**This is NOT a "to Oval or not to Oval" thread so please let's not let it get back to that age old debate** ***This is ALSO NOT a "what size oval compares to my round" thread so please let's avoid this also*** My question pertains more specifically to any experience with the different brands of Oval Chain Rings. I've done some research and it seems as though they differ quite significantly between suppliers, although its questionable as to whether the differentiation is noticeable, better or worse on the trails. Also interesting that reviewers have tested most, if not all, but there's no comparisons to be found anywhere. I normally ride a 34T Round and have not been unhappy with this. Most of my mates ride Oval although some tried and went back to Round. I had a loan crank whilst mine was being warrantied by the manufacturer and this had a 32T oval (CSIXX) chain ring. I rode it on two decent rides and could not feel any difference in the pedal stroke but I definitely felt less fatigued at the top of climbs that I've done enough times to know my standard. The smaller chainring is irrelevant as I was riding smaller sprocket to compensate and managing same / usual speed. Coming back to my Round, I'm pretty sure that the Oval definitely has some benefit for me. So I've decided that I'm going to try one out (34T) but I've been researching and found very different Ovality and Clocking : Ovality - the percentage above and below a normal round ring. So 10% ovality means that the oval diameter ranges from 95% to 105% of the equivalent Round Ring. This seems to range from 8% to 14%. The higher this is, the more non-round the chain ring. Clocking - "describes the angle between the crank arm and the largest diameter of the oval, measure anti-clockwise from the crank arm". This seems to range from 112.5 degrees to 115 degrees. This affects where on the pedal stroke the maximum / minimum will be. What I've found from different suppliers : Absolute Block (seems the most oval / aggressive) - Ovality between 10.2 & 14.4%, with timing of 110.5-116.3Wolf Tooth - Ovality 10% / clocking 112 degrees [one reviewers comment "Smoother feel than other oval rings we have tried"]Race Face - Ovality 10% / clocking 112.5 degreesCSIXX - Ovality 14% / clocking 115 degreesROTOR - Ovality 12.5% / no clocking infoOne Up - Ovality 12% / clocking 115 degrees [32T & Smaller]One Up - Ovality 10.5% / clocking 115 degrees [34T & 36T]HOPE - Ovality 12% / clocking 113 degrees [Added thanks Ossie NL]SRAM - Ovality 12% / no clocking info [Added] I'm personally thinking to stick with something less aggressive, like the Race Face but any thoughts from anyone who has more insight / experience with the different rings would be greatly appreciated. If you're going to comment, please substantiate your reasoning / thoughts. Please no "yo man you have to go with absolute black because they're a cool brand.!"
