110 vs 104 BCD Chainring

[slim]

I'm looking at the Nomad 2 price list and note the option to go with either 110 BCD or 104 BCD chainrings. As a total noob I have no idea what the pros and cons (if any) are.

Any and all polite enlightenment greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[JimK]

Here's a nice starting point, in case you haven't found it:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html

looks like the 110 is a five arm crank and the 104 is four arms. I'm right next to you in the noob row - I haven't a clue what difference it makes.

FWIW, I have the 110mm five arm on my Nomad MkII.

Jim

[julk]

slim,
I have used both, a 104 on a previous Thorn bike and now a 110 on the current Thorn bike.

I can not tell the difference riding so I would advise going for the one you like the look of or simply the cheaper one.
Julian.

[JimK]

Another thing you might want to investigate... I think you'll be changing chainrings more often than the entire crankset. So you'll be buying new chainrings to fit whichever crankset you decide on. All other things being equal, the crankset would be preferable for which chainrings are more available, better quality, less expensive, etc.

Jim

[brummie]

I'd suggest/ guess that you'll probably find more choice in ring sizes for 110BCD than 104BCD - The latter most common in mtb / hybrid (32t/36t/42t/44t/48t ) sizes... 110BCD will give choice with bigger chainring sizes ( 48t- upwards )
 Luckily Thorn provide a few more options with their own rings...