For those that don’t know, The Strength Coach Podcast is my favorite podcast and the only one I listen to regularly. Every episode is packed with great insights and tips from some of the brightest people in the strength coaching community and I look forward to every new episode to see who is next in the exclusive lineup of coaches to make it on the show.
So you can imagine how stoked I was to get an email from The Strength Coach Podcast saying they wanted to interview me for the next episode. Getting to talk about mountain bike strength training the biggest strength coaching podcast was a great opportunity to spread the word to a lot of riders and coaches who may have never thought about it before.
That interview I did last week is now posted on the latest episode of The Strength Coach Podcast which you can access below. In this interview I discuss some of the specific things I look for when training riders, how strength training relates to technical skills, the differences between High Tension and Rhythmic Cardio plus my Barefoot Pedaling concept. Enjoy!
Click here to go to my interview on The Strength Coach Podcast
-James Wilson-
Hi James,
This is so funny, just yesterday I was thinking of writing you and asking on your take on the oval rings.
Now I know 🙂
Best regards
Rafael
Hi James,
This is so funny, just yesterday I was thinking of writing you and asking on your take on the oval rings.
Now I know 🙂
Best regards
Rafael
These things come in degrees of offset. Can you explain how you would choose which degree is right for your stroke?
I ride Rotor oval rings on 2/3 of my bikes and completely agree with your assesment. You don’t need them, but once you try them, you won’t go back to round. Why did you have to drop your bike off at the shop to change out the ring? That’s a 10 min job that took the shop 2 days!
James I have been intending ask your opinion on the oval chain rings for a couple of weeks – but just as well I waited, since now you have actually tested it yourself. I changed to the Absolute Black oval 32 teeth about 8 weeks ago. Well, four weeks after I got it, I bought myself a second one – a 34 teeth which would be more suitable for a fast off road (not single track) 100km ultra marathon that I plan to race. I think that speaks for itself as far as my experience goes on the AB oval. Firstly, I have thus far had no obvious reason to switch back to a round ring. I have tested it on steep single track sections that i am well acquainted with and that were hard to get up with the same size round ring. if any different, the oval made it easier to get up the challenging gradient. It also seems that I am less likely to spin out, hence a smoother transfer of power over the 360 full circle (without pulling on the pedals, or using flat pedals). I also seem to feel less fatigued on the same climb at the same effort. I was concerned about high cadence possibly being negatively affected by the oval, but it does not seem to have any significant effect on that aspect either. I still have my old Shimano BIO-PACE ovals on my road bike – these are a disaster so please do not relate the new AB oval rings to Bio-Pace – they are in fact the complete opposite design…
These things come in degrees of offset. Can you explain how you would choose which degree is right for your stroke?
I’m not sure but according to the Absolut Black website they calculate that for each chairing size.
I ride Rotor oval rings on 2/3 of my bikes and completely agree with your assesment. You don’t need them, but once you try them, you won’t go back to round. Why did you have to drop your bike off at the shop to change out the ring? That’s a 10 min job that took the shop 2 days!
It is an easy enough job but sometimes I just like to have someone else worry about it for me. I also know that 10 minute jobs have been known to turn into 60 minute jobs on a bike. I have a good shop I like to go into and I told them it wasn’t a big hurry since I was busy for a few days and couldn’t get out and ride anyways.
Support your local LBS!
I’ve been using AB 32t oval for the past month. I came from a 30t NW. Even though the AB ring is larger, it felt easier to pedal compared to the smaller 30t. Pedaling on flat land doesn’t prove much difference (could just be me though), but pedaling uphills whether standing or seated felt easier and consequently quicker. My currently on a hardtail and if I were to build a full suspension I’d definitely get AB oval for it.
