Chain Compatibility by Chainring Tooth Profile
Wolf Tooth is committed to provide the most precision components possible and has three different tooth profiles for optimal performance based on your chain type.
DROP-STOP A
- Wolf Tooth Drop-Stop A is the original patented wide/narrow chainring compatible with multiple drivetrain brands including 9, 10, 11, and 12spd SRAM Eagle, KMC, Wippermann, etc.
- NOT compatible with 12spd SRAM Transmission (T-Type) Flattop, 12spd Shimano HG+, or 12spd Campy
DROP-STOP B
- Compatible 9, 10, 11, and 12spd SRAM Eagle, 12spd SRAM Transmission (T-type) Flattop, 12spd Campy, 12spd KMC
- Not compatible with 12spd Shimano HG+ chains
DROP-STOP ST
- Compatible with 12spd Shimano Hyperglide+ chain and 12spd KMC chain only
- Symmetric Trapezoidal (ST) tooth shape is optimized for Shimano HG+ chain
SUMMARY
Quick-Links & HG+ Chain
- 12spd Shimano Hyperglide+ Quick-Links have an inside width narrower than the rest of the chain so there will be interference if you use any chainring not specifically designed for HG+ chains.
- The extended inner link plates of the HG+ chain will also quickly wear into the wide teeth of a non-HG+ chainring so the hack of using a KMC quick-link on Shimano chain is not a recommended solution
- The HG+ chain requires a chainring specifically designed to be compatible with its unique shape
How do Wide/Narrow chainrings improve chain retention?
On a wide/narrow chainring the wide teeth guide the wide chain links and prevent excessive lateral motion of the chain. Thus the chain has a guiding force on both the narrow and wide links compared to a standard chainring where only the teeth contacting the narrow links aid in alignment
What causes a chain to fall off when riding with a traditional chainring?
In most cases, chains fall off when they bounce up and down and simultaneously move laterally out of plane. The narrow-only teeth of a conventional chainring allow this lateral movement when they interface the wide links on the chain. When the unguided chain lands outside of the chainring tooth it will fall off as you pedal.
