Does an oval chainring make a difference? Yes. It does. 4K

[@austinado16]

Man, and I thought my climbs were brutal! Great job on the video, and nice job on clearing that one section. That was gnarly! I have the Absolute Black Oval on all 3 of my bikes. Huge difference in how they climb, with it. And contrary to what's currently "cool," I also use climbing bars (the $14 Profile Design versions sold on Ama z0n). The climbing bars are fantastic for climbing, both in hand/wrist/forearm position, and in the amount of power I can put through the pedals.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks! I haven't used the climbing bars, but the oval is definitely a game changer.

[@ericrallos661]

Being from sd, i love your trail reviews. But this video is an awesome way to mix it up!

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks!

[@foxykc]

This is good to know. I have a riding buddy who swears by her oval chainring. I just got a new 29er, my first one and it climbs amazingly well but I could use a little more help

[@MTBTrailReview]

It's an easy upgrade that definitely makes a difference.

[@543whitey]

Man, and I thought my climbs were brutal! Great job on the video, and nice job on clearing that one section. That was gnarly! Yep, ditto to ToddM!!

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks! The climbs are definitely tough, but all of the downhills are worth it!

[@foxykc]

That's good to know. I have a riding buddy who has an oval chainring. I just go a new bike, my first 29er and I notice it does climb like a demon. But I could use a little more help

[@schlooonginator1227]

That climb looked crazy even on camera. I'm sure many would see that as unridable. That has to be rewarding conquering something like that.

[@MTBTrailReview]

It's a tough one. It always feels good to get it!

[@VeeVeeArcher]

Cool vid. Nice techy climb there, kudos. I had been thinking oval was the way to go, ty for the info.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks! It makes a difference on those techy climbs.

[@torreyhiker9137]

that’s cool you were able to switch out just the chainring. I think I may need to upgrade the entire crankset as my cranks and chainring are all one piece. First world problems!

[@MTBTrailReview]

Good luck. Hopefully you can get one!

[@TheButlerNZ]

I ran an elliptical on my old steel v-brake warehouse bike from the late 80's ? early 90's... I wasn't fit way back then (unlike my completely unfit present self) and definitely noticed the difference.

[@MTBTrailReview]

They have been around for quite awhile and just became popular again. I wonder why people stopped using them in the first place.

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@MTBTrailReview Because a sprocket is cheap. Bike manufacturers want to sell you something expensive to gain the same advantage. Why else to we have carbon fibre pedals.

[@mircea5013]

Hmm.. this is so interesting to me. I love climbing. I absolutely love it. Especially when I see people around me suffering, it actually gives me more motivation to push the pedals harder and feel those quads engage. I did love going to the gym in the past, that might be part of the reason. But I also noticed something, most of the people that don't like climbing are on the wrong bikes. Try a light hardtail with light wheels and see how rewarding it is. I'll try the oval thingie and see if I love climbing even more :P

[@MTBTrailReview]

Having a bike made to climb definitely makes a big difference. I still prefer the mid travel trail bike so I can get more of an all around feel from the bike. I would be curious to see how much of a difference it makes on an XC hardtail.

[@rhuynh]

Dont know if since this video you got into shorter cranks too... question is if you have to pick or prioritize, would you choose oval chainring or shorter cranks (I know its not same cost comp)

[@Adoogin]

100% agree with you on your opening statement. I run an Absolute Black and it gives me an extra pedal stroke, I noticed it on the first climb i tried and a few others that day. I ride north east tech (check out Jeff Lenosky's Lynn Woods videos for ex) lots of punchy climbs, power moves etc. with flat pedals. I still fail climbs where my buddies are clearing them with regular chainrings but I'll take that extra stroke .. any future bike will have an oval installed.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Nice! I will not be going back, either.

[@EricHollanderAcu]

I totally agree. I have ran them on my last 2 bikes and they make uphills a little less painful.

[@MTBTrailReview]

I'm never going back!

[@zenscapeUKmedia]

I looked at that climb and thought, nah, he'll stop any second. But no you monstered it. I hope my oval gets me to that level!

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks! The oval makes a big difference in the steep tech.

[@phil5073]

Oval chainring: Worth the hype or just overrated?

