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Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:56 pm
by trustbran
Aloha all, I have been using 53/39 Qrings for 6 months and climbing felt better and my pedal stroke felt smoother. As for power increase, I did not notice any. Just pedal stroke feels smoother. I tried switching to a 50 Qring as I thought it would be an easier effort, since the 53 is suppose to be a 56 in the power pahse and it did seem to be somewhat tiring after hard efforts and at the same time I switched bikes that had all new SRAM Red Components. Well switching to the 50 Qring was way easier to spin and stay in longer than the 53, but my times suffered and for some reason I got dropped in the local ride I do(House of Pain ride Danville, CA) first time out with the 50 Qring. I just switched back to the 53 Qring last night and will see how it fairs on this weeks ride. Also I switched out the Red FD as the shifting really sucked no matter what I tried. I put an Ultegra FD and all is fine now and shifting is flawless.

Mahalo,
Brandon

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:36 pm
by Chiva
KWalker wrote:
Chiva wrote:
KWalker wrote:
Chiva wrote:If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. If these were so great, then every pro tour rider would be using them right? I mean these guys are only needing a 1% advantage to be a grand tour winner.

Half of the Vuelta top 10 used them. Wiggins has won medals on non-round rings and lots of stages have been won on them as well. They're obviously not hurting anyone so people reason that since they feel better and aren't detrimental necesssarily that they're worth keeping.


The other half of the top 10 used round rings. Armstrong and Ullrich won several TdF on round rings as well as many other riders winning many other stages on them as well. Same argumentcan be used for round rings obviously. I understand what you mean. I think the actual rotor crank that totally eliminates the dead spot would be helpful and do what it claims to do but it's heavy. Rotor said they are redesigning it. We'll see.


You didn't read a key portion of my and most of the poster's statements. THEY AREN'T HURTING THEM AND THEY LIKE THE WAY THEY FEEL. It's as simple as that. Lots of people ride lots of setups that give them 0 net gain, but they do so because of some random sensation associated with that piece of equipment. Look at all the pros riding way too long and low, which has more of a detrimental effect on riding, but is done anyways out of some sort of weird tradition of feeling that they're more aerodynamically efficient.

There haven't been enough completely controlled and double blind lab comparisons to show whether or not the efficiency claims are accurate or not. Every single study has had some weakness- not controlling for an SRM's inherency to assume the rings are round, only comparing short anaerobic power, or using a small amount of untrained cyclists over a very short period of time.

As for the shifting that's all you. I have ridden Q-Rings and we have lots and lots of customers who love them. I've installed them on numerous bikes with every single groupset and managed to get it to shift perfectly. Its not easy at first, but if you use Google and read how people have shimmed/altered the adjustment of their derailleurs to accommodate the rings its fairly simple. Not as amazing as stock 7900 or Super Record, but I've come across many bikes that shift just as well or better than a stock Sram setup.

As for Rotor vs. O-Sys most people I've spoken to end up going towards O-Sys since they feel that the Rotor rings do not actually alter their stroke that much. Of the O-Sys users not a single one has ever gone back to round rings. I conversed with Shaun at SRM about the accuracy of readings with the O-Sys rings and once the normal offset procedure has been performed the units will read accurately. Of the people that use them with an SRM, none have felt that their training gains have been hampered and many have over half a decade of data to demonstrate any gains that have occurred while using them. Such gains can't be isolated, but its enough to leave them on. All of the riders have managed to achieve good front shifting using them and many report that its better than the Rotor rings (how this is possible I do not know, but so they claim).

So lets recap:
1. It isn't hurting a lot of people to run them pro or otherwise. They like the feel and still perform well. Psychological advantages like these often outweigh outright material gains.
2. You can set them up to shift perfectly fine if you know what you're doing or your mechanic has set them up before. It can be annoying until you learn this, but its not that hard.
3. People who have used both tend to go O-Sys and do not go back. Its not hindering them and they have also managed to achieve good front shifting.


Karsten, I did read all your words, I just don't agree with you and no matter your argument or logic that they feel good so why not, it doesn't in my mind justify their expense, or compromised shifting which myself and many other members of this forum have related. They shift ok. That's it. I don't want ok front shifting. I want good front shifting. And yes I know how to properly set them up just as many other members of this forum know how to set them up. I'm not trying to be argumentative just offering another viewpoint that happens to be different than yours. I've raced against you a few years ago and generally speaking the Haus boys are decent guys so I figure you fit into the same category, as well as your good posts on the wattage forum. Of course if they shift ok w/ electric shifting and are a bit cheaper I might even go back to them.

