The price of a chainring in Tucson (or why I am no longer a weight-weenie)

Do you know the price of bicycle chainrings nowadays?

I needed a replacement chainring. The teeth on my big Specialites TA chainring were worn down and the chain was falling off when I was using the larger cogs on the back much more easily than before. I figured it was overdue for replacement.

Plus, I'd already lost some skin and blood on a couple of occasions when the chain slipped when I stood up to attack a few sharp rises on the road.

So today, I went into the LBS (Local Bike Shop) here at the university. A really cool place btw. They seem to stock all kinds of goodies that your LBS might not have.

I asked for a 50T in 110mm bcd (compact).

Guy reaches into the glass case and bring out a very high-tech carbon fiber/titanium chainring in the size I was asking for. $250.

Then the guy said he may have a Stronglight in the back. I followed him there.

They had a Fiber Lyte 50T (wholly made of carbon fiber) for $150. As a weight-weenie, I admired that for a little while. Ai ya ya, it was so light.

And a Specialites TA Zephyr (aluminum) for $70 - pictured above - and a Specialites TA Syrius (aluminum) for $100.

I asked what the difference between the two Specialites TAs were. He said probably some weight, and offered to weigh them for me.

I declined and said I'd take the Zephyr. I think I passed an important test.

I can certify that I am a recovered weight-weenie. Back in another life, say New Jersey circa. 4 years ago, I would have bought the Fiber Lyte carbon chainring. (I'm not saying I wasn't tempted here.) And probably weighed the whole damn lot to find the lightest.

Now, I truly don't care to know.