Oval chain rings

[nexusfish]

When these were making a comeback, i did some looking into it and found a study done based on oval vs round in high end BMX racing where they ran multiple sprints to measure the rate of performance decline. I forget the stats, but the gist was that in elite athletes there was a improvement in speed, but it came at the cost of an elevated heart rate and fatigue as the athlete was effectively running a harder gear. They found that performance actually decreased in people who had lower levels of condition (fast punter levels) than if they ran a circular ring.

But they look all futurisitc n' shit, so they make people think you are faster because science probably said so. So get one and gloat.

 

[Cardy George]

How do you guys go when pedalling out of the saddle?

I had my first ever oval experience today. I've used clips for decades, so seated I couldn't really feel much difference, but standing the timing felt totally off.

 

[moorey]

How do you guys go when pedalling out of the saddle?

I had my first ever oval experience today. I've used clips for decades, so seated I couldn't really feel much difference, but standing the timing felt totally off.

Should always sit pedaling a duallie... I suspect you need a new duallie.

 

[Cardy George]

Should always sit pedaling a duallie... I suspect you need a new duallie.

Not even to accelerate?

I think I've made a terrible mistake.

 

[moorey]

Not even to accelerate?

I think I've made a terrible mistake.

Ac.....cellerate?

Just release the brake levers.

 

[Oddjob]

How do you guys go when pedalling out of the saddle?

I had my first ever oval experience today. I've used clips for decades, so seated I couldn't really feel much difference, but standing the timing felt totally off.

Sounds like you needed to be in a higher gear.

Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

 

[PJO]

When these were making a comeback, i did some looking into it and found a study done based on oval vs round in high end BMX racing where they ran multiple sprints to measure the rate of performance decline. I forget the stats, but the gist was that in elite athletes there was a improvement in speed, but it came at the cost of an elevated heart rate and fatigue as the athlete was effectively running a harder gear. They found that performance actually decreased in people who had lower levels of condition (fast punter levels) than if they ran a circular ring.

But they look all futurisitc n' shit, so they make people think you are faster because science probably said so. So get one and gloat.

I don't think the science is settled yet, here are the first few articles I found, it's hard to find consensus:

Does a Non-Circular Chainring Improve Performance in the Bicycle Motocross Cycling Start Sprint?

Maximising power output during the initial acceleration phase of a bicycle motocross (BMX) race increases the chance to lead the group for the rest of the race. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of non-circular chainrings (Q-ring) ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a Non-Circular Chainring on Sprint Performance During a Cycle Ergometer Test

Non-circular chainrings have been reported to alter the crank angular velocity profile over a pedal revolution so that more time is spent in the effective power phase. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sprint cycling performance could ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Non-circular chainring improves aerobic cycling performance in non-cyclists - PubMed

Non-circular chainrings alter the crank velocity profile over a pedalling cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of this altered crank velocity profile on the aerobic performance compared to a circular chainring (CC). Ten male non-cyclists performed two incremental maximal...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The influence of elliptical chainrings on 10 km cycling time trial performance - PubMed

The use of elliptical chainrings (also called chainwheels or sprockets) has gained considerable interest in the amateur and professional cycling community. Nevertheless, we are unaware of any scientific studies that have examined the performance benefits of using elliptical chainrings during an...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of accelerometry to evaluate the BMX cycling starting hill. Effect of the Q-Ring™ on the acceleration profile - PubMed

Accelerometers are becoming popular in sport performance, as they are easy to wear, affordable, and usable in the field. Eccentric chainrings have been commercialised to improve pedalling performance, but little is known about their possible effects in the first pedal strokes (PS) of maximal...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological Responses during Cycling With Oval Chainrings (Q-Ring) and Circular Chainrings - PubMed

The aim of this study was to compare the physiological responses of cyclists using round (C-ring) or oval (Q-ring) chainrings during an incremental test until exhaustion. Following a randomized design, twelve male elite cyclists [age (mean ± SD): 21.1 ± 2.1 yr; VO2max: 78.1 ± 5.3...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[moorey]

Purely a personal experience, but I can, and do, trick my brain all the time. I swapped chain rings from 32 to 30 the other day, then marvelled at how much easier I found the usual loop.......only to realise I had fitted another 32 accidentally and imagined the whole thing.

