Analysing the Osymetric Chainrings in today's offer

Welcome to another exploration of marginal gains, where we delve deep into the world of cycling, running, and triathlon to uncover the secrets that can take your performance to the next level. In this review, we set our sights on Osymetric chainrings—a small yet significant tweak that has been making waves in the world of cycling, especially during the Sky team era. The Osymetric chainrings have certainly left their mark, offering a unique path to marginal gains at the top level and without being one of the official sponsors. Many riders used them in an anonymous manner. 

Cycling has always been evolving but trends changed drastically fast these past few years (i.e. gravel, 1x setup, etc.) - so join us as we rediscover the history, science, unique shape, and potential future of these not so new game-changing chainrings. How to they stack in today's world?

"Unbranded" Osymetric chainrings at the Giro d'Italia

History and Legacy:

In the quest for greater speed and efficiency, cyclists have long experimented with different gear ratios. Osymetric, a company rooted in the cycling mecca of France, emerged in the late '80s with a novel concept—oval chainrings. Initially met with skepticism, these rings found favor among some elite riders, including the legendary Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and many more. The legacy of Osymetric lies in its relentless pursuit of performance gains to this day.

The Science Behind Osymetric:

The magic of Osymetric chainrings lies in their unique shape. Unlike traditional round chainrings, Osymetric chainrings are actually not oval but elliptical, with a distinct focus on optimizing the pedal stroke. But does the science stack up? Research conducted in independent labs and published studies suggests that Osymetric chainrings can lead to improvements in power output and pedaling efficiency, notably during the dead spot zone where we don't usually generate great power. These findings provide compelling evidence of their efficacy and if you think of it, do you believe the human body was made to execute perfect circles with the legs? Shouldn't it be better to adapt the bike to your body or the other way around?

Credit to Nicolas Rambier : Effet de l'utilisation du plateau O'symetric sur la performance du cycliste

Osymetric vs. Round Chainrings:

To truly understand the impact of Osymetric chainrings, let's compare them to their round counterparts. Round chainrings deliver consistent power throughout the pedal stroke. In contrast, Osymetric chainrings aim to smooth out the power curve, emphasizing the downstroke where the rider generates the most force. This alteration can result in improved power delivery, reduced dead spots, and potentially enhanced performance. The company claiming up to 10% more watts delivered for the same effort while independent studies ended up near the 3/4% mark (which is still a significant gain!).

Osymetric vs. Oval Chainrings:

Oval chainrings are another variation that may come to mind when discussing non-round shapes. Rotor is probably the most famous advocate of oval chainrings. 

While both oval and Osymetric chainrings deviate from the traditional round design, their approaches differ. 

Oval chainrings typically provide variation in gear ratio throughout the pedal stroke, potentially aiding in biomechanical comfort. 

In contrast, Osymetric chainrings focus on optimizing efficiency by targeting specific phases of the pedal stroke.

Pros and Cons:

As with any equipment in the realm of marginal gains, Osymetric chainrings come with their set of advantages and disadvantages. 

Pros include potential power output improvements, a smoothened power curve,  reduced muscle fatigue and less lactic acid produced at threshold power. 

On the flip side, a certain acclimatation time is needed and compatibility issues with drivetrains and bikes may be a drawback if you don't pick the right chainring. Shifting performances especially have also been a well known issue. You will also have to recalibrate your power meter after installing them as power readings may be affected by the "unfamiliar" power stroke.

Choose wisely before ordering to match your crank and expectations

The Future of Osymetric:

As the cycling world evolves, so does the technology. With the trend towards bikes without front derailleurs gaining momentum, Osymetric chainrings could become even more relevant again. Their ability to optimize power delivery in single-chainring setups could usher in a new era of performance-enhancing gear.

Rating:

For riders seeking that extra edge, especially in single-chainring setups to avoid the potential drawbacks, they're an intriguing option worth exploring.

Afterall, if it's good for Froomey, it might be for you too !