Cape Epic Gear Ratios

[Mada3400]

That is what is being implied. Any "reasonable" consumer like me and the OP will read ./ understand it like it is written.

Expert bicycle mechanics like you on the other hand......   

 

OK, I'm bowing out of this one. No need arguing over it, I have better things to do, like washing my hair.

 

getting warmer, but still not quite there yet, I've watched, on this website, people i know to be bicycle mechanics say the same thing you were saying, and they were misunderstanding the text just as much as you, but I'm glad the subject is cleared up a bit more for you.

 

 

 

wooow! amazing my new absolute black magic 34t chainring knocked 30 seconds off my time up rhodes mem dh 0.75! 

what it does is go like a 36t with the ease of a 32t, im considering going more ovular so i can get the pace of a 38t on the ease of a 30t!!

[Martin PJ]

So the 34T will feel like a 36T at the power point of the stroke....does that not make the climbing even more difficult....?

 

My oval chain ring was pretty cheap on Aliexpress.com, so I thought I'd try it.

 

It is surprisingly well made, however, it feels exactly the same on the climbs as the 34 round.

[KALBO Designs]

Read it. Not weeping. They are not saying the same thing...

 

No where does it say it feels like a 32 on the climbs and a 36 on the flats. It says it provides better traction for climbing. That's it.

 

Hi all, sincere apologies to anyone who may have misunderstood this text. Our site has been updated as follows which should hopefully clarify the perceived benefits of elliptical chain rings:

 

KALBO Elliptical Z-RINGS  are specifically designed to even out the power transfer from the pedal cranks to the rear wheel by increasing the effective chainring radius through the power sector of the pedal stroke and reducing the effective chainring radius through the weak sector of the stroke. The end result is a more efficient movement that provides better traction especially for technical climbing.  Although the total amount of energy to turn the crank through one revolution is the same for round and elliptical rings, the elliptical shape concentrates more of that work into the power stroke where your legs are stronger and more effective which can help reduce fatigue. 

[Carmichael]

Well for me doing 40km/h is not in my books for epic. In the prev years it was maybe 2% of the time, and you can still sit and hide in the group. It is really only in the first few km's in the morning there after you work on your own. 30 front 10 42 at the back. Did welvanpas 2 weeks ago, and this ratio is do -able there. I really wanna see where we are going to do more than 30km/h in tulbach?? only part to wellington is descending bains.

[Apemanscolony]

Well guys, im very happy with my 32 oval, and gonna stay on my setup at moment and dont think i should change now.

Really a smoother ride, uphils, flats etc. 

Thanx for the comments, at once u guys had me stressing...

[raptor-22]

Hi all, sincere apologies to anyone who may have misunderstood this text. Our site has been updated as follows which should hopefully clarify the perceived benefits of elliptical chain rings:

 

KALBO Elliptical Z-RINGS  are specifically designed to even out the power transfer from the pedal cranks to the rear wheel by increasing the effective chainring radius through the power sector of the pedal stroke and reducing the effective chainring radius through the weak sector of the stroke. The end result is a more efficient movement that provides better traction especially for technical climbing.  Although the total amount of energy to turn the crank through one revolution is the same for round and elliptical rings, the elliptical shape concentrates more of that work into the power stroke where your legs are stronger and more effective which can help reduce fatigue. 

 

 

Now that is an explanation I can buy into. Reduction in fatigue is the only measured benefit

[Rick Sanchez]

Now that is an explanation I can buy into. Reduction in fatigue is the only measured benefit

And it really does work 

[jcza]

Too late to panic now. Moved from 32T with 1x10 (11-40) to 1x11 (11-42). 

[Robrider]

Hi all, sincere apologies to anyone who may have misunderstood this text. Our site has been updated as follows which should hopefully clarify the perceived benefits of elliptical chain rings:

 

KALBO Elliptical Z-RINGS  are specifically designed to even out the power transfer from the pedal cranks to the rear wheel by increasing the effective chainring radius through the power sector of the pedal stroke and reducing the effective chainring radius through the weak sector of the stroke. The end result is a more efficient movement that provides better traction especially for technical climbing.  Although the total amount of energy to turn the crank through one revolution is the same for round and elliptical rings, the elliptical shape concentrates more of that work into the power stroke where your legs are stronger and more effective which can help reduce fatigue. 

 

Cool. I can agree with that.

 

I haven't used oval rings, but I do understand the feeling of that deadspot especially at low cadence technical climbs, which this would apparently help with. And I can see how that would reduce the fatigue and improve traction.

 

Thanks for clearing up the wording.

[Apemanscolony]

Howdy guys, so i managed to finish Epic on 1 x 10 - 11-40, with the much debateable 32 Oval. Was tough ride though. Didnt finish dead last was under the top 50%.

There were guys, believe it or not, on single speeds...and finished

[Apemanscolony]

Howdy guys, so i managed to finish Epic on 1 x 10 - 11-40, with the much debateable 32 Oval. Was tough ride though. Didnt finish dead last was under the top 50%.

There were guys, believe it or not, on single speeds...and finished

[Tatt]

That flippin dude on the single speed was riding with me on the last day... Huge respect!

 

Tom

[Apemanscolony]

That flippin dude on the single speed was riding with me on the last day... Huge respect!

 

Tom

Was his name Max?

[arendoog]

Read em and weep[. 

 

 

KALBO Elliptical Z-RINGS  are specifically designed to even out the power transfer from the pedal cranks to the rear wheel by increasing the effective chainring radius through the power sector of the pedal stroke and reducing the effective chainring radius through the weak sector of the stroke. As a simplified example if you are running a 34t elliptical it will feel like a 36t at the power point of the stroke and like a 32t at the weak point of the stroke. The end result is a more effecient moevement that provides better traction especially for technical climbing.

 

http://www.kalbo.co.za/images/ellipticalexplain.JPG

Our elliptical Z-Rings have all the tried and tested unique KALBO features from our Round Z-Rings that make them stand out from the rest including Z-Pattern alternating Narrow/Wide teeth and miximised tooth height  for greatest chain retention not to mention Class III hard anodising that gives it the distinctive silvery gold colour so you know it has the hardest wearing coating possible for maximum life.

Actually makes sense to me .Right leg works hard on down-stroke and left leg has more torque on the up stroke ,So both legs are putting power down as opposed to a normal ring where the down-stroke is always the more powerful one 

[Tatt]

Was his name Max?

 

Yes! Mentioned to him that he was crazy (and that I felt like a bit of a girl when he overtook me...).

[raptor-22]

Actually makes sense to me .Right leg works hard on down-stroke and left leg has more torque on the up stroke ,So both legs are putting power down as opposed to a normal ring where the down-stroke is always the more powerful one

 

But the graphic illustrates they the left leg will be powering through a smaller effective radius on the ring so the elliptical shape is wrong.

The ring needs to deliver higher hearing when each keg comes to the power stroke.

What you really want is a trapezoidal ring