{"id":5116,"date":"2019-05-18T04:17:01","date_gmt":"2019-05-18T04:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/?p=5116"},"modified":"2023-03-08T05:25:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T05:25:29","slug":"oval-chainring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/oval-chainring\/","title":{"rendered":"Oval Chainring &#8211; The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Is an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/cranksets\/chainrings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">oval chainring<\/a> (or \u201celliptical chainring\u201d for some) a<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">technical wonder<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">essential kit<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">merely useful (but non-essential) or<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">an over-hyped marketing trick?!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Just some of the questions we answer in this complete guide.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You&#8217;ll also find a comprehensive guide to<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">installing a new crank with an oval chainring<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">removing and installing chainrings<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><a href=\"#CRI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Skip to the installation guide.<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><a href=\"#SR\">Skip to the scientific research<\/a> \u2014 Is the oval chainring just nonsense?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: 32px; color: #000000;\">IS IT AN OVAL CHAINRING or <em>ELLIPTICAL<\/em> CHAINRING?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">If you want to be exact you\u2019ll be right on target using <em>elliptical<\/em>: <span style=\"color: #000000;\">an oval chainring is an ellipse<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Well, sort of.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Getting nerdy with it, a circle is a type of ellipse mathematically speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">By that logic, your standard <span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>circular chainrings are actually elliptical chainrings<\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Everyone knows an ellipse when they see it. But just in case, an ellipse is defined as follows, in terms of the difference between a circle and an ellipse\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"361\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/ellipse-defined-1024x361.jpg\" alt=\"difference between a circle and an ellipse\" class=\"wp-image-5155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/ellipse-defined-1024x361.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/ellipse-defined-300x106.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/ellipse-defined-768x271.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">An ellipse has two radius measures\u2014one horizontally along the x-axis (&#8220;a&#8221;), the other vertically along the y-axis (&#8220;b&#8221;).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The values differ in an ellipse. In a circle both have the same value. (ie. a circle is an ellipse where both radii have the same value).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The math is all well and good. However, since \u201coval chainring\u201d is the more common term when talking about this chainring design, we\u2019ll just stick with that.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'arial black', sans-serif; font-size: 32px; color: #000000;\">NEW TECHNOLOGY or OLD?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-size: 22px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">This design most recently began to impact the cycling public\u2019s imagination from around 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-size: 22px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Nevertheless, the oval chainring has been around for quite a bit longer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-size: 22px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Like almost every other aspect of bicycle component design, <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">oval chainrings are not new<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/1893-Columbia-32-05.jpg\" alt=\"1893 Columbia bike with oval chainring\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">1893 Oval Chainring Bike (embedded from Online Bicycle Museum)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">This is a 1893 model, manufactured a mere decade after the invention of the safety bicycle (Rover and Humber c.1884), the bike form we basically still have today.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/cranksets\/chainrings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">narrow-wide chainring<\/a> would certainly come in desperately handy here by the way. You would have more than your fair share of chain drops combining the oval chainring with that drooping chain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Oval\/Ellipical designs have regularly appeared then disappeared over the intervening decades.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The theoretical benefits have tended to be overshadowed by (apparent) practical problems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px;\">Shimano Biopace<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">One of the biggest developments was Shimano\u2019s Biopace in 1983.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-photo is-provider-flickr wp-block-embed-flickr\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/74163253@N00\/3376287122\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/3590\/3376287122_b788174c20.jpg\" alt=\"52 42 sante road crank\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>52 42 Sante Road Crank. Embeded from Thirteen Of Clubs licensed under Creative Commons<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Sheldon \u201cBetter Than Round\u201d Brown gives a&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheldonbrown.com\/biopace.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> clear explanation<\/a> of the physics of this technology.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The bugbear of crank and chainring design is the deadspot at the 12 o\u2019clock point of the pedal stroke. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The cyclist pursuing perfect efficiency must eliminate the deadspot.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The Biopace approach was to <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">obtain the greatest transmission of power at the dead point\u2014getting rid of it by embracing it<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">By the early 1990s Biopace was declared a failure after an evolution culminating in Biopace HP (High Performance).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The failure was largely due to a communcation\/marketing problem that arose. Recent hard evidence*, however, proves Biopace indeed provides the technological edge it promised.<\/span><br>*The study was online until recently and linked to from here. It has since disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial black, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; color: #000000;\">WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN OVAL CHAINRING?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The benefits and the disadvantages have been well documented over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 28px;\">Great in Theory<\/span><\/strong> <\/span><br><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The targeted benefit is sound in theory which goes something like this &#8230;<br><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A perfectly circular chainring has just the one radius and uniform curvature. