Oval chainring?
#1
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Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2016
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From: South Italy
Bikes: BMC SLR01; Cannondale Trail; Custom steel gravel.... plus 5 vintage
Oval chainring?
Those chainrings seems pretty cool and functional , anyone got some experience with them?
i want try something but the cost is too expensive , do you guys know a cheeper version ?
(My crankset is FSA tea, issue full carbon compact 50t)
i want try something but the cost is too expensive , do you guys know a cheeper version ?
(My crankset is FSA tea, issue full carbon compact 50t)
#2
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Some people like them. Most people don't. Their lack of general popularity pretty much sums up the situation. I wouldn't waste my money on them...again.
#3
My vintage Cannondale R400 from 1989 has a Shimano "Biopace" Chainring, which is oval.
Can't say I really notice the difference. I don't dislike it in any case. I woudln't spend extra money on it.
It was supposed to be better for the knees, but it never really took off. Some pro's even ride oval chainrings I think, so it might just be personal preference.
Can't say I really notice the difference. I don't dislike it in any case. I woudln't spend extra money on it.
It was supposed to be better for the knees, but it never really took off. Some pro's even ride oval chainrings I think, so it might just be personal preference.
#4
Buddy
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Toronto
Bikes: 80s Gardin. Green fixed-gear. POS mountain bike.
I have a bike with Biopace. Going from one bike to another, it does feel a bit different. But it's hard to notice. It feels smooth and almost like the cranks are shorter or something.
Anyway they are designed differently than other oval chainrings. They're more egg shaped. Might be able to get some on ebay.
Anyway they are designed differently than other oval chainrings. They're more egg shaped. Might be able to get some on ebay.
#5
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Bozeman
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
I dislike oval chainrings because they make it hard to adjust the front derailleur correctly.
#6
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Rotor Q rings from a high end Spanish Company , has been used by professionals .
Buy and Try if you are curious enough, rather than rely on the opinions of Others ..
Rotor Bike Components
If after trying them, You dont like them then re sell them over the web.
Buy and Try if you are curious enough, rather than rely on the opinions of Others ..
Rotor Bike Components
If after trying them, You dont like them then re sell them over the web.
#7
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Oval chainrings is a "novel" idea that has been coming around every 20 years or so for the last century. The exact shape and orientation keeps changing, and after a short time the phase is over and the idea goes dormant again.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#8
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From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
And pops up as a BF topic every few months or so...
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#9
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From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
#10
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Kissimmee, Florida
Bikes: 28,000 mi. Denali road bike, some yellow Raleigh with Reynolds 531c frame, 1991 Specialized Sirrus Sport
I bought a used Raleigh racing bike with 531c tubing that has Biopace rings in front. Seems pretty nice to me. Smooth. I have another road bike with regular chainrings. I don't "miss" the Biopace rings when I'm riding the other road bike. I don't even consciously notice one or the other. However, I enjoy the smoothness of the Biopace.
#11
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
They're "functional" in the sense that they at least don't fail to be chainrings.
#12
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From: South Italy
Bikes: BMC SLR01; Cannondale Trail; Custom steel gravel.... plus 5 vintage
Thanks guys for those interesting infos , looking for more owners feedback.
On ebay i found a trademark called DOVAL. It is an ibrid from oval and asymmetric and cheeper as well , i think i'll give a try into this one (if my crankset allow me to do that).
On ebay i found a trademark called DOVAL. It is an ibrid from oval and asymmetric and cheeper as well , i think i'll give a try into this one (if my crankset allow me to do that).
#13
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From: Middletown NY
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix EVO w Hi-Mod frame, Raleigh Tamland 1 and Giant Anthem X
I don't have the oval rings but was looking into them as the concept makes a lot of sense from a mathematical/Engineering point of view. Then the cost took away my interest as it seemed excessive to me.
Post up if you get them
Post up if you get them
#14
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From: Haarlem, Netherlands
Bikes: Pinarello Dogma F8, Pinarello Bolide, Argon 18 E-118, Bianchi Oltre, Cervelo S1, Wilier Pista
#15
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From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
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#16
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From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
FWIW, we used to rotate Biopace rings one bolt hole clockwise; they seemed to feel just a little bit better that way...
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#17
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From: Southern California, USA
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
If you have junior gear restrictions - they give you an effective larger gear.
