SRAM Force chain ring failure

wanger114

wanger114

Active Member
I have two bikes with Sram Force gen 1 chain rings. A while back I noticed cracks developing in the outer plastic cover on both bikes, but the internets suggested this was cosmetic so I ignored it.

Recently, however, while trying to diagnose a constant clicking noise when pedaling, I realized that plastic cover is actually the receiving end for the four mounting bolts that hold the crank spider to the chain rings. All four mounting points had cracks, with one of them completely shattered. The metal reinforcement ring into which the bolt is threaded was broken in half.

This seems like horrendous engineering. I was startled to find that possibly the highest stress point of the bike is being held together by plastic. Maybe this is why they also changed Force to one piece direct mount?

Anyone else encounter this issue? Cracking in the plastic cover seems to be common but don't see much about a failure like this.

1000089080.jpg


1000089081.jpg


1000089083.jpg


1000089090.jpg
 
These often break. I am a sram fan, but this design is flawed.

You can snap off the plastic and go on without it with some minor engineering.

Or you can go 1x and simplify your road bike to match the ease of use of a 1x drivetrain found on a modern MTB.

I own zero front ders and I avoid any bike that has one.
 
jdog said:
These often break. I am a sram fan, but this design is flawed.

You can snap off the plastic and go on without it with some minor engineering.

Or you can go 1x and simplify your road bike to match the ease of use of a 1x drivetrain found on a modern MTB.

I own zero front ders and I avoid any bike that has one.
Click to expand...

I agree, their products are pretty solid so it's disappointing to see such a fragile design. I had two shimano cranks explode, which played a factor in wanting to try sram.

Funny, I was just thinking about how to go without the plastic cover. Guess I'd need to find an appropriate nut? Or extract the nut from the plastic part? Or spend $800 on a Red PM chain ring?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom