thehammerdog

Anyone use them?
I need new rings and I have been considering trying a set, but the low end % oval not the crazy oval %.. I ride compact rings.
Just curious if you found any benefit.

K.Katso

I use Rotor Q-Rings and I love them. I have the compact aero set 50/34. Apparently the jury is still out when it comes to the science (no hard evidence that they are any better last I heard), but going by feel I do think I pedal more efficiently. It definitely feels like I'm turning perfect circles.

RR3

On my Rando bike, I went to Rotor Q rings in 46/34 with 200mm Lightning cranks and a mid-sole cleat position with good effect. Crank and rings were done first and then a month later I went mid-sole. I climber better with this set up and have much less knee and leg fatigue/pain/inflammation on very long rides. My heart rate at AT is lower, much like what Joe Friel reports from his experience. I will have Rotor rings on a Road Racing bike soon but short (180mm) cranks. Obviously, the Rotor rings are not cheap. There are Chinese knock-offs but can't say whether they are any good. I use a SRAM Red front dertailleur and the setup was not as easy as usual to setup but there is no need to trim and I can run the whole range. Front shifting is the only drawback but I usually on need the small ring for steep extended climbs anyway because my "large" ring is only a 46 and I run either 11-28 or 11-32 SRAM cassette. The chain will once in a while drop going from the small ring to the big dog if I am not careful but this minor inconvenience is well worth the benefit to me. Riders either love or hate them. Check out fleebay for deals.

POWER TO THE PEDAL ? CLEAT POSITION » Bike Fit » Feet » Steve Hogg's Bike Fitting Website

Joe Friel - Midsole Cleats and Pedals

Joe Friel's Blog: Cleat position

bmthom.gis

I have Suntour Ovaltech rings on my 89 Schwinn and I have to admit I like them a lot

Fiery

Had a test ride on a set, didn't like them; I just couldn't get on top of the gear. It is possible that they just weren't set up optimally for my style of riding, but I would definitely not buy a set without a longer test period on my own bike.

ThermionicScott 

I've used BioPace rings for a stretch, but didn't feel a huge difference and they made FD setup/shifting a little more fiddly. Still got 'em, and may try a 52/42 set on my go-fast bike after assembling a custom cassette to match.

thehammerdog

Thanks for the feedback..do you know how much Oval you are using I see that it cam vary from some to a ton of Ovalization...I am thinking of going for the smallest increase in ovalization....also is there any impact on front shifting?

Big geek

I ride osymetrics. 56/42 I believe. I spin them great and feel totally natural, but small ring to big ring can occasionally throw the chain. Chain catcher and a quick downshift usually give me another chance to make the jump. If you jump front rings a lot, I would stay round, or go rotor.

Stucky

Doesn't using them make you a little eccentric?

Big geek

As funny as they look they feel totally normal. Returning to round rings feels odd for the lack of power, but even that feels normal after a couple of miles. Osymetrics have a strong resale value, so if you try them and don't like them, you won't lose much.

RR3

Don't use the old bio-pace rings.

K.Katso

I don't think the Rotor Q-Rings come in different versions of ovalization, but they are adjustable from positions 1-5. I'm running position 2 on my big ring and position 3 on my small ring. I'm using Di2 so I don't really notice any difference in front shifting. It just works when I push the button, not really any different from a round chainring. I've heard about some people having problems but I haven't myself. However I do live in a flat area so I don't do a lot of front shifts anyway, so YMMV.

Stucky

(Funny though- I always thought of oval rings as being a scam- but the way you've put it, you've almost got me tempted.... )

I <3 Robots

I'm using Q-rings on my road bike and a Ridea SXX1 single ring on the mountain bike. I really like how it smoothes out the pedal stroke. Feels like I have a better spin when I ride. Alot of singlespeeders are using an oval ring on their mountain bikes...and they are really liking it.

Avispa

I did what you think of, i went for the smallest increase going for Q-rings (Rotor Aero 52/38 version).
I also expected front shifting to be somewhat worse, but to my surprise, it's not so.
You have to set the FD higher compared to round rings quite obviously, but it's not a problem with shifting.
I run mechanical DA 9000 if it matters, with Rotor 3D+ MAS crank, in OCP position 4.
I went through OCP 3, 3½ and now 4.
Only thing i noted was that with increase in OCP, you move the torque forward.
So if you feel it is a bit to heavy in 12-2 o'clock, you move to next OCP.
Bonus with MAS crank(s) is that you have ½ increments also, instead of just 1-5 OCP.
Only way to find what YOU like or dislike, is to ride it.