James I have been intending ask your opinion on the oval chain rings for a couple of weeks – but just as well I waited, since now you have actually tested it yourself. I changed to the Absolute Black oval 32 teeth about 8 weeks ago. Well, four weeks after I got it, I bought myself a second one – a 34 teeth which would be more suitable for a fast off road (not single track) 100km ultra marathon that I plan to race. I think that speaks for itself as far as my experience goes on the AB oval. Firstly, I have thus far had no obvious reason to switch back to a round ring. I have tested it on steep single track sections that i am well acquainted with and that were hard to get up with the same size round ring. if any different, the oval made it easier to get up the challenging gradient. It also seems that I am less likely to spin out, hence a smoother transfer of power over the 360 full circle (without pulling on the pedals, or using flat pedals). I also seem to feel less fatigued on the same climb at the same effort. I was concerned about high cadence possibly being negatively affected by the oval, but it does not seem to have any significant effect on that aspect either. I still have my old Shimano BIO-PACE ovals on my road bike – these are a disaster so please do not relate the new AB oval rings to Bio-Pace – they are in fact the complete opposite design…
I’ve been using AB 32t oval for the past month. I came from a 30t NW. Even though the AB ring is larger, it felt easier to pedal compared to the smaller 30t. Pedaling on flat land doesn’t prove much difference (could just be me though), but pedaling uphills whether standing or seated felt easier and consequently quicker. My currently on a hardtail and if I were to build a full suspension I’d definitely get AB oval for it.
Bought one to hopefully hope with knee pain and after one long hard ride I instantly bought another for my hardtail! I didn’t realize how much I really liked it till I was at the LBS and took a new bike for a test ride. I kept thinking the bike pedaled like crap and couldn’t figure out why it felt so horrible, then it dawned on me, it was the round rings… Bought the bike, put my cranks and chainring on it and loved it ever since.
I find the rings help most on technical or loose climbs. Sometimes the cranks can feel a little odd if you are in too low of a gear at a high cadence. I find I often run a gear higher and longer than I did with round rings. Sprinting (standing) at high cadence can be a little awkward at times as I feel my legs don’t get the slight break between hard pushes that they did with a round ring, but I think this is partially because I have rather large legs and its hard to get them moving that fast?
Overall a believer and will probably even order one for my dirt jumper so all my bikes feel the same…
Bought one to hopefully hope with knee pain and after one long hard ride I instantly bought another for my hardtail! I didn’t realize how much I really liked it till I was at the LBS and took a new bike for a test ride. I kept thinking the bike pedaled like crap and couldn’t figure out why it felt so horrible, then it dawned on me, it was the round rings… Bought the bike, put my cranks and chainring on it and loved it ever since.
I find the rings help most on technical or loose climbs. Sometimes the cranks can feel a little odd if you are in too low of a gear at a high cadence. I find I often run a gear higher and longer than I did with round rings. Sprinting (standing) at high cadence can be a little awkward at times as I feel my legs don’t get the slight break between hard pushes that they did with a round ring, but I think this is partially because I have rather large legs and its hard to get them moving that fast?
Overall a believer and will probably even order one for my dirt jumper so all my bikes feel the same…
Biopace…..
Biopace…..
And yet it isn’t…don’t make the mistake I did and go based on nothing but public opinion and not your own experience.
Been riding longer than you have been alive. I base all my comments on experience. Come again? BioPace. They are reinventing the wheel.
So you’ve tried the Absolute Black oval chainrings? Once again, if you have not tried them then you are basing your opinion not on experience but public opinion. That is the mistake I made. If you have not tried them then don’t compare them to BioPace until you do because you have no experience to base that opinion on.
If you have tried the Absoute Black chainring then what did you not like about them and how did you find them similar to BioPace? I’ve ridden both types of rings myself and find it hard to believe that you can’t tell the difference between them, I though that they feel nothing alike.
Try it, you’ll be surprised, sometimes change is good, especially when learning from experience…. Biopace….
