When you are looking for ways to go faster off road you have a number of options.
One of the best options is the addition of Rotor Q Rings.
If you aren't familiar, Q Rings are non-round chain rings that will increase load during the strongest part of the pedal stroke and decrease the load when you are at weakest point of the stroke.
While this has been attempted before, the Rotor company from Spain has finally figured it out.
When you first install Q Rings you will notice a slight variation to the pedal feel.
You push down like you always do, but the dead spot at the bottom of the pedal stroke is a lot easier so you seam to fly though it.
After a few rides you don't even know you have them on but you will notice the ability to attack short, steep hills and carry more speed over the top.
With Rotor Rings you will see a 4-5 percent increase in sustained power, a decrease in fatigue and less load on your knees.
An Italian study showed a decrease in shear force on the knee when running Rotor Rings over round rings.
As you often power your way out of steep climbs or corners the decrease in load on the knee will reduce over use injuries for a lot of users.
Over the course of a mountain bike ride or race you will really notice it because of the repetitive accelerations and steep climbs.
Late in a race you will be a lot fresher and able to hammer hard to the finish.
The benefit is there going fast in the big ring and long climbs in the granny gear.
Because of the decreased load at the bottom of the pedal stroke you can often run a gear higher in the back.
Going faster in a mountain bike race is about finding all the ways you can steal a few seconds at every opportunity.
Rotor Q Rings can be part of that puzzle.
Installation on most cranks is straight forward.
The rings are available in standard triple options as well as two ring options.
Rotor also makes a dedicated mountain bike crank that takes a 27-40 tooth combo that has an improved chain line and is super light and sexy.