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want to get a 32T chainring instead of the 34T my bike came with. Toying with the idea of the oval route, just to see what the fuss is about...
Have had a tazzy one-key on the SS for a couple of years now. wouldnt use a normal ring again.
but no point on a geared bike IMO
Have been using rotor q and goldtec rings for years, love em to bits. (No they're not like biopace..just to get that in before the normal knobbery)
For ss i wouldn't't use anything else....gears? Not a clue as I wouldn't ride a bike with a dangler even if my balls were on fire and it was the only way to get to hospital. 😀
Tried it in 1989, not since!
No they're not like biopace..just to get that in before the normal knobbery
Skin of your teeth there tazzy
Why do you say they are pointless on a geared bike?
Absolute Black 32T here. Works very well, noticed the improved pedaling efficiency. Certainly feels smoother especially on 'out of the saddle' climbs.
Have had a tazzy one-key on the SS for a couple of years now. wouldnt use a normal ring again.but no point on a geared bike IMO
Agreed for the SS, also useful on a 1x for the same reason, get the most out of the low-cadence grunts and the spin-out bits. Less issue in the middle. Rated.
Not all the same though, some put the 'max' bit earlier in the pedal stroke. I think I prefer the Goldtec and the Doval shape to the AB and others that peak a bit earlier, but that's only based on adjusting the Doval ring to be more that way and then going back to the later peak / Goldtec ring position.
I recently installed one of the black series by absolute black from chain reaction, partly because it was not much more than a superstar round ring but also because I fancied trying them. I was planning on going from a round 32t to a round 34t, so I decided to go for a oval 34t.
I've only had a couple of rides on it but so far I'm really liking it, feels very little difference when pushing a big gear, but when spinning it feels less bouncy. I can aslo confirm i has made me 10% faster (I went from 5th at rnd1 of the FNSS with a round ring to 4th at rnd2 with the oval...)
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Absolute black 34 here, and gears. I'll be honest, I can't tell any difference... Not to say there isn't one, it just could be the sort of difference I can't identify, maybe I just go a wee bit faster or use a lower gear. But anyway, certainly no drawback either for me and it's really nicely made.
thanks all. I was looking at the AB rings too. So am I right in thinking a 32T one makes the easy part of the cycle easier, (like a 30T)? and the hard bit similar to my current 34T?
I'm using the Rotor Q-rings on both bikes. Really like them for both SS and geared riding.
Usual rule of thumb on ovals is to go up two teeth so if you run 32 go 34. The ab rings may be a bit different or they are missing a trick as you get more perceived udgey for you money when you've got a stamp on. As is you are pushing a taller gear that feels the same as previously. (On an ss anyway) there is no magic free power, just feels better
In Spain now just finished a days riding with switchbacks, I'm using an absolute black 34t and my climbing was def better and felt less tired.
Feels weird for 20 mins but I really like it.
Even though it's narrow/wide it's doesn't hold the chain as well as my works components round 34 does/did
Mmm, I did wonder about chain retention- I lost the chain on one of the first rides, brand new chain and chainring, never had that with works or superstar (they can both drop the chain but not til its worn or rammed full of chunky mud. But it might have just been a freak thing to be fair.
+1 32t AB on the 29er. Very happy.
so I should buy a 34T then Taz? as it will feel easier than the regular round one I currently have? i want to be off the top of the cassette a little on the steep stuff, hence why i was looking at 32 originally
What set up are you running at the moment? I have a spare rotor kicking about thats a 33t and a old goldtec 34 you can have a go with to see how it feels before spunking cash
Shimano 400LX Biopace here. 48/38/28T - awesome, would recommend - 9/10
its a 34t SRAM X1 taz, so its 94BCD, not many rings available :/
A freind is just changing back to normal rings on a double as the oval rings made for a few poor changes which he finds distracting whilst racing
Does the oval cause any known knee issues? I'm tempted by this.