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Being an ellipse, an oval chainring has not one radius but two which defines the non-uniform curvature.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The large radius drives or pushes the chain when the cranks are horizontal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Greater pedal efficiency is achieved when the cranks are horizontal allowing you to push a higher gear.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The smaller radius when the cranks are vertical pulls the chain giving you a lower gear\u2014you get past the dead spot sooner.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The important point to note is that an oval chainring does not give you more power. You simply achieve higher pedal stroke efficiency. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Physically you are working less thus saving energy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; color: #000000;\">The noticeable effect on your power output will be a smoother delivery of power, or more exactly, of torque, to the rear wheel.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Quite apart from the physics is what you actually experience as a cyclist.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A circular chainring delivers an uneven pedal stroke. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You can really feel the effect by unclipping a shoe from one pedal (for those using cleats). Your cadence becomes jerky and irregular.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px;\">Problems in Practice<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Stress on the knees has been a commonly reported problem.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">This is a big deal since the action of cycling is therapeutic for both backs and knees. Got a bad knee? Get on a bike . . . but avoid pushing a high gear.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">If your knees are fine to begin with, a good cadence is where you maintain rhythmic circular motion with slight resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1005\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/giant-cog-y80a-1005x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Giant Cog\" class=\"wp-image-476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/giant-cog-y80a-1005x1024.jpg 1005w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/giant-cog-y80a-295x300.jpg 295w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/giant-cog-y80a-768x782.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/giant-cog-y80a.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1005px) 100vw, 1005px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Your knees will stay in good shape. (Engage a granny ring or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/cranksets\/giant-cog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">super-large cog<\/a> on those tough ascents).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Trying to push that high gear is a classic knee stressor, completely negating the therapeutic benefits of cycling.<br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You effectively engage a higher gear when the cranks are horizontal. To compensate for the increased resistance you\u2019ll push too hard. Voila! Knee stress.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Additionally, the (equivalent) low gear you push, when the cranks are vertical, means that your knees are moving faster through the change of direction, going up to down and down to up.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Knee acceleration through that change gives a whiplash effect. This alone puts many potential users off oval chainrings forever.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-family: arial black, sans-serif; font-size: 32px;\"><a id=\"SR\"><\/a><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">DOES AN OVAL CHAINRING MAKE A DIFFERENCE?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">There is scientific evidence for and against the scientific (objective) effectiveness of an oval chainring. The evidence in favor of the effectiveness of oval chainrings is strong.<br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">If you are interesting in going into the subject in greater depth, here are some <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">rigorous scientific studies that explore the issues<\/span><\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rasant.ch\/resources\/cycling_performance_improvement_with_non_circular_chainrigns.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-size: 24px;\">Cycling performance improvement with oval chainrings after 1 year of adaptation<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Seven male recreational road riders riding between 3000 and 10000 km a year and who were using non-circular chainrings for at least one year were put through tests. The conclusion was that cyclists using oval chainrings for an extended peirod seemed to adapt to a better pedalling technique that results in improved performance.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3990898\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;\">Physiological responses during cycling with oval chainrings (Q-Ring) and circular chainrings.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Using these rings did not significantly improve maximal power output and VO2max. The slight tendency towards improvement in power output when using the oval Q-rings (increase of 2.5\u20136.5 % relative to circular chainrings) that was measured suggests that Q-rings could result in slight improvement during on-road cycling performance.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de\/cpa\/article\/view\/5301\/4873\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Knee Joint Forces in Cycling at Two Workloads with Circular and Non-Circular Chainrings.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">This study that suggests that reported knee problems may have nothing to do with use of non-circular chainrings.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">At the end of the day it\u2019s probably as much about the ride and how you feel when cycling with an oval chainring.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The moment you begin using one you will definitely notice a difference.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The questions you\u2019ll face are<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">can I get used to the new sensation?<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">does it feel like the quality of my ride is enhanced?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><a id=\"CRI\"><\/a><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial black, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; color: #000000;\">HOW TO INSTALL OVAL CHAINRINGS<\/span><\/strong><br><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">In this section we <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">remove a standard crank (technically a compact crank in this case)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">install a crank fitted with oval chainrings<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">change the oval chainrings to semi-oval<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/G2OyHa4CXVg\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The video covers the process in detail. Check it out <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">or scan down this page. We highlight the key elements in what follows.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Whether you install a semi-oval or fully oval chainring, taking the crank off is the easiest method.