Is the O chain a good match for emtb?

[Dirtnvert]

I wonder if the O chain would make the ep8 and cx gen4 clunking a bit quieter?
With assist , it seems like it'd be a nice addition for the same reason id rather have coils, dh casing tires and cheap drivetrains. Ride quality>weight

Ochain Components

Ochain components

www.ochain.bike

Will we see them make versions for emtb's?

 

[Mcharza]

I think that goes straight to the snake oil category ?

 

[Gary]

Emtb mid drive motors have a freewheel at the crank spider so their chainring works similarly to the o-chain already.

 

[Gary]

o-chain also isn't available in a DM standard to fit the spider interface of Emtb cranks.

 

[Gary]

I think that goes straight to the snake oil category ?

It doesn't mate. One of the reasons your emtb suspension works better than mtb suspension is the freedom from chain tension an EMTB crank freewheel allows.

 

[Gary]

The price of the O-chain seems a good match for many Ebikers though. ?

 

[Dirtnvert]

Emtb mid drive motors have a freewheel at the crank spider so their chainring works similarly to the o-chain already.

Both the hub and motor freewheel engagements work in the same direction. The O chain should give some compliance to the engagement. During braking the motor freewheel will remain active and do as you say but if you have any tourque on the cranks and braking the suspension system wont move as freely when the swingarm is extending. Am i missing something? This is the interwebz, everyones an engineer. Where are they now?
That should add longevity to both freewheels, the chain, cassette and internal motor gear , belt and clutch albeit not super significant. I wouldnt be surprised if it did dampen the internal engagement on the shiman on bosch motor too.
Im aware they dont have one that fits emtb just figure they will soon

 

[Dirtnvert]

They could put a mini O chain in the derailleur clutch too/trademark

 

[Gary]

In terms of improving suspension performance (which is the thing O-chain are marketing their product to do) I think you're over thinking it and an O-chain in combination with the crank spider freewheel really wouldn't be worth doing.
But you may be onto a selling point RE: Improving the durability of Emtb motors... I certainly wouldn't want an extra 6deg of rotation/movement each time I began pedalling when there's already 2 freewheels slowing down the pick up for me.

PS. I was offered an O-chain to test a few weeks ago.. Don't know if anything will actually come of it though

 

[Dirtnvert]

Good point. Engagement lag is a thing with emtb's. Id like to try it on anything just to see. I guess you could put one on a rocky powerplay. I think itd fit on one of those, not sure. They have instant engagement too. Hope you get to try one. Let us know

 

[Smittylube]

Ok so I went from 54 to 108 engagement , then put this on and go back to 27? interesting idea. I'd love to hear the reports. Subbed.

 

[Dirtnvert]

Ok so I went from 54 to 108 engagement , then put this on and go back to 27? interesting idea. I'd love to hear the reports. Subbed.

Was 54 really that bad? Idk, i havent compared. If it wasnt too bad and the 108 was just a thing during a rebuild maybe with the 0 chain and a 108 it would be exceptable? Or maybe with a onyx sprague clutch instant engagement hub? Just spitbsllng, ive tried none of these things(rocky powerplay, o chain, 54 or 108, onyx) i guess i prob tried a 54, idk. I have a dt 370 hub on my h1900 wheels on my 2019 decoy. Zero complaints but then im not sure how many engagement points they have

 

[Gary]

Hub engagement count won't change.
But the drive characteristic will
To save me typing a ton of words this quote from enduro Mag explains it pretty well.

"With the Ochain fitted, the degrees of crank rotation independent of the spider (6, 9 or 12° depending on the elastomers fitted) comes before the rotation needed for freehub engagement, adding to the dead space and reducing the immediacy of your drivetrain. This is worsened depending on the elastomers fitted, from 6° which is not too bad, to 12° which is very noticeable. If you have a slow hub with an engagement of say 10-15°, an additional 12° will make it feel terrible. This additional dead space in the pedal stroke means it’s hard to ‘ratchet’ over technical terrain on add in squirts of power up short technical climbs. Also, it’s very likely that those considering a €300 suspension upgrade will have already upgraded their wheelset, choosing one with a faster-engaging hub for improved power delivery, and an Ochain will negate that advantage. Even with our super-fast Hydra hub, we settled on the smallest 6° elastomer to minimise the additional dead space, prioritising instant power delivery over maximum pedal kickback reduction. The 9 and 12 ° settings would be best kept for DH riders who frequent shuttles or lifts and don’t care about fast power delivery"

 

[Dirtnvert]

Hub engagement number won't change.
But the drive characteristic will
To save me typing a ton of words this quote from enduro Mag explains it pretty well.

Makes sense. Moir was saying the 6 for enduro was good and dh they use more. Could still be decent on an emtb depending on hub, freehub, and/or motor and what your usage for the bike is. If the bike is mostly your tech climbing bike there'd be no need. If it was your shuttle bike it could be great. Emtb might need one with a lockout for those tech days(for me that has to be half the time) but then maybe hub choice, motor and set at 6 is fine. Hope you try some options with one. In tgeory i like them obviously?

 

[Smittylube]

Was 54 really that bad? Idk, i havent compared

That’s my point might be real good with 108 however there is the ‘gap’ from the front drive as well. it would be interesting to try it. I figure that’s the only way to know for sure.

 

[Mcharza]

And here is a long term review NSMB.com - OChain Active Spider Review

 

[Dirtnvert]

And here is a long term review NSMB.com - OChain Active Spider Review

Interesting. I guess with the decrease in chainring wear one could surmise that there will be less chain, freehub(s),cassette and motor bearing/clutch/belt/gear wear. Id expect there will be less maintenance in the o chain system as it develops too. Added benefits for flat pedal riders and no excessive decrease in tech climbing speak well to it and mentions the quick engaging hub benefit. Sounds great. With the price i dont think ill be an early adopter but it wouldnt take much for me to get on one.
I havent but will read Steve(vorsprung) article. Bit of a wizard that guy

 

[R120]

I wonder how long before one of the big players snaps up O-Chain - it certainly seems to have a big uptake amongst the pros for such a new product.

 

[Dirtnvert]

I wouldnt bet against that happening. Sram could make an overdue splash with it. They might need to make better brakes to control the extra speed though ?

 

[Smittylube]

Old car window motors from the ‘60‘s or ‘70’s used to use this concept. It actually makes sense.