Oval chainrings any good?

[jay91]

Just looking for a new chairing for my ss anyone on here ride with a oval and see any real benefit. Or do I just buy a velo solo chainring same as my cx bike

[GregMay]

I've a wobbly Absoloute Black on my SS. I've also used others for TTing and CX in the past.

I like it for climbing, works very well. Have noticed I'm spinning out the tyre on climbs less - as in when its slippy and it spins out and you hit your nuts off the stem.

I'm rambling now.

[jay91]

when its slippy and it spins out and you hit your nuts off the stem.

. I normally run 32-16/18 when loaded what size remould you recommend? £45 for a 32t

[Pirahna]

I've used Rotor rings for years, so yes, I think they're worth the money. Make sure the BCD on your chainset is compatible though.

[jay91]

Thanks I'm just looking at BCD now

[burty]

I am just about to put a black labs oval chain ring on the stooge .34 /18
Charlie the bikemonger has quite a few different ones in

[jay91]

I am just about to put a black labs oval chain ring on the stooge .34 /18
Charlie the bikemonger has quite a few different ones in

I'm just trying to work out what to go for I'm still on 26' wheels

[johnnystorm]

Have a look on CRC Absolute Black do one with less fancy machining for £28 for an Oval 34T

[mountainbaker]

I've got a 32t ABsolute Black and a 36t the same for Tour Divide, I really like both. If they reduce fatigue or not, I have no idea. I'm always tired anyway.

[Mart]

Jay I love my AB oval, been using them for a year or so. Works really well, nicely machined and cheapest from CRC
Not had a single chain drop, and after the forst 2 minutes you dont notice the oval

[ZeroDarkBivi]

Used Q-Rings on the road bike for ages, and on the 1x11 for about a year - just bout an AB oval ring to replace the rotor as they are better value. I would not use them on anything with more than one chainring as it makes front shifting a PITA! I can live with it on the road bike, but add some dirt and I'm sure it will mess with the ultra-tight tolerances that the front mech needs to be set to.

28t for me with a 10-42 cassette; would switch to a 32t for flatter/shorter route.

[jay91]

Thanks for all the help just ordered one of crc

[burty]

just fitted one tonight , looks good , feels good ,
but on a single speed the chain goes tight then slack as you pedal , its probably ok,
its just totally different to how the chain usually is,(tight) as long as the chain does not drop of when I a out.
I shall give it a dam good thrashing tomorrow night

[Mart]

Burty - I run 1x (either ss or with Alfine hub) and never had a chain drop yet
I dont think it really goes slack enough to drop

[paramart]

rotor ring for 2 yrs never had a problem ss or alfine

[GregMay]

just fitted one tonight , looks good , feels good ,
but on a single speed the chain goes tight then slack as you pedal , its probably ok,
its just totally different to how the chain usually is,(tight) as long as the chain does not drop of when I a out.
I shall give it a dam good thrashing tomorrow night

It's fine, chain contact patch is the same. If it's a thick thin it will be quite a job to drop it.

[burty]

one good thrashing later = oval ring for sale
set up as tight as possible but when the trail got rough I came off 4 times and numerous attempted offs,
all new cogs and chain,
I went out expecting it to drop so I was prepared when I was thrust a light speed into the bars
keep your eyes on the classifieds
I did feel the benefit when it was on but I would rather ride it than sit and tinker with it for the next week

[mountainbaker]

I suspect you have it set up wrong, why would it drop? Doesn't make sense. Mine has never dropped, even with the clutch on my mech left off.

[GregMay]

one good thrashing later = oval ring for sale
set up as tight as possible but when the trail got rough I came off 4 times and numerous attempted offs,
all new cogs and chain,
I went out expecting it to drop so I was prepared when I was thrust a light speed into the bars
keep your eyes on the classifieds
I did feel the benefit when it was on but I would rather ride it than sit and tinker with it for the next week

Why did you set it up tight? It only needs to be taught at the widest point on the cog.

Also, what's your chainline like?

FWIW, I've never had an oval SS setup pop off. Unlike when I was cheap and ran Superstar cogs, which are flexy and crap.

[Javi]

I´m also using oval rings, Rotor Qx1 32 and 18 cog rear. As this was part of a new bike build I can´t really say exactly the difference back to back but I feel my muscles get less tired on long rides and on tech climbs it makes it easier. My problem is chain strecthes much quicker than round rings.

[burty]

the set up is on the stooge , 34 on the front 18 on the back.
chain line is spot on. may try it with gears on the krampus

[jay91]

the set up is on the stooge , 34 on the front 18 on the back.
chain line is spot on. may try it with gears on the krampus

so you have the trangle bit behind the crank arm?going to fit mine later...

[Pirahna]

I'm surprised the chain dropped on the single speed setup. Even though the chainring is oval, the number of teeth in contact with the chain remains constant throughout the revolution of the ring. The only way the chain could go slack then tight is if the chain length altered, and it can't.

I should add that I don't ride SS and the above comment is probably nonsense (but the rear mechs on my bikes don't move back and forward with oval rings).

[Ian]

My experience of chain drop is it gets spat off the sprocket. Under load, the chain at the bottom is slacker, and on uneven terrain it would whip off as it came to the sprocket. Couldn't use a 8sp chain on the Pegasus at all, it'd be off every time you put power down.

I imagine (but have no experience, so I'm using my arm chair licence) that oval rings exaggerate this effect slightly at certain points on the stroke, insofar as you're getting a degree of slack anyway without load, so once you pedal you'll get more slack at the bottom than you would with s round ring.

[burty]

what ian said is exactly what happens , your kung fu is strong
I swapped the chain last night for a heaver kmc one and at the moment it seems fine .
I will give it a good test up Cannock on sunday . there is more rough single track up there than you can shack a stick at .