I recently put q-rings (53/39) on my Trek SC. I love the way they feel (possible its the placebo effect!) but man the shifting is horrendous. I have Di2 which LBS said would make it worse. Here have been my experience so far (and yes i have a chain catcher): ride #1 dropped chain and bent 3 links of chain. #2 slight adj to front deralier: learned have to soft shift and can only shift when in certain gears not others, dropped chain 3 times. #3 on hilly ride (really wanted to test out shifting) was good for 1.5 hrs being super careful and never dropped a chain, then boom dropped 2 chains to inside and 1 chain to outside. At this point took it into LBS they spent 30-45 min adj then testing adj and testing, now i don’t seem to have issue with dropped chain but i have lost about 1/4 of my gears due to chain rubbing on front derailer.
So i am at the point i can’t shift with confidence but i really like how the q-rings feel. Looking for someone else with a SC and Di2 that has no real problems or if others have given up like me? Maybe i just suck at shifting and should get better at soft shifting? … As of now i am at the point were I feel more confident in my DA chain rings that i never drop a chain on and going back to them and sending the q-rings back under there 30 day return policy.
Anyone have positive or negative experiences with the q-rings?
I recently put q-rings (53/39) on my Trek SC. I love the way they feel (possible its the placebo effect!) but man the shifting is horrendous. I have Di2 which LBS said would make it worse. Here have been my experience so far (and yes i have a chain catcher): ride #1 dropped chain and bent 3 links of chain. #2 slight adj to front deralier: learned have to soft shift and can only shift when in certain gears not others, dropped chain 3 times. #3 on hilly ride (really wanted to test out shifting) was good for 1.5 hrs being super careful and never dropped a chain, then boom dropped 2 chains to inside and 1 chain to outside. At this point took it into LBS they spent 30-45 min adj then testing adj and testing, now i don’t seem to have issue with dropped chain but i have lost about 1/4 of my gears due to chain rubbing on front derailer.
So i am at the point i can’t shift with confidence but i really like how the q-rings feel. Looking for someone else with a SC and Di2 that has no real problems or if others have given up like me? Maybe i just suck at shifting and should get better at soft shifting? … As of now i am at the point were I feel more confident in my DA chain rings that i never drop a chain on and going back to them and sending the q-rings back under there 30 day return policy.
Anyone have positive or negative experiences with the q-rings?
Never ridden Q-rings, but poor shifting is something I have heard a lot from other owners. Placebo or not, one dropped chain in a race will cost you more that that placebo could ever get you. Not worth it IMO.
I have Q-rings(52/34) on my Speed Concept and none of the issues that you are reporting. Smooth shifting, no rubbing at all and all the benefits (perceived or real) that Q rings bring. Also using Di2. Two friends with similar setups on same bikes and no issues either.
Maybe try a different mechanic? Absolutely no disrespect meant to your LBS guy/gal but like anything, maybe a second set of eyes would identify a fix?
I don’t have a trek but on my P5 this is my second season with the QXL and never had any issues. Be very certain that the front derailler is properly adjusted, very critical…
I’m running sram 10 speed, rtc shifters, a 55 tooth q ring with a 39 tooth round ring and it shifts just fine. It’s all in taking your time with the set up
So it is possible! Ok will keep plugging away at the issue. Do you find you have to be careful with the shifting?
I’ve been shifting like I normally do. At the begining I was being cautious and looking but after a week I was shifting like I had it on for years. I love it so much I got a Q Ring for my road bike… Both are great!
I was asking about the type of rings because I have read that the qxl series are quite a bit harder to get good front shifting with most any drivetrain. But regular q-rings should not be a big issue.
If it helps, I have regular q-rings with shimano 6800. Adjustment a bit harder than round rings, but not too crazy. Function is fine. I wonder if, in addition to di2 making things harder for you, if your FD is not set up correctly.
I have Q-rings(52/34) on my Speed Concept and none of the issues that you are reporting. Smooth shifting, no rubbing at all and all the benefits (perceived or real) that Q rings bring. Also using Di2. Two friends with similar setups on same bikes and no issues either.
Maybe try a different mechanic? Absolutely no disrespect meant to your LBS guy/gal but like anything, maybe a second set of eyes would identify a fix?
Cheers
same. never had a problem with more than 2000 miles.
I run q-rings on my first gen speed concept.
At first i could not get the shifting to work well with SRAM Red Front.d but changed it out to a stiffer shimano ultegra and it shifted much better.
There was a bit of a learning curve on how to finesse the shifts correctly with my manual shifters (SRAM R2C) but I have been using them pretty much trouble free for several years.
NOTE: I take them off for IMLP as there was a lot of shifting on that course and I didn’t want to chance it… Also i use a chain catcher .
So good point about IMLP, I live in Austin were all my training rides involve a lot of shifting. If I raced a flat race I would use them, sure I can soft shift them and get them to work but I decided it’s just not worth the hassle. Sure if I lived in Dallas or houstan would leave them on but here in Austin were rides are regularly 3-6 ft of climbing it’s just not worth it.