Oval Chainrings??

andrewthomas197

I was wondering if anyone had any insight into these?

Do I need one and what are the real world advantages?

Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly received.

Thanks

cooldad

No.

rockmonkeysc

I have one, had it for six months now. You don't need one. There is possibly an advantage but it's not much.
They feel weird to start with and at high cadence they never feel good. Nice for climbing though.

dusk

I have quite a high cadence and can't say I've felt any problems when i'm spinning

njee20

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19692120#p19692120]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

I have one, had it for six months now. You don't need one. There is possibly an advantage but it's not much.
They feel weird to start with and at high cadence they never feel good. Nice for climbing though.

This.

I only notice the weird lumpy feeling on the road at higher cadence. Doesn't bother me, but I do notice it. Don't notice any particular performance advantages. Cheaper and lighter than the stock XX1 one was though, would have another one, for those reasons alone.

rockmonkeysc

I really noticed the lumpy feeling at high cadence in the Alps where I was often in my highest gear at very high speeds.

paul.skibum

I have a 32t - its fine. Replaced a 30t and seems comparable in terms of my ability to climb stuff. Don't notice lumpy pedalling particularly. I'd get another over a round for sure.

Msurv

I might be showing my age but these an appearence about 20+ years ago and were called (bio pace) by suntour. Then they just gradually dissapeared but if they work for you go ahead and use one

cooldad

Biopace was Shimano.

rockmonkeysc

Bio pace rings had the angle wrong and didn't really work. Modern oval chainrings have the oval at a much more effective angle.

The Rookie

Have Exage Biopace on my retro, rotated round one bolt (72 degrees) and it works much better than in the original locations!