Just got one, they are more oval than I thought they'd be.
Expected something a bit more subtle this thing looks mad.
It feels as weird as hell for about 30 seconds, then you won't notice it.
I'm running an AB 32T on my new build HT. It's great, it's everything they said it was - smoother power delivery on the loose / rough / mud etc = more traction.
No going back now. 🙂
Off the bike they look wrong. Fitted you'll not notice anything after the first 30 seconds until you come to the first hill when it's so much smoother. I tried one on my Solaris, liked it so much that I fitted one when I built up my fat bike as I reckon the smoothing out of my massive power will be a plus in the snow 😆
Still can't tell any difference on the big bike, but it must do something- the difference in blobbiness on the fatbike is really noticable.
I really liked my absolute black one but so noisy/grindy compared to the new eagle one I'm using with my shimano 11-speed set up. I think they make the rear mech clutch wear out quicker but a re-tension and some grease sorted it out for me.
@Northwind - not had a circular chainring on my fat bike to compare but removing pedalling induced bob was another reason for going the oval route.
I didn't really notice it on my 160mm bike, maybe for a very short time. Can't say I noticed any extra ease in climbing, extra tyre grip or any of the other claims for it - I'll probably get a round one next time.
got one on my stumpjumper as it was half the price of a raceface one, as I wanted to go up to a 34.
Cant really feel a HUGE difference TBH...
I very recently swapped from a round 32T to an oval 32T and love it. Feels weird at first, but then doesn't feel weird just [b]better[/b]. It's entirely subjective, I think, and I expect depends a lot on the way you pedal. It does feel particularly nice (to me) climbing (smoother) and also in low traction situations (climbing over roots, loose stuff). Really like it would definitely get another. It may be entirely placebo, but I'm not too bothered if it feels nice anyway 🙂
Recent convert to them and was expecting it to feel odd at first but on the contrary the first ride felt really good
if anything it feels like I'm pedalling in circles better, definitely makes my pedal stroke feel smoother.
I was expecting more from my oval chain ring. Tbh I don't even notice any difference but then I think that's the point.
My biggest concern was my knees but they have been fine. I will replace it with another oval when this wears out.
The main issue I have is sometimes it makes my clutch mech squeek as it moves forwards and backwards slightly with the oval. For ages I was looking for issues with BB, skewer, freehub etc until I realised.
Was checking out stuff about oval rings on youtube. There is something about squeaking mechs caused by the constant bobbing movement. They showed how to take the clutch apart and grease it, well you can on shimano mechs anyway.
Greasing a clutch sounds like a bad idea. Like greasing squeaky brakes.