Hi,
Anyone here on the board using o symetric chainrings? Do you ride them only in races, or train on them too? Do you need to train on them to be effective with them? If so, howmany weeks, miles, or hours? TT bike only, or road too?
Thanks
Hi,
I am new to the forum, but decided to take the plunge when I read your post. (and please pardon my poor English, I am French)
I bought osymetric chainrings in November after reading some reports about Bobby J and Vino’s time-trialing prowesses…
A few randoms thoughts:
I must confess the thing, however ugly, definitely works. I had it set up by my LBS and it worked perfect from the start.
The first 200 meters feel quite awkward, as you feel like there is a boost iin the downstroke portion.
It then took me two or three rides to have my hamstrings accustomed to the new pedaling motion. They got a bit tired at first, and then everything felt fine.
One week after purchase, I used them from Montpellier (In France, where I live, not in Vermont) to Lyon, a 300 km ride and 10 hours on the bike.
It was amazing. Every drags and climbs my stroke felt waaaaay rounder and smoother.
One particularly interesting point is that when I stood up, my heart rate stayed the same, while it used to increase by a few beats with round chainrings.
The down side: the rings looks kind of “cheap” as far as aluminium quality goes. What is more, they did wear out within 3 months and less than 2000 kms!!! I sent an e-mail to Michel Sassi, the inventor, who called me back, was very helpful and friendly, and stated that from Bobby J’s experience, osymetric chainrings last at least twice as long as the round ones. He agreed to send me a new set, which I cannot wait to put back on my bike, as these rings are so much more comfortable than round ones. We shall see how durable they are, I’ll give them one more try.
BTW, I have had to go back to round ones when the osymetric rings could not interact properly with the chain because of wear. I train daily with a computrainer, and it took me four weeks, to be able to generate the levels of power I use to with the oval rings!
I look forward to getting back to the osymetric ones, and shall keep you posted: I might gain 10 or 20 watts just by putting them back on my bike… who knows.
Stéphane
To Slowman: I live in France, but I too am in for the epic diet!! Kinda funny I started it Sunday night French time. I was then 165 lbs, and wishes to get back to 154 lbs by the end of June.