3

I was looking into Rotor Q Ring system that supposedly increases power by 4% which is rather significant especially when climbing. It should shave off quite some time off your resulting time due to this info.

But I can't seem to find any detailed research done by comparing classic round cranks against Rotor's Q Rings.

Anybody knows where to look?

Improve this question
2

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
6

Yes. If you want to know about independent research, a good place to start looking is PubMed. If you do, you'll find this: The influence of elliptical chainrings on 10 km cycling time trial performance, which is a comparison of Rotor Q rings at two different orientations (100 and 110 deg) against round conventional cranks. The riders were "blinded" to the cranks (the cranks were housed in a guard or shroud so the riders couldn't see which ones they were using). The experimental design was randomly counterbalanced. The result was that no statistically significant difference was detected in power or RPE (rating of perceived exertion) between the Q rings and the round ring. Heart rate was higher to a statistically significant degree with the Q rings. The "4%" improvement in power was not observed.

As an aside, if you are testing round vs. eccentric chainrings, you must account for the difference in cadence within the pedal stroke for eccentric rings. This means, for example, that you should either test power differences with a Power Tap or on a rear wheel driven ergometer -- crank-based power meters assume that cadence is constant within each pedal stroke so they can simplify power calculations. If crank angular velocity does vary within the stroke (and high force corresponds with the lower velocity) the estimated power will be biased high. The degree of bias will depend, of course, on the individual rider's exact mix of angular velocity and force application but 3% bias is not unexpected.

Improve this answer
2

This review from Procycling has some graphs comparing oval and standard rings.

graph

Improve this answer
2

The science link on the Rotor website has a fairly thorough group of tests through various Spanish and Italian Universities and hospitals.

http://www.rotorbikeusa.com/images/science/pdf/increase_speed_senkirol.pdf

http://www.rotorbikeusa.com/images/science/pdf/qring_test_new_univ_valladolid.pdf

http://www.rotorbikeusa.com/images/science/pdf/qring_test_summary.pdf

http://www.rotorbikeusa.com/images/science/pdf/knee_health_rs4x_new_univ_zaragoza.pdf

http://www.rotorbikeusa.com/images/science/pdf/wattage_increase_rs4x_new_univ_ferrara.pdf

http://www.rotorbikeusa.com/images/science/pdf/metabolic_improvements_rs4x_univ_valladolid.pdf

Was there something further you were looking for?

Improve this answer
4
  • 1
    Research on their own products might be a little biased.
    – Mac
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 3:09
  • It might be, if it was done by them. Each of these is "independently" tested by multiple and varied universities and sport centers. Tour.de had a mag piece about them a while back, but I can't find it currently. And really, who is going to do truly unbiased and independent study on a product with as limited an audience as this has? Any study you see will be on of these, rebroadcast through another source, or research done by a competitor to "prove" their version is better. If you don't trust the data from theoretically independent sources, then asking for research is pointless.
    – zenbike
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 6:06
  • Yes and no. It's good that the sources are "independent". However, I'd be surprised if they would publish any neutral or negative research. No criticism intended, it's a good list of references. I would merely advise being sceptical.
    – Mac
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 7:05
  • I absolutely agree. My point was more about the unlikelihood of their being any unbiased source.
    – zenbike
    Commented Sep 7, 2011 at 11:59

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.