the best. Extralight flex too much (1200w)

[EdSawyer]

Extralite is the best choice. Carbon-ti, while nice, is actually heavier than Shimano. I've never had an issue with the extralite flexing and they shift as well as carbon-ti (I have 2 sets of both, plus absolute black 46/30 oval and shimano DA)

Absolute black does make a 48/32 set for 5 x 110, but they will require a minor tweaking to fit the THM cranks.

[OtterSpace]

What groupset are you using it with? Shimano don't make modern 5 bolt 110bcd chainrings so that is out.

If you are doing an all out weenie build on 11s I would go extralite but don't expect them to shift as well as other options. If you are going 12s I'd go with a Carbon-Ti with the right teeth profile for your groupset. If you are running Shimano 12s and don't need the lightest I'd look into praxis.

I'm not an oval ring guy so cant add any input there but options seem to have stopped evolving and adapting to the 12s era so take that for what you will.

If you want to use Shimano rings on a disc build than I'd go with an elilee x-novanta which can have a better PM. Personally I'd go that route over THM for anyone starting from scratch.

[njleach]

I've been very happy with the Carbon-TI EVO rings on the THM crankset w/ Dura Ace Di2 12spd. Just a word of warning: there are significant delays in the availability of some Carbon-TI chainrings. For example, 28-30 week delivery time for a 39T chainring: https://www.starbike.com/en/carbonti-x- ... mm/#136048

[JorgeGortex]

I've been very happy with the Carbon-TI EVO rings on the THM crankset w/ Dura Ace Di2 12spd. Just a word of warning: there are significant delays in the availability of some Carbon-TI chainrings. For example, 28-30 week delivery time for a 39T chainring: https://www.starbike.com/en/carbonti-x- ... mm/#136048

Thanks. I am running an 11-speed Shimano drivetrain and probably will for the foreseeable future. I had noticed that issue with Carbon-Ti... everyone appears to be sold out for the most part. At least 50/34, which is what I plan on running. All this is in part why I created this post- to see what good options are out there.

[JorgeGortex]

What groupset are you using it with? Shimano don't make modern 5 bolt 110bcd chainrings so that is out.

If you are doing an all out weenie build on 11s I would go extralite but don't expect them to shift as well as other options. If you are going 12s I'd go with a Carbon-Ti with the right teeth profile for your groupset. If you are running Shimano 12s and don't need the lightest I'd look into praxis.

I'm not an oval ring guy so cant add any input there but options seem to have stopped evolving and adapting to the 12s era so take that for what you will.

If you want to use Shimano rings on a disc build than I'd go with an elilee x-novanta which can have a better PM. Personally I'd go that route over THM for anyone starting from scratch.

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm running a 11-speed Shimano drivetrain. I'm aware THM is 5x110bcd, but thanks for the reminder. I'd say I am doing a weight weenie build to a point... I'm trying to lighten my ride, but not at the expense of a poor experience. My Aethos is my one and only regular ride (outside of my Open UP for gravel), so any parts I throw on her need to work well and be mostly invisible. I don't race, and don't throw down watts like some are capable of, so that can influence what I use. But again, I want light and reliable. Shimano is the gold standard for shifting, so one always has to set ones expectations when switching to something else.

[JorgeGortex]

Extralite is the best choice. Carbon-ti, while nice, is actually heavier than Shimano. I've never had an issue with the extralite flexing and they shift as well as carbon-ti (I have 2 sets of both, plus absolute black 46/30 oval and shimano DA)

Absolute black does make a 48/32 set for 5 x 110, but they will require a minor tweaking to fit the THM cranks.

@EdSawyer, what kind of tweaking to the AbsoluteBlack 48/32 rings are we talking about? I am certainly up for some simple Dremel work. Have you done it, or seen it done? Thanks.

[OtterSpace]

I've been thinking about this more and why limit yourself to trying just one?

All of the rings except Carbon-Ti are an order of magnitude cheaper than the THM Clavicula SE with PM which retails for 2,299.00 € or $2,410.99 at current conversion rates. Sure you got it for less used but it still has to be way up there in cost. For something that expensive I wouldn't just want to throw it to the community to decide which is the best I'd want to figure that out for myself. For top end stuff its more about what you prioritize anyways.

Sure you will end up running just one set but you should be able to sell a barely used set for like a $50 loss per set if you list it and wait a month or so for them to sell.

Confirm your BCD is 110 and not 130 and personally I'd wait on trying Carbon-Ti due to higher price. You can try just the Carbon-Ti big ring which is a bit lighter than Dura-Ace while the small ring is a bit heavier from memory so that small ring is fairly poor value compared to the big one. Also make sure to look into THM bb setup. I dont run them myself but it seems a bit finicky so worth making sure you have them set up correctly.