I am pretty shocked. Mounted up the oval ring and rode my normal training trail. 50:24 vs my previous best of 52:20. I did not feel particularly good today and am actually getting over a cold. It tool me only a mile to get used to it. What really sold me was the sound on pavement and loose dirt. It am used to my tires making a pulsing sound as I pedal and that pulsing was significantly less. I am really looking forward to more diverse rides, but so far, I am enthralled with the oval rings. I went with AB 32t 104bcd ring.
I am pretty shocked. Mounted up the oval ring and rode my normal training trail. 50:24 vs my previous best of 52:20. I did not feel particularly good today and am actually getting over a cold. It tool me only a mile to get used to it. What really sold me was the sound on pavement and loose dirt. It am used to my tires making a pulsing sound as I pedal and that pulsing was significantly less. I am really looking forward to more diverse rides, but so far, I am enthralled with the oval rings. I went with AB 32t 104bcd ring.
Maybe there is some reason why it wouldn’t work, but I would like to try an oval ring that is even more oval. I wonder what is the point where it starts to feel weird or it messes with the rest of the drivetrain.
Maybe there is some reason why it wouldn’t work, but I would like to try an oval ring that is even more oval. I wonder what is the point where it starts to feel weird or it messes with the rest of the drivetrain.
Great review,
If I’m using a 1×10 setup with a 32 up front what tooth size would I use on an oval? Same or more?
Great review,
If I’m using a 1×10 setup with a 32 up front what tooth size would I use on an oval? Same or more?
Yeah, that is what I would use.
Hi..Where can get this in Malaysia ? T’q
Hi..Where can get this in Malaysia ? T’q
I’d check their website at http://www.absoluteblack.cc/chainrings.html to see where you can get them near you.
Please, option language…..Portuguese!
Please, option language…..Portuguese!
Have you had any issues with lack of chain tension or your chain coming off? I imagine the chain tension would be inconsistent with an oval ring. The reason I’m curious is my current 1×10 setup has an issue with chain tension. I can’t shorten the chain any more, nor tighten the rear mech clutch, due to the configuration. When in my two smallest cogs on the cassette the chain runs slacker and sometimes comes off. I’m thinking an oval chainring might make this worse. I might need to look at a chain guide. Any thoughts?
Have you had any issues with lack of chain tension or your chain coming off? I imagine the chain tension would be inconsistent with an oval ring. The reason I’m curious is my current 1×10 setup has an issue with chain tension. I can’t shorten the chain any more, nor tighten the rear mech clutch, due to the configuration. When in my two smallest cogs on the cassette the chain runs slacker and sometimes comes off. I’m thinking an oval chainring might make this worse. I might need to look at a chain guide. Any thoughts?
No, I have not had any problems. I just rode my bike down Porcupine Rim yesterday and never had my chain give me any problems.
Hi Carl. I’m training with oval for two months and it’s pretty interesting. And I had the same problem described by you on first day. I use a 1×10 setup too and the two last smallest cogs always dropped, specially if a put too much power (wheeling for example).
Solution 1: Some derailleurs have I tension adjustment that could be used if you chain is lack tension. Shimano XT for example has a small button (on|off) that can apply additional tension. If your derailleurs don’t have this button some can still do it by adding tension on the coil.
Solution 2: “Shorten your chain”. Use a Chain guide so to adding tension so it looks like that the chain was shorten. Some chain guide, as mine, must be adapted to work well on oval, I turned mine a little bit.
Kinda wondering if this oval chainring could help me with a significant injury I received that left me with diminished nerve reception in my left foot and gastric muscle (specifically, loss of dorsal flexion that diminishes my lower stroke and getting it back around to mash it again). I developed a brace that allows me to mash the pedal without my foot caving down due to the lack of signal to hold it stiff when coming down on the pedal. I race BMX and the first few pedals out of the gate are the most crucial.
So, do you see any help in this problem I have? Would the oval assist in any way getting the quicker upstroke to downward force?
