Does anyone still use BioPace ?
04-03-13, 08:35 PM
#1
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Does anyone still use BioPace ?
Picked up a Shimano BioPace crankset for £4 ($6). I was wondering if anyone still uses it and if so if they actually use it for it's supposed benifets or just because it's correct to the bike or any other reason.
(sorry about poor photos)
(sorry about poor photos)
04-03-13, 08:44 PM
#2
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I use it on two of my bikes. I like it, but it is a period thing. It only looks right on a bike from the mid-eighties to the early nineties.
Functionally, its benefits are subtle. I notice it for the first few minutes I'm on a bike, and after that I forget all about it. Then when I get on a non bio pace bike, that feels funny for a mike or two. Then I forget again.
Functionally, its benefits are subtle. I notice it for the first few minutes I'm on a bike, and after that I forget all about it. Then when I get on a non bio pace bike, that feels funny for a mike or two. Then I forget again.
04-03-13, 08:46 PM
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Yes, yes I do (46-36-28) 
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
04-03-13, 09:05 PM
#4
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I use it on two of my bikes. I like it, but it is a period thing. It only looks right on a bike from the mid-eighties to the early nineties.
Functionally, its benefits are subtle. I notice it for the first few minutes I'm on a bike, and after that I forget all about it. Then when I get on a non bio pace bike, that feels funny for a mike or two. Then I forget again.
Functionally, its benefits are subtle. I notice it for the first few minutes I'm on a bike, and after that I forget all about it. Then when I get on a non bio pace bike, that feels funny for a mike or two. Then I forget again.
04-03-13, 09:19 PM
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I acquired a bike for my 13 year old daughter that has Biopace rings. It's her first road bike so she doesn't know anything different, I notice a difference but it is subtle. When the rings wear out I will try to replace with Biopace but mostly for the novelty.
04-03-13, 09:21 PM
#6
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Yes, 4 of my bikes. 1 is a road bike( Schwinn SS) and the others are MTB's ( Univega,GT,Schwinn ) I like them and have no idea if I get any benefit from the shape of the cranks or not.
04-03-13, 09:36 PM
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A MTB for me too, but at the time of purchase I had the big ring exchanged with a round one before delivery, so only use the inner and small with Biopace. Even more interesting is the bike came stock with Avocet cranks and Shimano Biopace rings.
04-03-13, 09:42 PM
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What's really a lot of fun at the bike coop is to watch a kid converting a bike to fixed gear who ends up with a Biopace crankset.......
04-03-13, 09:52 PM
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I have them (52, 39) on my '87 Schwinn Tempo; I *think* they are original to the bike. I *think* I notice a slight difference when I'm climbing hard, out-of-the-saddle.
But it could just be my imagination.
But it could just be my imagination.
04-03-13, 09:57 PM
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04-03-13, 10:06 PM
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I used a 48/38/28 BioPace set last summer for Ragbrai, along with some commuting and group rides. It was neat for the novelty, but my knees don't seem to prefer one or the other, as long as I'm not in too high of a gear.
04-03-13, 10:08 PM
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I recently purchased a 92 trek 850 with it. I've owned bikes in the past but this is my first serious bike so I don't really have a reference to know the difference.
04-03-13, 10:14 PM
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"revolutionary" technogimmick that was a good reason for everyone to buy a new bike.
It wasn't any worse than standard round chainrings, and it was not noticeably better.
It was just different..............................which often is enough to sell a lot of stuff.
04-03-13, 10:24 PM
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If in good shape Biopace cranks and chainrings work fine for almost any setup including SS or even FG. I learned this working at a bike coop that had a 100 plus of the Biopace stuff and a dozen off the other stuff. It seems despite that they work fine and actually give a slight advantage no one wants to use them becuase they are ugly wierd.
04-04-13, 03:25 AM
#16
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I've got a set on my Centurion Ironman, I really like the way they feel because I was having knee pain on aggressive rides if I stood up to pedal up steep hills. My knees have felt better and I'm able to stay seated more (and I got a few personal bests on strava) so I can definitely say I'm satisfied, and quite surprised that they feel so good.
Though everyone is different so your results may be different than mine.
Though everyone is different so your results may be different than mine.
04-04-13, 03:31 AM
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I've got 2 sets of biopace rings 46/36/26 110bcd and 52/42 130bcd nice quality aluminum rings if anyone is interested.
biopace is cool for mashing but feels weird when you're spinning. I prefer round rings, though sometimes i've thought about trying them on my pedicab
biopace is cool for mashing but feels weird when you're spinning. I prefer round rings, though sometimes i've thought about trying them on my pedicab
04-04-13, 04:10 AM
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I have the Sugino version... I actually prefer it on my touring bike, it works well with slower cadences, if you are a spinner (over 80 rpm) it isn't going to work for you.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
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"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
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04-04-13, 04:42 AM
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04-04-13, 05:12 AM
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Just pulled them off my Iguana and am so happy to have round rings!
04-04-13, 05:32 AM
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If anyone out there likes biopace and has a set of round rings they're willing to trade for, I've got some biopace rings off a tricolor 600 crankset I'm trying to swap out. 53, 42. PM me if interested.
04-04-13, 05:52 AM
#22
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aidanpringle, The '86/'88 Cannondale SR that I'm redoing came with them and I'll find out. The short rides I've taken with a Biopace equipped bike weren't any different for me than one equipped with round chainrings. I will be able to compare with a very similar bike I already have when the resurrection is complete.
Brad
The short rides I've taken with a Biopace equipped bike weren't any different for me than one equipped with round chainrings. I will be able to compare with a very similar bike I already have when the resurrection is complete.Brad
04-04-13, 06:05 AM
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Funny that you brought this up now. I just updated an 1993 GT Timberline with SRAM X-3 shifters/derailleur and city slicker tires. It has Biopace rings and I have been riding it more and more on longer rides.
I really notice how the sprocket shape feels like it saps my power, especially on climbs and riding into the wind but the thing rolls and my times are quite good on it compared to my road bikes. It feels like I am just spinning easy and the effort is going nowhere but it just smoothing out my delivery.
I did a sprint on it and hit 32mph.
I will keep them on that bike and use that bike for my recovery rides.
I really notice how the sprocket shape feels like it saps my power, especially on climbs and riding into the wind but the thing rolls and my times are quite good on it compared to my road bikes. It feels like I am just spinning easy and the effort is going nowhere but it just smoothing out my delivery.
I did a sprint on it and hit 32mph.
I will keep them on that bike and use that bike for my recovery rides.
04-04-13, 09:31 AM
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Only elitist weight weenie modern bike shops scorn bio-pace. They are a good design and should still be made today. In fact one company makes a similiar product but charges hundreds of dollars per chainring. They gave it a new name and market it toward snobs of high disposable income.
I used a 42 ring on my fixed gear without problems. It worked out just fine. They are fine. I think they are easier on the knees.
I used a 42 ring on my fixed gear without problems. It worked out just fine. They are fine. I think they are easier on the knees.
04-04-13, 10:32 AM
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I bought a road bike the other day because I wanted its [rare] 40t 130bcd ring- figured that would cover a decent chunk of the asking price. I don't seek out biopace to retrofit bikes, but I also don't take it off bikes. I have multiple bikes because they are each a little different.
That being said, I've noticed zero performance/comfort enhancement riding biopace/ovaltech rings. Maybe I need to recalibrate the butt dyno.
That being said, I've noticed zero performance/comfort enhancement riding biopace/ovaltech rings. Maybe I need to recalibrate the butt dyno.
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