[EdSawyer]

Jorge: yes just some minor dremel work from my understanding. I talked with the folks at AB and they said they would just not quite fit as-is, they don't encourage modification but acknowledged that would be possible. I personally have not done it but may in the future.

R2 seems to think the carbon ti 50/34 set should be in stock in 1-4 weeks.

I have a brand new set in 52/36 I would offer but not sure if I will need them, I have a Thm SE crankset I need to set up, hoping to use extralite as I do with 11s but this is a 12s dura-ace group so we'll see.

I would agree probably worth trying a few sets of different ones, that is how I ended up with so many. I like extralite for the weight and the shifting is close enough to the others that I am happy with it.

Agreed on Thm bb is best bet also.

[spdntrxi]

always used the THM BB in the past. Using the BBinfinite BB86 for my TeammachineR .. no issues so far

[JorgeGortex]

I've been thinking about this more and why limit yourself to trying just one?

All of the rings except Carbon-Ti are an order of magnitude cheaper than the THM Clavicula SE with PM which retails for 2,299.00 € or $2,410.99 at current conversion rates. Sure you got it for less used but it still has to be way up there in cost. For something that expensive I wouldn't just want to throw it to the community to decide which is the best I'd want to figure that out for myself. For top end stuff its more about what you prioritize anyways.

Sure you will end up running just one set but you should be able to sell a barely used set for like a $50 loss per set if you list it and wait a month or so for them to sell.

Confirm your BCD is 110 and not 130 and personally I'd wait on trying Carbon-Ti due to higher price. You can try just the Carbon-Ti big ring which is a bit lighter than Dura-Ace while the small ring is a bit heavier from memory so that small ring is fairly poor value compared to the big one. Also make sure to look into THM bb setup. I dont run them myself but it seems a bit finicky so worth making sure you have them set up correctly.

Otter, it's not about limiting... it really is the exact opposite. I am not taking the gospel about certain rings to heart, and am instead asking others for their opinion on what they have personally used on their THM cranks. I like comparing and reading about other people's experiences as part of my decision making process.

The reality is that I got the crankset for a good price, but that purchase does not mean I am flush with money to buy multiple sets of rings to then lose $50 each on the ones I decide not to use. I budget a certain amount each year for "bike stuff," and this fits into that budget this year. I'd like to purchase one set of rings that will do me well for a while.

I did my homework before I ever bought the cranks. 5x110BCD. I only run compact rings and usually 50/34 round or my current 48/32 oval. I have rad the thread about THM bottom bracket use and setup and the hazards of using other brands. I'll use the THM one and let my mechanic install it all. He's been wrenching since HS, owns his own shop, and is second to none in my opinion. So, if anyone can get this right, its him.

So in the end, I am still just looking to hear from THM Clavicula owners to see what they've had luck or horror stories with... so I know, and others in the future might as well. Thanks for the input, it's appreciated.

[JorgeGortex]

Jorge: yes just some minor dremel work from my understanding. I talked with the folks at AB and they said they would just not quite fit as-is, they don't encourage modification but acknowledged that would be possible. I personally have not done it but may in the future.

R2 seems to think the carbon ti 50/34 set should be in stock in 1-4 weeks.

I have a brand new set in 52/36 I would offer but not sure if I will need them, I have a Thm SE crankset I need to set up, hoping to use extralite as I do with 11s but this is a 12s dura-ace group so we'll see.

I would agree probably worth trying a few sets of different ones, that is how I ended up with so many. I like extralite for the weight and the shifting is close enough to the others that I am happy with it.

Agreed on Thm bb is best bet also.

Thanks Ed, I appreciate the feedback! I'll give it some thought. More to think about. I may have to order a set of the AB 48/32 rings just to compare with the cranks to see what is necessary to get them to fit. It might be a worthy experiment if things would line up cleanly with plenty of metal left. I'll look harder at the Extralight too. My mechanic suggested the TA Specialties Serius 11 rings for being light and shifting well. Pretty cheaply priced too.

[tonytourist]

If you can find the BOR rings anywhere I would get them for sure. While not used on a Clavicula, my 52/36 and 50/34 have been great.

[V35]

I have Shimano 11sp with THM Clavicula and power meter. I ran Carbon-Ti Evo 52/36 but I had issues with shifting. I took it to several of the best mechanics in Los Angeles and they could never adjust it to the point of being confident in it's shifting. In terms of what type of rider I am, I do both climbing and sprinting but the Carbon-Ti would drop the chains shifting from small ring to big ring and vice versa during climbing. I ended up switching over to Praxis rings and have not had any issues with shifting since then. I have friends that run Carbon-Ti on Shimano 12speed without issues so I don't know if 11sp Shimano is the issue or not. I am running THM bottom bracket as well.