[@mpmurphy00]

I added +2 front teeth when I changed to oval, with goal of climbing perhaps the same, but higher gear ratio for higher top speed on the open flat ground or pavement. Oval feels weird for the first 5 minutes, then you forget.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Agreed. You get used to it pretty quickly.

[@outof86]

Just got 1500 miles out of an Absolute Black oval. my only complaint is the narrow wide profile does not do a very good job of keeping the chain running clean. I would imagine that is why you pay a premium for a Sram oval.

[@MTBTrailReview]

That's amazing. I got about 1000 miles out of my OneUp. I just replaced it.

[@carloswithac]

I have an oval chain ring on one bike. Ordered one for the hardtail, but clicked on a round one by mistake. Now I'll wait until that's worn before buying another one.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Oh man. Hopefully you get to ride a lot so you can get it soon.

[@jonsocal]

Excellent video! My question is did you stay the same chain ring size or go larger? I have a 28tooth up front and an 11-42 cassette in the rear. (non-boost) and also live in SD County. Lots of climbs. I am toying with the idea of going to a 30 tooth oval.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks! I would probably go 30t. I actually downsized mine, but my bike came with a 34t, and I went 32t.

[@jonsocal]

@@MTBTrailReview I'm also checking out your hip pack. Looking to go to a hip pack as opposed to my Camelbak Skyline to save weight. Any issues losing a bottle or with comfort?

[@MTBTrailReview]

@@jonsocal I'm still really happy with it. No issues losing a bottle. It's very wide, so it sits comfortably on your back, and it has proven to be durable, too.

[@kleenhall6885]

2 weeks ago I put a oval on my dh bike. It did help in my situation, heavy bike not geared for climbs, I stepped up from 30t to a 32t oval and made a climb for the first time without stopping To walk.... I was skeptical but at $13 for one off eBay I had to try it.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Nice! $13 is a steal, too.

[@sotonkona]

Great video very helpful. I do a lot of climbing on my Process 134 CR (2021 model) too and was wondering what spec model of chainring you went for as I’m keen to try it out? My stock 2021 model came with a 32t as standard

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks! I have gone back and forth between a 32t and a 34t. Right now I am on a 34t, and I'll probably stick with it. If you are climbing lots of really steep terrain, I would probably go with a 32t. The Oneup ring is nice, because it is really easy to switch between the two.

[@dj.spin787]

I have a 32T with a 1x10 11-46 and it makes a difference and I just added the microshift advent X and helped even more in my set up

[@MTBTrailReview]

Nice! I'm not too familiar with microshift. I'll have to do a little research.

[@dj.spin787]

@@MTBTrailReview the only reason I got microshift is everyone has the S brands and well for the price and them being the underdog

[@MTBTrailReview]

@@dj.spin787 It seems like a good deal. I would definitely consider it if I were building a bike.

[@prr665]

Very nice tutorial, thanks! I recently got a Wolftooth 32t Powertrac oval chain ring and I'm super happy with it. This chain ring is 10% ovality. However, many oval chain rings are 12% ovality. I wonder what the difference is (if any) between 10-12% ovality?

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks! I think mine has 12% ovality, but I didn't do much research before buying. I went with OneUp because I generally like their products. I might have to do some research and see if there is a major difference.

[@emilianochaim5442]

i guess I'm kind of randomly asking but do anybody know a good website to watch newly released movies online?

[@nasirroman7691]

@Emiliano Chaim Flixportal xD

[@emilianochaim5442]

@Nasir Roman Thanks, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I appreciate it!!

[@nasirroman7691]

@Emiliano Chaim no problem xD

[@michaelflores7657]

Great climb!!

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks Mike! I'll have to get you out here sometime.

[@8584zender]

for xc racing I'm on oval since about 2015. just a tiny bit ofvan advantage keeping the tire planted. not as mych as tire or line choice, but marginal gain. i have a power meter and its not more power, per se, what it does is keep the torque from breaking the tire loose. downside- the rear mech sprin g and clutch are constantly moving to take up the varying chain length to the chainring. does this cause more wear? i wonder.

[@MTBTrailReview]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the information.