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 28px;\">Crank Removal 1\u2014The Chain<\/span><\/strong><\/span><br><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Removing your crank means removing your chain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">For speed, convenience and efficiency nothing beats having a quick release link installed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">None of this fiddling with connecting pins and a chain \u201ccutting\u201d tool. Simply open the link, then remove your chain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/qr-link-tools-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"master link pliers\" class=\"wp-image-5120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/qr-link-tools-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/qr-link-tools-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/qr-link-tools-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/qr-link-tools-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You\u2019ll want the right tool, though, since the modern QR link locks into place. Locking and unlocking is only clumsily accomplished by hand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Head over to Amazon and look up \u201cmaster link plier\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You won\u2019t find any tools like the red and yellow above which allow you to engage the link horizontally though.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">All commercially available tools appear to be exclusively designed for vertical use.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-cassette-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"chain on cassette\" class=\"wp-image-5121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-cassette-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-cassette-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-cassette-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-cassette-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">An alternative to removing the chain from the derailleur cage (you have the hassle of threading it back in later) is fold it over the cassette.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/zip-tie-brake-lever-3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"putting zip tie on shimano dura ace brake lever\" class=\"wp-image-5122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/zip-tie-brake-lever-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/zip-tie-brake-lever-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/zip-tie-brake-lever-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/zip-tie-brake-lever-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">To prevent the back wheel rotating and sending the chain to the floor, zip tie the brake lever, locking it down.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; color: #000000;\">Crank Removal 2\u2014The Crank<br><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Loosen the pinch bolts a little in turn.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-pinch-bolt-dura-ace-4-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Loosen Dura Ace Pinch Bolt \" class=\"wp-image-5123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-pinch-bolt-dura-ace-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-pinch-bolt-dura-ace-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-pinch-bolt-dura-ace-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-pinch-bolt-dura-ace-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pro Tip<\/span><\/strong>: When tightening or loosening crank pinch bolts (or stem bolts for that matter), always tighten or loosen in increments.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/dura-ace-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Dura Ace Crank Arm Fixing Bolt\" class=\"wp-image-5124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/dura-ace-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/dura-ace-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/dura-ace-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/dura-ace-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-6.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A crank arm fixing bolt removal tool is harder to come by. Still, the bolt should not be tight. The maximum torque recommendation for these is normally around 1 nM.<br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-crank-safety-plate-7-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Shimano Crank Safety Plate\" class=\"wp-image-5125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-crank-safety-plate-7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-crank-safety-plate-7-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-crank-safety-plate-7-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/shimano-crank-safety-plate-7.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">That just leaves the safety plate. Once you move that forward, the crank slides off easily.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-hammer-8-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"removing a crank with a hammer\" class=\"wp-image-5126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-hammer-8-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-hammer-8-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-hammer-8-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-crank-hammer-8.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Cranks fit precisely to their respective bottom brackets. That can mean a light tap with a rubber mallet to break the spindle free from the BB\u2019s grip.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You can use a ball peen hammer. Just be sure to cushion the spindle\u2019s end with a thick cloth or pad to avoid direct metal-on-metal contact.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/clean-dirty-bottom-bracket-9-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"cleaning dirt off bottom bracket\" class=\"wp-image-5127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/clean-dirty-bottom-bracket-9-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/clean-dirty-bottom-bracket-9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/clean-dirty-bottom-bracket-9-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/clean-dirty-bottom-bracket-9.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A good opportunity to clean accumulated grime from around the bottom bracket prior to (re)installation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oval-chainring-crank-10-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Oval Chainring Crank\" class=\"wp-image-5128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oval-chainring-crank-10-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oval-chainring-crank-10-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oval-chainring-crank-10-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/oval-chainring-crank-10.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Here\u2019s the bad boy we\u2019ll be installing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; color: #000000;\">Later we\u2019ll swap out the oval chainrings, replacing them with the semi-oval chainrings which you see in the background.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Pot of grease is ready to go.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-crank-spindle-11-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"smearing grease on an oval crank spindle\" class=\"wp-image-5129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-crank-spindle-11-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-crank-spindle-11-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-crank-spindle-11-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-crank-spindle-11.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Grease the spindle where it contacts the bottom bracket inner race\u2019s outer surface. Otherwise it may get stuck on the install, tempting you to force it in.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Applying too much force places an unhelpful degree of side-stress on the bearings.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Having positioned the crank snugly in the bottom bracket, you\u2019ll now have to solve a problem with your front derailleur.