Ochain R Chainring Spider (B1)

Since acquiring Ochain last July, SRAM has been working on a few updates to improve the system's durability. The design and benefits of the crank-mounted active spider remain unchanged—providing dampened rearward rotation of the chain ring to isolate the rider from chain-induced feedback—but the tolerances and sealing have been improved to increase service intervals.

They’re also introducing a new ‘External Travel Adjust Kit’ as an upgrade for internally adjustable models, and have reduced compatibility to just SRAM 3- and 8-bolt cranks, and the Bosch CX Gen 5 motor.

Ochain B1 Highlights

• Improved system sealing
• Unified internal parts for easier service
• Three models: R, S, N and E
• R and S models feature externally adjustable travel offering 0°, 3°, 6°, 9°, or 12°
• N and E models features internally adjustable travel offering 0°, 6°, 9° (stock) , or 12°
• External Travel Adjust Upgrade kit available for N and E models
• R and N models available in SRAM 3- or 8-bolt crank interface
• S and E models fit Bosch BDU38/CX Gen 5 motor interface
• MSRP: Ochain R and S - $350 USD | Ochain N and E - $285 USD | External travel conversion kit - $90

What’s New?

Internally, SRAM worked to increase the mechanism’s tolerance to keep stuff from getting inside and accelerating wear. The spiders will no longer be made in Italy as manufacturing has been moved to SRAM’s Taiwan facility.

Main changes include a new rubber gasket between the back plate and cover, and new internal double-lipped seals. SRAM claims these changes have allowed them to increase the service intervals to 100 hours for the elastomers, and 200 hours (or annually) for a full service. In the past, the system often required much more regular service to function smoothly and quietly.

The new Ochain B1 models have basically the same footprint and dimensions as before. Unless you have an old and new Ochain side by side or you have a photographic memory, you won’t notice a difference.

What’s noteworthy externally is that the travel adjust knob on R and S models now offers 3° of travel as the smallest setting. Before it was 4°. It’s a minor, unnoticeable change, but it is nice to have travel change by a factor of three across the travel range. Adjustment positions include lock, 3°, 6°, 9°, or 12°. The knob itself has new chamfers that make it a bit easier to grip and rotate. There is also slightly more material on the cover and around the chain ring bolts to boost impact resistance.

Ochain Family

There are four Ochain models. Ochain R and S feature the external travel adjustment and retail for $350 USD. Ochain N and E feature internally adjustable travel and retail for $285 USD. 

Ochain R and N are compatible with SRAM 3- and 8-bolt direct mount cranks. Ochain S and E are compatible with Bosch’s BDU38 motor interface.

There is also a new External Travel Adjust Upgrade Kit that converts an N or E model into an R or S model, with easy access to all five travel positions. The kit costs $90 USD.

All models only work with a 104bcd chainring and come with bolts to mount the spider to the cranks. Chainring and chainring bolts are sold separately. SRAM recently released an XX Eagle Transmission 104bcd chainring, available in 32T, 34T, and 36T, that retails for $120 USD. It offers a virtual 3mm offset for 55mm chain lines. I’ve also had no issues running non-Type chainrings with Transmission, so if you’re looking for a cheaper chainring or a different size, don’t be afraid to try a 3rd party ring. Just make sure to double-check the offset, as you may need to space out your chainring.

Ochain’s will no longer be available with Shimano, Race Face, or any other crank-mounting interface. I would call this a predictable but unfortunate change following the SRAM acquisition. For all you non-SRAM crank riders, now is the time to go stock up on the previous gen.

On the Trail

The benefits and abilities of Ochain have been discussed at length, so I’ll keep my very run-of-the-mill impressions brief. I’m a big fan of riding with an Ochain. Its effects vary depending on terrain and bike design, but in general, it reduces trail feedback, making for a more planted, calmer descending bike. As a flat pedal rider, I perceive how my bike is performing by what I feel at my feet. Ochain just takes the edge off chatter and gives me some extra clarity to look down the trail instead of focusing on the immediate moment. Less chaos, more confidence, happy trails.

Pedaling with an Ochain is also significantly better than any hub-based kickback device I’ve ridden. There is a very slight lag in engagement, but because the system compresses springs and bottoms out on an elastomer, it's nearly indistinguishable when you reach the end of travel. Instead of an aggressive knock as you engage the hub, it's a really damped, smooth sensation.

Because it works well climbing and descending, an Ochain is a solid upgrade for most bikes, not just long-travel or downhill bikes. I’d also recommend spending the extra money on the R or S model with the external adjustability. In my experience, running more or less float affects the responsiveness of a bike’s rear suspension. It’s almost like changing low-speed compression. There are times when I’m riding flowy or smoother trails, and I’ll pop the dial to Lock or 3° for a more lively feel that’s better for generating speed. For an extra $65, I think it's worth it to have the flexibility. Plus, taking an Ochain apart is pretty tedious and not something you’re going to want to do regularly. The other option is to start with an N or E model, and then buy the external adjustment upgrade kit, but you’ll end up spending $25 more in the long run. And that doesn’t make much sense.

Durability

I’ve spent the past two and a half months riding a new Ochain R. It's been through a lot this winter, and so far, it hasn’t started creaking and still floats smoothly, which is way better than any Ochain I’ve ridden previously. The creaking when pedaling was my biggest issue in the past. I’m thrilled that’s been resolved thus far. When set in the Lock position, there is some minor additional float due to the elastomers beginning to wear. I’m not quite at the 100-hour replacement mark, and while I could replace the elastomers when that time comes, the extra float isn't severe enough to bother me.

I pulled everything apart last week to check the innards, and outside of some fine dust around the gasket and some used grease around the springs, everything looked brand new. I had to do a double-take to make sure I took apart the correct spider. It was that clean. The only reason I don’t have photo proof is I forgot to take one after I tried to change the float position with it open (genius!), causing an explosion and an hour-long search for pieces scattered across my garage. So, reminder: Ochains are made up of a bunch of tiny spring-loaded parts. Service with care.

SRAM bought Ochian because of the benefits it provides on the trail are undeniable. Thankfully, this first update under their ownership maintains the mechanism's functionality while improving its sealing capabilities. You don’t need to run out and buy this generation of Ochain if you’ve already got one. But picking up a B1 Ochain in the future will save you time and money in the long run, as you won’t be tearing it apart as often to keep it running smoothly. The only bummer is that you have to run SRAM cranks to run an Ochian going forward.

For more information on SRAM’s Ochain B1 models, you can head to sram.com