[@aubreygaraghan7479]

You know what makes you good at climbing? riding a road bike and climbing big ass hills that are steep and miles long. sustained climbs. do that for a bit and you'll see your mntn bike climbing has improved a ton, everything will seem smaller. your heart will stay calm for longer and your breathing will be more steady. It changes everything. I guess that's just fitness, but the road bike really brings it out of you like a mntn bike wouldn't. anyways. I got an oval chain ring cause they ordered it by accident and I wanted my mntn bike now! so I told em to install it. I think it helps? I'm not sure, I can't tell, but if everyone says it does, then I'm sure its helping. its a very subtle difference. but getting into road biking really helped my mntn biking a lot, it transformed me.

[@MTBTrailReview]

I can't speak too much on riding road, too, because I don't do it. I can say that my friends that do both tend to have good endurance, but still suffer in the more technical climbs.

[@kylemath]

Nice video! Were you seated or standing up on those steep climbs? I'm curious if the oval chainring is more noticeable one way or the other. I'm pretty new and I have trouble keeping a steady cadence when I stand up to pedal and often lose traction. Have you considered getting an e-bike?

[@MTBTrailReview]

I think I'm mostly seated, but standing for the steepest sections. I think that maintaining traction while climbing is going to be based more on body position than anything else, and it will come with more experience. I have definitely considered an e-bike, but I'm hoping the technology will come along a little more before I commit.

[@christianjimenez6004]

Do you use clipless pedals ?. I heard that help more for those who use flat pedals. What's your thoughts?.

[@MTBTrailReview]

I ride flats. I rode clipless in the past, then kind of went back and forth and settled on flats. I have never used an oval with clipless, so I can't say if it helps more or not. I would guess it's going to help out either way, but I could see it being a bit more noticeable with flats. I hope that helps!

[@christianjimenez6004]

@@MTBTrailReview Thanks for your reply. Cheers 🤟.

[@MTBTrailReview]

@@christianjimenez6004 No worries!

[@richbrett7268]

Yes. Tough climb well done.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Thanks!

[@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

Say you get a 30t oval the tooth count disparity is like 28t-32t right ? Does the 28t part help you power across the 32 t?

[@MTBTrailReview]

I believe so. You don't feel much of a difference when spinning with a normal cadence. When you are climbing something steeper and have to lay down a little more torque, the difference is noticeable. I hope that helps!

[@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

@@MTBTrailReview thanks I just ordered a 30t absolute black

[@MTBTrailReview]

@@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo No worries!

[@mtbjep2502]

it does! I have it on my bike. but it only works uphill.

[@MTBTrailReview]

And the uphill is exactly where I need it!

[@mtbjep2502]

@@MTBTrailReview yessirr..

[@Mraquanetchris]

Didn't Shimano do this in the 90's with Biopace? Is there something different in this design?

[@MTBTrailReview]

I'm not sure, but it's definitely possible.

[@alexpucci5807]

I tried throwing a 28T oval on my bike and in the biggest gear it kept pulling the chain off on its own.

[@MTBTrailReview]

Bummer. I wonder if you need to adjust the length of your chain.

[@alexpucci5807]

@@MTBTrailReview it was the same chain from my stock 32t and it looked fine. I think shortening it would have made it worse.

[@MTBTrailReview]

@@alexpucci5807 Bummer. Hopefully you can figure it out.

[@jeffnewsted4867]

Whats the best teeth to use an oval chainring ?

[@MTBTrailReview]

I think it's preference. I use a 32 on my enduro bike and a 34 on my trail bike. That said, I might put a 32 on my trail bike when this one wears out.

[@bburg1776]

I skipped the oval chain ring and went straight for the ebike!!!

[@MTBTrailReview]

The ebike is next for me!

[@thexitto]

That's why we go electric now!

[@MTBTrailReview]

So true!

[@ellerybice3787]

Since you would rather go downhill, you should ask the girls to take your ride to the top. You're just a coaster.

[@MTBTrailReview]

That's not an option for our trails. If we want to go down, we have to go up first.

[@ellerybice3787]

You're the one whom cried about the effort of doing so. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@MTBTrailReview]

There were no tears. I just mentioned that I prefer downhill and climbing is not my favorite.