In this article I will review the Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring for Shimano GRX 820 Hollowtech II cranks on the Canyon CF SL 8 gravel bike. It is a 46T Aero chainring, and one of the very few Aero chain rings available for gravel bikes. The only other brand with an Aero chainring for gravel is Alugear.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Design Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring for the Shimano GRX 820 cranks
On the Wolf Tooth Aero Chain Ring product page you can read:
Designed for racing, and for those looking to optimize each detail in pursuit of speed, Wolf Tooth Aero Chainrings are strong, lightweight, and profiled to mate perfectly with your crankset for a clean, integrated look. Taking advantage of 1x drivetrain systems and wider-range rear cassettes, Aero Chainrings are available in sizes 46T to 52T to provide similar overall range to standard 2x drivetrain configurations. They feature our patented Drop-Stop® design for the best wear life, chain retention, and mud clearance. Drop-Stop ST is specifically for the Shimano 12-speed Hyperglide+ chain, which is used by GRX 12-speed.
Available in 46 tooth, 48 tooth, 50 tooth and 52 tooth versions, which clearly shows the racing mindset of these Aero chainrings. The Canyon Grizl CF SL8 1-by comes with a 40 tooth Shimano chainring, so 46 tooth with significantly bigger and is closer to my road bike Shimano Dura Ace 9000 chainrings in 50 – 38 tooth.
Where the Rotor Aero noQ Chainring for Shimano Dura Ace 9000 still has still some open space around the crank set bolts, this is absolutely different for the Wolf Tooth Aero GRX Chainrings. The crank arm spider falls perfectly into a cut-out of the Wolf Tooth chain ring (basically you are not able to install it incorrectly).
The backside of the chainring (inside when pedaling) you can see some clever product optimization. Where the chainring meets the chainring bolts, you see a strong “rib” of material, while in between aluminum is removed to save as much weight as possible.
The circular (drilling) profile in the surface of the Aero Chainring is cool and gives a high quality finish. The graphics on the chainring are minimal, but give it a very nice finish. However I would have preferred the clean surface of the Rotor Aero NoQ Chainring, but that is a matter of personal taste and preference.
Compatibility only with Shimano GRX 810 and GRX 820
Wolf Tooth Aero Chainrings are compatible with Shimano GRX 800 series cranksets (FC-RX810-1, FC-RX810-2, FC-RX820-1, FC-RX820-2). The chainrings are NOT compatible with Shimano GRX 600 series cranksets (FC-RX600-1, FC-RX600-10, RX600-10, FC-RX610-1, FC-RX610-2). Important to know if you are running an older Shimano GRX group set.
The Aero Chainring features the Drop-Stop ST design, which is patented and specifically developed for Shimano 12-speed Hyperglide+ chains. “The Drop-Stop wide-narrow tooth profile provides the ultimate chain retention and mud-shedding ability.” Let’s see how this will be experienced out there on the single tracks.
Please note the Prototipo Works Ultra Low Bidon Cage Bolts in this picture above. Also chain-line and the Wolf Tooth LoneWolf Aero Chainguide that makes sure the chain cannot drop off on the bottom bracket shell of the Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 frameset.
Installation Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring on Shimano GRX RX-820 Hollowtech II cranks
In order to install the Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring you need to remove the Shimano GRX 820 Hollowtech II crankset. There is a good work instruction from Park Tool for this: Crank Removal and Installation: Two-Piece Compression Slotted.
- Place the Shimano GRX RX-820 Hollowtech II Crankset on a piece of cloths or and old towel;
- Loosen the 4 chainring bolts with help of a Hazet 863P 1/4″ ratchet with a Torcx T27 socket (from the inside of the crank);
- Remove the stock Shimano GRX chainring
- I’ve put some Morgan Blue Aquaproof Paste on the chain ring bolts, to make sure that looseing will stay easy;
- Place the Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring on the Shimano GRX RX-820 Hollowtech II
- Hand-tighten the chainring bolts with the Torcx T27 socket and torque these to specification;
Install the Shimano GRX RX-820 Hollowtech II crankset again (through the C-Bear PF41-AC Bottom Bracket) and enjoy the new Aero Chainring from Wolf Tooth.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price-point of the Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring for the Shimano GRX RX-820 Hollowtech II cranks is € 115,00 (for 46T version). It is not cheap and not super expensive for a front chainring, but it is a high quality chainring with a very cool look (even compared to the Rotor Aero noQ Chainring for Shimano Dura Ace 9000).
The Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring 46T is in perfect harmony with the Wolf Tooth LoneWolf Aero Chainguide. So going up from 40T stock Shimano GRX chainring to a 46T Aero Chainring is without any issues. But also on the bigger chain ring and despite the Drop-Stop ST design I would advice to keep a chain guide.
So far I’m pleased with how Wolf Tooth Aero Chainring shifts, its stiffness when I stand on the pedals and it simply looks are very cool on your bike. I honestly hope that at some point these Aero chainrings will also become available for the 40T range of chainrings.
- Would you go for an Aero Chainring on your gravel bike ?
- What would be the price point that you are willing to invest on a high quality chainring ?
- Do you use any other Wolf Tooth Components ?
Check out the other Wolf Tooth product reviews on this website. Any other interesting product reviews van be found in the categories below:
