Biopace chainrings
02-16-09, 01:43 AM
#2
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I have used them over many thousands of km in fg, ss, and geared appplications and am among those who really like them.
02-16-09, 01:49 AM
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02-17-09, 12:43 PM
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I have biopace on my "classic" 1989 (or was it 1990?) road bike.
After "biopace" became a dirty word, I really wanted to replace them (roadie mentality, and all), but never got around to it. Now I don't see a reason to, especially after reading the Sheldon Brown piece.
I don't know of anyone who still sells them. Fact is, I can't even find (having half-heartedly looked) a direct replacement round chainring, now that everyone has gone to 8 or 9-speed cassettes with narrow chains.
After "biopace" became a dirty word, I really wanted to replace them (roadie mentality, and all), but never got around to it. Now I don't see a reason to, especially after reading the Sheldon Brown piece.
I don't know of anyone who still sells them. Fact is, I can't even find (having half-heartedly looked) a direct replacement round chainring, now that everyone has gone to 8 or 9-speed cassettes with narrow chains.
02-17-09, 12:59 PM
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I've got Biopace rings on my utility bike. It's the stock 1987 Shimano GS200 crank that came on the bike. I'm not a fan or a hater of biopace; honestly, I don't notice a difference either way.
Supposedly, they gave you better leverage. Truthfully, I ride this bike loaded with 50 pounds of stuff up the same hills that I ride my round-ringed distance bike on, and I haven't been able to tell any difference in how they feel at similar gear-inch combos.
I haven't seen any retailers still selling biopace chainrings. Shimano quit making them in the mid 90s (IIRC) and I haven't seen anyone else producing them since then.
Supposedly, they gave you better leverage. Truthfully, I ride this bike loaded with 50 pounds of stuff up the same hills that I ride my round-ringed distance bike on, and I haven't been able to tell any difference in how they feel at similar gear-inch combos.
I haven't seen any retailers still selling biopace chainrings. Shimano quit making them in the mid 90s (IIRC) and I haven't seen anyone else producing them since then.
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02-17-09, 01:03 PM
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I only like Biopace on big rings, 48T and up. I just got some Campy cranks for my Pinarello, and am seriously thinking of disgracing them by keeping the stock 39, but transferring the 53T biopace from my old Shimano 600 cranks.
02-17-09, 01:55 PM
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I like them, but the difference is very subtle. You can use them with an IG hub if you want; chain tension changes slightly over the course of a revolution, but no big deal.
Ebay is a good source, but I've gotten two or three biopace cranks off dumpster bikes. Also, since a lot of people don't like Biopace and had them removed from their bikes, you may find your LBS has a drawer full of lightly used ones.
Ebay is a good source, but I've gotten two or three biopace cranks off dumpster bikes. Also, since a lot of people don't like Biopace and had them removed from their bikes, you may find your LBS has a drawer full of lightly used ones.
02-17-09, 02:01 PM
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Your only option is QRotor for that BCD.
https://www.rotorusa.com/s1-q-rings.shtml
I would check with you LBS to see if they have any lying around. New shops won't have them, but I know my old ones will.
02-17-09, 02:07 PM
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Not many choice besides eBay, but there's:
Rotor Rings Q-Rings:
https://www.rotorcranksusa.com/s1-q-rings.shtml
Shimano bought the patent from them recently...
Rotor Rings Q-Rings:
https://www.rotorcranksusa.com/s1-q-rings.shtml
Shimano bought the patent from them recently...
From the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese market and business newspaper, translated from the Japanese:
Shimano, the Osaka bicycle giant, has purchased a patent from Spain-based Rotor LLC to develop bicycle chain rings. Rotor LLC's "Q-Rings", an oval version of the traditional round bicycle chain ring will be immediately assimilated into the forthcoming Shimano bicycle component lineup, to be released in the third quarter of 2009.
Tatsuya Yama, the Japanese market Shimano liaison briefly discussed the impact of the patent purchase:
"We believe the Rotor design is the most efficient chain ring design today. Consequently, it must be the Shimano design as well."
Yama confirmed that Shimano has already developed a version of the Rotor Q-ring that is currently undergoing testing. The Shimano developed chain ring will feature "distinctive Shimano design branding", as well as have "a few minor bugs (Rotor's) design overlooked worked out", Yama said.
The new chain rings will be an important element of Shimano's new 7900 version Dura Ace premium bicycle component line up, as well as the heavily anticipated "Electronic" Dura Ace, a sort of automatic transmission for bicycles.
"You must appreciate the impact this new element will have on the high-end cycling industry" says Yama. "It's unprecedented."
Shimano, the Osaka bicycle giant, has purchased a patent from Spain-based Rotor LLC to develop bicycle chain rings. Rotor LLC's "Q-Rings", an oval version of the traditional round bicycle chain ring will be immediately assimilated into the forthcoming Shimano bicycle component lineup, to be released in the third quarter of 2009.
Tatsuya Yama, the Japanese market Shimano liaison briefly discussed the impact of the patent purchase:
"We believe the Rotor design is the most efficient chain ring design today. Consequently, it must be the Shimano design as well."
Yama confirmed that Shimano has already developed a version of the Rotor Q-ring that is currently undergoing testing. The Shimano developed chain ring will feature "distinctive Shimano design branding", as well as have "a few minor bugs (Rotor's) design overlooked worked out", Yama said.