-Bill Madden
*gastrox muscle
Kinda wondering if this oval chainring could help me with a significant injury I received that left me with diminished nerve reception in my left foot and gastric muscle (specifically, loss of dorsal flexion that diminishes my lower stroke and getting it back around to mash it again). I developed a brace that allows me to mash the pedal without my foot caving down due to the lack of signal to hold it stiff when coming down on the pedal. I race BMX and the first few pedals out of the gate are the most crucial.
So, do you see any help in this problem I have? Would the oval assist in any way getting the quicker upstroke to downward force?
-Bill Madden
I’m not sure but it might. It makes it “easier” to turn over at the hardest part so it wouldn’t put as much strain on the foot. I’d say try it out and see, I certainly don’t think it would hurt.
Hi Bill,
I have a similar neurological “foot drop” condition in my right foot where I can barely pull up with my foot/toes. I have run oval chainrings on my road bikes and can definitely vouch that they will help smooth out your spin and get you through the dead spot in your pedal stroke. And if you haven’t done so already, move the cleats as far back (towards your heel) as they can go on your shoes if you’re running clipless. 🙂
Thanks for the feedback on that.
*gastrox muscle
Great article. I was unsure about this product, but now I NEED to try this after reading your article and the comments associated with it. AbsoluteBlack stated on fb that you have a discount code available to provide us. That would be great if you do, but I am going to purchase even if you don’t. Great info, thank you.
Great article. I was unsure about this product, but now I NEED to try this after reading your article and the comments associated with it. AbsoluteBlack stated on fb that you have a discount code available to provide us. That would be great if you do, but I am going to purchase even if you don’t. Great info, thank you.
Sorry but I don’t have it anymore, to be honest you are the first person who ever asked for it and I’m not sure where I put it. You might try emailing them and seeing if they’ll give it to you but either way it is worth checking out.
Hi James! I want to put an AB oval chainring on my bike. I do XC races and I’d like to ask you, if I ride a 26er bike, Is OK to put a 36t oval chainring with 11-42 rear?
Hi James! I want to put an AB oval chainring on my bike. I do XC races and I’d like to ask you, if I ride a 26er bike, Is OK to put a 36t oval chainring with 11-42 rear?
I’m not sure, you’d have to get in contact with the guys at Absolute Black to see.
I start to use oval but I lost balance too fast while wheeling, I must do a strong short pedal to keep the wheel up. It’s not a fluid natural movement as before but like a old truck climbing uphill, a sequence of harsh movements.
Does anyone feels the same?
I start to use oval but I lost balance too fast while wheeling, I must do a strong short pedal to keep the wheel up. It’s not a fluid natural movement as before but like a old truck climbing uphill, a sequence of harsh movements.
Does anyone feels the same?
James, are you still riding oval?
James, are you still riding oval?
Yes I am.
Preaching to the converted!
I fitted the same chain ring about 3 months back. probably got a thousand plus miles on it now. I love the extra power it gives me, especially on the climbs. fully recommended from me.
Preaching to the converted!
I fitted the same chain ring about 3 months back. probably got a thousand plus miles on it now. I love the extra power it gives me, especially on the climbs. fully recommended from me.
This is really interesting. When I got my wife into mountain biking some years ago she struggled with her peddling. She rode fairly well, but always said she just found her peddling felt like something wasn’t right.
Her bike was a ’01 Giant NRS 16.5 that came with 175mm cranks. My wife is 5’6″ with the typical female body of shorter legs/longer torso… So I change them for 165mm Shimano XTRs (one of the good things about buying older bikes… top-of-the-line equipment on the cheap)… Also an XTR BB… Updated both the RD and the FD to newer XTs (newer in 2010)… Put on a longer stem… Wider handlebar… Switched wheels to Mavic tubeless rims with WTB Weirwolf. And also changed her cog to a Shimano 12/36 cog.
She was happy… Her bike got even lighter (except for the cog)… She was pretty fast on it… But the peddling issue for some reason still niggled at her.
