Ochain Chainring Spider

Vital Rating:
Where To Buy
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Ochain's Active Spider Eliminates Pedal Kickback - REVIEW
Want the super-smooth feel of riding chainless while still being able to pedal? This clever device offers a unique solution.
Rating:
Vital Review

If you've ever ridden a full-suspension bike without a chain, you likely noticed an improvement in its suspension performance. After watching some incredible chainless downhill runs on the UCI World Cup circuit, this Italian brand dreamt up a way to provide the benefits of riding without a chain, with a chain. 

On many bikes, chainstay growth during suspension compression causes the crankset to rotate counter-clockwise. This is also known as pedal kickback. By allowing some spring-loaded rotational movement within a reimagined chainring spider, the Ochain device is claimed to automatically isolate your transmission from your suspension while descending. We're joined by Vital tester, MTB Savant, in the video above for an in-depth review and his ride impressions.

Highlights

  • Reduces or eliminates pedal kickback
  • Replaces the stock chainring spider or direct mount chainring
  • SRAM, Shimano, Race Face, e*thirteen, and Ingrid direct-mount versions
  • Includes elastomers to switch between 6°, 9°, or 12° of rotation
  • Made from 7075 T6 aluminum
  • Black hard anodized Nero surface treatment or custom Pregio metallic hard coating surface treatment
  • 52mm chain line for bikes with Boost rear axles
  • Requires a 30 to 36-tooth 104mm BCD chainring
  • Includes titanium nuts
  • Weight: 128g (4.5-ounces, actual)
  • Price: 298€ (Nero) // 349€ (Pregio) // 354€ (Nero with carbon-Ti chainring)
  • Two-year warranty

You can decide between 6, 9, or 12-degrees of movement by replacing the internal elastomers. In this graph you can see typical pedal kickback values for various bikes:

Ochain can be used across the spectrum of full-suspension bikes and crank types:

Ochain with the ready-to-ride Titanium Nut and Carbon-Ti chainring kit

What's The Bottom Line?

Our tests confirmed the claims. With an Ochain device installed there is a general feeling of isolation from your feet, and it noticeably takes the edge off sharp hits – especially on low-speed, technical descents. The device made a marked improvement in small-bump sensitivity, compliance, and the back end felt like it wasn't getting caught up as much. Added cost, weight, complexity, and dead space while pedaling are the major drawbacks. The ideal customer is someone riding a bike with lots of chain growth who is focused on descending capabilities.

Visit www.ochain.bike for more details.


About The Reviewer

James Yun - Age: 44 // Years Riding: 17 // Height: 5'10" (177.7cm) // Weight: 170-pounds (77.1kg)

James is a mountain bike enthusiast and geek based in Northern California. He's also the founder of the MTB Savant YouTube channel.

20 comments

Post a reply to: Ochain's Active Spider Eliminates Pedal Kickback - REVIEW

In reply to by grinch

In reply to by TEAMROBOT

In reply to by David9180

In reply to by Skeen

In reply to by bulletbass man

In reply to by Varaxis

In reply to by bulletbass man

In reply to by grizzatom

In reply to by grizzatom

In reply to by grizzatom

In reply to by bulletbass man

In reply to by David9180

Specifications

Product
Ochain Chainring Spider
Riding Type
Cross Country
Dirt Jump / Slopestyle
Downhill
Enduro / All-Mountain
Freeride / Bike Park
Trail
Other
Chainring Type
Other: Spider Only
Speeds
1x
Tooth Count
30, 32, 34, and 36 tooth options (sold separately)
Hole Pattern
104 BCD
Materials
Al Alloy 7075 T6
Nero: black hard anodizing surface treatment
Pregio: custom precious hard coating surface treatment
Colors
Nero: black anodized
Pregio: metallic anodized
Weight
0 lb 4.5 oz (128 g)
Miscellaneous
Replaces the stock chainring spider or direct mount chainring
SRAM, Race Face, e*thirteen, and Ingrid direct-mount versions available
Provided with Ochain Elastomer Kit to switch between 6°, 9°, or 12° setup
Ochain and chainrings fit only with 5mm length nuts
Chain line: 52mm (Boost only)
Dimensions: 93 mm x 93 mm x 13 mm
2020 year release
2-year warranty
Price
Nero (298€, includes titanium nuts and VAT): N/A
Pregio (349€, includes titanium nuts and VAT): N/A
More Info

Ochain is a fully mechanical, active chainring spider designed to reduce pedal-kickback by automatically isolating your transmission from your suspension when needed.

Ochain website

What do you think?
Where To Buy
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply.
Chainrings

The Latest