The new chain rings will be an important element of Shimano's new 7900 version Dura Ace premium bicycle component line up, as well as the heavily anticipated "Electronic" Dura Ace, a sort of automatic transmission for bicycles.
"You must appreciate the impact this new element will have on the high-end cycling industry" says Yama. "It's unprecedented."
02-17-09, 02:58 PM
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I like them, but the difference is very subtle. You can use them with an IG hub if you want; chain tension changes slightly over the course of a revolution, but no big deal.
Ebay is a good source, but I've gotten two or three biopace cranks off dumpster bikes. Also, since a lot of people don't like Biopace and had them removed from their bikes, you may find your LBS has a drawer full of lightly used ones.
Ebay is a good source, but I've gotten two or three biopace cranks off dumpster bikes. Also, since a lot of people don't like Biopace and had them removed from their bikes, you may find your LBS has a drawer full of lightly used ones.
So at the end of the day do your knees feel less thrashed?
02-17-09, 03:12 PM
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If you're not mashing, and your bike is fitted properly, your knees won't feel thrashed at the end of the day no matter what chainrings you have.
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02-17-09, 03:32 PM
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The century before last, I was practically crippled. The one after that was a lot better. Both were with BioPace, tho.
Drats! foiled again. They did look a little bigger just by holding them up to the ones on the bike, both cranks still intact, but I thought I was just seeing things.
Drats! foiled again. They did look a little bigger just by holding them up to the ones on the bike, both cranks still intact, but I thought I was just seeing things.
02-17-09, 03:34 PM
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eBay is a good source. So am I actually. I have a few (probably 6-7) Biopace chainrings that are either NOS or VERY lightly used.
If you're interested, feel free to message.
If you're interested, feel free to message.
02-17-09, 04:12 PM
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Found them on my all original dumpsterfind Miyata ninetelve from last autumn. Spent so much time cleaning it (Q-tips
) so I did not ride it yet. Really want spring to pop out soon!
) so I did not ride it yet. Really want spring to pop out soon!
02-17-09, 07:02 PM
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Thanks for the offer. What I really want to know right now is if there is really any advantage to riding with Biopace. Why did you take them off?
02-17-09, 07:19 PM
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no really big advantage from riding with biopace. just use a smaller round chainring.
but it feels pretty good to have biopace when you only have one chainring up front.
but it feels pretty good to have biopace when you only have one chainring up front.
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02-17-09, 07:24 PM
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Have them on my 89 SR600 Crit bike. I don't ride this bike often but when I first hop on it I can tell a difference over my T700 that I ride most of the time. Not sure how to describe it other then the effort ramps up as you are able to increase leverage on the down stroke. Really noticeable when I have the cleats on.
I wouldn't take them off for anything other then wear out but not sure I am impressed enough to got find a set to install on a bike that didn't have them.
I wouldn't take them off for anything other then wear out but not sure I am impressed enough to got find a set to install on a bike that didn't have them.
02-17-09, 07:43 PM
#19
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
I found the Biopace rings to be ideal on my longbike which was built for carrying large loads and towing a 6-8 foot trailer up some short but very steep grades... the gearing is low and the power delivery is very smooth under these conditions.
02-17-09, 09:10 PM
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Not many choice besides eBay, but there's:
Rotor Rings Q-Rings:
https://www.rotorcranksusa.com/s1-q-rings.shtml
Shimano bought the patent from them recently...
Rotor Rings Q-Rings:
https://www.rotorcranksusa.com/s1-q-rings.shtml
Shimano bought the patent from them recently...
Rotor rings are basically the opposite of biopace though, in that they increase diameter as the crank arm approaches horizontal.
02-17-09, 09:16 PM
#21
Fossil
I recently replaced a small (42) biopace chainring with a round one of the same size. I can't tell any difference in any way. Both pedaling and shifting seem the same to me and I have had the bike for almost 20 years. The bike is a light (for its age) road bike and I don't carry much cargo, just a light backpack at most.
02-17-09, 11:10 PM
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Didn't they do away with bio-pace rings because they were ruining peoples knees. I seem to remember a chain ring set that was sort of obround, almost oval shaped, not a perfect circle or true round shape. I swear the set I had on an old mountain bike said bio-pace on them. I got rid of the that bike long before they were discontinued.
02-18-09, 07:50 AM
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I have bio-pace on two old steel-frame mountain bikes (you can see them here). Both have either road or hybrid tires on them. I use them for commuting, shopping and fitness rides.
I have arthritic knees but since riding these bikes almost exclusively, I have no knee pain anymore, whatsoever. I have to attribute it to the bio-pace rings. They actually seem to have been good for my knees.
It's a little disconcerting when you're over-pedaling, like doing 35 - 40 MPH downhill, because every stroke seems to snap downward and you can feel the unevenness. Otherwise the bio-pace rings are a real pleasure to use.
I have arthritic knees but since riding these bikes almost exclusively, I have no knee pain anymore, whatsoever. I have to attribute it to the bio-pace rings. They actually seem to have been good for my knees.
It's a little disconcerting when you're over-pedaling, like doing 35 - 40 MPH downhill, because every stroke seems to snap downward and you can feel the unevenness. Otherwise the bio-pace rings are a real pleasure to use.