Then one day by chance I came across an article about oval rings… The good and the bad about them… But the good seemed to address what she was talking about so I decided to give it a try and bought a used set of Rotor Q oval rings off eBay for her.
I got a LBS to install them and on her very first trail ride she was like “YES!”
Fast forward… We both stopped riding for the last three+ years and I sold our bikes thinking our riding days were over… But this year the bug bite again and I bought her a ’06 Cannondale Prophet — which she hated… Said the peddles felt like they were behind her (I know, what’s up with her and peddling).
Anyway, I then found a ’13 GT Sensor for a great price and bought that for her. Immediate love… Her first reaction was that peddling was easy (an endorsement for GT’s Independent Drivetrainâ„¢ Suspension System design I guess).
But then… This weekend when we were out on a local trail she reminded me of the “special ring things” I bought for her that she really loved.
And that’s how I came across your blog post… Researching “special ring things” for my wife.
Strange… I made all sorts of upgrades to her Giant NRS… But the only one she specifically remembered was the “special ring things” I put on.
Oh yes… And the Planet ARS ladies saddle.
Well… She also let me know that her new bike is heavier than her old yellow and black “Speed Racer.”
What can I say, I created a monster.
But my main point is… There definitely is something about oval rings… And I’ll be ordering two sets this time around.
Thanks for the article Bikejames.
This is really interesting. When I got my wife into mountain biking some years ago she struggled with her peddling. She rode fairly well, but always said she just found her peddling felt like something wasn’t right.
Her bike was a ’01 Giant NRS 16.5 that came with 175mm cranks. My wife is 5’6″ with the typical female body of shorter legs/longer torso… So I change them for 165mm Shimano XTRs (one of the good things about buying older bikes… top-of-the-line equipment on the cheap)… Also an XTR BB… Updated both the RD and the FD to newer XTs (newer in 2010)… Put on a longer stem… Wider handlebar… Switched wheels to Mavic tubeless rims with WTB Weirwolf. And also changed her cog to a Shimano 12/36 cog.
She was happy… Her bike got even lighter (except for the cog)… She was pretty fast on it… But the peddling issue for some reason still niggled at her.
Then one day by chance I came across an article about oval rings… The good and the bad about them… But the good seemed to address what she was talking about so I decided to give it a try and bought a used set of Rotor Q oval rings off eBay for her.
I got a LBS to install them and on her very first trail ride she was like “YES!”
Fast forward… We both stopped riding for the last three years and I sold our bikes thinking our riding days were over… But this year the bug bite again and I bought her a ’06 Cannondale Prophet — which she hated… Said the peddles felt like they were behind her (I know, what’s up with her and peddling).
Anyway, I then found a ’13 GT Sensor for a great price and bought that for her. Immediate love… Her first reaction was that peddling was easy (an endorsement for GT’s Independent Drivetrainâ„¢ Suspension System design I guess).
But then… This weekend when we were out on a local trail she reminded me of the “special ring things” I bought for her that she really loved.
And that’s how I came across your blog post… Researching “special ring things” for my wife.
Strange… I made all sorts of upgrades to her Giant NRS… But the only one she specifically remembered was the “special ring things” I put on.
Oh yes… And the Planet ARS ladies saddle.
Well… She also let me know that her new bike is heavier than her old yellow and black “Speed Racer.”
What can I say, I created a monster.
But my main point is… There definitely is something about oval rings… And I’ll be ordering two sets this time around.
Thanks for the article Bikejames.
Thanks for the story and feedback, glad you liked the article.
