Oval chainrings opinions - MTB

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Hi Guys,

 

Short and sweet, who has used them and give some feedback please.

MTB specific please, would prefer not to hear about somebody riding a Biopace ring in 1990.

 

Thanks

[scuzzy]

Hi Steven

 

I have 2x10 with Rotors up front.  I must admit, I get this question alot when guys see it is on the bike, I bought the bike like that, my answer is always that I cannot really say.  I actually need to get back on a bike with normal chain rings to see if there is a difference.

 

But, the short answer from me is  that when I started cycling with it, it wasn't like: Wow, this is seriously cool.

 

I also do not know if I will buy it again when I need to change it.

[DarrenSmith]

I have been using rotor rings for around a year. I can say that they do work. have also heard people say they hate them, and i was actuallly given my first set by someone that did not like them.

 

It is actually up to you wether they will work.

 

My short answer: I love mine, and yes I will buy them again.

Downside: Expensive to have on training bike, race bike, and MTB.

 

As long as you don't expect them to "magically increase your power", but they do have very valuable benifits. you will actually lose power innitially becouse your muscles are not used to the different pedalstroke. As you train them you will then gain efeciency, you will be able to develop more power around the top and bottom of the pedalstoke, as opposed to mostly up and down strokes.

 

I have been argued with many times, becouse people say that you should rather get a track bike, and learn to "pedal properly". They ae not  a substitute to forming a good pedalstroke (eg pedaling through a full cicle, like you would with only one leg.), but rather "in addition". Your legs will never be able to pedal in perfect cricles, you will always have a more even pedalstroke with oval rings vs circular, no matter how hard you train.

 

I hope this is of value to you.

 

Regards

Darren

[GoLefty!!]

Expensive gimmick is my opinion based on experience. Save for a slight drop in hr (which I attribute to new ringalitis) there was no benefit

[V12man]

I have just taken a set of rotors off my race bike - cant notice any difference to speak of, except slightly downgraded shifting performance.

 

You might like them - you might not.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Thanks guys, I run a 1x10 setup and find that grinding up the hills is my biggest weakness. The Oval rings is supposed to help in this regard.

Any feedback on whether this is the case?

[GoLefty!!]

Depends.... What do you believe they will do for you?

[NotSoBigBen]

I have them on one of my bikes, a bit like energy company claims to me i.e. probably has some effect but not the wow % claimed - at least IMHO keeping in mind I'm just a hacker.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Depends.... What do you believe they will do for you?

I would love to hear that it will flatten every hill and make it as easy as cruising on a level but I am hoping it will help the grinding be a little less painful.

I suffer from chronic cramp and the supposed decrease in lactic acid build up also interests me a lot.

Obviously TITS is the best solution and I am getting it done but any technical advantage would be great.

[urbanroyal]

I have them on my road bike...have noticed that little "resitance" at the dead spot location is gone ..that was more or less where I used to clip in ...pedaling action just smoother ...took to instantly. .luv mine..????