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px;\">Oval Chainring Derailleur Adjustment<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Because the chainring is elongated, the teeth lining the two elongated \u201cends\u201d now touch the derailleur cage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"646\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-cage-12-1024x646.jpg\" alt=\"Chainring Derailleur Cage\" class=\"wp-image-5152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-cage-12-1024x646.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-cage-12-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-cage-12-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-cage-12.jpg 1653w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You need to adjust the derailleur cage up, so that when the oval chainring reaches the highest point in the arc, you will have the required 1-3mm gap between derailleur cage and chainring tooth.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-adjustment-13-1024x716.jpg\" alt=\"Derailleur Clamp Adjustment \" class=\"wp-image-5153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-adjustment-13-1024x716.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-adjustment-13-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-adjustment-13-768x537.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-adjustment-13.jpg 1353w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Firstly ensure there is no tension on the derailleur shifting cable.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Loosen the bolt, release the cable.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Loosen the clamp bolt. Slide.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-14-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Derailleur Clamp Bolt \" class=\"wp-image-5130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-14-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-14-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-14-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-14.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Push the derailleur cage out against the spring across the chainring teeth. Then allow it to return making sure the clearance is right.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Then re-tighten the clamp bolt (use a torque wrench to achieve correct tolerance on all bolts once the installation is completed).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-gap-15-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"gap between Chainring and Derailleur\" class=\"wp-image-5131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-gap-15-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-gap-15-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-gap-15-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-derailleur-gap-15.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Perfect clearance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-derailleur-cable-bolt-16-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Tightening Derailleur Cable Bolt \" class=\"wp-image-5132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-derailleur-cable-bolt-16-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-derailleur-cable-bolt-16-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-derailleur-cable-bolt-16-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-derailleur-cable-bolt-16.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Re-fit the the derailleur cable, tighten the bolt, then complete the rest of the crank installation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px;\">Crank Arm Installation &amp; Pinch Bolt Torque<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-spindle-crank-17-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Greasing Crank's Spindle\" class=\"wp-image-5133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-spindle-crank-17-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-spindle-crank-17-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-spindle-crank-17-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/grease-spindle-crank-17.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A smear of grease on the spindle, and the threads inside, ready for the crank along with the crank arm fixing bolt.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-18-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Installing Crank Arm Fixing Bolt\" class=\"wp-image-5134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-18-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-18-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-18-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-crank-arm-fixing-bolt-18.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A smear of grease on the crank arm fixing bolt as well doesn\u2019t go astray.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Although we apply a loctite compound to this bolt to discourage loosening, there is no conflict with the grease.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Grease smooths installation and removal<\/span><\/strong>; loctite discourages premature loosening. (If the correct torque settings are applied, though, you\u2019ll never have to worry about losing a bolt when you least want it \u2026 remember Murphy\u2019s Law \u2026 ).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The torque for FIRST crank arm bolts like this one is a little higher than Shimano\u20141.5 nM vs 1 nM.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/pinch-bolt-torque-wrench-19-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"applying correct torque to Shimano crank pinch bolts\" class=\"wp-image-5135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/pinch-bolt-torque-wrench-19-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/pinch-bolt-torque-wrench-19-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/pinch-bolt-torque-wrench-19-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/pinch-bolt-torque-wrench-19.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The torque setting for the pinch bolts is 12-14 nM. The torque wrench &#8220;gives&#8221; at the point the set tolerance is reached.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; color: #000000;\">Derailleur Limit Adjustment<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-drop-20-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"chain drops need derailleur adjustment\" class=\"wp-image-5136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-drop-20-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-drop-20-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-drop-20-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chain-drop-20.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">You spin through the gears on the first test, shift to the big chainring and <em>kerchanngggkk<\/em> \u2026 the chain drops.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Chain dropping is more likely with oval chainrings\/oval cranksets<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The gap between the chainrings and the derailleur cage on the flattest part of the elliptical curve is several centimeters. <\/span><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Way outside any practical recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Right now the outer limit is not limiting enough. <strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This adjustment will not reposition the cage but merely restrict the outbound movement<\/span><\/strong> which right now is traveling a tiny whisker too far to the outside, thus pushing the chain off the chainring.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-limit-screw-21-1024x591.jpg\" alt=\"adjusting the big ring limit screw\" class=\"wp-image-5154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-limit-screw-21-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-limit-screw-21-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-limit-screw-21-768x443.