Also, after your initial rather rude reply to my first post, I resisted the urge to be rude back. I hope it makes you feel better about yourself to get one more cheap shot in at me with your last post. I will resist the urge again to come down to your level.

Best,

Chiva

Edit, please don't post any personal information and keep polite with each other
Thanks Jipperd

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:36 pm
by Weenie

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Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:53 pm
by kevhogaz
Wow, Chiva, you're taking this way too seriously. You came in here, and basically said I was full of crap, because I said the rings worked for me. I told you what I thought of your opinion, and now you're all butt hurt? Come on dude, get real. And posting my USAC info? What did that prove, that I have license, and I'm 44?

Why don't you just let it go?

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:23 am
by Super_fast
Most sponsored pro-riders aren't riding with the oval rings, but use the normal round rings Rotor produces too.

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:24 am
by Chiva
Like I stated before Kevin, I'm not going to argue with you. If you want a pissing contest it'll be solo.

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:25 am
by Chiva
Super_fast wrote:Most sponsored pro-riders aren't riding with the oval rings, but use the normal round rings Rotor produces too.


+1

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:17 am
by kevhogaz
Chiva wrote:Like I stated before Kevin, I'm not going to argue with you. If you want a pissing contest it'll be solo.


I'm done. Aside from posting my personal info, I'm sure you're an all right guy. Be sure and introduce yourself to me, if we ever end up at a race together.

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:49 am
by Chiva
kevhogaz wrote:
Chiva wrote:Like I stated before Kevin, I'm not going to argue with you. If you want a pissing contest it'll be solo.


I'm done. Aside from posting my personal info, I'm sure you're an all right guy. Be sure and introduce yourself to me, if we ever end up at a race together.


I'm sure you're a decent guy too. BTW, we're riding the mining country loop this Saturday if you're interested. Several team mates, carpool, etc. Let me know:)

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:17 am
by kevhogaz
Chiva wrote:
kevhogaz wrote:
Chiva wrote:Like I stated before Kevin, I'm not going to argue with you. If you want a pissing contest it'll be solo.


I'm done. Aside from posting my personal info, I'm sure you're an all right guy. Be sure and introduce yourself to me, if we ever end up at a race together.


I'm sure you're a decent guy too. BTW, we're riding the mining country loop this Saturday if you're interested. Several team mates, carpool, etc. Let me know:)
@@
I wish I could go. I have to work this Saturday. Maybe next time. Thanks for the offer, though.c

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:24 pm
by teleguy57
Back to the technology itself :lol:

When folks have changed between round and Q rings have they made any position adjustments -- saddle height, setback, etc?

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:37 pm
by kevhogaz
teleguy57 wrote:Back to the technology itself :lol:

When folks have changed between round and Q rings have they made any position adjustments -- saddle height, setback, etc?


I left everything the same when I put mine on.

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:56 pm
by Discoverspeed
Couldn't detect any noticeable difference on a road bike when I used a round vs Q-ring setup (position #3). Maybe just less tiring on the flat but not more power.

I feel more difference on a TT setup where I am in a more forward position (1 more tooth than road and in Q position #4). I can feel the power stroke stretching a bit longer. Seems to have less float time. Whatever it is, I like the "hard torque feedback" from the Q-ring pedal stroke if you know what I mean. Could be psychological but I feel that the Q-rings even out my pedal stroke better for the TT setup.

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:50 am
by shoemakerpom2010
I have been using the 53-44 combo for 6 months now and shifting is spot on (105 2010). It could be that I had the shop install them and adjust the derailleur. As far as feel goes I feel like I am more connected through the whole stroke and thats after the new component affect wears off. :thumbup:

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:05 am
by Zigmeister
Chiva wrote:
Super_fast wrote:Most sponsored pro-riders aren't riding with the oval rings, but use the normal round rings Rotor produces too.


+1



Hmmmm...yet the best TT guy and World Champion, Tony Martin does... +1

Chiva, taka vacation.

Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:05 am
by Weenie

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Re: Rotor Q-Rings

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:03 pm
by joegem5
I have it on my big ring only. I feel like my pedal stroke is a bit more efficient but i don't feel like i have gained any extra power. I have no way to measure since i don't use powermeter. I go by if it feels better, I'll perform better.