[Free Coffee]

What's the benefit of an aluminum sprocket? I get that it reduces weight- but shedding a lb. or two doesn't seem like a very big deal on a 500 lb. bike.

[steves]

It reduces rotating mass on the wheel. Less work to turn the wheel.

[Free Coffee]

Ahh...was just reading about that with the Power Pures. I guess they're 2 lbs lighter than the rest of the lineup.

[steves]

Right, so less work used to turn the wheel means more speed

[GSXFJim]

my 46t steel sprocket weighs 3lb 1oz compared to an aluminum that weighs in at 1lb 1oz

[BRAUNSTEIN82]

I got an idea , everyone buy a aluminum sprocket kit from me and then post up how it worked for them.LOL

[hardlydangerous]

The other thing thing with the aluminum sprockets besides weight savings, is less chain wear. Steel on steel will wear out a chain much faster then steel on aluminum.

Even though I dont run an aluminum sprocket or a 520 I still lube my chain every couple rides and clean it often. I use chain waxes such as Amsoil HDMP or maxima chain wax.

FWIW I have used both steel and aluminum sprockets on my dirtbike and find the steel last 3X longer and cost less. Im all about saving money when I can.

[BRAUNSTEIN82]

Normally aluminum is cheaper, easier to manufacter. Not to mention when you use steel it needs to be coated or stainless. Never seen a steel sprocket cheaper than aluminum.

[Tmod]

Normally aluminum is cheaper, easier to manufacter. Not to mention when you use steel it needs to be coated or stainless. Never seen a steel sprocket cheaper than aluminum.

You ever price JT Steel Sprockets? Bought both 15/47 for under $50.00

Also Aluminum needs to be hard anodized which is a coating so it has some durability.

Tmod

[scottynoface]

You ever price JT Steel Sprockets? Bought both 15/47 for under $50.00

Tmod

Seriously, no matter where I look steel is cheaper than aluminum...

[HemiKat]

Normally aluminum is cheaper, easier to manufacter. Not to mention when you use steel it needs to be coated or stainless. Never seen a steel sprocket cheaper than aluminum.

I always thought that was opposite, aluminum is soooo much more expensive to manufacture than steel.

[steves]

Steel is stamped. Aluminum must be CNC'd.

[Tmod]

Steel is stamped. Aluminum must be CNC'd.

Not necessarily so, Here is a quote from JT sprockets.

JT manufactures sprockets the right way, by hobbing, machining and drilling. This is the only proven way to achieve the closest of tolerances and the best teeth profiles. Heat treated and hand finished to perfection

I am not posting that as a advertisement but rather to show that not all steel sprockets are stamped.

What is hobbing

Tmod

[steves]

[GSXFJim]

Cheaper sprockets are stamped, interesting that the Wiki article mentions that Hobbing is inexpensive.. when I have a sprocket hobbed it cost me slightly more, I have compared the Hobbed teeth and the CNC'd teeth.. and i cant tell the difference between the two tooth profiles, the only difference that I notice is the surface of the tooth that the Hobbing creates, where the roller touches it, isn't as smooth as the CNC'd tooth face. To me that could translate to added wear, not that it does.. it's just an observation I have made.. I prefer a CNC'd unit.