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Nickel plated WTC chainrings are a perfect match for Cane Creek eeWings cranks, XTR

Written by Zach Overholt
10 Comments
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What’s the ultimate set of cranks without the ultimate chainring? To answer that question, Wolf Tooth Components has teamed up with Cane Creek to create the perfect pairing for their eeWings titanium cranks. Starting with their updated SH12 Drop-Stop tooth profile, Wolf Tooth Components has added a nickel plating that is designed to look stunning when paired with a set of eeWings.

Nickel plated WTC chainrings are a perfect match for Cane Creek eeWings cranks, XTR

Offered in both round and their PowerTrac Elliptical profiles, the chainrings use the 3-bolt SRAM Direct Mount standard to be compatible with the eeWings. In order to be compatible with the new Shimano XTR, XT, and SLX 12 speed Hyperglide+ drivetrains, WTC developed a new tooth pattern optimized for their use.

Nickel plated WTC chainrings are a perfect match for Cane Creek eeWings cranks, XTR

The chainrings are still made in the USA out of 7075-T6 aluminum, but they undergo a nickel plating process to give them their unique look. Both models come only in Boost offsets with the PowerTrac ring available in 32t, and the round in 32 & 34t. Each model sells for $79.95 and claimed weights range from 70-75g. Available now.

wolftoothcomponents.com

 

 
Zach Overholt
5,722 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Gillis
Gillis
5 years ago

I had some REAL nickel-plated chainrings back in the 00’s. They were awesome.

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joby
joby
5 years ago
Reply to  Gillis

We found that the nickel plating added substantial wear resistance over anodized 7075 alloy. The integrated shift ramps were a great alternative to the Shimano HG pinned chainrings at a fraction of the cost.

We were even playing with a machined and plated alloy cogset that would have been race oriented, but it was far too expensive to get to market with the limited life.

It was a fun company to work with in the late ’90’s. There was some really innovative stuff that never made it into production.

Joby
Former GM
Real Design

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Tim
Tim
5 years ago
Reply to  joby

Wow! Amazing that you posted! Can you tell us any of the other ideas that were in the pipeline? When did Real finally close its doors? I remember especially the brake levers (some of the first aftermarket ones for V-Brakes) and rear hubs.

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Devin Zoller
Devin Zoller
5 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Yes, please! I had some REAL nickel plated rings that wouldn’t die, I swapped them between so many bikes.

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joby
joby
5 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Tim – I could tell a tale about how things went down in ’97, and was sold to American Bicycle Group in ’98 or ’99. There were two guys (for sake of privacy, won’t name them here…) that were the driving force of what made the brand unique and great. The Creative Director and Lead Engineer were two of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around. The CD has artistic talent in so many fields (fine art painting, photography, jewelry design, and of course, component design) and the LE should have been working at NASA instead of the bike industry.

We had a second generation brake lever in the works that was off the charts better in every way. Modular, light, powerful and would work with cantis, v-brakes or cable actuated discs. That was my pet project that I was trying to get off the ground in ’96-97; to me, the future of brakes were discs and the president of the company and I constantly clashed about it. It stepped on his pet project of cantilever brake pad forgings that he ‘designed’. Against his wishes or knowledge, I took a few sets and had our LE redraw for v-brake compatibility and took to the machine shop to have them made…in secret. When I brought them out at Interbike ’96, he was PISSED. That is until we took orders of something like 60:1 over the canti version. Needless to say, this didn’t help our relationship.

We also had some hubs, a front derailleur (that was magnificent, but a total pain to make) and the aforementioned machined cassette. It was 7075 alloy and nickel plated. But this was in the day of the 28t large cog and they just didn’t wear as long as we wanted. But the tech you see now on the largest cogs from Shimano is very much in line with what we did then…

We also had a Ti BB that was really light and had an adjustable chainline. I also remember working with a guy that designed early prototype tubeless style rims in ’98. I think we tried to solve the rim strip issue by cutting a 24″ tube radially, having the tire seat on it and trimming the excess.

Thanks for bringing me down memory lane!

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Tim
Tim
5 years ago
Reply to  joby

Wow! Thanks for the response! Very interesting to hear this stuff. That was the heyday of mountain biking, when it finally took off as a sport, and I remember the components of those times fondly.
I am into these retro bikes and parts, and am planning on making a site about some of them. Is there a way to find you on social media (LinkedIn)? It would be cool to see some of what was in the pipeline, especially stuff connected with brakes.

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Mark Hudson
Mark Hudson
5 years ago
Reply to  joby

Hi Joby, I remember Real very well having sold the brake levers and Bottom Brackets in the UK. Can I ask, do you know if the name is available for sale, reason I ask is because I want to launch a component brand and would like to possibly resurrect a name from the past.
Would love to chat about it if thats ok with you, my email is…..
info@gonebikingmad.co.uk

Cheers

Mark

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joby
joby
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark Hudson

Mark – I will reach out shortly.

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RideCX (@ridecx)
RideCX (@ridecx)
5 years ago

Wow, those look incredible matched to that crank.

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Jim E
Jim E
5 years ago

Still running Real road 39/53 chainrings on my original Sweet Wings 175mm road cranks. Shifting is so good.

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