Just ordered A compact TT ring from Rotor… Think they said a 4% increase in power utput or 4% less effort for same power output in elites. They said “weekend warrior” like myself should see around 10%. What is your take on them and what should i expect. I will post back after using them for a week or two as a follow-up with over all thoughts.
I’ve been using Rotor Cranks for years. I’ve used the 53-40 Q rings on my new bike since February. The 53 is a standard ring not the TT ring. I’m toying with the idea of a 54tt ring since with all the descents here I spin out a 53 all the time at about 34 miles per hour.
Are you running Q Rings before you start with your TT ring?
Not sure if the differences you state are from a round ring to a Q ring or the standard Q ring to the TT Q ring. Let me know!
I can tell a big difference between a standard round ring a same size Q ring. I can push a 53 Q ring in places I cannot push a 53 round ring.
First answer is no . I went with the reps advice on the tt ring. I have not used a q-ring before. Just the stock fsa that came with my compact k-force set. I was going to jump a size up to the 52 ( I ordered the 50tooth.) but was told if I had to shift down to the small ring I would expierence some rub with front der because of the added height. I do spin out now with the stock 50. Figured if I average around 22.5 - 23 mph now and I get a 10% jump I should be good as gold plus added drag from a rub with the der is not what I want. If they work, and when I wear them out in a year or two I can move up in teeth.
I think you need to seriously work on your cadence mate…
I can tell a big difference between a standard round ring a same size Q ring. I can push a 53 Q ring in places I cannot push a 53 round ring.
Yeah, but are you generating more power?
In testing some of the original Rotorcranks, I, too, found that I could use bigger gears, especially when “powering” over small hills. My actual power and hence speed, however, weren’t any higher.
My average speed did go up from using them. I don’t know if I am putting out more power or if it’s just a smoother cadence but I do notice a difference.
What is your take on them and what should i expect.
My 16 year old son has been using Q-Rings in his road bike and TT bike since last year. It is very hard to evaluate a percentage of improvement but he won’t change them for normal rings at this time. He really likes his Q-Rings. Before using Q-Rings he had raced competively on standard rings since he was 11 y/o.
Regarding the adaptation period do not worry at all about this. Just to put an example, my son’s room mate asked him to let him use P3C adapted with TT Q-rings. He had a problem with his bike the same day that he had to race the TT Nationals. Both are about the same height and both were fitted by John Cobb. My son’s mate just raised his seat height about 5 mm, warmed up about an hour and took off on my kids bike with Q-Rings to win the Junior National TT Championship. That earned him a ticket to race in Russia a few weeks ago the Junior Worlds. I thought that he was taking a big risk using my son’s bike but apparently he adapted to Q-Rings in very short time. He did feel a difference in a positive way.
Just carefully play with the chainring settings until you find the precise position to suit you.
Sergio
Let me first clarify I spin out SOMETIMES only going downhill . Anyway Sergio thanks for the info. I was told since I am sort of a masher to remember 4 for the setting and start fron there. How did your sons roomate do in Russia? thats awesome. Think I remember reading about your sons roommate before and it helped with my decision to try the Q-ring.
He did not ride on my kid’s bike in Moscow. Both of his roomates were there. Some of them did well but most were already burned after the Panamerican Jr. games. One of his two roomates, Ivan García Ficachi won gold in the Panamerican Junior Games and Juan his other roommate got silver in the Pursuit. Last year Juan’s girlfriend got silver at the Jr. World Championship in the points race. Best they could do this year at UCI Worlds was a 4th place in the Pursuit by a girl that is in the same team.
It is hard to compare performances in different races but as far as I have seen, the adaptation to Q-Rings is fast in the cases I have been involved in. Sergio Jr. is very finicky on the things he uses. He is always trying out new stuff but he keeps only equipment that he really thinks it is helping him. I can assure you that even if Lance was using Q-Rings he would have dropped them after the testing period if he did not feel good on them.
I can understand that maybe they might not be an the best ring design for all riders but some will find them to be a better design than round rings. At a certain level every 1% counts so I think that for some it is reasonable to give them a try.
