Q: In your review of the Rotor Bike Components’ Q-Rings, it sounds like the only drawback is shifting performance. Since I ride a single- speed, would this be a match made in heaven?
—Austin, who hates shifting
A: As you point out, the drawback to the Q-Rings is shifting reliability, and, unfortunately, the benefits of the rings do not outweigh the risk of a dropped chain. Your single-speed, however, eliminates that concern. We have used the Q-Rings with a single-speed and single-ring geared setups (1x10) with great results.
When using the Q-Rings on your single-speed, the trick is to position the crank between 3 and 4 o’clock (largest part of the Q-Rings facing up), and then tighten the chain the same as you would on a conventional chainring. Because the effective tooth size is a gradual change, and not that extreme, you will be able to ride in bumpy terrain without the chain popping off.
You will obviously have a small change in chain tension when your feet are at 12 and 6 o’clock, but when going downhill, your feet will most often be positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock, and that is when the most tension is on the chain.
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