There’s loads of debate in regards to the science and advantages of oval chainrings, however PEZ’s Chuck Peña is a “non-round” convert. There aren’t loads of non-round riders within the professional peloton, however one is four-time TdF winner (and one of many few winners of all three Grand Excursions) Chris Froome. Perhaps previous his prime, however nonetheless not dangerous firm to maintain. Chuck has been driving a pre-production model of the Spreng Reng 2.0 “quasi-heagonal” chainring and needed to offer PEZ readers some first impressions.
PEZ readers will know that I’m a fan of oval chainrings with Absolute Black oval chainrings on my Felt FC and Rotor Q Rings on my Colnago V3. Because the starting of summer season, I’ve been driving a pre-production model of one other “non-round” chainring: Spreng Reng 2.0, and I needed to offer y’all some first impressions.
A bit of background first … The Spreng Reng 2.0 is the brainchild of Doug Brown, Jr., who’s spent the final 5+ years growing it. There’s much more technical element behind the design of the Spreng Reng 2.0 than I’ll inform you about, however a couple of issues price noting:
- The Spreng Reng 2.0 is not an oval chain ring. Doug calls it a quasi-hexagonal form for which there actually isn’t a geometrical title. Design-wise the form “has six ‘curved’ segments (as a substitute of being straight as typical with a real hexagonal form) between six ‘rounded’ vertices (the placement the place two segments meet and would sometimes type an angle however are curved as a substitute of being angular as with a real hexagon).”
- In keeping with Doug, the results of this distinctive form “is that every one gear tooth valley radii range above or under what could be regular for the full gear tooth on the chainring.” For comparability: “the full gear tooth valley radii rely for a 34-tooth spherical chainring is: 34 x 34 = 1,156. The whole gear tooth valley radii rely for a 34-tooth Spreng Reng is: 1,153.52, a discount of two.48 tooth.”
- So what does that imply? In keeping with Doug, “By evaluating the full gear tooth radii counts for every Spreng Reng model vs. a typical spherical chainring it’s apparent we’re successfully lowering the ‘internet’ whole gear tooth valley radii with out lowering the gear tooth rely which is useful as a result of we’re rising the gear torque however nonetheless offering the identical gear tooth rely.” [emphasis added]
To the bare eye, Spreng Reng (left) is extra spherical than oval (Rotor Q Ring, proper)
In additional easy phrases: The Spreng Reng 2.0 is designed to make climbing simpler/sooner.
However does it?
I don’t have any arduous statistically important information, however my subjective reply is “sure.”
The very first thing I observed on my maiden voyage on the Spreng Reng was that even on flat floor I used to be spinning each sooner and simpler than I usually would have. Even when the Spreng Reng didn’t stay as much as its declare of elevated efficiency climbing, that’s a profit in and of itself.
However ditto for when the street tilted up. Not solely might I spin simpler/sooner, however I might additionally trip an even bigger gear extra comfortably. The opposite factor I observed is that I might keep seated in an even bigger gear. I’m a climber by nature (to not be confused with being a very good climber), however I’m additionally now squarely in senior citizen territory. But my common driving companions (nearly all of them 10+ years youthful than me … a few of them 20+) have commented on how nicely I’ve been climbing this season. And on some uncommon events, making everybody else harm on climbs. I do know that’s subjective, anecdotal proof however belief me … that’s not the norm (and sure, I do know a few of which may be the results of simply higher health).
Wednesday nights are my Wednesday Night time Hill Experience (WNHR aka Peña Peña aka Ache Occasion) that I’ve been main for the previous 5+ years. 15-20 miles with a minimum of 100 toes of elevation achieve per mile. It’s an city trip with loads of punchy climbs (lots of them double-digit grade). The longest climb is just not fairly a mile and 1 / 4. Everybody rides the climbs as arduous as they need/can, however then we re-group and trip simple in-between climbs. A method it’s been described is weight lifting and intervals all on the identical time.