A freind is just changing back to normal rings on a double as the oval rings made for a few poor changes which he finds distracting whilst racing
My wife found this too. Using oval rings on the front of a 2x10 set up and the front shifting was fairly poor. I spent ages trying to get it to work perfectly, nothing made it as good as round rings. I tried various height front mechs and tilting the mech, but the shape of the rings seemed to be the limitation, as they only give good shifting in a small part of the pedal revolution. It really started winding her up, so would pretty much never shift the front chainring midrace. Now switched to 1x10 and she is much happier!
Does feel BIT BETTER, NOT LIFE CHANING THO.
Damn CL.
Like what warns74 said......
I had Biopace back I 89, I was only 19, got rid and never used it since..... 😛
If you have a genuine "nice" smooth pedal rotation then you dont need it. Theres a reason it has been 25 years since!. ❗
Just my opinion and not actual fact (cos then I can`t be sued for slander!) 8)
I have Rotor N/W on the SS and the 1x10 geared bike and Q Rings on the 2x10 geared bike. Also have them on both the road bikes. I'm a convert.
Also Tazz - I would gladly give you some beer tokens and swap a 34 or 35 OneKey for your old 33 Q Ring, the gearing on the rigid SS is a touch tall at the mo.
Going from 32 round to 32 oval the top speed (garmin indicated) I can comfortably spin on one particular bit of road that's very slightly downhill went up by a good mile an hour, maybe more (not sure about wind), so the top speed thing seems to work.
Other end, I think it feels easier cranking up a steep hill but couldn't quantify it. In between, feels different, not sure if I'd say better.
OneKey here, on SS. Wouldn't use anything else.
I've got a 32T AB on my Rune. TBH I cant really feel the difference. However, I could on my mates Mega AM. I suppose suspension design influences how noticeable it is. Maybe if I switched back to round I would notice, but I cant be bothered to test!
Anyone know which oval ring would work on a SRAM X1-1400 GXP crankset?
Most of the oval rings seem to be direct mount but the X1-1400 isn't which is making it harder to find the right ring.
[quote=leftyboy ]Anyone know which oval ring would work on a SRAM X1-1400 GXP crankset?
Most of the oval rings seem to be direct mount but the X1-1400 isn't which is making it harder to find the right ring.
Would this work? http://absoluteblack.cc/oval-94bcd.html
There could be others but that's what I thought of first.
@everyone thanks that looks like the one but not available until 12th June.
Chain reaction stock the AB rings cheaper than from AB...
Lefyboy - I've not found any other than the AB one that's coming out soon
I couldn't tell a difference.
If anyone wants to buy an Absolute Black Oval 34t ring drop me an email, its done about 100 miles if that. £25 posted.
I've been using the Black by AB cheap oval 34 from CRC on my BadBoy SS and I love it. Dropped from a 38 round and I'm possibly getting the biggest boost from dropping 4 teeth but it feels so good climbing out of the saddle.
No discernible difference to me, no discernible downsides either. I have made it up a couple of steep climbs I've never cleared in 10 years of riding them, but I'm also on a new bike so can't say for certain how much the fancy ring has helped. Given the costs of the AB ones are little different to many normal NW rings I'll be keeping using them.
Does the oval cause any known knee issues? I'm tempted by this.
Supposedly there should be some benefit to dodgy knees, see quote from Rotor below on the Q Rings. Not sure how much independent verification there is of such claims but my left knee is so buggered that I'll try anything to give it a helping hand! The knee issue was the main reason I tried it in the first place.
Q-Rings mitigate pain and damage to the knees that is usually caused by the dead spots; if your knees feel pain they cannot deliver maximum power; when the pain is removed, your performance will clearly increase.
Bit of a thread resurrection but has anyone tried the Susperstar ovals? Was planning on going with AB ones from CRC but just spotted them on the SS website.
How have people been finding the sizing compared to a round ring?
I've been using an SS one since January and have nothing really to remark. It works, but I've changed too many other things too to say whether I notice it being betterer in some way. I had 32 and stuck with 32.
Between me and my mates about 6 SS ones, usually bought when on offer for £15-20ea. 32s are great because of the captive thread mainly, which you only find on 30T round ones.
