QRings - Rotor Cranks
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QRings - Rotor Cranks
Does any person(s) have any experience with the new QRings from Rotor Cranks. Get the same mechanical assistance as the expensive big brother but at a very affordable cost. Can get a 41-53T set of duals. Seems like that would be a great way to go. I have been looking for ways to assist my knees and performance.
Feedback would be appreciated.
Feedback would be appreciated.
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It sure SOUNDS good on their website. Maybe you should just rationalize the purchase by comparing the price to a Campa crank set or orthopedic treatment, buy them and report your own feedback.
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I ordered mine today from Mark at Power On Cycle. Its going on my 04 Catrike Road. I ordered just the middle ring. If I like the results I will get the big ring. I will let you know how it works out in a week or so.
#4
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Non-round rings fell out of favor 20 years ago because they screw up your spin. I guess that means it's time for them to be 'rediscovered' again. The Q-Rings' claim to fame is that they are also adjustable WRT where the easy part of the stroke can be placed. Whereas Rotor cranks work to eliminate the dead spot by varying the position of the crank arms in relation to each other, the Q-Rings merely try to speed your foot through the dead spot. My experience with Biopace and Ovaltech in the early 80s led me to conclude that they were marginally effective for the granny ring and a waste elsewhere.
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
My experience with Biopace and Ovaltech in the early 80s led me to conclude that they were marginally effective for the granny ring and a waste elsewhere.
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Originally Posted by MnHPVA Guy
and how did you orient them?
but I wouldn't have a 'bent without them.
but I wouldn't have a 'bent without them.
Is getting the orientation a difficult task?
Why do you find them so valuable on your 'bent?
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These look very interesting. If they do what they claim, I'd consider buying a set. So why can't you get a road triple? Are they out of stock, or impossible to build?
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Originally Posted by MnHPVA Guy
What sort of recumbent did you try them on, and how did you orient them? They suck on an upright, but I wouldn't have a 'bent without them.
In addition, if used on the big ring, you have to set the derailleur spacing to the high spot on the oval, which effectively reduces the amount of teeth the derailleur will span, in addtion to degrading front shifting.
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Originally Posted by jeff-o
These look very interesting. If they do what they claim, I'd consider buying a set. So why can't you get a road triple? Are they out of stock, or impossible to build?
Regarding a road triple system, we will have a matching Q Ring set in late 2006
Gary Tingley
Rotor Cranks USA
gary@rotorcranksusa.com
https://www.rotorcranksusa.com
Gary Tingley
Rotor Cranks USA
gary@rotorcranksusa.com
https://www.rotorcranksusa.com
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Originally Posted by BigAlMN
So is that QRings that you have used or the RotorCranks?
Originally Posted by BigAlMN
Is getting the orientation a difficult task?
Originally Posted by BigAlMN
Why do you find them so valuable on your 'bent?
I have Biopace set this way on my exercycle, and a round ring of the same size.
When on the round, at a speed that has my heart rate around 140, and my legs just starting to burn, I can shift to the Bio and maintain the same speed with an HR of 135 and no burn. Shifting back to the round, HR goes back up and the burn comes back.
YMMV but I percieve the BioPace to be much smoother. When I was using round rings on a 'bent, I would notice how much easier it was to get a buttery smooth spin on an upright. So I started looking into the physics of pedalling in the different positions. Because of the orientation in relation to gravity, the weight of your legs works to increase the torque applied late in the pedal stroke. This makes your pedalling a bit choppy,as there is an accelleration late in the stroke. (Sort of like Biopace on an upright, but in reverse) Setting the Biopace to absorb this torque peak makes pedalling my 'bents feel as smooth as my uprights.
Last edited by MnHPVA Guy; 01-19-06 at 09:53 AM.
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You know, I rarely use more than two rings anyway. Maybe I'll get the double after all... Hmmm...
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Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
They worked for low rpm; but for higher rpm your feet spin past the dead spot quickly enough anyway.
BioPace helped when ridden with your feet just on plain pedals at low RPM. It was also great for non-enthusiast riders on utility bikes. However the magazine testers, who have little in common with the typical rider, found it unsuitable at their higher RPMs. So they trashed it without mercy, and drove it out of the market.
Being aimed at the enthusiast upright rider, I fear Q Rings may suffer the same fate.
Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
In addition, if used on the big ring, you have to set the derailleur spacing to the high spot on the oval, which effectively reduces the amount of teeth the derailleur will span, in addtion to degrading front shifting.
As for degraded shifting, YMMV, but I think it shifts better than round plain rings.
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Originally Posted by jeff-o
So they're not so great when you're spinning at 100rpm?
My fastest 'bent has a 20" drive wheel, and a 12/44 high gear. (70 gear inches) With it's 153mm cranks I can maintain 27mph. However, these old legs are power limited, so I need a slight down hill or a good tailwind to hold that speed for any length of time.
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Well, these things would be going straight onto a recumbent in my case. I'm still deciding whether I should use short cranks, though.
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Originally Posted by jeff-o
I'm still deciding whether I should use short cranks, though.
However I might be a little biased, since this is my website. https://bikesmithdesign.com/Short_Cranks
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So even someone like me, with my massively long legs (or so others would say, I think they're normal) would still benefit... Shortening the cranks may also help me fit on a bike that I may not otherwise be able to ride. Verrrrry interesting indeed!
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I had my LBS install my Q-Ring on my Catrike Road Friday. Rode my trike 50 miles on Saturday with a group of bents calling themselves the Foot First riders. Had a good time and got a chance to get the feel of the Q- ring. I only installed the middle ring. After 50 miles I think they help. My peddaling is smoother and I seem to get up the hills a little easier. Not that we have big hills in FL. I shifted between the middle ring and the large ring and after a while I perferred the middle ring. I may just go and order the big ring.
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Originally Posted by jeff-o
So even someone like me, with my massively long legs (or so others would say, I think they're normal) would still benefit... Shortening the cranks may also help me fit on a bike that I may not otherwise be able to ride. Verrrrry interesting indeed!