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BudLeach
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Oval Ring?
04/22/16 at 6:32pm
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Interesting concept... Sounds good on paper at least. 

Just wondering if anyone has tried one. Do you love it? Hate it? Indifferent?

The majority opinions I have found online have been positive, but there are also some negatives which seem to directly contradict the positives...
  
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RumbleOn
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #1 - 04/22/16 at 6:58pm
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I tend to pedal in a square rather than round motion. It has noticeably smoothed that out. I don't know if it has improved my riding, but I haven't experienced any negatives. The placebo effect alone has to be worth something.
  
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JokerSC
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #2 - 04/22/16 at 8:03pm
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I've been running one on my single speed for about 3 months. So far, I like it. . Feels like its smoother pedaling and on punchy climbs its a little "easier".  I'd tell you try one out. Absolute Black has a money back guarantee if you don't like it.   I certainly don't have anything negative to say about it

« Last Edit: 04/22/16 at 8:07pm by JokerSC »  
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RideMFRide
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jonesn
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #3 - 04/22/16 at 8:59pm
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Shimano did it a long time ago!

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Former Owner - Metro Cycle Messenger  Service in Downtown Charlotte N.C. (1997 - 2005) R.I.P.
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mayford
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #4 - 04/23/16 at 6:19pm
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Shimano did do it a long time ago but according to the absolute black sales pitch they did it backwards.  I have had the absolute black version on my bike for 8 months.   I will be taking it off soon.  I dont think it makes much of a difference but it is very hard on bottom brackets.  I have worn a couple out (or at least they became very noisy) since putting the oval ring on.
  
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DK
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #5 - 04/23/16 at 11:37pm
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How could it be wearing out the bottom bracket more than a round one would.  I ask simply because I don't understand how it would have any different affect on the BB.  My neighbor has been running one on his bike for a couple of months and loves it.  He talked me into getting one which I plan to mount sometime next week to try it out.
  
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BudLeach
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #6 - 04/25/16 at 3:37pm
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Thanks for the replies guys. Unfortunately, I feel I am no closer to knowing whether its worth trying... I mean, I'm fine with my round ring, just curious to try the oval. In my mind I figured if would allow me to accelerate quicker when I need to get in those 2-3 pedal pumps to boost my momentum leading in to a jump or a short punchy climb. Plus I ride flats (i.e. I don't "spin circles"), so it seems like it would help even out the torque spikes during the steep loose climbs. At least that was my thinking.

I can't see how switching to an oval ring could be significantly harder on my BB. I mean, I weigh what I weigh, and my power output is what it is. Even if the oval ring forces you to do more stand up and grind type pedaling on the climbs... I only weigh 150 lb, so I can only put so much force on the BB. 

As a side note, my BB (BB92) creaked no matter what, until I switched to a Wheels Mfg threaded unit AND used green loctite to fill in the gaps. The creaking wasn't coming from the bearings in my case, it was coming from the BB to BB shell interface. 

Hey mayford,
What version of the ring do you have in terms of crank interface? tooth count? Would love to try out a used one on the cheap to get a feel for it. I would need GXP direct mount though...

Another question for those that have used ovals. Would you suggest going with a higher tooth count than you would for a round ring? For example, I currently run a 30t round. Would the recommended oval replacement be a 32t?
  
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johnski
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #7 - 04/25/16 at 4:21pm
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BudLeach wrote on 04/25/16 at 3:37pm:


Another question for those that have used ovals. Would you suggest going with a higher tooth count than you would for a round ring? For example, I currently run a 30t round. Would the recommended oval replacement be a 32t?

I plan to get the 32T oval from OneUp when my current 30T ring needs replacing.  From what I've read, 32T oval feels like a 34T chainring at the point in your pedal stroke where you have the most power and like a 30T where you're weakest.
  
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mayford
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #8 - 04/26/16 at 12:54am
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Bud mine is 34 tooth 104 absolute black oval narrow wide.  I will sell it cheap or trade for a round 34 narrow wide

If you just want to try it you can throw my spare crank on your bike if my ring doesn't fit your crank
« Last Edit: 04/26/16 at 12:59am by mayford »  
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Impaler 58
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #9 - 04/30/16 at 10:39pm
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If anyone is interested , my brother up north has an old cannondale road bike with 2 x 7 105 with Bio Pace chainrings. It probably has about 200 mile on it
  
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JokerSC
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Re: Oval Ring?
Reply #10 - 05/09/16 at 10:33pm
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Yeah, its just like biopace....smh....

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RideMFRide
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