Dirt Treaders
http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/

Oval chainrings
http://dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16733		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Kimba [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Oval chainrings
Has anybody here tried these, and if so, what do you think? I have come across a few internet discussions about them, but don't think I know anyone who has actually used them.
Author:  ajdonner [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
Those are like soooo 1980s.


Sorry nothing useful to add here. Just instantly thought of leg warmers.
Author:  OldDogDan [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
^^^ haha! Yeah, my '85 MTB has Biopace! I have also done some reading on the new "oval" rings, which are apparently synced differently and more subtle. Most who try them seem to love them, but a few don't like them for climbing in low gears. I can't remember if you have 1x or 2x...if 2x try it first in the big ring. If 1x, try it anyway. Kinda pricy, but treat yourself.
Author:  Dustin [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 4:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
I've been using an absolute black ring for a month or so. The jury is still out, but it seems like I'm climbing the same stuff one cog lower in the back, and with more traction. Feels weird for the first ride, then seems normal.

The timing on these rings is pretty much the opposite of 80s biopace.
Author:  A_street [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 4:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
I use on and a lot of people I ride with use them. Everyone likes them. They do add traction and power. You will notice that the oval ring is harder if you buy an equal size ring to what you pedal now.
Author:  OldDogDan [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
A_street wrote:
...They do add traction and power. You will notice that the oval ring is harder if you buy an equal size ring to what you pedal now.


I don't understand...why is that? Shouldn't it feel easier?
Author:  Ray Dolor [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 7:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
I still remember how my girlfriend at the time of biopace got a bike spec'ed with them and how in less than 2 months she had developed chondromalacia in both knees.

So, if the timing of the ring is really opposite to biopace, it might be worth a try.

Also. a couple of velodrome racers tried the new version, and the rings were off their bikes, and the round ones back on, in under a month. Of course, they are riding fixie, but it's worth making note of.

If I had some cash burning a hole in my wallet, I still might be inclined to give them a go. One thing I have learned with cycling components is that virtually nothing is tried and met with universal exceptance. We and our bodies are highly individualized.
Author:  A_street [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 8:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
ODD - the only way I can explain it is that through the power portion of the stroke it's similar to pushing an extra two teeth and then the opposite side of the stroke is like two teeth less. I guess I should have said, at first it will be harder as it does take a bit more push through the stroke but there is the let off.

Maybe it is just me though. I just had a kid 5 months ago... I'm lucky if I get two rides a week And I have lost quite a bit of bike strength compared to how I used to be.
Author:  OldDogDan [ Sat Jan 23, 2016 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
^^^ Makes sense. Thanks.
Author:  bankerboy [ Sun Jan 24, 2016 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
The original oval and then subsequent Biopace rings (All Shimano groups had them for a while on both road and mountain bikes) went the way of the Do-do bird not because they were unpopular but rather there was not a lot of science behind it. It was more of an opinion that it worked better than round rings. The logic makes sense but I can't recall it ever being scientifically proven.

This thread is proof that my 26" wheels will be the next big thing in a few years because they will be a "proven" advantage over those big wheel.
Author:  Dustin [ Sun Jan 24, 2016 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
I don't know what the logic of biopace was. It essentially made pedaling easier during the power phase and harder during th dead spot. Seems counter intuititive and it is. New new elliptical chain rings make it harder when you have maximum power and easier in the dead spot to help bring your leg back around. That at least appeals to logic, but whether anyone likes it is hard to say until they have tried it.
Author:  evdog [ Sun Jan 24, 2016 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
bankerboy wrote:
This thread is proof that my 26" wheels will be the next big thing in a few years because they will be a "proven" advantage over those big wheel.

My 26" wheels still work great!

Haven't tried the oval chainring yet, but a few riders I know have been liking them. I will probably try one whenever it comes time to replace my drive train.
Author:  random walk [ Sun Jan 24, 2016 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
HUGE thread here:

http://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/oval ... 32469.html

Long read obv, and SS-focused, but sample size matters :thumbsup:
Author:  325racer [ Mon Jan 25, 2016 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
I've been thinking about an oval on Woodie, but just haven't done it yet. Have looked at all the info, so here's what I know.
As Dustin said above, Biopace was timed different from the current generation of ovals. New rings are synced with the high section somewhere between 1 and 3 o'clock (I think). This makes it like pushing a bigger gear in the power section, then on the bottom and back side of the stroke it's like spinning a smaller ring, which lets you spin back to the power stroke easier.

When you start searching there a bunch of options, but they are not all created equal. There are subtle differences in clocking angle and amount of ovality (how big a difference between easy and hard). I haven't checked all the options recently, but Absolute Black seemed to be the front runner, claiming the best clocking position and the largest ovality. Wolf Tooth, was the runner up, with clocking a little different and not as large ovality.

Some comments I saw say the less aggressive options are so close to round they are hardly noticeable, thus people question if it's really worth it. So if you're going to do it, go for broke, with the most aggressive option, for the most difference from round.
Author:  Dirt Pedaller [ Mon Jan 25, 2016 10:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Oval chainrings
I bought the Absolute Black oval recently. I usually spin a 28t chain wheel, so I bought the 28t oval. I read that is should spin like a 30 in the power zone and a 26 in the dead zone. I rode it up a couple of hills in PQ that usually challenge me (Boy Scouts and Beam Me Up). I struggled with making the steeps in the same ring I usually ride them in. I have since put my round back on and I am cleaning them in the same ring I used to. The leverage in the "power zone" on the oval 28t definitely feels like it requires more energy than in the power zone on my round 28t. I feel like I am more comfortable spinning rather than muscling my way up steeps, so maybe that's why? I am not planning to ride the oval for the moment. It's available to try if anyone is interested. It's a SRAM GXP Direct Mount 28t. PM me.
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/