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as per the topic title, but before i click on the "buy" button i just wondered if i should get a 34T one or a 32T one... my current (round) setup is 32T and is more or less perfect.
the reason i ask is all sorts of claims are made about being 10% easier etc etc...
what are other users experiences?
I fitted a 32T which the Absolute Black site states suites someone who runs either a 30T or a 32T normal.
This appears to be right so far. Oh and do not expect to suddenly find your local climbs 10% easier, i was not sure what to expect and i have a very open mind on the benefits / drawbacks of the oval chainring but so far i am pretty impressed, but not 10% impressed. Certain climbs in certain conditions i know how far i will get but so far i seem to have a definite improvement on most.
They do suit a smoother cadence on climbs though.
If a round 32 is more or less perfect I'd stick with that. 🙂
Do these oval rings work with shadow plus??
I'd stick with the 32 unless you fancy taking a chance on the 34 or think you could handle a 34 regardless. I have 32 round and oval rings and think the oval may help slightly but I'm really not sure and certainly don't think it makes a 2 tooth difference.
Also check that you have clearance for a 34T
I fitted a 33T oval ring on an ss.
I was told that it'd feel easier on the climbs than the 32T round ring I had fitted.
It didn't. One climb on a local route went from me being able to get up it 50% of the time to me not being able to get up it at all.
I kept the same, claims of being able to go up by 2t struck me as bollocks!
It smooths out the power delivery, it does feel like it makes a difference but not 2t IMO. I like mine, I didn't think it made a difference until I got back onto my other bikes and the pedalling feels a bit 'lumpy'.
I went from a 30t round ring on my long travel 29er to a 32t oval.
It's weird. It's harder and just as easy at the same time.
When you have the least power it feels liek a 30t but when you have the most it feels like a 34t.
I'm not sure I'd bother again, but its been interesting none the less for similar cost.
36 oval on't SS no easier effort wise just smoother when out of saddle stomping.
I'm waiting for my works component 32 oval to arrive, I was also curious, Not expecting massive differences but will be good to see what all the hype is about.
I ran a 36 round and went to a 34 oval. Initially it felt quite weird, but on longer climbs where a steady/constant effort is needed it was certainly better.
Fine with shadow plus mechs.
I honestly cannot notice any difference (Ab Black 32 tooth) to my previous 32 tooth NW raceface. But it was cheaper 🙂
I replaced a 32 round with a 34 oval. I can't really tell any difference tbh but then it's a bigger ring so thinking about it, not being able to tell a difference must mean it's making a difference. Science, innit. But I'm not sure if this matters.
So you could call me a skeptic I guess but it's certainly no worse.
Also check that you have clearance for a 34T
A 34 oval that is - which in clearance terms is more like 38T round (depending on how extreme the shape is).
I've used them on the road to try and combat hip and knee issues with some success but never had them on a mountain bike - with 1X11 now more normal and no front mech to worry about it's becoming tempting for a new bike. I did put the QXL set from my TT bike (sadly gathering dust whilst my hip is sorted) on my recumbent bike (new purchase for the same stupid hip) without changing the location of the oval on the cranks and took it for a spin - good lord, it almost killed me!
ok, i'll stick with a 32T one then... thanks all 🙂
however, i have two bikes and would like to go oval on both, one is an XX1 crank, so no problem finding a direct mount chain ring for that, the other is a middleburn RS8 X-type, so ideally i'd need an oval ring that fits the 76BCD... does anyone know of one that isn't silly money?
I have an RS8 X-Type and haven't seen any direct mount oval rings. Your best bet may be a new spider from Middleburn so at least you will only pay silly money once. I like my Middleburn cranks but these are the occasions when I wish I'd stuck with something standard.
Rusty, you've hit the nail on the head for me too... 1st world problems and all that!!
I've noticed more difference in terms of top speed than climbing going from 32 round to 32 oval so I suppose I feel the 34 bit more than the 30. Seems to mean I can spin more smoothly at the top end and just have a little bit more gear. Not something that comes up a lot, but i sometimes wonder if it means you could size down a little more fifort climbing and maintain top speed.