OK, a few people have been coming into the shop asking about the Gold Medal track cog by Euro Asia Imports (EAI). I just got off the phone with Steve at EAI, and got the skinny on this world-class cog that is made in Southern California and has been out on the market for about a year. Dave at EAI organized the effort to get these cogs to market. (A bit about the history of EAI after the jump.)
The EAI Gold Medal cog goes one step further than the EAI Super Star cog. This is why national track teams from all over the world are buying the Gold Medal cog from EAI, and you may even see the best track racers in the world riding this cog in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China . The cog is polished; the teeth are refined (by machine), and some hand finishing is done to ensure all is perfect. Then, the Gold Medal cog is coated with titanium nitride (TiN). This TiN coating, which gives the cog its lovely gold color, is used in Formula 1 race car transmissions. The TiN coating is so tough, it doubles the life of the cog and markedly reduces chain friction. (Yes, doubles the life of the cog.) The well-engineered tooth-shape of the cog is designed to be run with a high-quality 1/8th-inch track chain.
The Gold Medal cogs come in 1/8th inch only, with teeth from 13T to 18T. The cog comes in a black pouch, and the msrp is approx $120. EAI offers a quality black steel EAI cog (msrp approx $36) and the excellent silver steel Super Star cog. The Super Star comes in an orange pouch, and it is a cog on which track riders have won international kieran races. It is polished and has a refined tooth shape. The refined shape of the teeth help to make the chain roll with less resistance. (msrp approx. $60 )
I have the Deluxe and Super Star EAI cogs in the shop, in 1/8th-inch and 3/32nd-inch sizes. Christmas week, I will have some Gold Medal cogs. So if Granny gives you a holiday card with Frosty the Snowman on it and a big-headed Ben Franklin inside, it may be because she really wants you to have this special cog. Make sure to give her a big hug, and be a good grandchild and let her ride your fixed gear whenever she wants.
The EAI Gold Medal, and the EAI Super Star photos taken by Wheelgirl. The EAI Deluxe steel cog photo lifted from the EAI site.
A bit of history , EAI was founded by the late Bob Hansing in Southern California in 1973. Bob rode as a track racer for the Navy during World War II, so EAI had maintained a focus on high-quality track bike componentry. The family company is now run by his daughter Dede.
