Not long ago, Bikerumor previewed an innovative set of oval chainrings for mountain bikes manufactured by Italy’s Aribike. With 1x road bike drivetrains now starting to appear (as seen very recently from Lindarets and Wolf Tooth Components) it’s no surprise that the company has just announced the release of chainring kits for road bikes with round or oval double ring and 1x options available.
With a wide range of customized gearing options on tap, Aribike says they are one of just a handful companies worldwide producing oval chainrings, and the only Italian manufacturer of 1x road-specific rings featuring their special drop-stop tooth shape. Read on for more details, and to find out how Aribike’s oval chainring kits create a training system for competitive riders…
Like the MTB styles we saw earlier this year, Aribike’s oval road rings come in two different types to create a training system. The ‘Strong’ type is used for training rides, with a specially designed shape that activates leg muscles that remain dormant when riding traditional round rings. Aribike says their unique shape creates extra muscle resistance and helps develop leg strength. The ‘Race’ rings’ shape is adjusted so fewer leg muscles are engaged, which in theory produces more output with less rider effort during competition. Ideally customers will set up a training bike with the Strong rings and their competition bike with the Race type. Aribike recommends matching up to your existing tooth count for their Strong rings, but say riders should add one tooth when ordering the Race set.
Aribike’s single or double oval ring kits are compatible with many different component brands including Sram, Shimano, Campagnolo, FSA, Specialized, Cannondale, Look, and more. The oval monorings can only be used with Sram XX1 11-speed chains, but will work with 10 or 11-speed cassettes. Oval double ring kits are compatible with high-range chains like Shimano Dura-Ace, Campagnolo Record or Sram’s 10 or 11-speed models, depending on your rear cassette.
There is a huge range of tooth count options to choose from based on compatibility with various cranks and bolt standards, so check Aribike’s website to see what’s available for your ride. Certain cranksets may require additional mounting hardware or even modifications, so read the fine print carefully!
If you’re happy spinning perfect circles and not keen on going oval, round ring kits are also available. Like the 1x oval option the round monoring features Aribike’s drop-stop teeth, is compatible with the same brands as above and also requires a Sram XX1 chain. Upon ordering Aribike’s round double ring kits, customers must specify whether they run a 10 or 11-speed rear cassette, but their website makes no further indication of chain compatibility.
Aribike also produces spiderless chainrings, chainrings compatible with power meter cranks, and is reportedly the only company offering oval rings designed specifically for Chrono bikes. All of their rings are CNC machined from 7075 T6 aluminum, and come in 13 different colors.
The double oval kit retails for $132 USD, and the single oval ring sells for $86. The double ring round kit costs $115 USD, and a round monoring goes for $74. Please note, shipping fees will be added to these prices for North American customers.