Sergio
Good info on the Q rings, how are they when you are mashing it out in your smallest gear, out of the saddle in a climb?
I used them all of last season, through the winter on the trainer and then in the spring.
When I got a new bike I got the standard rings on them, there was no difference in power through the transition from one to the other.
jaretj
I’ve noticed that when I go to my road bike w/o rotor cranks I have a better spin with regular rings.
I think I’m used to the constant pressure on the pedals (no dead spot) with the rotor’s and that transfers to my spin on regular rings when I switch bikes.
i just installed some on my tri bike about 3 weeks ago on a suggestion from a friend. sorry to say that i do not have any hard data to compare from before to now, but they do feel better. i feel a more constant pressure on my legs during the full pedal stroke (used setting 3). i have noticed my climbing to be much quicker and my overall speed is slightly faster. i really feel that this is real and not a perceived difference.
it took no time to get used to them. from what i was told, the more you “need” them, the less you will notice them. not sure if there is any merit to that statement.
If they make you ride harder and put out more power with lower percieved exertion and/or effort then keep using them cuz they are working for you.
They just didn’t work for me.
jaretj
just recieved and installed on bike . Installation was a breeze. I put on setting 4 and had time for a quick mile on them while my 4 year old watched the Goonies. Think adaptation will be easy. Also seemed pedaling was a bit smoother. All shifting worked properly after insalling too. Did not have to change anything. Will follow up again but looks like rain fo a few days.
Used them today for about 28 miles on tired legs. Averaged 18 mph for 28 miles about 20 was into the wind. To early to tell maybe that was my breaking in period ? Next ride on Saturday We will see how that turns out. Wondering if I should race with them on the 20th or switch back over night b4 the 20th Oly distance tri ? Might make my stroke Beter ? I definetly can tell I get a more complete pedal stroke. Might try 3 setting and go for another 28 miler and compare or give this setting another shot on fresh leg s(Did my fastest 5 mile run to date yesterday.) and try harder. In all honesty todays ride was half hearted b4 a 4.50 mile run at work. Legs were not to bad for that though. In fact felt pretty good. Which means I could have went harder. Wanted to get a feel for Q rings b4 going to hard .
Just my experiance with them.
I now have the big ring on setting 4, and the inner ring on 3.
I started with the big ring on 3 and rode for 4-5 months until I changed it to 4. When I did change them to 4, I felt turning them over was a little harder and soreness the first two weeks. Now, I am just fine with 4 and they feel natural in my spin. I would go to 3 for a while and wait until after your race to go back to 4. 4 is a little more aggressive.
Don’t look for a large jump in speed. I love them and they work as they are advertised for me, but it does not make you into a Cat 3 over night if you are a 5 or even 4.
Good luck!
I saw a 3-4% power difference:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2462291#2462291
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Thanks for the input. Rainy today so taking a day off from the bike today. That makes 2 days off of bike this week. Okay I lie, pulled the 4 year old on the mt. bike with one of the kiddie bike tag a longs for 10 miles monday. Funny enough he drafted better then most of the AG’ers at florida or eagleman. LOL …Okay I’m sorry ! Anyway Going to try one more time (30 miles)tommorow rain or shine with the four setting then put on three and try two times on sunday and monday. Then throw on the original tuesday and take it from there. That will give me 4 days to decide. Guess I am not the masher I thought I was. I did just go with the outer TT ring and kept the original never used small ring.
Got 47 miles in today on setting 4 averaged 22 mph not pushing to to hard but pushing a bit. A few stops because of lights and traffic. Hey I live in jersey! But the dump trucks do offer a nice push when they blow 2 ’ by you at 65 mph. Hills did seem a little harder with the 4 setting then with the stock FSA compact rings. Ran 4 miles ( 4.5 minute transition ) after bike and legs felt heavy first two miles then got a bit better. Blame that on not doing long bike/run bricks for a while. Do not blame Qrings. Did 2, 6min 15 sec miles on treadmill after to make up of shitty 4 miles on road. Put the rings on setting 3 today at work but big ring teeth are hitting front der when in last 3 small rings on cassette and small ring up front. Should I just lift front Der some. That would be the easiest thing to do.