Skip to main content

absoluteBLACK oval chainring


NON-ROUND CHAINRINGS designed to increase leverage in the most powerful phase of the pedal stroke and then back it off in the weakest part aren’t new, but this absoluteBLACK ring has made a big impression on some of our testers.

It noticeably smooths out your pedalling, and with certain suspension designs we’ve found it can also reduce bob and create more consistent torque to keep tyres hooked up better. Pedalling does feel odd to start with though, and some of our testers never adjusted.

We’ve had no chain drop issues yet and, while the Race Face compatible direct-mount ring pictured is new, the anodising on our original sample is only just starting to wear after four months. AbsoluteBLACK do an extensive range of round and elliptical designs for different cranks.

Price 69$


Labels

Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

READ MORE >>

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

READ MORE >>

GT Zaskar Evolution

While some bike models last just a couple of years, others change with the times to stay at the top of riders’ wishlists. In the second part of this series looking at the evolution of bikes that enjoy enduring popularity with UK riders, we turn to the GT Zaskar – a bike that was at the forefront of our sport for a long time and still has plenty of appeal today.

READ MORE >>

COMMENCAL EL CAMINO 3

Commencal are going from strength to strength at the moment and they’ve taken their tough trail hardtail bang up to date with 650b wheels. With its skinny rims, crankset and fork, the El Camino certainly isn’t perfect and it’s the least hardcore bike here. The handling, smoothness, speed and all-round agility of the basic bike still make it a real blast for technical trail riding though, and it’s a great base for upgrading over time.

READ MORE >>

Merida Big Seven 100

We've rolled up to our local woods, with a meandering blue trail, some natural wooded tracks and a bit of fire road chucked into the mix to see how the Big Seven 100 tackles trails that entry-level riders are likely to cut their teeth on.

READ MORE >>