(reprinted with permission of David Sommerville)
Rotor Q-Rings 60 day Review
By David Sommerville
Elite Category 1 Cyclist
Upon opening the box the first thing I am instantly impressed with is the Rotor Q-Ring packaging. It has an expensive appearance with directions in multiple languages which add to the allure.
After reading the detailed directions, which cover and answer most questions involved with setup, use and care, I set out to install the Rotor Q-Rings on my bike. My bike is our team issue Flyte Defiant Titanium Frame and is equipped with Shimano Dura Ace group, SRM Dura Ace, Zero Gravity Brakes and Neuvation R28sl wheels.
Installation was simple with no problems encountered installing the Q-Rings on my Dura Ace SRM. Make sure to check to see if the Rotor Q-Rings are compatible with your cranks system as several models currently are not. Rotor has announced a “fix” for this issue that should be resolved in spring 2006. Total setup time is approximately 10 minutes which is the same as it would take to install any chain ring set.
I used the standard “position 3” neutral Q-Ring position, not knowing exactly where to start, which is what Rotor recommends. The Q-Rings can be placed anywhere on the crank set as they have chain ring bolt holes drilled over the entire circumference of the rings. There are 5 recommended positions all of which are clearly marked and somewhat explained in the literature.
Once the Rotor Q-Rings are installed you have to adjust the front derailleur height to compensate for the new Chain Ring dimensions. With a 5 tooth difference I was at first concerned that this would be difficult to setup and greatly affect shifting performance. You set it to work with the largest section of the Q-Ring, equivalent to a 56 tooth ring, and you are done.
My 4 biggest concerns with switching to the Rotor Q-Rings system are:
Shifting Performance
Adaptation Time
Optimal Q-Ring Position
Do they improve performance?
Shifting performance
The Rotor Q-Rings showed no noticeable lag, delay, dropped chains or other problems other than when in the small Rotor Q-Ring and in 11, 12 and 13 (11-23) the chain rubs slightly on the outside Rotor Q-Ring. While this is also normal on regular chain ring setups it was slightly more noticeable on the Rotor Q-Rings. It is also stated in the packaging directions and no matter how hard I tried I could not get it to effect riding or cause any miss-shifts.
Adaptation Time
I am very “adaptable” with regards to cycling gear and have been known to change shoes, saddles, cleats and other items in the middle of stage races with no ill effects. Several call me “Mr. Millimeter” when it comes to my ability to setup bikes to exactly the same measurements.
Adaptation was surprisingly quick; in fact I was expecting a long development curve to become used to the new format. Instantly on the first ride it was difficult to notice any major discernable differences between standard and Rotor Q-Rings on the bike. The research and testing Rotor has performed looks to be really paying off!
Within 1 week I was 90% adapted to the new Rotor Q-Ring format and within 30 days it has become “standard.” All of this is also stated in website and packaging literature.
To verify my experience with little or no adaptation concerns I had several friends and team members others ride my bike since they were installed. Since our entire team uses the same bikes and Shimano Ultegra Pedals this was an easy switch.
Each rider responded with the same surprising answer “I can’t tell much of a difference” or “it is not as noticeable as I thought it would be.” In fact 4 of my teammates now are proud owners of Rotor Q-Rings and several of my racing friends on other teams are also now converts to the system.
Optimal Position
I have wondered from the start “would another position would be better? I started with the neutral “position 3” that Rotor recommends which so far as worked out with no problems. Honestly, I don’t want to try another as my performance numbers, adaptation and other aspects have gone smoothly and I am well into the start of my racing season. Switching now is probably not the best option. Rotor has detailed information on their website discussing the optimal position of the Q-Rings depending on your bike setup. Basically, the further you ride towards or in front of the bottom bracket the higher the setting such as 4 or 5, the further back and seated more the lower the setting such as 1 or 2.
I didn’t notice any “strange” effects while riding seated, climbing standing or seated all of which is outlined in the literature if you encounter trouble and how to remedy.
Do they improve performance?
Testing Values
I installed the Rotor Q-Rings in the 2nd week of my 5 week Power at Lactate Threshold (PLT) increase Build phase. PLT values went up approximately 4% after installing the Rotor Q-Rings from 300 to 312 watts immediately on the first workout. Remember, that value was as I just started doing PLT efforts so the improvements can be quantified to both the new Rotor Q-Rings rings and the aspect that I have started training that fitness system. Over the course of the PLT increase build phase I noticed continued increases in PLT wattage which can be contributed to training and also I am sold on the fact that the Rotor Q-Rings are producing a higher value. When super fit on standard chain rings my PLT is 335 watts at 5.7 W/kg and after the end of the PLT build period and a taper to prepare for my first peak my PLT was 350 at 5.9 W/kg.
