Chris
About Chris
Posts by Chris Wickliffe:
Setup: Chain Length
Proper chain length makes a big difference with shifting. It’s not intuitive — that’s for sure — but lots of front shifting problems are solved by setting chain length (and tension) correctly.
Video – WW Chainring Technology
Want a quick video explanation about WickWerks chainring technology and why they shift so fast? Watch this short video
Review by Mbiz
Submitted by Mbiz via WickWerks.com
April 26, 2014
Comments:
Finally had a chance to get out and test my new WickWerks front chainrings. I upgraded to the 52/36 rings for two reasons 1) to increase the size and 2) to get a better front shift. All last season I struggled with sloppy front shifts no matter how many times I adjusted the front derailleur. The WickWerks chainrings feel great, look great and shift faster than anything I’ve ridden.
Can’t wait t pile up the miles on these innovative components. Thanks WickWerks.
Should I ride a Single Front Chainring? A Double? A Triple?
There are always sides to a discussion involving tradition and emotion. So many arguments about the use of a single front chainring versus a double or triple. In this case, tradition has generally stood with a single front chainring for single speed bikes (think kids bikes), city type bikes, and the “grandma” bikes with multi-speed hubs. Of course that’s an exaggeration, but as they become more common on high-end bikes
Review by MTB Dad
Submitted by MTB Dad via WickWerks.com
February 13, 2014
Comments:
Purchased these after reading reviews and not being really thrilled with the SRAM replacement rings. I ride the same 18-20 mile routes 4 days a week with lots of climbing. I noticed on my first ride with the rings they felt better, just seemed to have a stiffer feel to them if that is possible. Of course my older rings were worn and needed replacement which may have contributed to the feel.
I can say performance wise after a week these shift much better than the stock rings. A solid shift is whats needed and the ring change is immediate. Quality is above the stock rings and performance is much better. I will be using these on my other bikes as well!!!
Thx WickWerks
Meeting USA Cycling Junior Gearing Restrictions
Do a search on the web for “Junior Gearing Restrictions” and you’ll find a bunch of sites that either explain the rules, or bash them. We’ve certainly heard the arguments by many eloquent authors that enumerate the virtues or expound the vices. This post, on the other hand, is intended to deal with the technical side of compliance with the rules, not to change them. Regardless of how you feel about it, junior gearing restrictions are here, so let’s talk about how to take best advantage given the limits.
Review by Emil
Submitted by Emil via WickWerks.com
January 22, 2014
Comments:
After switching to WW for ‘cross, I’ve switched all of my chainrings to WW. ‘Cross typifies the need for stable, quick shifting rings and WW satisfies this to a ‘T’. As WW states-no chainkeeper needed and its true! All of my bikes have benefited from the switch with quicker, more reliable shifting at a very reasonable cost.
Anodize
In the bicycle industry we hear about “Anodized” aluminum frequently. In fact most aluminum parts of any bicycle are either anodized or painted to protect them from the elements and to protect us from the amorphous aluminum oxide layer that naturally occurs when aluminum is exposed to oxygen. Not all “Anodize” processes are equal, however. At WickWerks we use a “True Hard” which is not so common. What’s different? Here’s a discussion about anodizing
US Patent 8,617,015 B2
It took a while, but it’s finally here. The United States Patent Office has granted US Patent 8,617,015 covering aspects of the WickWerks chainring ramps and shifting technology. The patent was issued December 31, 2013 — making it an awesome New Year’s present. This now adds to the portfolio of WickWerks Intellectual Property.
VeloNews Cyclocross Chainrings Review
“This is the part of technology that I love, when someone makes a component that is brilliantly designed, works as intended, and represents a significant improvement over existing products. WickWerks rings might be one of the best innovations gear shifting has seen in a long time.” – Michael Robson, Velo News
42/34 Auction for Cause
WickWërks, along with Katie Compton have put some very special articles for auction in support of the AMY D. FOUNDATION. WickWërks will be auctioning one set of their newest cyclocross rings – the 42/34 combination – along with a brand new Trek Cyclocross Collective jersey donated by Katie Compton. The auction starts
The Next “Next”
Race Face introduced a new product this year in their “Next” family. It was rumored for a while – supposed to be a super duper light, super stiff and fantastic new crank. Now the next Race Face Next SL is here, and I’m particularly interested because I thought the last version was pretty fantastic – how would they out-do that?
