The new Kore Stronghold narrow/wide chainring uses a hooked tooth design that grabs and holds the chain around the ring when riding without slowing down release at the appropriate point. That means excellent chain retention, so you won’t need a clutch rear derailleur (but they’re still nice), and you definitely won’t need a chain guide.
Retail will be just $59 for the 32 and 34 tooth rings, and $63 for the 36 tooth. A 30-tooth will also be available but requires additional material around the bolt holes to give it room away from the spider, plus a little extra machining, so it costs a bit more at $72.
The teeth have a now-ubiquitous narrow/wide thickness profile. What really sets them apart, though, is the shaping on the teeth’s other walls:
Notice how each tooth has a slight, pointed lip to it, just before the angle bends toward the tip of the tooth. That helps hook the chain and keep it there, something evidenced by the chainring hanging from the chain in the first pic.
They’re also offering a new oversize cassette adapter cog. Called the Mega Range Sprocket, it’s available in 40 and 42 tooth options and include a longer B-screw. Retail on those is $75.
They’ll be available in SRAM and Shimano cassette specific designs that include the appropriate spacers and clocking. Both the ring and the sprocket will come in black, silver, red, purple, green, orange and blue.
