Qrings

[jonwatson83]

Hi all,

I just joined a couple of days ago but not new to cycling. Been riding for about two years now and currently ride a cube agree gtc compact. I am considering replacing my front chain ring with a qring. Does anyone ride one? Have any advice?

Thanks

Jon

 

[Booyaa]

Hi Jon, what advantages are you looking for with a Qring?

Good to have you on board.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Yep I have a set.. They are currently in the gubby hands of @mark st1
I personally think the advertising and theory is great and the reality less so. Shifting quality is drastically reduced and inconsistent under power.
I felt they reduced the dead spot a little and perhaps cramp a little over longer rides which I can be prone to. In reality it could be placebo and me trying to find an advantage.
Im not overly convinced, snake oil high on placebo possibly. I most certainly would not advise anyone to buy them.

I feel I gained more from using rollers which benefit greatly and encourage smooth pedaling technique.

 

[jonwatson83]

Thanks both, gain looking for better climbing ability but interesting about using rollers. I am actually considering a new trainer but wasn't considering rollers as they seem well daunting!

Ideally I am looking to improve my peddling and performance

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Better climbing ability is obtained by riding hills and doing hill repeats IMHO.. Far more effective and cheaper than Q-Rings

 

[jonwatson83]

Well plenty of hills around my way!

 

[ufkacbln]

There is a lot of discussion about these - also look at Q Rings, Egg Rings and Biopace

When Shimano first brought out Biopace in the eighties, they were launched as a big improvement, but gradually became rounder and then stopped being produced.

An interesting point is that when they were reintroduced they were oriented at 90 degrees from the original version!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Paul Barratt, who works for the English Institute of Sport on the biomechanics elements for British Cycling, did some investigation about the supposed benefits of eliptical chain rings and, like others, reckons that the evidence is inconclusive. "In my opinion, the studies looking into tangible measures of performance are mixed at best," he says.

"The claims made for them, that they delay the onset of muscle fatigue in the quadriceps... Well, the evidence isn't there to say that it preferentially alters the loading on different muscle groups. It's not to say the notion of a non-circular chainring should be dismissed; it's just there isn't the evidence out there to support the claims so often made about them."

 

[fossyant]

Wouldn't bother myself. Spend the cash on some nice blingy round ones instead.

 

[VamP]

They are gaining popularity among the TT fraternity. The reason you're not seeing a lot of data is twofold; a) the impact is very position dependent and b) a lot the guys testing these are keeping the results to themselves for competitive reasons.

I certainly wouldn't bother for non-competitive riding, and even for testing I suggest there is little advantage to be found without access to a power meter, and some understanding of how different riding positions affect your power delivery, as you could easily lose power using these as well.

I wouldn't expect to see any impact on climbing ability even in a best case scenario.

 

[Rob3rt]

They are gaining popularity among the TT fraternity. The reason you're not seeing a lot of data is twofold; a) the impact is very position dependent and b) a lot the guys testing these are keeping the results to themselves for competitive reasons.

I certainly wouldn't bother for non-competitive riding, and even for testing I suggest there is little advantage to be found without access to a power meter, and some understanding of how different riding positions affect your power delivery, as you could easily lose power using these as well.

I wouldn't expect to see any impact on climbing ability even in a best case scenario.

And the way some power meters work also means they will over read when you use non-round rings, hence tricking you into thinking they have increased your power. It is hard to be conclusive since you don't know what is due to power meter and what is due to the rider.

 

[VamP]

And then there's that too. Although Power Taps should be immune from that effect.