A good article and subsequent comments. Now in my 60’s I look for whatever I can to help out. I recently switched my Trance from an 11-36 to 42 and put an Absolute Black 30 oval on the front. Yeah I love it but I have a couple of observations I don’t understand. I’m tall anyway at 6’2″ but even though I have a 125 dropper I raise the saddle still higher before any long haul climbs, and I definitely feel the oval shape on these climbs AND on short maybe 50 m steeps where I stand up half way up the slope. The Trance is a good climber anyway but even better imo now. The rest of the time I wouldn’t consciencly know its there. I’ve swapped over with buddies on climbs to get their thoughts and they agree, in fact a couple of the guys just over half my age say I’m cheating it seems so easy, on the long hauls at least.
A good article and subsequent comments. Now in my 60’s I look for whatever I can to help out. I recently switched my Trance from an 11-36 to 42 and put an Absolute Black 30 oval on the front. Yeah I love it but I have a couple of observations I don’t understand. I’m tall anyway at 6’2″ but even though I have a 125 dropper I raise the saddle still higher before any long haul climbs, and I definitely feel the oval shape on these climbs AND on short maybe 50 m steeps where I stand up half way up the slope. The Trance is a good climber anyway but even better imo now. The rest of the time I wouldn’t consciencly know its there. I’ve swapped over with buddies on climbs to get their thoughts and they agree, in fact a couple of the guys just over half my age say I’m cheating it seems so easy, on the long hauls at least.
I heard about oval chainrings not too long ago actually, and what I heard about them is that they made pedaling easier. This article simply confirms that. My point is, I’ve been looking at getting one because I have terrible issues with climbing. I feel like I’m having to put way too much effort into pedaling my 35-40lb machine up the trails, cause I’ve hauled 105lbs up a 10% grade (and boy was it a burner), on a 25lb road bike, towing about 80lbs. Factor in my then 110 lbs (at 19 mind you, I was not a healthy lad. I’m 23 now, weigh in at 135lb, and am still not very healthy), and I pulled a full 225lbs. I want to have that kind of capability while I train for some harder rides.
I heard about oval chainrings not too long ago actually, and what I heard about them is that they made pedaling easier. This article simply confirms that. My point is, I’ve been looking at getting one because I have terrible issues with climbing. I feel like I’m having to put way too much effort into pedaling my 35-40lb machine up the trails, cause I’ve hauled 105lbs up a 10% grade (and boy was it a burner), on a 25lb road bike, towing about 80lbs. Factor in my then 110 lbs (at 19 mind you, I was not a healthy lad. I’m 23 now, weigh in at 135lb, and am still not very healthy), and I pulled a full 225lbs. I want to have that kind of capability while I train for some harder rides.
I have been a cyclist all my life, alongside playing football and jogging, all mainly to keep fit. I have rode many different mountain bikes and being close to the english lake district there are lots of seriously steep hills and mountains to climb and I always found them seriously challenging, I would always have to stand up on the pedals and use my bodyweight to have any chance of getting over the summits and it was always hard work and gruelling and no matter how fit I was it never got any easlier I always had to revert to this technique. I went through a period of about 10 years without using a bike and became really unfit by my standards and in my early 40’s I was given an old specialized bike, the stickers had mostly worn off but I think it was a 1990 Rockhopper, which I restored and kept as much of the original parts as possible. Anyways I didnt know anything about Biopace chainrings/cranksets whatever you call them, I had never even seen nor heard of them, it was only when servicing the chainring, I noticed it was oval and I thought hey that sounds like a good idea, but lets see what happens in practise. As soon as I took it for a spin, I noticed immediately from 1st gear and going through the gears, I could get to full speed much faster and it seemed effortless, also I noticed I could go way faster on this bike and I mean seriously fast, as I found out a couple of high-speed crashes and near misses later, it wasnt until the impact and how long it took for me to come to a standstill, I realised how fast I was going, my speedometer was broken in the first crash so dont know how fast I was going and I havent seen the math on what effect or advantages these Biopace chainrings have but I know for sure it was definately multiplying my impetus by what seems at least 10 fold and it was not due to my fitness levels as I was very unfit, it was definately down to this Biopace chainring, so I started taking on different challenges in an effort to prove it for myself and I found to my surprise that I could do a most of the steep ascents, without even getting of the seat, it was almost effortless and when I come to some seriously steep ascents, where I had to get off the seat and use my bodyweight, that was also effortless in comparison to another non biopace mountain bike I tried all the same ascents on a hire bike and I had to get off, I couldnt make it up most of them and it was extremely intense on my joints especially my knees.
