I thought I saw a teaser ad on the Rotorcranks (USA?) site which looked like a Biopace-style chainring to be released in 2006. Any comments Gary Tingley? I can’t seem to find the ad anymore…
I have RC’s on my TT rig, but I don’t use them on my road bike due to weight concerns (I have an extra set if anyone is looking…), but a chainring might be very interesting if they are as efficient at the RC’s.
Just an idea we are testing out, formal lab tests are underway, as is field testing. So far though, I can tell you that while they do not give all the same benefits as Rotor Cranks (you still have a dead spot with these rings), the Q-Rings are by far much more enjoyable to ride than standard round chainrings. The oval is very minor, providing more time in the power phase, less time in the dead spot area, which allows the rider the ability to spend a bit more time generating power. Same concept with Rotor Cranks. There are almost unlimited adaptation points on each Q-Ring, allowing the rider to fine tune his/her power phase to get the most out of the system.
Sneak peak:
To add, these are not meant to replace Rotor Cranks, but to allow riders who cannot or will not use Rotor Cranks the ability to realize some of the benefits that Rotors bring.
We see the market being mainly road racers, mountain bikers and triathletes who want a lower cost, lighter system that offers a quicker adaption time with the ability to minimize the time spent in the dead spot.
How do these compare to biopace and O-symmetrics?
Good question. While I cannot comment by my own testing (not having used either Biopace or Osymetric), I will say that our lead designer and engineer (and president of Rotor RCT), Pablo Carrasco, used computer models to compare Biopace and Osymetric with Q-Rings and came up with a new idea to allow the rider to decide and set their own regulation point to control the time spent in the dead spot, based on their riding style.
I have about 12 hours on the first version of Q-Rings, with the final Prototype versions coming next month. So far I have found my climbing to be really good with the Q Rings and founs that where I was using a 39T inner in the hills I now use a 42T and use the same cassette gearing while keeping my cadence about the same. So far I have had a positive experience on them. Ana Burgos is racing them as is David Canada in the Dauphine.
Here are pics of Osymetric (top photo) and Biopace (lower photo), as you can see, they are quite different than Q-Rings:
Gary, What would happen if you used the “Q-ring” and the rotor crank together. Would it amplify the increase in efficiency? Or would you reach a “point of dimishing returns”? Or is theis one of the aspects that you are testing?
The Q-Rings are spaced 130mm BCD for Shimano and 135mm for Campy, they will not fit Rotor Cranks, however they are not needed as Rotor already produces a similar effect and removes the dead spot.
Do you think that the q-rings will hurt the sale of rotors?
What is the incentive of buying the more expensive and heavier rotors over the q-rings?
Do you think that the q-rings will hurt the sale of rotors?
I think that riders who have been holding out due to cost, weight, and adaptation time will have a chance to experience some of the Rotor Cranks benefits, and may eventually upgrade to Rotor Cranks.
What is the incentive of buying the more expensive and heavier rotors over the q-rings?
Q-Rings do not eliminate the dead spot - they only minimize it.
Gary, what would you estimate the adaptation to RC to be? Are we talking months or a few rides?
Rotor Cranks adaptation can take 200-300 miles.
Q-ring adaptation for me, 8 hrs.
For others and the feedback I have received, 1 week.
Hi Gary,
Are there any further plans to get the weight of Rotors down ? Its almost a shame they can’t accept stanrd rings as I think this would give people the chance to use their own aero rings etc…
By the way if I were to get some would I order direct from the states or are there euorpean based distributors ?
The weight has been reduced as much as possible at this time.
Standard chainrings will not fit as they cannot clear the cams, however there is a large selection of Rotor chainrings available.
You can order them through:
Velotech
Fax: +44 01789 268570
Mobile: +44 07815 731 664
Gary
Noticed that the mounting holes are assymetrical based on the picture you’ve published. What is the degree increments that you can adjust these to and can the small ring adjust independently of the large ring? Thinking that standing while climbing and then in the saddle there is a slight body geometry change.
I do not know the geometry change, but I am sure the production models (if Rotor decides to release them) will have all the details. The pics above are for the production model, I am using a prototype and it is diffrent than what you see above.
What is the degree increments that you can adjust these to and can the small ring adjust independently of the large ring? Thinking that standing while climbing and then in the saddle there is a slight body geometry change.
The degree increments are 5.14º each. In fact, there are 35 holes spaced 10.28º, so you can adapt 5.14º higher or lower turning 174.86º.
Of course you can adjust the two chainrings (or three for MTB) separately.
Pablo
Thanks for the info.
To follow up on this thread, as I had posted in another thread, the premise is - a rider pushes a higher gear on the downstroke and a lower gear when in the 12/6 dead spot position, allowing the rider to spend more time in the power phase and less time in the dead spot area/void.
For 2006 Rotor is developing what we think is an improved version of the Osymetric, called the Q-Ring, which has several bolt holes and is completely adjustable for each rider’s unique power stroke. The chainrings will fit any 130/135mm BCD crankset, e.g. Dura-Ace, FSA and Campy.
Initial testing using SRM power meters shows lower heart rates at the same power production (which is great for endurance athletes). I have been on a couple prototype systems for about a month and love them, the production Q-Rings are coming in a few weeks and we will be taking our time testing the production units, and hope to have more information about a release date prior to Jan 2006.
The Q-Rings are not as effective as Rotor Cranks, as they do not remove the dead spot, however they do allow riders some of the Rotor benefits at a lower cost and less weight, and they can use their current cranksets.
And yes, they are being used in the Tour de France right now, David Canada (Prodir-Saunier Duval) is running them.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/?id=tour051/JD05tdfstg1004
Gary Tingley - RotorCranks.com