Oval chain rings
Discussion
I made some tentative enquiries about a year ago, asking how they were any different to the old Biopace rings, but all I got across several replies were how the new ones were "very different", rather than any details.
As they didn't seem able or willing to explain how their product is any improvement, I filed it as a trendy gadget and didn't buy any.
As they didn't seem able or willing to explain how their product is any improvement, I filed it as a trendy gadget and didn't buy any.
Same boat so interested to hear. I think they look cool and always wanted to build something up with them on, regards of the oval benefits.
Never actually built from scratch so the lack of obvious benefits has prevented me bothering.
The graphene lube at outrageous prices did make me wonder if they are a pure snake oil shop...
This explains the difference between Biopace and Absoluteblack -
http://absoluteblack.cc/home/menu-1/news
http://absoluteblack.cc/home/menu-1/news
As someone with dodgy knees (medial compartment replacements in both and a degree of patella degeneration) I find they're kinder on the joints - give a subtly smoother rotation. I use them on both Ultegra and Sram Red road bikes. Downsides are they're not cheap, wear rate seems high, and shifting to the big ring sometimes compromised - set up is important. That said, ProBikeKit sometimes offer good discounts over the list price.
You could also look at Rotor Q-rings. I think they offer more adjustability but presumably need more trial and error to get right.
You could also look at Rotor Q-rings. I think they offer more adjustability but presumably need more trial and error to get right.
Forgot to mention - with most 2-ring set ups you can install an AB oval inner and keep your standard outer; indeed there was a time when AB suggested this to start with. I did as at trial and the difference in feel switching between inner and outer was noticeable.
(Not available with their special 46/30 Shimano set up as the inner hangs off the outer as clearance to the spindle is so tight so you have to use them as a pair.)
(Not available with their special 46/30 Shimano set up as the inner hangs off the outer as clearance to the spindle is so tight so you have to use them as a pair.)
gazza285 said:
Bulls
t baffles brains.
Just to understand, are you suggesting that anyone who uses oval rings and finds their use preferable is stupid, or are you suggesting that what’s written by the manufacturers is all bullst baffles brains.t, insinuating anyone that uses them must be stupid to believe the bullst by association? Johno said:
gazza285 said:
Bullst baffles brains.
Just to understand, are you suggesting that anyone who uses oval rings and finds their use preferable is stupid, or are you suggesting that what’s written by the manufacturers is all bullst baffles brains.t, insinuating anyone that uses them must be stupid to believe the bullst by association? If people prefer the feel, then they can use them, fine by me. I think a lot depends on the individual rider's natural cadence, faster cadence might prefer the high ratio point at peak power, but some slower cadence riders have been found to prefer the Biopace type rings, with the high ratio point at the lowest power of the pedal stroke.
I don't believe the claims of performance benefits though, oval chainrings have been about for over 130 years now, if there was a proven benefit, then everyone in the pro peleton would be using them.
They do not offer any power gains, a nice anecdote is how Sky switched over to them as they were seeing nice power gains, then they realised they had to recalibrate their power meters because you can't use a standard power meter calibration on an oval chainring, so they did and the power was the same as before. And most of them switched back, not all though because some preferred the feel of it.
This does not mean they are bad, they might make your pedal stroke smoother, work better for your muscles, be more comfortable etc, however, they do not increase your power in any mechanical way. i.e. if pedal strokes are optimised for each chainring type and all other things being equal, the power is the same, regardless if its round or oval.
This does not mean they are bad, they might make your pedal stroke smoother, work better for your muscles, be more comfortable etc, however, they do not increase your power in any mechanical way. i.e. if pedal strokes are optimised for each chainring type and all other things being equal, the power is the same, regardless if its round or oval.
Edited by Juffled on Saturday 9th January 14:14
gazza285 said:
Johno said:
gazza285 said:
Bullst baffles brains.
Just to understand, are you suggesting that anyone who uses oval rings and finds their use preferable is stupid, or are you suggesting that what’s written by the manufacturers is all bullst baffles brains.t, insinuating anyone that uses them must be stupid to believe the bullst by association? If people prefer the feel, then they can use them, fine by me. I think a lot depends on the individual rider's natural cadence, faster cadence might prefer the high ratio point at peak power, but some slower cadence riders have been found to prefer the Biopace type rings, with the high ratio point at the lowest power of the pedal stroke.
I don't believe the claims of performance benefits though, oval chainrings have been about for over 130 years now, if there was a proven benefit, then everyone in the pro peleton would be using them.
I don’t believe any of the claims of power either, however last time I read any of the blurb was a Long time ago. Do they claim ore power or is that something from years ago?
I’m 60k+ kms on rotor Q rings, MTB and road. Have tried back to back and tried round before and during and simply have natural cadence/pedaling style that prefers the feel of oval rings.
The only way I can summarise it for those who ask is that how someone imagines they feel to ride is how round rings do actually feel for me.
Each to their own.
Johno said:
Do they claim more power or is that something from years ago?
A direct quote from one supplier's website."Up to 9% increase of pedaling effectiveness, up to 7% less oxygen consumption, up to 15% less Ventilation (breathing) and up to 10% heart rate decrease when using oval chainrings versus round. What does that mean? In short, it means that you will consume less energy at the same power output using Oval chainrings so you can ride for longer and/or faster."
Lots of up to, sounds like a DFS sale.
gazza285 said:
Johno said:
Do they claim more power or is that something from years ago?
A direct quote from one supplier's website."Up to 9% increase of pedaling effectiveness, up to 7% less oxygen consumption, up to 15% less Ventilation (breathing) and up to 10% heart rate decrease when using oval chainrings versus round. What does that mean? In short, it means that you will consume less energy at the same power output using Oval chainrings so you can ride for longer and/or faster."
Lots of up to, sounds like a DFS sale.
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