Is This the End of SRAM vs. Shimano Chainring Confusion?
A first impression of the new Cane Creek chainrings. Their goal? A universal tooth profile that works with SRAM and Shimano. A simple fix for a big headache?
It’s always interesting when a company known for one thing steps into a new, adjacent category. Cane Creek, synonymous for many of us with their eeWings cranks and headsets, is now making chainrings. My first thought wasn't "another chainring," but "this makes perfect sense." They're clearly trying to solve the exact compatibility headaches that plague anyone building a bike right now, especially those of us using their 8-bolt cranks. The central promise here is a universal tooth profile. The idea that one ring can seamlessly mesh with SRAM Eagle and T-Type chains and Shimano’s Hyperglide+ and Linkglide chains is... ambitious. In a world of proprietary tech, this kind of simplification is exactly what I'm curious about.
I'm not one for spec sheets, but the few that matter here are telling. It's not just about the universal profile; it's about making it work for modern bikes. They're offering 0mm and 3mm offsets, which is key—that 3mm offset, for instance, pairs with their eeWings All Road cranks to hit that standard 47mm gravel chainline. It’s a practical, CNC-machined 7075 aluminum ring, but the real test will be in the mud: does "universal" mean "works perfectly" or just "works okay" with everything? I'm reserving judgment, but my curiosity is piqued.
Cane Creek Cycling Components
