Oval chainrings – Were they doomed to fail right from the very start, or was there a glimmer of hope that they could be key to unlocking a god-like pedalling technique? In this video, Alex dives into the history of one of cycling’s most controversial components. From bold claims of smoother, more efficient pedalling to real-world issues with performance, accuracy, and setup, we explore why oval chainrings had their moment…and why this piece of bike tech really disappeared. 00:00 Were oval chainrings doomed from the start? 00:21 The history of oval chainrings 00:58 Claimed benefits: smoother & more efficient pedalling 01:29 Do oval chainrings actually work? 02:08 Powermeter accuracy issues 02:29 The downsides: feel & adaptation 02:50 Shifting and setup problems 03:49 Oval rings in the Pro peloton | Froome & Wiggins 04:49 Final thoughts: A great idea that didn’t stick? 05:30 Thanks for watching it Useful Links: GCN Tech Uploader 👉 https://gcn.eu/techuploader Subscribe so you don’t miss a thing 👉 https://gcntech.co/subscribe Insurance: Viewers in the USA and UK can explore GCN Insurance products 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNinsurance Sign Up To The GCN Newsletter 👉 https://gcn.eu/Newsletter Visit the GCN Shop 👉 https://gcn.eu/gcnshop GCN WhatsApp Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNwhatsapp GCN Instagram Broadcast Channel 👉 https://gcn.eu/instagrambroadcast Join the GCN Club on Zwift and ride with us! 👉 https://gcn.eu/GCNClubRides Do you think oval chainrings were overhyped, or ahead of their time? Watch more on GCN Tech... 📹 How The World's Most Expensive Chainrings Are Made! 👉 https://youtu.be/vAFKqrdYMlw 📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 https://gcntech.co/EditorsChoice 📹 Watch the latest GCN Tech Show 👉 https://gcntech.co/GCNTechShow 🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵 Music (Epidemic Sound): Rebecca Mardal - Nothing Ever Changes Dylan Sitts - Prescribed Prism Dusty Decks - Solsearchers Rebecca Mardal - By The Fire Dusty Decks - Mighty Stylus #biketech #tech #disappeared #oval #chainring #pedaling #technique #bikecomponents #powermeter #downside #shifting #setup #peloton #gcntech #gcn #cycling #roadcycling #roadbike #bike #bikes #bikelife #biketech 📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Tech is the only channel you need for all things bike tech – past, present and future. Simply put, we’re obsessed with tech: we seek out and showcase the best in bikes, components, tech, accessories, upgrades and more from races and events, tech shows and product launches across the globe to bring you the best in road bike technology. We’ve got great maintenance videos to help you get the most from your bike; pro-bike tours from all the biggest races; special features and the weekly GCN Tech Show! Thanks to our sponsors: Pinarello Bikes: https://gcn.eu/Pinarello Topeak Tools: http://gcn.eu/Topeak CamelBak: https://gcn.eu/Camelbak Canyon Bikes: http://gcn.eu/-Canyon Pirelli Tyres: https://gcn.eu/Pirelli Orbea Bikes: http://gcn.eu/Orbea Vision Wheels: http://gcn.eu/Vision Wahoo Fitness: http://gcn.eu/Wahoo-Fitness Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: https://gcn.eu/VW Park Tool: http://gcn.eu/-parktool Selle Italia: https://gcn.eu/SelleItalia Zwift: https://gcn.eu/Zwift Silca: https://gcn.eu/Silca MET Helmets: https://gcn.eu/methelmets Core Body Temperature: https://gcn.eu/corebodytemp Precision Fuel & Hydration: https://gcn.eu/precisionhydration Elitewheels: https://gcn.eu/Elitewheels Watch our sister channels: Global Cycling Network - https://www.youtube.com/@gcn GCN Racing - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnracing Global Triathlon Network - https://www.youtube.com/@gtn GCN Italia - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnitalia GCN en Español - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenespanol GCN auf Deutsch - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnaufdeutsch GCN en Français - https://www.youtube.com/@gcnenfrancais GCN Training - https://www.youtube.com/@GCNTraining Global Mountain Bike Network - https://youtube.com/@gmbn GMBN Racing - https://youtube.com/@gmbnracing GMBN Tech - https://www.youtube.com/@gmbntech Electric Mountain Bike Network - https://www.youtube.com/@embn