Its now been over 10 years since I got this Specialized and as far as I am concerned I have proven Biopace chainrings work beyond all doubt and they have had no detrimental affect on my knees or anything and believe me playing football and jogging and doing 40 mile charity jogging challenges and considering my age and my knees and joints are always under varying and constant pressures.
So I cannot believe these Biopace chainrings went out of favour and production, all this theory, for and against, blah blah blah, I didnt read or listen to a word of it, all I know that is that in reality, its a no brainer, having a Biospace chainring is definately an advantage in all situations, flat or mountainous, they should now be the standard and anyone who has anything negative to say about them has not tried and tested them for as long and consistently as I have. What needs to happen is that some University puts Biopace up against standard cranksets does all the math and performs all the neccesary practical scientific tests and I am sure they would prove beyond doubt that Biopace are superior.
I have been a cyclist all my life, alongside playing football and jogging, all mainly to keep fit. I have rode many different mountain bikes and being close to the english lake district there are lots of seriously steep hills and mountains to climb and I always found them seriously challenging, I would always have to stand up on the pedals and use my bodyweight to have any chance of getting over the summits and it was always hard work and gruelling and no matter how fit I was it never got any easlier I always had to revert to this technique. I went through a period of about 10 years without using a bike and became really unfit by my standards and in my early 40’s I was given an old specialized bike, the stickers had mostly worn off but I think it was a 1990 Rockhopper, which I restored and kept as much of the original parts as possible. Anyways I didnt know anything about Biopace chainrings/cranksets whatever you call them, I had never even seen nor heard of them, it was only when servicing the chainring, I noticed it was oval and I thought hey that sounds like a good idea, but lets see what happens in practise. As soon as I took it for a spin, I noticed immediately from 1st gear and going through the gears, I could get to full speed much faster and it seemed effortless, also I noticed I could go way faster on this bike and I mean seriously fast, as I found out a couple of high-speed crashes and near misses later, it wasnt until the impact and how long it took for me to come to a standstill, I realised how fast I was going, my speedometer was broken in the first crash so dont know how fast I was going and I havent seen the math on what effect or advantages these Biopace chainrings have but I know for sure it was definately multiplying my impetus by what seems at least 10 fold and it was not due to my fitness levels as I was very unfit, it was definately down to this Biopace chainring, so I started taking on different challenges in an effort to prove it for myself and I found to my surprise that I could do a most of the steep ascents, without even getting of the seat, it was almost effortless and when I come to some seriously steep ascents, where I had to get off the seat and use my bodyweight, that was also effortless in comparison to another non biopace mountain bike I tried all the same ascents on a hire bike and I had to get off, I couldnt make it up most of them and it was extremely intense on my joints especially my knees.
Its now been over 10 years since I got this Specialized and as far as I am concerned I have proven Biopace chainrings work beyond all doubt and they have had no detrimental affect on my knees or anything and believe me playing football and jogging and doing 40 mile charity jogging challenges and considering my age and my knees and joints are always under varying and constant pressures.
So I cannot believe these Biopace chainrings went out of favour and production, all this theory, for and against, blah blah blah, I didnt read or listen to a word of it, all I know that is that in reality, its a no brainer, having a Biospace chainring is definately an advantage in all situations, flat or mountainous, they should now be the standard and anyone who has anything negative to say about them has not tried and tested them for as long and consistently as I have. What needs to happen is that some University puts Biopace up against standard cranksets does all the math and performs all the neccesary practical scientific tests and I am sure they would prove beyond doubt that Biopace are superior.