Sky procycling going round and round

[Mr Haematocrit]

This year I have noticed a lack of Osymetric chain rings on the bikes of team sky. I have even noticed that Wiggo has returned to a traditional shaped ring.
Does anyone know the reasons behind this and if we are ever likely to see ovalised chain rings on the bikes of team sky this season?

 

[Risex4]

I'm sure they said in Giro commentary today on Eurosport that the osys weren't compatible with the new Shimano group set. Whether that was fact, conjecture on their part, or I just dreamed it I'm not sure on.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

There was a bit of discussion on this on the tail end of the current Giro thread. Me, I know nothing...well apart from pedalling squares....

 

[Radchenister]

My simpleton's take is that if you put something asymmetric into the mix then I'm assuming it has been tested to be infallible or it might increase the potential hassle factor - I could see it being easier to manage on level ground but if you increase the terrain variables, I'm left wondering how you manage it (both physically and mentally)? Question more than a statement that.

 

[Radchenister]

PS - I use asymmetric out of habit; is 'Osymetric' a made up word?

 

[montage]

PS - I use asymmetric out of habit; is 'Osymetric' a made up word?

Osymetric is the name of the company that makes said chainrings (or one of a few companies).

My personal take on the rings is that they work.... legs are left feeling much fresher after hard rides. Several members of team sky swear by them, or at least have done in the past. Some people have cited compatibility issues with the new 11 speed shimano. Team Sky's webchat today stated that Wiggins was using the normal round rings in order to deal with the steep climbs better.... this could be a power transfer thing (unlikely) or a matter of gear ratios. A 36 tooth osymetric ring is like pushing down on a 39 tooth in the downstroke, therefore provides a higher gear ratio. It is not unknown for riders in the Giro to run 34 at the front and 32 at the back (Contador did this for the Zoncalon) - I don't know of osymetric/asymmetric rings that go lower than 35 tooth, so this is akin to pushing down on something like a 38 at the front - meaning a dinnerplate such as a 34+ may be needed - I don't know if they even exist but if they do, it would be a mechanical disaster waiting to happen. So my best bet is it being a gear ratio issue.

 

[montage]

My simpleton's take is that if you put something asymmetric into the mix then I'm assuming it has been tested to be infallible or it might increase the potential hassle factor - I could see it being easier to manage on level ground but if you increase the terrain variables, I'm left wondering how you manage it (both physically and mentally)? Question more than a statement that.

When riding the rings you feel very little difference at all to riding normal chainrings during your pedalling action

 

[Radchenister]

OK, I understand it will likely become natural in terms of pedalling action with a good rhythm set and has potential power transfer advantages but how does it pan out when changing gear, is there a knack to it, perhaps in terms of a timing issue involved in making it a smooth, efficient and trouble free gear change or can you pop a button for a different gear at any time, with no regard to the demands on the drive train in terms of torque applied and crank positions etc.?

... and ... will this continue to work reliably over time, or does it require maintenance and tweaking?

 

[zizou]

Think i read a few weeks back that they are not using them all the time because they perceive there to be a bigger benefit when they go back to them after being on regular rings for a while....interesting to see if he has them on in the individual TT.

 

[SeeFarr]

I'm sure they said in Giro commentary today on Eurosport that the osys weren't compatible with the new Shimano group set. Whether that was fact, conjecture on their part, or I just dreamed it I'm not sure on.

I heard this on Eurosport today.

 

[Veloscot]

This year I have noticed a lack of Osymetric chain rings on the bikes of team sky. I have even noticed that Wiggo has returned to a traditional shaped ring.
Does anyone know the reasons behind this and if we are ever likely to see ovalised chain rings on the bikes of team sky this season?

Well I just asked a Team Sky official directly and here is their response:

"In Bradley Wiggins's case, he moved back from the osymetric to standard chain rings in order to help him with his climbing, specifically with the Giro in mind."

Elsewhere I heard that osymetric rings are incompatible with the newer Dura Ace groupsets.

 

[Rob3rt]

Well I just asked a Team Sky official directly and here is their response:

"In Bradley Wiggins's case, he moved back from the osymetric to standard chain rings in order to help him with his climbing, specifically with the Giro in mind."

Elsewhere I heard that osymetric rings are incompatible with the newer Dura Ace groupsets.

Even if they were, he seems to be using the older chain rings anyway (5 bolt SRM power meter, the new groupset uses a 4 bolt chain ring).

 

[thom]

PS - I use asymmetric out of habit; is 'Osymetric' a made up word?

[mathmo]
It isn't quite fair to say the Osymmetric rings are asymmetric in the math sense. They have 180 deg rotational symmetry and if they are faithful to an elliptical shape, they'll have 2 reflectional planes of symmetry.
[/mathmo]

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

That's really interesting Wiggo's moved back to an oval ring to help his climbing.. wonder what choice he will make during the TT does anyone know if the route is flat ?

 

[Radchenister]

[mathmo]
It isn't quite fair to say the Osymmetric rings are asymmetric in the math sense. They have 180 deg rotational symmetry and if they are faithful to an elliptical shape, they'll have 2 reflectional planes of symmetry.
[/mathmo]

Wow - geekometer needle is right in the red zone !