Do Oval (non-round) chainrings improve one leg vs two leg cycling power (Q ring, osymmetric)
FastFitnessTips: Cycling Science!・2 minutes read
Oval chain rings like Rotor Q-Rings provide a slight mechanical advantage and utilize different muscle groups during cycling, but the impact on bike speed is minimal. The key lies in finding the right number of teeth on the chain ring that suits individual riding styles and preferences.
Insights
- Oval chain rings like Rotor Q-Rings provide a mechanical advantage of about 5% in the most powerful position compared to standard chain rings, with variations like Rotor QXL and Hogg Eval offering up to 40% non-roundness.
- Despite the biomechanical differences in muscle engagement between downstroke and upstroke during cycling, studies suggest that the overall impact of oval chain rings on bike speed is minimal, emphasizing the importance of finding the optimal number of teeth on the chain ring for individual riding styles.
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Recent questions
What are oval chain rings in cycling?
Oval chain rings are non-round chain rings that provide varying degrees of non-roundness, such as Rotor Q-Rings with about 10% non-roundness.
How do oval chain rings affect cycling power?
Oval chain rings provide a mechanical advantage of about 5% more than standard chain rings in the most powerful position.
What muscles are utilized during cycling pedal strokes?
Large muscles are used during the downstroke, while smaller muscles are engaged during the upstroke in cycling pedal strokes.
Do oval chain rings impact pedal velocity in cycling?
Pedal velocity increases about 2% faster during the downstroke and decreases 2% slower during the upstroke with oval chain rings in cycling.
What is the significance of finding the right chain ring teeth number in cycling?
The key in cycling may not lie in oval or round chain rings, but in finding the right number of teeth on the chain ring that suits individual riding styles and preferences.
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Summary
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Misunderstood Oval Chain Rings in Cycling
- Oval or non-round chain rings in cycling are often misunderstood and surrounded by misinformation.
- Rotor Q-Rings are a classic example of oval chain rings, with about 10% non-roundness.
- In the most powerful position, the chain ring provides a mechanical advantage of about 5% more than a standard chain ring.
- Different chain sets like Rotor QXL and Hogg Eval offer varying degrees of non-roundness, up to 40%.
- Biomechanically, during cycling, the downstroke utilizes large muscles for power, while the upstroke uses smaller muscles.
- Studies show that during the downstroke, cyclists exert about 80% of their power, with only 15% during the upstroke.
- Pedal velocity increases about 2% faster during the downstroke and decreases 2% slower during the upstroke.
- While oval chain rings may offer slight advantages in power distribution, the overall impact on bike speed is negligible.
- The key may not lie in oval or round chain rings but in finding the right number of teeth on the chain ring that suits individual riding styles and preferences.
