Rotor Q rings - my experience
sopworth
Posts: 191
Before I start, I do appreciate that there are numerous threads on Rotor Q rings but as it's a forum after all, I don't think another thread will hurt.
I bought them via the Rotor Q website and were delivered in 2 days. I purchased the 53/39 130 BCD combo for my SRAM Red GXP chainset.
Installing them was an absolute doddle - even with my difficult SRAM Red FD. I didn't have to remove the crank arms as suggested in the instructions, just removed the old rings and replaced with the Rotor Q's. The chain didn't even need splitting and didn't need any links adding or removing.
After positioning the FD 1-2mm off the highest tooth turn, there was a slight adjustment on the screws to ensure the chain didn't come off either ring. My LBS suggested that that I kick the tail of the FD outwards ever so slightly to accommodate the rings, but I didn't find this the case and the shifting has been just as good as it was before.
My first ride was just shy of 50 miles and, after a couple of km, I didn't really notice any difference in the action. What struck my massively was the reduction in cadence to keep a good speed. After many days garmin data, I would say my cadence overall has reduced by about 10%. This route covers loads of short, punchy climbs which I usually attack in a higher gear. It was difficult to say on the first ride if they made a difference - I guess I was expecting to feel a big change, which I didn't, but after the ride my Garmin stats said otherwise: overall over 1mph faster than on previous times and I honestly didn't feel that I had put as much effort in. I would have thought I was a couple of minutes slower than usual, due to less effort. The inside of my thighs felt a tad more strained and this continued for the first 3/4 rides, but nothing major.
My second ride was 3 days later for a Half Ironman triathlon. In hindsight this was a mistake as my run suffered due to tweaking in my inner thighs, but I had a cracking bike leg. I was on of the few on a road bike and my bike leg was in the top 15%. Keeping a constant speed seemed easier and the climbing seemed less effort.
The following week, I rode 500 miles as part of a charity cycle ride. I used my race bike to see how the Rotor Q rings would be over the 5 days. I can safely say that I won't be putting the old ones back on and am going to stick some on my training/winter bike. They guys who I regularly ride/train with all commented how much stronger I was on the climbs and in the sprints (we would contest a sprint at the end of each leg to the support vehicles). The climbing side really shocked me as i'm not the best climber but I was flying up short climbs and was one of the fastest over Dartmoor. I appreciate that my legs were a lot fitter than they were a month or so ago, especially after a HIM event, but I felt a lot stronger on the bike than ever.
Overall my impressions on the rings after almost 2 weeks are very positive. Speed increase, cadence decrease and climbing/sprinting improvement. I will contest a 10m TT next week and will compare results and stats after that. The only downside (other that the price) was the tweaked inner thighs, but that was only slightly and for a few rides. My pedalling action has always been to stomp down on the pedal in lieu of a smooth circular action, this was one of the reasons I gave the rings a go. I feel my pedal stroke now is a lot smoother.
Sorry again if a repeated thread has offended some. Hopefully, my views and feedback on them may assist others who are thinking about taking the plunge.
S
I bought them via the Rotor Q website and were delivered in 2 days. I purchased the 53/39 130 BCD combo for my SRAM Red GXP chainset.
Installing them was an absolute doddle - even with my difficult SRAM Red FD. I didn't have to remove the crank arms as suggested in the instructions, just removed the old rings and replaced with the Rotor Q's. The chain didn't even need splitting and didn't need any links adding or removing.
After positioning the FD 1-2mm off the highest tooth turn, there was a slight adjustment on the screws to ensure the chain didn't come off either ring. My LBS suggested that that I kick the tail of the FD outwards ever so slightly to accommodate the rings, but I didn't find this the case and the shifting has been just as good as it was before.
