As soon as I received the Q-Rings, I was very anxious to install them and give them a try. However, since the Q-Rings are a unique product, I decided to read the installation instructions first. I must compliment Rotor Cranks USA on the well written and easy to follow instructions. Afterwards, installation was a snap.
Since there is quite a bit of information available on the Q-Rings at Rotor Cranks’ web site, I will not repeat all of that here. I like short reviews that get to the point based on the assumption that one has already studied the product in question. For those unfamiliar with our objective, TgR was created to supplement the marketing information generally available on manufacturers'/online retailers' web sites with an objective description of the product's performance, appearance, quality and value. Therefore, my description of the Q-Rings will be brief.
The Q-Rings are infinitely adjustable elliptical chain rings. Rotor Cranks designed the Q-Rings differently from all prior designs based on where the power stroke is located. Importantly, though, even if you think the other designs are superior, you can use Q-Rings in the same way by simply rotating the rings to the appropriate location. Q-Rings go from a 50-tooth effective chain ring to a 53, then to 56, then back to 53, 50, 53, 56 and so-on. You can rotate the chain rings so that the point with the most resistance (56) is located anywhere in the pedal stroke.
The Q-Rings are very attractive, high quality rings that should last a very long time as long as you take proper care of them. After you install them, you will need to raise your front derailleur and adjust your shifting. Even after adjustment, the Q-Rings result in quite a bit of chain rub on the front derailleur. As a result, I cannot recommend them for index shifters typically used on road bikes. With friction bar end shifters typically used on tri bikes (or old downtube shifters on a road bike) you can more easily adjust the front derailleur to eliminate the chain rub. This, however, gets quite old if your course requires a lot of gear changes.
Rotor Cranks suggests that you start in position number three out of five. After 400 miles of getting used to the Q-Rings, you are then free to test other positions to find the best for you. There are even a few suggestions, for example, if your having trouble climbing, change the rings to position 2. All in all, though, this break-in period and the infinite amount of adjustment wore me out. I have now had the Q-Rings for over two months and I’m tired of trying them. I will, therefore, give you my opinion based solely on using them for 12+ rides, including a race, in the recommended position.
Initially, you expect the Q-Rings to peddle differently than round rings. I could not feel any significant difference, though, in peddling smoothness or cadence. On my first few rides, I used the Q-Rings on a trainer watching my favorite Spinervals video. I thought the Q-Rings performed exactly as promised. It felt like big gears were a little easier to turn (if you’ve done many Spinervals workouts, you’re familiar with how often Coach Jacobson has you in a 53/12). When I first got them out on the road, I also thought they felt like I was pedaling a little easier than normal – perhaps increasing my speed a mile per hour or so for the same effort with round rings. Importantly, though, all of these early training rides were on relatively flat roads.
Then I put the rings on a new bike I was testing for TgR for a fast paced group training ride. Everything went well until I hit the steep hill at the end of the ride. I immediately experienced significant lactic acid build up in my legs and decided to just take it easy the rest of the way. Three of us had left the group behind and I happened to finish my pull just prior to the hill so the other two riders were already in front of me. I also thought that since I had a race two days later, I shouldn’t blow out the hill. I wasn't sure whether it was the new bike and the slightly more forward position I was in or whether it was the Q-Rings. I picked the bike and position.
Next, I raced with the Q-Rings on an unfamiliar course that was both unexpectedly hilly and windy. Usually in a duathlon, I feel great getting on the bike after the first run because I'm properly warmed up and my quads are fresh. I usually don’t feel any leg burn until at least the halfway point. Not in this race, I had leg burn right after I jumped on the bike and it continued throughout the bike leg. It was particularly bad going uphill as I just couldn’t keep the speed I'm accustom to. I typically pass many triathletes or duathletes when the course goes up. Not today, and not only did I struggle going uphill, but I just couldn’t catch my breath once over the top.
After the race, which was the poorest performance I’ve ever had on the bike, I chocked it up to a bad day. After a few more training rides, I’m not so sure a bad day was the culprit. I decided to get back on a bike that I’m intimately familiar with, do two fast training rides on it just to refresh my recollection of how it feels to ride and then switch the round chainrings for the Q-Rings. On the very next training ride, I experienced the same sensations that I had experienced in the duathlon. Every time the road went up, my legs started burning, my heart rate became elevated and I just wanted to go back home. In short, I now know that I don’t like Q-Rings, particularly when going uphill, even when it’s just slightly uphill. On the flats and going downhill, they’re fine, but not significantly better than standard chainrings.
I’m sure that when Rotor Cranks reads this review, it would suggest that I try the Q-Rings out in different positions, that I didn’t use any scientific methods, etc. I’m sorry, I gave it the old college try and I just don’t have any more time to give the Q-Rings when my trusty round rings work just fine and shift much better. Maybe there is some merit to the Q-Rings that I could not uncover. I will admit that this was one of the most challenging products to review and I may have it all wrong. At first I liked them, then I wasn't sure, now I don't want to try them any more. From my experience, I suggest you stick with your round rings for now.
KDG