Absolute BLACK oval-sub-compact-chainrings

[Alan W Dolbeer]

https://absoluteblack.cc/oval-sub-compact-chainrings-48-32-for-110-5-bcd/

My V20 came with a Zele Driveline 50/34 compact crank, 110mm BCD with five mounting bolts. Has anyone tried mounting the absolute BLACK oval 48/32 chainrings found at the above link? I think they should be compatible with the Zele Driveline crank but am not certain. Thanks.

 

[RojoRacing]

AB rings don't work on a bent because you can't rotate them to the needed angle for the different rider position. It can be tricky to do with Rotor Q-rings and those are made with several positions.

 

[Alan W Dolbeer]

AB rings don't work on a bent because you can't rotate them to the needed angle for the different rider position. It can be tricky to do with Rotor Q-rings and those are made with several positions.

I was actually after a gearing change and saw the AB rings available in 48/32. Just so I can have a better understanding (please bear with me for a moment), you are saying the Rotor Q-rings can be micro adjusted, so to speak, but the AB rings can only be set using the five 110bcd holes, or every 72 degrees, which does not include the proper angle required for the V20 riding position. Right? Thanks.

 

[Mathew Fy]

The Qs go down to 34 tooth rings with the large ring available at 48-56. You’ll find this topic has been discussed extensively here. I recommend starting with these excellent threads:
[URL]https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/absolute-black-oval-chainring.10928/#post-120036[/URL]
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/q-ring-upgrade-ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.7784/
Rotor seems to have stopped advertising chainrings for standard cranks, but I still see them for sale from on-line retailers.

 

[RojoRacing]

I was actually after a gearing change and saw the AB rings available in 48/32. Just so I can have a better understanding (please bear with me for a moment), you are saying the Rotor Q-rings can be micro adjusted, so to speak, but the AB rings can only be set using the five 110bcd holes, or every 72 degrees, which does not include the proper angle required for the V20 riding position. Right? Thanks.

Correct

 

[rx7mark]

Correct

I use a 5 hole BCD elliptical Stone brand chain ring and was able to rotate it to align for use on my T50.

It's probably not perfect and can't be fine tuned like the Q-rings, but works for me for recreational riding and commuting. It would also be a cheaper way to try elliptical rings.

I also could not find a Rotor chain ring that fit my application. 1X 11, 42T, narrow/wide. These in theory are available from Rotor, but I could not find one to purchase, but the Stone rings are available on E-bay for a reasonable price.

Of course you still have to install it with the correct orientation for recumbent use.

Just my experience. If I was competing, I would use Q-rings.

Mark

 

[chicorider]

I use Doval rings on my V20, S30, S40, and Ibis mtn. bike. Affordable, adjustable, available on ebay. The set on my V20 has four seasons on them and they're still going strong.

 

[Winded Lowrider]

Chicorider:

Which Doval rings did you go with 2g, 3g ,4g ,or 5g? ( barely oval) seems like they went full circle (pun intended) with their oval designs. It's a bit confusing what they actually offer. It took me a while to figure out that the name Doval refers to a "double oval" profile for the rings. I'm leaning toward Rotor Q rings 52/34 110 bcd for my vendetta because I want to adjust the position (and rotor rings allow that). Absolute black does not allow for position adjustment. Stone rings look like a knock off of rotor rings...

DOval look interesting but I have too many questions to order them with confidence.

 

[chicorider]

Hi Winded Lowrider,

I use the 4G rings, 50/36T, between 11 and 13% ovality. I agree that the info is confusing (but their English is still much better than my Korean). I have played with the micro-adjust feature and found that the center spot is ideal for me. If you have more questions, let me know.

 

[Winded Lowrider]

ChicoRider:

Thank you for responding.

How does the micro adjust work? I'm having a hard time figuring out how a thin metal bracket can change the attachment points of the chainring. The bolt holes are fixed, right? there seems to be no "optional" holes for a 5 arm crank spider like the Rotor rings have.

I'd like to be able to rotate the rings slightly forward or back to achieve the right timing for the recumbent power stroke.

 

[chicorider]

The mounting holes for the big ring are slightly elongated, so that you can rotate the ring a wee bit forward and backward. The micro-adjust screw locks down your chosen position , and then you tighten the chainring bolts. On my S30 I have the screw at position 1, while on my V20 it is set at position 3. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will.

 

[Winded Lowrider]

Chicorider:
OK that makes some sense for the big ring. What about the inner/small ring?

 

[chicorider]

Hi Winded Lowrider,

The small ring does not have the micro-adjustability that the big ring has, but for me that has never been a problem. I use the small ring only for climbing, and my pedal stroke always feels smooth and steady. Your experience could be different, but I've run this double-ring setup on three CBs with the same results each time.

 

[Winded Lowrider]

Thank you for the info on Doval rings. I really appreciate it.

No adjustment on the small ring is a deal breaker for me. I've got to have that. Part of the reason I want oval rings is for climbing. If the ring is not positioned/timed properly then any "advantage" is lost and we might as well be back in 1984 with biopace rings (set up exactly wrong).

Sounds like you found a "good" position on the small ring, if it works for you.... great. It should mimic the position of the large ring.

I'll have to fork out the extra $ for Q rings or QXL rings from Rotor.

 

[anotherbrian]

Popping this thread to the top, Shimano’s new gravel group has a crankset with a smaller BCD that’ll allow round rings smaller than 34T. It’s still asymmetric though, so unlikely to be a practical way to adjust timing like a standard crank.

[I just want a 30T chainring, so happy it’ll be available in a cheap crank that’ll work with my 24mm BB’s]

 

[Winded Lowrider]

wow 30T is tiny for a double set up....

 

[Winded Lowrider]

I'm running 52t x 34 t rotor Q rings right now. So far, so good. Better (smoother) climbing when it gets steep ( above 10 percent)

 

[Alain]

I ride with Osymetric chainrings on my V20 which cannot be fine tuned. By hazard the position on the cranks is exactly the same as on my DF. For reference I took the position where the leg is stretched at max (the weakest position). For me this setup works very well. Now I'm just looking for narrow wide Osymetric chainrings, so I can ride a "clean" 1x setup on it.

 

[DavidCH]

I always found with the QXL rings that my chain would come off... friggin irritating. They are expensive too.

 

[Winded Lowrider]

The chain comes off a bit more than on round rings. It shifts up better IMO....I find the benefit in climbing and mashing big gears outweighs the inconvenience of stopping to fix it once in a great while.