My first ride was just shy of 50 miles and, after a couple of km, I didn't really notice any difference in the action. What struck my massively was the reduction in cadence to keep a good speed. After many days garmin data, I would say my cadence overall has reduced by about 10%. This route covers loads of short, punchy climbs which I usually attack in a higher gear. It was difficult to say on the first ride if they made a difference - I guess I was expecting to feel a big change, which I didn't, but after the ride my Garmin stats said otherwise: overall over 1mph faster than on previous times and I honestly didn't feel that I had put as much effort in. I would have thought I was a couple of minutes slower than usual, due to less effort. The inside of my thighs felt a tad more strained and this continued for the first 3/4 rides, but nothing major.
My second ride was 3 days later for a Half Ironman triathlon. In hindsight this was a mistake as my run suffered due to tweaking in my inner thighs, but I had a cracking bike leg. I was on of the few on a road bike and my bike leg was in the top 15%. Keeping a constant speed seemed easier and the climbing seemed less effort.
The following week, I rode 500 miles as part of a charity cycle ride. I used my race bike to see how the Rotor Q rings would be over the 5 days. I can safely say that I won't be putting the old ones back on and am going to stick some on my training/winter bike. They guys who I regularly ride/train with all commented how much stronger I was on the climbs and in the sprints (we would contest a sprint at the end of each leg to the support vehicles). The climbing side really shocked me as i'm not the best climber but I was flying up short climbs and was one of the fastest over Dartmoor. I appreciate that my legs were a lot fitter than they were a month or so ago, especially after a HIM event, but I felt a lot stronger on the bike than ever.
Overall my impressions on the rings after almost 2 weeks are very positive. Speed increase, cadence decrease and climbing/sprinting improvement. I will contest a 10m TT next week and will compare results and stats after that. The only downside (other that the price) was the tweaked inner thighs, but that was only slightly and for a few rides. My pedalling action has always been to stomp down on the pedal in lieu of a smooth circular action, this was one of the reasons I gave the rings a go. I feel my pedal stroke now is a lot smoother.
Sorry again if a repeated thread has offended some. Hopefully, my views and feedback on them may assist others who are thinking about taking the plunge.
S
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Comments
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I'm really interested how you got on as I'm dabbling with the idea of a set as I need a new chainset anyway. my main concern was doing long distances and climbs with them.
I think I may have to give them a go nowScott Foil - viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=129827790 -
how did you decide which position to put the rings in?0
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start with position 3 for both rings is the usual advice. most people stick with thatColnago Addict!0
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Cornish-J wrote:how did you decide which position to put the rings in?
I went with the factory suggested setting and it seems to be doing the trick. During the winter I may play around with the bike set up on the trainer and see if the other positions offer more power, but as it stands i'm happy.0 -
Do they fit any chainset or is it a proprietary bolt pattern?0
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thanks mate, really useful advice...really nice to see someone posting a review, am also thinking of some atm.
Have bookmarked the post!!2012 Scott Foil 10 (Shimano dura ace) - in progress
2011 Cervelo S2 (SRAM Red/Force)
2011 Cannondale Caad 10 (Shimano 105)
"Hills Hurt, Couches Kill!!"
Twitter: @MadRoadie0 -
They come in standard 130bcd and 110bcd plus 53/40 135bcd for Campagnolo cranksColnago Addict!0
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Pretty much mirrors my experience from last year - now ride with them on all my bikes and continue to be very happy with them0
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I've not actually used Rotor rings, but I have used some by Stronglight that are almost identical to the middle Q-rings position.
I rode with them through the winter and for the start of the racing season, but have now switched back to regular round rings. I experienced no noticeable increase in power (as measured by a PowerTap), no noticeable difference in fatigue and front shifting with SRAM Red was just not as good as with round rings (though it was acceptable). If I was TTing then I'd consider using them anyway, but for road racing with lots of changes in pace, etc. I just have a feeling that they're inferior to round rings. That's just a feeling with no evidence to back it up, but I just couldn't find any good reason to continue using them. Now I'm sure many people can convince themselves that they are somehow better, but my view is that the benefits, if there are any, are so small that in reality they're imperceptible.More problems but still living....0
