Posts
590
Joined
9/13/2013
Location
Quezon City
PH
Edited Date/Time
10/16/2022 10:03pm
https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Chainrings,19/Ochain/Chainring-S…
https://www.ochain.bike/
The O-chain has seen success in the World Cup DH scene, winning a World Championship with Reece Wilson (on a pre-idler Trek Session) along with podium finishes from Troy Brosnan (on a Canyon Sender) and Andreas Kolb (Atherton Racing).
I can see this as potentially beneficial for enduro bikes such as the Commencal Meta, Kona Process, Trek Slash, Orange Switch 7, but probably not for bikes which already have idler pulleys. It also seems to be beneficial for flat pedal riders as well.
It's pricey (starts at €299.00) and basically negates high-engagement hubs but will this make sense for enduro race bikes where there is far more pedaling on flat sections and extended uphill liaisons?
https://www.ochain.bike/
The O-chain has seen success in the World Cup DH scene, winning a World Championship with Reece Wilson (on a pre-idler Trek Session) along with podium finishes from Troy Brosnan (on a Canyon Sender) and Andreas Kolb (Atherton Racing).
I can see this as potentially beneficial for enduro bikes such as the Commencal Meta, Kona Process, Trek Slash, Orange Switch 7, but probably not for bikes which already have idler pulleys. It also seems to be beneficial for flat pedal riders as well.
It's pricey (starts at €299.00) and basically negates high-engagement hubs but will this make sense for enduro race bikes where there is far more pedaling on flat sections and extended uphill liaisons?
Personally I run a low or standard engagement hub. And the OChain in -6 setting on my Trek DH bike.
If the rider can afford to try it, I would suggest giving it a go.
Don't know about an enduro bike, though - if you're not picky about hub engagement, it might benefit you.
Bike: Trek Slash (X2 shock)
Hubs: Hope Pro4 (4 pawls, 44 tooth engagement - 8.2 degrees)
Cranks: Praxis 165mm
Drivetrain: SRAM GX with Garbaruk cogs
Ochain version: SRAM with 6 deg elastomers, 32t chainring
I was having trouble deciding whether or not to go with the 9 deg elastomers but went with the 6 deg instead. I was thinking my hubs aren't near the Hydra level so I decided to stay on the safe side and go with the 6 deg instead.
Will post feedback here after a test ride over the weekend on a craggy DH track.
I will make a change to 9 degree elastomers and test again this weekend.
Here are some highlights:
"Using data acquisition on my bike, I have found that my average position, or dynamic sag, is higher with an O-Chain than without, meaning that the chain tension truly is adding resistance to the suspension moving freely. I generally go up in spring rate with when using an O-chain to get the ride height I want, which I believe gives me the best balance of support and bump absorption. We are all asking our bikes to do a difficult thing: Support inputs as we, the rider, push into the bike and use that energy for forward drive, and at the same time, absorb impacts from obstacles on the trail coming up from the ground up. I believe that running an O-Chain will take away resistance in the form of chain tension on the suspension system, which you can compensate with spring or damping, and get a balance of support and absorption that is more consistent and easier to quantify."
. . .
"I use an O-Chain on most of my bikes. I am not sponsored by O-Chain, they are a small Italian company without much marketing budget. In fact, O-Chain does not sponsor anyone. Which makes the fact that you see them on so many pro rider’s bikes even more impressive."
I put an Ochain on my Meta SX, huge difference. Did have to increase the air pressure in my shock to compensate for the lack of resistance. I really like the bike at the Bike Park a lot more. I run it in the 12 degree position, I do feel the delay in the pedal input when out on trail rides and need to quick push to get up a steep bit. It only takes a few tries to get used to having to start the pedal stroke a fraction of a second sooner.
Probably going to put one on my V4.5 Supreme.
Glad this got bumped. I have been considering one for a spire. Now which one has been what has been holding me back,
Having to pay another $80+ for a chainring has been the thing that keeps me from trying it since it’s pricey to begin with.
I put a cheap shimano chainring on there. Took five minutes with a file to get it to fit. Felt like a timewarp to the good old days when everything required a file. Loving my Ochain and full thoughts coming soon. [Edit: I remembered it was actually two minutes with a dremel. Probably would take 30 minutes with a file]
Wolftooth scratch and dent sale - $15.
Never seen one for shimano 12 speed in scratch and dent. maybe that doesn’t matter and a regular narrow wide would be fine?
I have the one you can buy from Ochain directly. Works fine on Shimano 12spd although I feel like the chain retention isn’t as good, had a few dropped chains whereas I didn’t have any before. Might also be the fault of the oneup bash guide since I had to mount it higher to clear the profile of the ochain.
Anyways, wouldn’t want to go without an ochain anymore. Helps with all the small tugs on the pedals you only really notice when they’re suddenly gone and makes the bike a whole lot quieter.
Can anyone comment on longevity? Maybe mine is has a defect but the paper seal wiggles out of the Ochain after about a week of use and dirt gets inside it. Rebuilt it three times now after 3 trips, getting extremely bored of it. Everything is installed and torqued correctly so not sure what else to do.
I had an issue like that once, but after rebuilding and torque correct, it didn't happen again. The team at Ochain has been really good at helping, send them a message.
Looking forward to read/listen to your review. Thanks!
My longevity has been horrendous. Same thing. Immediately tears. Dirt gets in. Makes noise. Frustrating. It bothered me enough to reach out and they were helpful. Sent me and updated version of the Ochain. I just need to put it on now.
I will say, I kept riding my old one through all the noise and it still functioned great.
Is the new one you got the one with the dial on the outside to adjust the degrees? Ive wondered about the longevity of that one and am tempted to try it
No… unfortunately not. No complaints though! So appreciative of them sending one! I went from 03 to 04 version.
I’d be curious how the adjustable ones hold up too. So far so good from several friends with them
Yo! Full thoughts on Ochain (on my trail bike) are live on the homepage now: https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/can-pedal-kickback-denier-see-light
this pic should be on the homepage until the end of the year.
Thanks for the review, this convinced me to buy one. So far I am really surprised by the performance on my short travel single pivot trail bike but it will eventually end up on the RAAW Madonna.
With regards to the minimum chainring size on the OChain R, I found the online specs and documentation very confusing. It says everywhere that the minimum size is 32T. We have really steep climbs here in the Canadian Rockies and I like to run a 28-30T. Turns out there is an option! https://pilo.co.il/c38-104bcd-30t-narrow-wide-chainring.html This one fits perfectly and clears the "hump" on the R model. They cut the female threads right into the chainring so you just need the bolts to secure it.
It doesnt say on the website but how well is that chainring working with t type? I noticed the flat top chain and i got xo t type and just ordered a o chain too. Im running 30t right now with a mullet but might bump up to 32t
It works flawlessly. I just did a big ride on it and had no issues with noise or chain retention. In fact I never had issues running "non-t-type" chainrings with transmission. Back when transmission came out, the selection of certified chain rings was non-existent so I used a normal 3 bolt eagle crankset and Garbaruk chainrings without issues. It is funny how much SRAM emphasized on every component in the drivetrain needed to be compliant.
Thank you! I kinda figure that with a chain ring as long as the chain stays on it shouldnt be an issue. I might still try a 32 to see if i can deal with going up 2 teeth but great to know i have an option for a 30t
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