4% is considerably more than reasonable increase in wattage values than I expected!
Shorter efforts of Wmax1 (Wattage Maximum Value for 1 minute) have also shown an increase of approximately 5 to 6%.
After my 5 week PLT Build phase and a 1 week Taper I participated in the UCI 2.2 Vuelta El Salvador which was 9 stages in 8 days with over 35,000 feet of climbing in just over 1100 kilometers. The Rotor Q-Rings performed amazingly and I was climbing better than ever!
Many climbs I rode in the big chain ring combination of 53x19 or 21. The Rotor Q-Rings allowed me to utilize this gear with an excellent torque and wattage value range as to not zap my legs during the extended climbing.
I look forward to more performance testing comparison over the course of the year. With 5 years of wattage performance data I have feel that the Rotor Q-Rings do make a difference. How much only time and more testing will tell but from just a brief period I can say that its about 3 to 6% depending on duration of effort.
Real world aspects
Sprinting
No noticeable concerns again when it came to sprinting. In fact during the first week of adaptation to the new format I did several sessions of “spin ups.” These are done in the small ring and 17 in the back on a slight 4% downhill for about 12 seconds or as long as you can hold top cadence.
In each instance I was able to achieve my usual target of 170 to 180 rpm but what I noticed most was considerable less “bounce” while seated. While spinning at 170-180 rpm I noticed I could sustain approximately 2 to 4 additional seconds before exploding legs set in.
Truthfully I was expecting the Rotor Q-Rings to actually cause more bounce but the exact opposite happened and was very impressed with the outcome.
Wet Noodle
Once you start to turn into a “wet noodle” draped over you bike as you are getting hammered in the gutter at 50k an hour these rings start to show their merit. As you tire your legs show visibly less pain and slightly less feeling of lactate acid buildup. The literature also states this and the website has several articles from lab based performance testing. One weekend before Vuelta El Salvador; I did a 180 kilometer (112 mile+ very windy road race and these rings felt super comfortable when I started to “fall apart” towards the end.
The same sensation goes for the PLT intervals. My “standard” PLT session this time of year is 5x5x1 which is 5 efforts of 5 minutes at PLT with just 1 minute of Endurance Power riding between efforts. I noticed the last 90 seconds of the efforts seemed easier with less “leg burn” and more consistent power reading. As the PLT Build Phase increases I introduce a second session of 5x5x1 and or also do 2x20x2 minutes efforts.
The Rotor Q-Rings during several stages of the Vuelta El Salvador saved my life! We did 3 grueling days in a row of 182k, 210k and 162k all of which were in 110+ degree heat with outrageous amounts of climbing! During these stages towards the end I noticed more fluid pedal stroke and less fatigue.
Power on phase
One factor I noticed during training and racing was how the Rotor Q-Rings really improve your “power on” phase. This allows quicker accelerations most noticeable while going uphill seated.
The new chain ring format takes into consideration pedal velocity in the design and it can be felt out on the road.
The same effect was noticed doing the “spin ups “at high rates of pedal revolution. When giving “power on” you can feel the bike stabilize and if you “power off” but keep pedaling at high rate of speed you can notice slightly more bounce.
Rollout
I have noticed that starting in the large ring, or small ring from standstill on uphill, is sometimes challenging. If you have aligned the crank at the bottom of the pedal stroke, clip in and then take off you could be pushing a huge gear in the neighborhood of 56x15. This is essentially a non issue unless you starting a criterium and it only require you to start in a slightly easier gear.
“Bling” Factor
Truthfully about dozen people have noticed the new Rotor Q-Rings on my bike while at race events or while out training. Of course everyone makes the reference to the 1980 Shimano Biopace but since several Professional Riders have started using various versions of the new format rings along with the added fact that the bicycle industry has started to develop real world equipment that actually benefits performance the giggles turn into a considerable amount of questions. As stated above, several teammates and friends in the racing community have already purchased the Rotor Q-Rings from experiencing the effect in some small runs around the parking lots at races and the occasional bike swap while out training.
Price
Rotor Q-Rings retail for around $200 a set which for even a 1% increase in wattage values makes it considerably more valued than most high end equipment in cost per wattage comparison. I would not hesitate recommending them to riders of all ability level.
Conclusion
I get a kick most out of watching the shadow the Rotor Q-Rings produce on the road, Wobbly eggs. This system has shown an average of 4% increase in wattage. In cost per watt comparison that’s HIGHLY effective as compared to dimpled Carbon wheels, ultra light (and easily breakable) carbon parts, etc.
Nowhere in the near future am I looking to remove the Rotor Q-Rings from my bike. I truly feel that they will increase performance and the long term wattage values should prove this fact.
Best,
David Sommerville