I swear I felt a general improvement in climbing when I fitted the oval, after hearing all the discussions. Then went back to round, and didn't feel a change. Yes, I still think it feels like a slightly smaller ring in oval, but the cons outweighed the pro's for me. Yes, guides do work with oval. but I'm not a fan of the style.

 

[Chriso_29er]

But they look all futurisitc n' shit, so they make people think you are faster because science probably said so.

My dads old Graecross MTB had oval chainrings in 1985, certainly not futuristic haha

 

[moorey]

My dads old Graecross MTB had oval chainrings in 1985, certainly not futuristic haha

Boipace....not same same...

 

[Chriso_29er]

Boipace....not same same...

How so?

Edit - Don't worry I see that the oval has been turned 90 degrees

 

[Minlak]

How so?

Biopace were turned differently so the stroke wasn’t optimised as it is now -

I rode 32 round on the weekend instead of my 32 Oval - honestly hard pressed to notice difference - my decision is solely based on availability and price of the replacement ring when needed

 

[Cardy George]

Sounds like you needed to be in a higher gear.
Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

That's the next challenge. 30t leaves me in 9 of 10, and the jump is too big. 34t will put me back in range. But then I'll need to go back to 2x

 

[moorey]

That's the next challenge. 30t leaves me in 9 of 10, and the jump is too big. 34t will put me back in range. But then I'll need to go back to 2x

What cassette you running?

 

[Cardy George]

What cassette you running?

Sunrace 11-42

I'lI go 11sp for the price of a new shifter and cassette, but it's not gonna fix it running out of legs

 

[moorey]

11-42

11sp? Can you XD your hub and go 10-42 sram or 9-42 e13/hope? That higher gear has been the biggest thing I've found I can't live without. Dropped 2 teeth on front without losing speed.

 

[Cardy George]

11sp? Can you XD your hub and go 10-42 sram or 9-42 e13/hope? That higher gear has been the biggest thing I've found I can't live without. Dropped 2 teeth on front without losing speed.

10sp at the moment, and it's an e13 hub, so probably could go XD. But if I go Shimano 11sp the two bikes can share components

 

[moorey]

10sp at the moment, and it's an e13 hub, so probably could go XD. But if I go Shimano 11sp the two bikes can share components

I don't know of any 10sp XD...but could be wrong. Its only the casssette that changes. Almost all my bikes run 10-42 SRAM cassettes, and I only run Shimano drivetrains otherwise.

 

[Rorschach]

Thread necro
I'm terrible at climbing as my knees are shot and give out on me pretty easily, so want to try an oval ring for comparison to the round one.
I currently have a 30t direct mount Shimano 12s chainring, would another 30t be the way to go? Consensus reading this is that people 'feel' like they drop 2 teeth on an equivalent oval ring?

Looking at one of these:
Wolf Tooth Direct Mount Drop-Stop Chainring (mtbdirect.com.au)
absoluteBLACK Direct Mount Narrow Wide Chainring (mtbdirect.com.au)

TIA!

 

[Oddjob]

Thread necro
I'm terrible at climbing as my knees are shot and give out on me pretty easily, so want to try an oval ring for comparison to the round one.
I currently have a 30t direct mount Shimano 12s chainring, would another 30t be the way to go? Consensus reading this is that people 'feel' like they drop 2 teeth on an equivalent oval ring?

Looking at one of these:
Wolf Tooth Direct Mount Drop-Stop Chainring (mtbdirect.com.au)
absoluteBLACK Direct Mount Narrow Wide Chainring (mtbdirect.com.au)

TIA!

You could go for a 32t but unless you need the extra top speed do your knees a favour and go the 30t. Both brands are fine, although Wolftooth maybe slightly better quality. I would just go with whatevers cheapest.

Sent from my M2012K11AG using Tapatalk