Oval chain rings?

[PabloNZ]

Is anyone running an oval chain ring on their emtb? From what little I understand about them they help to even out the power transfer from the crank to the chain for a smoother ride. But do you think smoothing that power transfer would also have a tangible effect on chain/component wear (less jarring)? Or even reduce motor wear?

 

[eFat]

The main issue with most motors is that the crank arms are not directly connected with the chain ring.

 

[PabloNZ]

Hmm, the Shimano Steps E8000 motor has the ability to swap out chain rings, is that not as simple as I thought for this?

 

[kane]

I have one on my Canyon Strive and i never noticed any performance differences. It felt a bit weird at first but you get used to it in about 5 pedals.

 

[Kernow]

I use them on my normal bike , they are great for relieving knee pain etc and easier climbing . I don’t think they would make a lot of difference to the motor wear etc but should still have the same effect for your legs and climbing etc . Not sure if the chain retainer on the Shimano Steps would accept the varying diameter of the ring , the chain device on my normal bike is ok but it only covers the top of the chain there is nothing under the chain .

 

[ccrdave]

Its an interesting point that somebody mentioned if the chainring is not directly connected to the cranks ( a la spesh) the effects would be negated right?

 

[Doomanic]

Worse, you could end doing harm, like the old Biopace chainrings did.

 

[Kernow]

Its an interesting point that somebody mentioned if the chainring is not directly connected to the cranks ( a la spesh) the effects would be negated right?

Yes that’s a very good point I didn’t think of that , the oval would be no use at all as the cranks can take up,drive at any point Hence the oval would never be in the right place to work . I guess that’s concluded this thread certainly for the shimano system anyway , not sure how the others work

 

[The Good Bike Doctor]

Is anyone running an oval chain ring on their emtb? From what little I understand about them they help to even out the power transfer from the crank to the chain for a smoother ride. But do you think smoothing that power transfer would also have a tangible effect on chain/component wear (less jarring)? Or even reduce motor wear?

This would not work on most E-Bikes.

Oval rings rely on the specific location of the ring to be mounted in relation to the crank arm. Most E-Bike systems spin the chain ring independently to the crank arm. So as soon as you pedal, the chain ring would spin faster than the crank, or if you pedal backwards, the chain ring does not spin. The "high" point of an Oval ring is designed to pull more chain on the downward stroke, and this would change on an e-bike system.

Cheers!!

 

[Mike Smith]

My very first mountain bike had these way back in the eighties early nineties, it was supposed to be more efficient !

 

[Kernow]

My very first mountain bike had these way back in the eighties early nineties, it was supposed to be more efficient !

That was the old biopace rings , apparently they had the oval positioned wrong . The current oval rings from absolute black are very good , certainly eased my knees on long road rides

 

[Mike Smith]

Ahh yes Biopace that's the name, the must have back then!

 

[Theolegit]

I had an oval on my yt Capra and it was really good as it helped with my climbing however, now I have an ebike I have a motor so don’t see the point