I am thinking about making the jump to an oval ring on my Stache. I have heard a lot of good but wanted some negatives.
So does anyone hate their oval?
So does anyone hate their oval?
Anyone hate the Oval?
Fuzzwardo
21 - 40 of 139 Posts
Joined
·
18,913 Posts
I never see any making reference to the 'workout' your clutched rear derailleurs get. Plan on increased maintenance intervals on the clutch mechanism.
Joined
·
632 Posts
I would use derailleur wear as an opportunity to upgrade my derailleur at that point.
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
Joined
·
8,066 Posts
Derailleur movement seems very minimal. I don't think I've seen anything on added clutch wear or maintenance due to running an oval ring.
Made this a while back with a 30T oval.
Joined
·
18,913 Posts
What would you upgrade to?
I run a SRAM XX1, that's an upgrade, but it still has a clutch.
Joined
·
632 Posts
I have a clutched deore shadow plus. Maybe XT?
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
Joined
·
12,571 Posts
Lots of oval threads on here but since this is up top thought I'd put my inquiry in:
XC vs Trail/Enduro. I'm thinking SS/XC would benefit more myself, what say you all?
Discuss
Joined
·
632 Posts
If I understand your question right I would say all genres benefit in different ways from oval but ss and xc for long climbs the most.
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
Joined
·
1,254 Posts
Oval feels different at first, but after a couple rides don't notice it. Coming from road cycling I understand the importance of spinning a round pedal stroke. I find the oval ring always feels like a power stroke and has no dead spots like a round ring does. My buddy thought it was just a gimmick until he rode my bike with the oval ring. He's got ovals on all his bikes now. I like them and will keep using them.
Joined
·
358 Posts
Been using oval chainrings for many years now on my road and tri bikes. To some extent there is a learning curve to getting used to using them but the effectiveness (or perceived lack of it) depends on the type of oval ring you use. There are many many oval rings from various makers and there is a noticeable difference in feel using various types. I personally like the Rotors but do not like the osymetrics, which I find too aggressive.
On my MTBs I use ovals as well and do not notice any difference. I have three MTBs with different rings.
To the OP, you have to try them out for yourself and be the better judge if you want them or not.
On my MTBs I use ovals as well and do not notice any difference. I have three MTBs with different rings.
To the OP, you have to try them out for yourself and be the better judge if you want them or not.
Pros:
- Smooth power delivery when climbing
- Less muscle fatigue due to power spikes in crank rotation trying to get over the dead spot
- Better traction due to smoother more consistent rotation
Cons:
- Having to reply to threads like these
- Having to pay for a new oval chain ring for every bike I own
- Smooth power delivery when climbing
- Less muscle fatigue due to power spikes in crank rotation trying to get over the dead spot
- Better traction due to smoother more consistent rotation
Cons:
- Having to reply to threads like these
- Having to pay for a new oval chain ring for every bike I own
I don't like ovals since it makes good chainguide setup impossible. When mounted high enough to clear the high spots on the oval, it's no longer in the best position for optimum chain retention. Every bike I've ridden with oval rings results in me dropping the chain at some point, something that rarely happens even on my 2X full squish bike.
Joined
·
362 Posts
If running a clutched RD and NW ring, oval or round, you shouldn't need a chain retention device. The only time I dropped a chain is when my RD got hung up on a rock and broke the hanger. Other than that I've not dropped a chain.
Oval and asymmetric chainrings come in a variety of designs. On some I don't like the way they are clocked. When spinning a high rpm they can throw my cadence off and feel real jerky. Set up properly for me and it really does smooth out the pedal stroke and thus results in more liner output. This is immensely helpful on technical climbs I can maintain traction much easier and clear obstacles.
The downside is shifting is compromised. I can feel the chain tension change and it causes enough of a vibration that it cause my feet to slip on the pedals. If I ride clipless then it's not an issue but I've noticed my feet sliding around on flat pedals.
The downside is shifting is compromised. I can feel the chain tension change and it causes enough of a vibration that it cause my feet to slip on the pedals. If I ride clipless then it's not an issue but I've noticed my feet sliding around on flat pedals.
Joined
·
8,605 Posts
I have a XT setup that always dropped a chain on 1 trail I frequent. I picked up a Blackspire Trail-X guide and it solved that problem oval or round. Not all chain guides cover enough ring for oval. Narrow wide and a clutch reduces chain drop, it doesn't eliminate it.
Joined
·
6,127 Posts
Couldn't drop a chain through snapping it? (w/ a chain guide...)
Sent from my kltedv using Tapatalk
Joined
·
4,089 Posts
I put an oval Wolftooth ring on my Santa Cruz (new build at the time) just basically in a "what the heck, I need a ring anyway so might as well try it," frame of mind. The only thing I hate about it is that I like it so much that I've had to spend the money to put one on my other bikes...
What size ring? I am on the fence either Wolftooth or Absolute Black. I have read the WT feels more like a round? Did you notice an immediate change from round to the WT?
21 - 40 of 139 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