MtbRaceNews Review – WickWerks 2×10 Conversion
A detailed review of the WickWerks 2×10 conversion chainrings was written by Jen Hanks and posted on MtbRaceNews.com over the weekend. WickWerks has created chainrings and promoted a nifty system for converting a mountain bike triple to a 2×10 (double). Jen picked up on this idea and decided to try it out. This is the result.
Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD)
What is BCD?
BCD is an acronym for Bolt Circle Diameter. It’s the measurement (diameter) of an imaginary circle passing through the centers of all the bolts in a round pattern – like chainring bolts that hold the rings to the crank. On some cranks, like 4 bolt cranks, it’s fairly easy to measure, but for road and cyclocross with 5 bolts, it’s not so easy. Here’s the cheat sheet.
Our Most Asked Question
Our most asked question(s) are variations of ” Can I Use A Different Size Inner or Outer Ring? ”
Questions like can I buy the 34t instead of the 36t with the 46t ‘cross ring? . . . . Or can I trade the 34t of your 44/34t set for a 36t to make it a 44/36? . . . . And other variations. Basically, Can I mix and match chainrings?
We believe our best customers are informed, so the answer comes with some explanation:
Multi-Rider (Tandem, etc.) Challenges
In the arena of challenges for front shifting, there are several fun and interesting bicycle categories — like multi-rider bikes (tandems, (what do you call a bicycle for 3?), Quads, Quints, …) recumbents and tricycles. Need a solution to a shifting challenge?
Cyclocross Season
The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing color and falling, a certain crispness hangs in the morning air . . .
. . . And, the weekends rock with the clang of cow bell! It’s ‘CROSS Season!
When the Force 22 is with You
Each new crank brings the cool opportunity to make it shift better, shift faster and improve the look. If SRAM’s new Force 22 is with you, WickWerks has the weaponry to feel the Force like never before. It may not make you the new Jedi of ‘cross, but
New Product – XR 46/38t 130mm BCD
New Product Announcement:
Cyclocross chainrings for the 130mm BCD version of the SRAM Red 2012+ Exogram Crankset are now available in the popular 46/38T configuration.
9, 10, and 11 Speed Chainrings
11 Speed Chainrings:
Months of testing with 11 speed drivetrain components from SRAM, Campy, Shimano, etc. in Road, Mountain and ‘Cross environments, have yielded lots of gear changes, warn and broken parts, grease stains . . . and smiles.
New US Patent 8,506,436 Granted
On August 13, 2013, US Patent 8,506,436 was granted with assigned intellectual property rights to WickWerks LLC. This is another in the line of bicycle chainring and derailleur patents and intellectual property rights to be awarded for the innovative efforts at WickWerks.
MTBR.com Mountain 38/24 Review
Gregg Kato of MTBR.com did a 2 page review of the WickWerks 38/24T Mountain Bike 2×10 chainrings titled “WickWerks Performance Chainrings”. Gregg discusses the product, installation, look, feel and performance on several levels.
A Triathlete’s View of WickWërks Rings
A product review from the perspective of a Triathlete — one who likes the feel of fine equipment, relishes aesthetic appeal, but is also price conscience and wants great function. Christopher Morelock writes about his experience with WickWerks chainrings in his blog post on “The Triathlete’s Wit”.
Black Forest Fire Bicycle Destruction
Such a sad day!
In the wake of the Black Forest fire (June, 2013) just outside of Colorado Springs, the following pictures were taken of the remains of some bikes pulled from what used to be the garage of a bicycle (and tricycle) enthusiast.
WickWerks Shifting Examination
Worlds Fastest Shifting Chainrings!
That’s a bold claim! With some cool technology and a lot of racing experience to back it up. Have a look at the business side (shifting side) of the chainrings in the pictures on this page, and note the special ramps. Those are not little bumps . . . Not single-point-of-contact pins . . . Instead, WickWerks ramps are dramatic, full-size, chain grabbers.
The WickWerks concept has two parts: First, many ramps allow a shift to initiate almost instantly. Second, lifting of the chain is at multiple contact points – load points – so shifting is quick and stable – even in extreme conditions.
Comments by Harry Seaward
Submitted by Harry Seaward via Facebook
April 28, 2013 via mobile
Few things are as hard on components and prone to shifting issues as tandems. We’ve been running your 3×9 chainrings, for several months now, and our drivetrain has never worked better. Thanks for a great product.