The BMX News Product Spotlight has been on hiatus for a minute, but we are roaring the engines back up to full-power as of today with more articles coming your way, including a monthly feature on “oversized” parts.
Box Components is big on the big stuff, and we’re taking cues from their writings to bring you up to speed on how more beef brings more speed on the race track.
If you’re interested in that kind of thing (winning races), give the following a close read; there is some solid advice on board, and mysteries solved.
“Oversized technology” is a philosophy of design and engineering. The goal is to reduce energy loss due to deformation and/or flex. The results are enhanced control, better acceleration, and increased speed overall.
Why Are Oversized Components Better?
Enhanced delivery of power to the ground, superior control, and increased stiffness.
Delivering Power Like Pizza
“Pedal, Pedal, Pedal!” is of no use, if the rider can’t deliver that power to the ground.
Power delivery is made possible via stiffness. When you go to full power on the pedals, the pedal, crank set, bottom bracket, frame and the hardware holding it all together deflects laterally. Even the youngest riders with some experience know the “wet noodle” effect of too much flex. That flex drains-off the power that should be laid down on the track surface.
Stiffer components deflect less, so more of the rider’s energy output goes into turning the rear wheel, rather than deforming the components and frame. By using oversized technology, Box parts, for one example, add material for stiffness where it is most needed, and not just throw a bunch of bulk at the problem of better power transfer.
Be a Control Freak
Bike control really comes down to how the race rocket handles as a result of rider inputs… how much the grips, handlebars, stem, fork, wheels, frame, and all the hardware between, twists when they are railing a berm, or making a fourth-to-first charge down the rhythm section.
Stiffer steering contributes to a more responsive handling experience by reducing “latency” between hand input and reaction. Oversize components combat the cornering load as it passes along the path from the grips, all the way through to contact point on the track. That is some pocket-protector stuff, right there, but it makes a BIG difference on the race track.
Box tells us that, in developing their oversize line, they focused on two areas:
* Pedaling stiffness: how much the components between the pedals and the rear tire deflect. Simply put: Less deflection = FASTER.
* Steering stiffness: how much the components between the grips and front tire deflect. Less deflection = FASTER RESPONSE.
Bigger Investment for Bigger Results
The research shows that it takes at least TWO oversized components to experience the performance of a faster, more durable, and stiffer ride. Ideally you will want to string together as many as possible to maximize both steering and pedaling stiffness.
We get it…there is a LOT to take in here, but it’s the kind of race-performance info that doesn’t come along every day. For those who want to put together a solid winning strategy, read the above a couple-few times. It will be worth it in the long run.
Keep an eye out for “oversize” Product Spotlight features, in the near future.
Top Photo: Charles Deluvio, via unsplash
Box Components “Oversized” Line