#18
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From: Ontario, Canada
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Sheldon Brown has a comprhensive article about these. Here are a few things he talks about. See articlr for full text.
Biopace Chainwheels
What Are They Good For?
Biopace chainwheels are particularly suitable for touring cyclists and time trialists, or any application that involves a steady, fairly constant cadence. They allow healthy, efficient pedaling at slower cadences than is possible with round chainwheels. They are especially suitable for triathletes and mountain bikers. The triathlete benefits because the motion is a little bit closer to that of running, making the transition easier.
The mountain biker particularly benefits, because the Biopace design somewhat smooths out the delivery of power to the rear wheel. In climbing on loose surfaces, the limiting factor is often traction.
[h=3]The Cadence Issue[/h]The marketers of Biopace made a crucial error of judgment: too much information. In particular, they mentioned that the Biopace design was optimized for cadences of about 90 rpm and slower. Many readers interpreted this as an indication that Biopace chainrings would somehow interfere with pedaling faster than that. This perception caused a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the Conventional Wisdom arose that Biopace was bad for high-performance cyclists for this reason. I [Sheldon] used to believe this myself, but I rode them anyway because I appreciated their other virtues.
[h=3]Biopace and Fixed Gear[/h]People are often astonished to learn that I ride Biopace chainrings on fixed-gear bikes.
[h=3]Biopace Combinations[/h]The usual stock combinations with Biopace chainrings were 48-38-28 or 46-36-26 for a wide-step triple; 52-42 for a racing double. A half-step-plus-grannies combination is possible with 50T-46T or 48T-44T for the two outer chainwheels and a 28T or 26T inner chainwheel. This works well with an 11-13-16-19-23-28-34 cassette -- a custom combination, to be sure
[h=3]Orientation[/h]For installing Biopace chainrings, the orientation should generally be preserved. Each Biopace chainring has an "indexing mark." This is a small tab pointing inward toward the middle of the chainring.
Mixing Biopace and Round Chainwheels
It is possible to mix Biopace and round chainwheels on the same crankset, but I [Sheldon] would not recommend it.
[h=3]Conclusion[/h]Cheers
Biopace Chainwheels
What Are They Good For?
Biopace chainwheels are particularly suitable for touring cyclists and time trialists, or any application that involves a steady, fairly constant cadence. They allow healthy, efficient pedaling at slower cadences than is possible with round chainwheels. They are especially suitable for triathletes and mountain bikers. The triathlete benefits because the motion is a little bit closer to that of running, making the transition easier.
The mountain biker particularly benefits, because the Biopace design somewhat smooths out the delivery of power to the rear wheel. In climbing on loose surfaces, the limiting factor is often traction.
[h=3]The Cadence Issue[/h]The marketers of Biopace made a crucial error of judgment: too much information. In particular, they mentioned that the Biopace design was optimized for cadences of about 90 rpm and slower. Many readers interpreted this as an indication that Biopace chainrings would somehow interfere with pedaling faster than that. This perception caused a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the Conventional Wisdom arose that Biopace was bad for high-performance cyclists for this reason. I [Sheldon] used to believe this myself, but I rode them anyway because I appreciated their other virtues.
[h=3]Biopace and Fixed Gear[/h]People are often astonished to learn that I ride Biopace chainrings on fixed-gear bikes.
[h=3]Biopace Combinations[/h]The usual stock combinations with Biopace chainrings were 48-38-28 or 46-36-26 for a wide-step triple; 52-42 for a racing double. A half-step-plus-grannies combination is possible with 50T-46T or 48T-44T for the two outer chainwheels and a 28T or 26T inner chainwheel. This works well with an 11-13-16-19-23-28-34 cassette -- a custom combination, to be sure
[h=3]Orientation[/h]For installing Biopace chainrings, the orientation should generally be preserved. Each Biopace chainring has an "indexing mark." This is a small tab pointing inward toward the middle of the chainring.
Mixing Biopace and Round Chainwheels
It is possible to mix Biopace and round chainwheels on the same crankset, but I [Sheldon] would not recommend it.
[h=3]Conclusion[/h]Cheers
#19
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,301
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From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
Hot set-up was Biopace large ring, rotated one bolt clockwise, round middle gear and round stainless steel "granny".
Worked great...
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