Noticeably better than round on singlespeed, not much difference on geared. although that might just be cos I got used to using one?
Also, got a SS round 110bcd CX one, don't see the need for an oval on that.
I've just fitted an oval [url= http://www.workscomponents.co.uk/works-components-32t-oval-narrow-wide-chainring---104bcd-870-p.asp ]Works Components[/url] 32t ring to my 1x11, new build, i really like it. Initial spin round the garden with the new build & i didn't notice it, but out on the trail i can notice it rounds off the dead spot, great for climbing the steep trails round here, i'm a convert.
Just ridden my second ride on mine (30t Absolute Black direct mount Race Face) - very technical trails-y trails both times (Roaches and Stanage).
Gearing: Felt the same as normal for getting up steep stuff.
Pedalling: Did feel slightly 'rounder'
Traction: Did feel slightly more even on loose stuff (the opposite of what I was expecting).
Getting over obstacles: Still determining this one. I failed some stuff I normally make and cleared some stuff I only do 50/50 normally, so too early to say.
Obviously it's only 2 rides, so early days, but I found it interesting and could instantly notice the difference.
I'm using the AB oval on my 1x11 setup and I'm quicker for sure now on the climbs and feeling less knackered 😉
Kind of regretting getting 104 bcd cranks as it limits you to 32T on the oval unless you get a granny mount one. Not sure if that will mess up the chainline but on a shimano 11 speed it could actually be better as it does hang the larges sprocket off the inside over the hub flange.
I am hoping to get away with a 32T or possibly a 34T though. The AB look nice and I feel confident they will be a good profile. If SS come up with a bank holiday 20% voucher that might change tempt me though.
Been using absoluteBLACK chainrings for ages now and love them but, they are not for everyone. Worth giving their 30 day guarantee a go, what do you have to lose?
Get one of our Premium oval traction chainrings Today and use it for 30 days... If you're not delighted with your purchase and feeling the benefit in your legs, then we'll exchange your oval for a round ring free-of-charge
I'm the same andyl I use a 104 bcd crank and I'm limited to 32T oval. I currently use a 30T round and I'm worried a 32T oval might be a bit much for me. The dead spots should feel the same, but its still a taller gear. I probably just need to mtfu!
they do say a 32T oval is like a 30T in the dead zone and a 34T in the power zone so you should be okay and end up a little faster (hopefully).
I did see that CRC list a 64BCD 30T that AB don't on their own website which is odd. It would have a similar chainline to the 32T as it mounts off the granny tabs but will look odd with no bolts in the 104 holes.
from the AB site:
Chainline
26&28T (64bcd) - 46mm ; 32T - 48.5mm ; 34&36T - 50mm
For me that would make the 32T pretty much bang on and the 64BCD rings must be slightly stepped outwards to give 46mm which tbh isn't bad when using a shimano 11 speed set up. I would.t go any lower than 32T anyway or you will just spin out everywhere with an 11-X cassette.
how do you reconcile chain tension on a single speed?
Ss tensions is easy. Move crank to 4 oclock position (most oval part) adjust tension...and bobs your aunties lgbt cousin.
Has anybody else had issues with chain tension with Supestar Components I/o oval on singlespeed use?
I have a Black by Absoluteblack 34t oval on my 29er, and it works perfectly. Reacently installed a 32t oval by Superstarcomp... on my fatbike, and had nothing but troubles. Chain dropping all the time.
Both bikes as singlespeed.
To me it seems that with Superstar chainring the variation of chain tension is really noticeable, as with BlackbyAbs... ring there is nearly no variation.
So, could it be that the BlackbyAbs... ring has more intelligence in it's shape. Keeping the tension even for the whole rotation. And the Superstar ring is just oval, a symmetric oval which lets the tension vary.
Am I the onlyone with such findings?
The tension varies with AB and every other oval ring. There's nothing "intelligent" about one shape or the other. I didn't love oval on my SS... NW is kinda noisy too. Simple round rings will do just fine ta 🙂