This 12 months, I’ve managed fairly a couple of PRs on climbs over the summer season, in addition to Xert breakthroughs. Specifically, along with bettering my PR on the aforesaid longest climb, my occasions have persistently hovered close to my PR on the climb. Sure, I do know improved health is an element. However I additionally know that with the Spreng Reng I’m capable of put down extra energy in an even bigger gear for an extended time than with my Rotor Q ring (which I additionally know I trip higher than a spherical ring) simply by wanting on the numbers on my energy meter once I’m driving.
I additionally know I’m spinning sooner as a result of all my driving companions touch upon my cadence. I wouldn’t name myself a excessive cadence rider by nature. Not that I can’t spin at larger cadences, however my “pure” cadence might be mid-80s rpm. With the Spreng Reng 2.0 I discover myself extra naturally spinning within the mid/high-90s rpm (which means with out consciously attempting to spin sooner) and loads of occasions even 100+ rpm. One profit is that this has translated into doing the identical within the massive ring.
However simply don’t take my phrase for it. I do know that is from three completely different efforts spaced out over a number of months — so not apples-to-apples-to-apples (perhaps extra like apples-to-oranges-to-lemons?) — however it’s some information and proof with precise numbers for the Spreng Reng. Preserving in thoughts that it’s not a managed experiment the place variables are held fixed, my Strava information and Xert energy for the Molte Piccolo Mortirolo phase on my WNHR (please don’t chortle at my energy numbers…) that exhibits each larger cadence and energy driving with the Spreng Reng 2.0.
The three.5% common gradient is misleading due to the lumpy-ish run-in with some downhill sections. The again half of the climb is a reasonably regular 5-6% with two quick double-digit sections.
April 27, 2022 – Using with my Rotor Q Ring (I do know I wasn’t going as arduous as I might go from begin to end as a result of this was one of many first WNHRs of the 12 months, however I do know I made a very good effort on the final a part of the climb, which is it’s personal phase)
June 1, 2022 – My first time up the Molte Piccolo Mortirolo driving with the Spreng Reng 2.0 and I received a PR! (I can’t bear in mind what my earlier PR time was). Energy and cadence numbers communicate for themselves.
July 20, 2022 – Bettering on the above PR with barely larger common cadence and energy numbers
One other factor price noting … I had no issues by any means adapting to the Spreng Reng 2.0. For me, there aren’t any noticeable variations in my pedal stroke. That’s going from oval to quasi-hexagonal, however I’m guessing it will be pretty comparable going from spherical to the Spreng Reng 2.0 for the reason that Spreng Reng form is extra “spherical” than “oval.” And one other factor to recollect for those who’re considering attempting any non-round chainring … you continue to pedal in circles. (NOTE: On the finish of the summer season, I began driving a LOOK 795 Blade with 52/36 spherical chain rings and made that transition no problem-o.)
General, I’m impressed with the Spreng Reng 2.0. It’s not simply that I discovered it simpler to spin. Mix that with making it simpler to trip an even bigger gear and you’ve got a recipe for higher climbing. No less than for me, I might discover sufficient of a distinction. It’s not night-and-day. And it’s not like I can rocket up hills and out-climb guys which are simply stronger than me. However with greater than 1,500 miles on the Spreng Reng 2.0, I can say climbing is simpler/sooner. #marginalgains which are noticeable. It’d solely be a couple of, however watts are watts.
PEZ doesn’t have a launch date to the driving public but for the Spreng Reng 2.0, however we’ll maintain you posted. Within the meantime, Doug is attempting to speak me into driving a 36t Spreng Reng 2.0.
For the techno weenies … from Doug’s patent for the Spreng Reng
Observe: In case you have different experiences with gear or one thing so as to add, drop us a line. We don’t declare to know every thing (we simply indicate it at occasions). Give us a pat on the again for those who just like the opinions or a slap within the head for those who really feel the necessity!
PezCycling Information and the writer ask that you simply contact the producers earlier than utilizing any merchandise you see right here. Solely the producer can present correct and full data on correct/protected use, dealing with, upkeep, and or set up of merchandise in addition to any conditional data or product limitations.
Like PEZ? Why not subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter to obtain updates and reminders on what’s cool in street biking?
