Steel v.s Alloy sprockets

[Pancakes]

I want to go a tooth up on the rear as my final drive is due to be done soon. There is only one guy in NZ (from what the guy at Cycletreads told me) selling std Hyosung rears, apparently a std Suzuki one fits the front.

As I'd be getting a custom one made either way what would you people with experiance reccomend?

Steel = Heavier and cheaper but needs to be case harded also so more labout cost.

Ally = Lighter and doesn't need hardening? does it last as long?

Some or the sites I've looked on that do ally ones don't reccomend them for road bikes. Is that alloy in general or maybe just the ones they stock.

I would like to have a lighter one if it's worth it. Your thoughts on this please?

[James Deuce]

Titanium ones are best.

http://sidewindersprockets.com/

[imdying]

Titanium ones are best.

http://sidewindersprockets.com/

You want me to spend what on a sprocket??!


My credit card now hates you

[Pancakes]

That would last longer than my whole bike!!

And I don't have enough power for strenght to be a major issue, also, I dread to think what getting my bolt pattern milled into Ti would cost.

[James Deuce]

The worst abused sprockets ever seen are always on 250s. It's in the rules.

[98tls]

Ali center steel teeth,has just seen off a chain and is still as new.

[Pancakes]

Oh yeah matey, where do ya get those ones from? How does the price stack up with the others?

[Crisis management]

Sprockets wear out from rubbing against the chain. The chain is made of hardened steel. Hardened steel is harder than any type of aluminium.

Which bit do you want to wear out first?

Buy the most suitable sprocket.

(my answer is always steel sprockets unless it's for racing, in which case component life is not the deciding factor.)

[Pancakes]

Thats why I didn't even look to aluminium but the older guy at Cycletreads said it should be fine. It is sooo soft tho, oh I don't know.

[Max Preload]

Hardened steel is harder than any type of aluminium.

Not always the case - depends on the grade. Aluminium alloy sprockets are case hardened just like steel ones - just the process is a little different. In any case, a sprocket is cheaper than a chain, but roller chains usually only wear on the pins and bushes, not the rollers or link plates (much higher stresses due to smaller contact areas).

As for pro's & cons:
Aluminium alloy: lower unsprung weight, pretty colours
Steel: Cheaper, more readily available