Why This Piece Of Bike Tech Disappeared

Oval chainrings – Were they doomed to fail right from the very start, or was there a glimmer of hope that they could be key to unlocking a god-like pedalling technique?
In this video, Alex dives into the history of one of cycling’s most controversial components.
From bold claims of smoother, more efficient pedalling to real-world issues with performance, accuracy, and setup, we explore why oval chainrings had their moment…and why this piece of bike tech really disappeared.

00:00 Were oval chainrings doomed from the start?
00:21 The history of oval chainrings
00:58 Claimed benefits: smoother & more efficient pedalling
01:29 Do oval chainrings actually work?
02:08 Powermeter accuracy issues
02:29 The downsides: feel & adaptation
02:50 Shifting and setup problems
03:49 Oval rings in the Pro peloton | Froome & Wiggins
04:49 Final thoughts: A great idea that didn’t stick?
05:30 Thanks for watching it

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Do you think oval chainrings were overhyped, or ahead of their time?

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