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-limit-screw-21.jpg 1701w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">A half turn of the limit screw is enough to prevent the cage from moving that fraction of a millimeter too far.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">In the next shifting test, the chain snaps into position, no longer dropping off the chainring.<br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; color: #000000;\">Change Chainrings &#8211; Oval to Semi-Oval<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">To recap, the difference between an oval and semi-oval chainring is that the semi-oval&#8217;s small chainring is circular\u2014just the big chainring is elliptical.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Changing chainrings is simple.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Undo the bolts. Change the chainrings. Re-tighten.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Let&#8217;s break it down, step by step.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-chainring-bolt-24-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"loosening chainring bolts\" class=\"wp-image-5138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-chainring-bolt-24-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-chainring-bolt-24-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-chainring-bolt-24-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/loosen-chainring-bolt-24.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Loosen each bolt a little, each in turn.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-bolt-25-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"removing chainrings bolts from crank\" class=\"wp-image-5139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-bolt-25-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-bolt-25-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-bolt-25-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-bolt-25.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The bolt slips out easily leaving the nut in the rear.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-nut-26-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"chainring nut of bolt\" class=\"wp-image-5140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-nut-26-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-nut-26-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-nut-26-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/remove-chainring-nut-26.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The rear nut pops out.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-nut-bolt-27-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"chainring nut and bolt\" class=\"wp-image-5141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-nut-bolt-27-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-nut-bolt-27-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-nut-bolt-27-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-nut-bolt-27.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">By the end of the procedure, you&#8217;ll have removed four or five pairs (five with this spider).<br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/mount-small-chainring-28-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"removing small chainring from spider\" class=\"wp-image-5142\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/mount-small-chainring-28-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/mount-small-chainring-28-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/mount-small-chainring-28-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/mount-small-chainring-28.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Remove the small chainring first by lifting it along, then over, the spindle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-oval-chainring-29-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"installing large oval chainring\" class=\"wp-image-5143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-oval-chainring-29-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-oval-chainring-29-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-oval-chainring-29-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-oval-chainring-29.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Remove the spider from the big chainring then bring the spider into the new big chainring in the reverse of the removal.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-oval-chainring-install-30-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Large Oval Chainring Install \" class=\"wp-image-5144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-oval-chainring-install-30-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-oval-chainring-install-30-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-oval-chainring-install-30-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/large-oval-chainring-install-30.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Flip it over. The big ring drops into the spider&#8217;s bolt holes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-small-semi-oval-chainring-31-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Install Small Semi Oval Chainring \" class=\"wp-image-5145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-small-semi-oval-chainring-31-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-small-semi-oval-chainring-31-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-small-semi-oval-chainring-31-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-small-semi-oval-chainring-31.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Install the small chainring.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Note that since this is a semi-oval setup, the small chainring is circular, not an oval.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-chainring-bolt-32-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Install Large Chainring Bolt\" class=\"wp-image-5146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-chainring-bolt-32-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-chainring-bolt-32-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-chainring-bolt-32-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/install-large-chainring-bolt-32.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Install the bolts loosely, but still firm enough to hold both chainrings against the spider.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-chainring-bolt-33-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Tightening Chainring Bolts \" class=\"wp-image-5147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-chainring-bolt-33-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-chainring-bolt-33-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-chainring-bolt-33-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/tighten-chainring-bolt-33.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">When each bolt is in place, move around the bolt circle tightening each in turn. If you have a torque wrench (grab one from Amazon if you do anything beyond tinkering with your bike)\u201410 nM will do it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 28px;\">Semi-Oval Chainring &#8211; Adjust Front Derailleur Again<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-touch-derailleur-34-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Chainring is Touching the front Derailleur \" class=\"wp-image-5148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-touch-derailleur-34-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-touch-derailleur-34-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-touch-derailleur-34-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/chainring-touch-derailleur-34.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The big ring ellipse for this oval chainring combination is more elliptical than the chainring it replaces. So the chainring teeth catch on the front derailleur cage meaning a further adjustment northwards.