Kalbo oval

[DoubleJ]

Received and fitted my 34T Kalbo designed oval chainring last week. Took it for a quick spin around the block on Saturday and did a 50 on Sunday morning.

 

Now.... I have not yet converted to 1x (I still have my 11/36 at the back) my LBS mechanic was kind enough to tune my front derailleur to shift between the oval and my round 24T granny and vice versa...flawlessly. Well almost, there's a faint click noise coming from the fd when the chain is on the oval and the 36 in the back, but it's tolerable.

 

I'm going to check if we can sort out that click noise, but other than that I am really happy. I was veeeeery skeptical about that oval, but now... I'm never taking it off. It's a great piece of engineering. Because of all the reviews I've read, I thought it would turn my bike into an uphill transporter beam... Which is not totally true, one thing that's very noticeable is efficiency...and I was amazed at how much more efficient my pedaling became. I got to the top of some climbs not feeling overly exerted, my cadence was super smooth and it just felt great. One place that it really shines is when you get out of the saddle, man you just feel the torque going straight to the rear wheel and it almost felt like if my rear wheel had a voice it would scream "FEED ME MORE SEYMOUR!"

 

I'm very happy and I was a skeptic... Unfortunately Colin, I have not joined the 1x revolution yet... But I'm totally an oval convert.

 

Cheers mate.

[DoubleJ]

Just thought I'd give quick feedback on my experience if there are maybe someone else that are still undecided yet.

[robsc]

Thanks JJ . i am a 1x convert currently running a 32 Kalbo round and have been considering going to a 34 oval . I think you may now of convinced me 

[DoubleJ]

Thanks JJ . i am a 1x convert currently running a 32 Kalbo round and have been considering going to a 34 oval . I think you may now of convinced me

Rob I spun out at about 47km/h on descents...obviously depending on the descent I went past 50km/h,but that was freeing after I spun out. Which is okay for me I don't need to feel like I'm falling down a mineshaft.

[robsc]

That was a concern , then again I ride a mountain bike so 40km/h is fast enough , if I wanted to go faster I would ride a roadbike , thanks once again  

[dirtypot]

I'd like to try an oval.  I'm currently on a 32T round - would a 32T oval feel the same in terms of power output?  I don't want to go to a 34T oval and then sukkel on the climbs.  

[DoubleJ]

I'd like to try an oval.  I'm currently on a 32T round - would a 32T oval feel the same in terms of power output?  I don't want to go to a 34T oval and then sukkel on the climbs.  

 

Unfortunately I have never ran a 32 round. I have heard that some guys say that a 34 oval feels like a "cross" between a 32 and a 36...unfortunately I could never manage to work out how that magic works. I can tell you one thing....on the 34T oval there were some hills that I quickly had to go onto my granny and I was very glad I could still use my front shifter to do that, so I cant comment on how a 40 or 42 would help at the back as mine only goes up to 36.

 

I say (and hopefully some pro would correct me if I'm wrong) that if you are comfortable with a 32T, you will love the 32T oval.

[Thermophage]

I'd like to try an oval.  I'm currently on a 32T round - would a 32T oval feel the same in terms of power output?  I don't want to go to a 34T oval and then sukkel on the climbs.  

 I had a 32 round, now 32 oval. The long axis is around 34 and the short around 30.

I much prefer it to the round 32 and wouldn't consider a 34 oval...my mate rides one but his legs look like tree stumps. Also have no issue spinning out...but then again i don't do dirt roadie rides either so maintaining above 34km/hr is not a priority...getting up hills is!

[Richard29]

i sat in the fence for about 6 months with oval ring, i ran 34t then decided to buy 34 oval, it saves your legs over long rides and definitely helps with that "dead spot" and is generally easier took about 10 hours to get used to.

[DoubleJ]

What cassette you running?

[DoubleJ]

 I had a 32 round, now 32 oval. The long axis is around 34 and the short around 30.

I much prefer it to the round 32 and wouldn't consider a 34 oval...my mate rides one but his legs look like tree stumps. Also have no issue spinning out...but then again i don't do dirt roadie rides either so maintaining above 34km/hr is not a priority...getting up hills is!

 

What cassette you running?

[Thermophage]

What cassette you running?

XT 11 speed 11-42.

Prior to that was running XT 10 speed 11-36 with the OneUp 42T expander with the oval up front as well.

It literally took about 2 pedal strokes to get "used" to it...actually...it never felt strange

[DoubleJ]

i sat in the fence for about 6 months with oval ring, i ran 34t then decided to buy 34 oval, it saves your legs over long rides and definitely helps with that "dead spot" and is generally easier took about 10 hours to get used to.

 

Honestly it took me about 10 minutes....I was expecting something weird, maybe some laughter from passers by, pointing and giggling...but none of that. I got on the bike, pedaled and went. I did notice I had to drop gears though, I was riding in a harder gear just to stop bobbing a bit, which was fine for me as it added some speed without a lot of extra effort.

[peds]

I had a Kalbo oval on my previous bike and loved it, would like to get one for my new bike now but they only have that gold color. Awesome product but please just try and make a Black one if possible. Gold on a green Pyga just does not go IMO.

 

I was running a 36T round and went to 34T oval, definitely worked for me and I noticed a difference in climbing. 

 

Other than that I would recommend this product and I received good service from them as well.

[Thermophage]

I had a Kalbo oval on my previous bike and loved it, would like to get one for my new bike now but they only have that gold color. Awesome product but please just try and make a Black one if possible. Gold on a green Pyga just does not go IMO.

 

Other than that I would recommend this product and I received good service from them as well.

Just spray it...They have never made another colour oval other than the current one.

The paint will come off the teeth where the chain is as with every other chainring on the market

[DoubleJ]

Just spray it...They have never made another colour oval other than the current one.

The paint will come off the teeth where the chain is as with every other chainring on the market

 

 

I had a Kalbo oval on my previous bike and loved it, would like to get one for my new bike now but they only have that gold color. Awesome product but please just try and make a Black one if possible. Gold on a green Pyga just does not go IMO.

 

I was running a 36T round and went to 34T oval, definitely worked for me and I noticed a difference in climbing. 

 

Other than that I would recommend this product and I received good service from them as well.

 

Apparently something to do with strengthening/hardening of the steel they use, hence the goldish color. I heard it's the same material they use in Captain America's shield as well as Wolverine's claws....allegedly.