Conference noted::bicycle

Shimano Biopace is the only way to go for low-rpm pedaling, that's why
they're almost standard equipment on mountain bikes.  Other copycat
semi-elliptical rings are NOT as good as Biopace.

I have ridden both round and Biopace chainrings on nearly identical
mountain bikes now.  There is no comparison.

.jim

    I hate Biopace chainrings. I had them on my racing bike, used them
    for a year, and then got some round Superbe Pro chainrings this
    year. I spin 90-100 RPM, and the round chainrings definitely make
    spinning smoother & easier.
    
    I have knee problems (chips in the joint), and find that the smooth
    feeling of round chainrings is easier on the knees. If I were going
    to climb Mt. Washington, hmmmm, I'd consider the Biopace, but for
    racing there's nothing like round chainrings. I really tried to
    like the Biopace too, because the ads said they were better on the
    knees ... 
    
    Mark
    
    PS - I'm selling my Biopace chainrings (42T & 52T) if anyone is
         still interested! ($10 for the set). I'm in Marlboro,MA.

    I was thinking of getting a Biopace as well, and I asked a lot of
    questions about them. it seems that if you pedal at high rpms (around
    100rpm, which you should do most of the time on the road, training or
    racing) Bipopace is a bad idee. This is because the momentum of
    your feet is diverted by the eccentric shape of the chainrings. I
    don't think that serious road racers use Biopace. 
    
    However for touring with heavy loads, or mountain biking, there
    does seem to be an advantage.

    John

Chris,

        A good friend (John Light from Burlington) found that the
    elliptical chain rings aggravated his knee problem.  As in <.1>,
    the smoother pattern of circular rotation seems to be the way to
    go for those with uncooperative mid-leg joints.  

        Give me a call to talk some "bike talk".


                                    Dean

Sigh...this is sounding all too familiar, but I'm guilty, too.

See note 441...

.jim

    I also have bad knees, I started bikeing again 3 years ago, but
    found my knees would not hold up to more than 10-15 miles of easy
    rideing on a  "normal" 12 speed raod bike. Last year on the advice
    of a doctor I bought a Mt. bike with Biopace rings, by the end of
    the riding season I found a 60 mi. day on the Mt bike to be not
    in the least stressfull. I belive the biopace helped me re-build
    knees (muscle problems). I also now find I can ride my normal road
    bike 100 mi plus with no pain

    re .2
    
    I'm the one who hates Biopace, and wanted to sell my old BP chaindings;
    I guess I didn't discourage everyone from Biopace, because after
    I mentioned that I wanted to sell my Biopace chainrings, some people
    were interested immediately!
    
    The chainrings are sold ...
    
    Mark

    
    	I also think the Bio-pace are the way to go for low-rpm
    	pedaling, as they are shaped so as to increase your leverage
    	when the cranks are in a "poor leverage" position. But I
    	think the round ones are preferable for the faster stuff.
    	I've seen some mountain bikes where the inner and middle
    	chainrings were elliptical, and the outer (where you'd more
    	likely be doing your high-speed cranking) was round.
    
    								Mike
    

    I just converted my Cannondale to Bio Pace after holding out
    for nearly a year to see how they developed.  I'm now sorry
    I waited so long.  I'm a pretty heavy guy, whose always had
    a hard time on tough hills.  I still do, but with the Bio
    Pace Small Ring (42 T) I was able to climb Mt. Vernon hill,
    standing out of the saddle the entire time, which is something
    I was never able to do before.  As for those who like to spin
    in the big gears, why not opt for both , i.e., Bio Pace Inner
    for climbing and Round Outer for Spinning.
    						Jerry

RE -.1 :

	I too have thought of the same thing. I primarily ride for fun and 
sometime will attempt a citizens race. But when training I typically ovoid
a route with extremly big hills. If I had a small biopace ring and keep my
large 53T then I could cover both aspects. I usually don't use my small
ring expect for hills anyway. Does anyone know what biopace ring will fit
on a Sugino ALP crankset? The catalogues for the Shimano rings say that
they are for 600/Sante/Exage cranksets only. 

thanx and hoping to be able to get up those massive hills!!!

mano