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-limit-35-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Derailleur Clamp Bolt Limit is reached\" class=\"wp-image-5149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-limit-35-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-limit-35-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-limit-35-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/derailleur-clamp-bolt-limit-35.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The difference now is that the derailleur clamp bolt is at the uppermost limit. You can see it sitting right at the top of the clamp bracket range.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The only way to adjust the clamp higher is by moving the unit up the seat tube. Around one centimeter should do it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-derailleur-clamp-36-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Adjusting the Derailleur Clamp\" class=\"wp-image-5150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-derailleur-clamp-36-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-derailleur-clamp-36-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-derailleur-clamp-36-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/adjust-derailleur-clamp-36.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Loosen the bolt enough to be able to work the derailleur clamp up the seat tube. (That rusty bolt has been replaced by the way &#8230; ).<br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">The derailleur will need both vertical and lateral re-alignment because of this.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">If you have a brazed-on derailleur bracket you will likely have enough clearance to work with.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">It would be advisable, however, to do the calculations prior to investing in an oval chainring set. Make sure you will be able to get the clearance you need to have a functioning front derailleur.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/semi-oval-chainring-37-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"semi oval chainring\" class=\"wp-image-5151\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/semi-oval-chainring-37-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/semi-oval-chainring-37-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/semi-oval-chainring-37-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/semi-oval-chainring-37.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">And there you have it. Ready to go.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 32px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Oval Chainring Pros and Cons in Sum<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 28px; color: #000000;\"><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/span><br><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">There is hard scientific evidence that oval chainrings are technically superior and give a cyclist an edge in particular circumstances (eg. where energy efficiency is important such as in racing).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Smoother pedal stroke &#8211; good for knees at the very least<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Pedals return to optimum power zone more easily, less resistance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 28px;\">Cons<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Chain drop potential higher<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Possible whiplash effect problem &#8211; bad for knees<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Feels weird to begin with \u2026 a feeling you may not ever get over<br><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Should you try one? Yes, why not?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Having read through this guide, you\u2019ll be better prepared for the experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">When you do give \u2018em a try, let us know? How did it go?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Or if you have already put down countless miles on an oval chainring, then share your experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<span hidden class=\"__iawmlf-post-loop-links\" data-iawmlf-links=\"[{&quot;id&quot;:252,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.sheldonbrown.com\\\/biopace.html&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20251130100959\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.sheldonbrown.com\\\/biopace.html&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-01 21:42:38&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-05 14:01:02&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08 16:30:30&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08T16:30:30+00:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:253,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.rasant.ch\\\/resources\\\/cycling_performance_improvement_with_non_circular_chainrigns.pdf&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20250709020931\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.rasant.ch\\\/resources\\\/cycling_performance_improvement_with_non_circular_chainrigns.pdf&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-01 21:47:38&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:503},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-05 14:01:04&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08 16:30:31&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08T16:30:31+00:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:254,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/pmc\\\/articles\\\/PMC3990898&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20220903192614\\\/https:\\\/\\\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/pmc\\\/articles\\\/PMC3990898\\\/&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\\\/articles\\\/PMC3990898&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-01 21:48:01&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-05 14:01:05&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:404},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08 16:30:34&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08T16:30:34+00:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:255,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de\\\/cpa\\\/article\\\/view\\\/5301\\\/4873&quot;,&quot;archived_href&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/web-wp.archive.org\\\/web\\\/20170225113157\\\/https:\\\/\\\/ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de\\\/cpa\\\/article\\\/view\\\/5301\\\/4873&quot;,&quot;redirect_href&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;checks&quot;:[{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-01 21:48:29&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-05 14:01:11&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08 16:30:38&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200}],&quot;broken&quot;:false,&quot;last_checked&quot;:{&quot;date&quot;:&quot;2026-11-08T16:30:38+00:00&quot;,&quot;http_code&quot;:200},&quot;process&quot;:&quot;done&quot;}]\"><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is an oval chainring (or \u201celliptical chainring\u201d for some) a Just some of the questions we answer in this complete guide. You&#8217;ll also find a comprehensive guide to Skip to the installation guide.Skip to the scientific research \u2014 Is the oval chainring just nonsense? IS IT AN OVAL CHAINRING or ELLIPTICAL CHAINRING? If you want [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6378,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[691],"tags":[690],"class_list":["post-5116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chainring","tag-oval-chainring"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5116"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5116\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstcomponents.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}