Rotor Q Rings

Why use Q-rings
In every pedal stroke there are two problem areas where the power delivery hesitates, causing changes in chain tension and, as a result, uneven power delivery. This is at the top of the pedal stroke and at the bottom – as the foot changes direction. Most riders suffer from this and the slower your average cadence, the more the effect will occur. Faster average cadences, say over 95 rpm, tend to move through these transition phases more smoothly, hence most coaches pushing exercises to increase rider’s natural cadence on the bike, however learning these drills and increasing your natural cadence can take years of training and exercises.

Q-rings work by smoothing out the power pulses at the top and bottom of the pedal stroke and, if like most people, you’re more diesel than turbine, you will feel almost instantaneous improvements (you do have to go through the acclimatisation period first, as you will be more muscles than you would normally use.

Q-Rings are oval-shaped chain rings which replace the standard chain rings on your bike. They are NOT the same as Shimano’s  ill-fated Biopace chainrings of the last century – Q-rings do work! – just look at the amount of pro-riders who use them . Q-rings have been used to win the Tour De France, Paris-Roubaix, countless  IronMan’s – the list is endless (well, almost).

When your pedal is at the top and bottom of the stroke the Q-Ring is in the smallest-radius position which means your foot can more easily make the transition. When in the power position at 3 o’clock the radius is at its greatest length which gives you more leverage and therefore more power.  For example, a 53-tooth Q-Ring is the equivalent of pedalling a 51 tooth at the top and bottom (for faster transition) and a 56 tooth at 3 o’clock (for higher power output). They are also adjustable (up to five differing Optimum Crank Positions (OCP) except for rings marked OCP3, which can only be used in the standard position 3). This gives you the opportunity to change this short-long radius position slightly for time trialling, climbing or riding on flats or to purely to suit your preferred pedalling style.

Which Q-rings do I need: 
Your selection of appropriate Q-rings depends upon the crankset fitted to your bike. The list below should help you, but if you have any questions please phone us and ask.

Campagnolo  Compact (113BCD):
You must ensure you order Campagnolo Compact rings – only 50/36 are currently available as the BCD measurement means that 36 teeth is the smallest that will fit the spider).

Campagnolo  Standard (135BCD):
You must ensure you order Campagnolo specific rings – only 53/40 are currently available as the BCD measurement means that 40 teeth is the smallest that will fit the spider.

Shimano Ultegra R7000 Compact (110BCD) (or any Compact (110BCD) crankset with a Quarq Cinqo powermeter fitted):
Can only use OCP3 (as opposed to OCP) outer rings. Note that OCP3 rings can only be used in the ‘standard’ 3rd position.

All other Shimano or compatible (SRAM, FSA, Truvativ etc):
Can use all OCP Q-rings, 130BCD for Standard cranksets, 110BCD for Compact cranksets.

Rotor Q Rings - How they Work

Rotor Q-Rings do not eliminate the dead-spot (as do Rotor Cranks) but help to reduce its negative effects, moving the legs easier through the dead-spot imitating a smaller circular chainring, and enabling the legs to remain in the power stroke for a longer period of time when compared to round chainrings. Q-Rings change the equivalent tooth size by decreasing it before the dead-spots and increasing it when the rider is in the power mode (when more power is available at the pedal down stroke).

Rotor Q Rings - Features and benefits:

OCP (Optimum Chainring Position), a Rotor patented feature is the secret to success, where others have failed. The OCP system allows you to choose the angle where you obtain the maximum gear ratio, customizing pedaling to each and every cyclist, where it is needed most. Since the maximum power moment is different for every cyclist (performance is different depending on pedaling style and position on the bike), the OCP System customizes the Rotor Q-Rings to your geometry and cycling habits, and takes maximum advantage of alternative leg inertias on every pedal rotation. OCP is Rotor Q-Ring's bio-mechanical key!

- More uniform power delivery due to the modulation of the gear ratio every moment. Rotor Q-Rings are designed to obtain a soft, comfortable way of pedaling with uniform muscular work, so they allow an easy and quick adaptation. Rotor Q-Rings give a smoother power transfer, helping to maintain traction on slippery surfaces, and to avoid the bobbing effect on suspension bikes.

- Mitigation of knee pains: Since Q-Rings imitate a circular (but smaller) chainring around the dead spots, minimize muscle requirements at the dead- spots, just when your knees need it.

Rotor Q Rings - About the Q-technology:

Lightweight & Quality: CNC machined from the highest quality aluminium, with a special nickel plated finish for extreme wear resistance.

Latest technology with simplest mechanics: Q-Rings are user friendly; easy to install and easy to find and change the regulation setting through the patented OCP System.

Affordable: prices are within the reach of every cyclist.

Designed and patented by ROTOR: Innovation and performance through our engineering at the service of the cycling community.

What is the difference between Q-RINGS and other non circular chainrings?

The design of Q-RINGS comes from Rotor Cranks biomechanical technology more so than from any previous oval or asymmetrical type chainring.

Non circular chainrings have been available in various shapes since the late 1890’s. All of them attempted to avoid the negative affects of the dead spot. The most recent models that are well known are the Shimano Bio-Pace and the O.SYMETRIC "Harmonic".

The ROTOR Q-RINGS are different from these two types, and all other previous types inasmuch as Q-RINGS:

A) Q-RINGS take into consideration the forces from your legs in static conditions in addition to the inertia of the bicycle, the rider and the legs of the rider.

B) Q-RING provide a smooth rhythmic pedaling motion instead of the high-gear-low-gear feeling and high accelerations at the dead spots.

C) Q-RINGS position the equivalent high gear about 20 degrees past the power-side-crank’s horizontal position, which is the approximate place where you can obtain the maximum benefit of the higher gear.

D) Q-RINGS have the OCP (Optimum Chainring Position) enabling you to customize (fine tune) the position of the chainring for your personal riding habits and riding position on the bike.

E) Q-RINGS mitigate pain and damage to the knees that is usually caused by the dead spots; if your knees feel pain they cannot deliver maximum power; when the pain is removed, your performance will clearly increase.

Click her to view our Range of Rotor Q Rings

Q-Ring Set - Up 

...to follow shortly