To Ramp or not to Ramp

[Morryjg]

That is the next question. :blah: So, I asked everyone about bolt patterns. Now the next question in my quest to get my old roady up and running. The original chainrings did not have shift ramps on them. Should I go for shift ramps or just go rampless. I don't ever remember having problems shifting, and it's only a dually. What do you think?

Thanks!

[splat]

what ever is cheaper.

[recidivist]

What sort of shifters you running? Generally speaking, the newer the system (8->9->10 speed, STI/Ergo, etc) the more dependent it will be on some sort of ramping/pinning to shift well.

For example, downtube or bar-con shifters will work dandy with plain rings because you can overshift a little to get the chain in place.

Oh, though keep in mind you really only need ramping/pinning on the big ring.

In your case, prolly doesn't matter. Or you could run what you've got till you wear it out/get sick of it/ determine it's not working, then drop the $$$ for a nice ramped ring.

[Morryjg]

What sort of shifters you running? Generally speaking, the newer the system (8->9->10 speed, STI/Ergo, etc) the more dependent it will be on some sort of ramping/pinning to shift well.

For example, downtube or bar-con shifters will work dandy with plain rings because you can overshift a little to get the chain in place.

Oh, though keep in mind you really only need ramping/pinning on the big ring.

In your case, prolly doesn't matter. Or you could run what you've got till you wear it out/get sick of it/ determine it's not working, then drop the $$$ for a nice ramped ring.

Running what I have is not an option. It's from the "bio-pace is cool" era and I can't stand bio-pace. So, I have to get new rings. From the what you and Splat said, it sounds like I'll probably go without ramps or pins. The group I have on the bike is Shimano 600, they didn't come out with Ultegra for another year or so after my bike. The rear shifter is actually indexed, but they are still downtube shifters. Cool stuff! I can't wait to get back on it.

[recidivist]

Gotcha. Yeah, sounds like a good opportunity for some cheap Salsa/Sugino rings. At least for a start.

For what its worth, indexing is actually done in the shifter. OK, not worth that much. If you've got DT shifters, then you should have lots of control over the front der and you'll be shifting just fine.

[Serial Midget]

Index shifters should be ramped, friction shifters do not need it. My old Univega Superpoo is neither indexed or ramped.

[Morryjg]

The front isn't indexed. So, I'm good with non-ramped.

Thanks for all the info.