Product review - Rota Rings

Well, who would say no to that. But with all thees things there are downsides, the cost being the biggest one. So after a gargantuan effort at Bonty (finishing second to the amazing Rickie Cotter in the searing heat) I decided to treat myself to a set of these rings with the promise I would do a "proper" evaluation and see if they were worth the extra money.

The guys at Rota were very helpful and my rings arrived in the post the day after I ordered them. I can't lie here. They were a bugger to fit. Well, to be truthful, I was told they were a bugger to fit. My mechanical skills stretch no further than an emergency puncture repair in the woods but I always keep a mechanic close to hand (I married him just to make sure). The Rotar website was really helpful with tips and tricks for fitting but it took a lot of "fettling" to get the gear shifting set up. I run a 2 x 10 set up because I just do not have the power to run 1 x 10 on my all round "do it all" race bike. I am sure these rings would run like a dream on a single speed or even 1 x 10 but with a double ring, at best my XTR set up gives my GT shifting.

Riding is a different matter. I was quite amazed but you really cannot tell you are riding oval rings. They feel is completely "normal". And to me it feels like I am constantly peddling one rear cog smaller than I actually am. It definitely feels easier. But that is not what I want. I don't want it to feel easier. I want to be riding faster. And with all the myriad of variables the only way to really tell is to race.

That is where the plan fell apart. After thoroughly beasting myself at Bonty I have experienced a string of illness, injury and "can'tbearseditis". I managed a couple of autumn XC races with passable results. Any increase in speed generated by the small efficiency gains seeming to be wiped out by the poor shifting and the need to "nurse" the drive chain on the accelerations. This didn't overly surprise me however, as it was the endurance racing where I  expected to get the most benefits. I had intended to ride the whole of the Brass Monkeys series but the first race saw me very nearly forced out of the race after I sliced my rear tyre on a piece of metal. It was very frustrating as I was riding well until that point and my bike was going great. The second round found me sick as a dog with whatever nasty virus is doing the rounds of the local primary school. It took nearly three weeks to get over this and then the lingering cough caused me to pull a muscle around my ribs and left me in agony. So all in all I  still haven't given the rings the "proper" test I promised them but feel that 5 months later I really ought to draw a line in the sand.

So my overall opinion (on the limited testing I have given them) is that these rings feel great in training. For racing I am yet to be convinced, but this is mainly due to my lack there of and my choice to run a 2x10 set up. But with the new year comes new resolutions and hopefully 2015 will see a more motivated me with more racing. I think my ovalised rings will be a saga set to continue so I will keep you updated.

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