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I will be changing from a 32t cinch to a 30t oval and a new chain. Anything different to fitting a round ring?
Nope, apart from the obvious orientation issues
Put some money aside ready for a new mech when the clutch packs in.
No, only to note that 'most' people reckon that an oval ring is easier to pedal than the equivalent round, so advice is to go up one size rather than down.
On that basis, you are gearing down and getting the advantage of the shape so the new setup should be markedly easier than the current one.
If you're doing it to make your gearing lower then that's all fine; just saying in case you've misunderstood or not thought of that.... if you have then ignore me!
Put some money aside ready for a new mech when the clutch packs in.
Has that happened to you (honest question)?
On mine the eccentricity of the ring looks notable but if you do the maths over triangulations of the ring/chain/chainstay triangle it makes very little difference and the movement of the mech cage is very small.
I'm looking to get an easier climbing gear, the easier the better! I would also be interested in real world clutch destroyers or is it another myth?!
🙂
Oval rings work fine on singlespeeds with no tensioner, so they'll be fine with clutch mechs 🙂 There is a very little chain growth.
I’ve been running oval rings for a couple of year now with no rear mech issues (sram XX1)
Thankfully Shimano clutches at least (possibly Sram too) are piss easy to maintain or ‘service’. Takes about 5 mins, you just need a hex key, some grease and a rag and you can have it good as new. You don’t even need to take it off the bike.
Not that my oval ring seemed to do it any harm. They seem to die when the cage that holds the friction part tight breaks which seems to be caused by switching the clutch on and off when its dirty.
make sure the sticky out bit of the rotation clears your chainstay
I was going to write something about biopace, but having read the thread I'd say that as long as it's symmetrical, it shouldn't cause any chain growth, so don't worry about the clutch, wear will be minimal (particularly compared to, say, the wear from suspension movement.)
make sure you put it on right, theirs a small triangle imprint on the CR to line up with the crank arm