Ochain has officially joined SRAM. The ochain.bike store redirects to shop.sram, support has moved to ochainsupport@sram.com, and the range has been relaunched with four models: Ochain R, Ochain N, Ochain S | E-MTB, and Ochain E | E-MTB, plus an External-Adjust Upgrade Kit that turns N and E into dial versions, like R and S.
If you want a recap on pedal kickback and all four directions of resolution, we've explained them in previous BIKEVERSE articles: Pedal Kickback on full suspension bikes. For the hub approach: e*thirteen Sidekick 2.0.
Ochain joins SRAM
Ochain SRL (Varese, Italy) remains an entity, but products, distribution, and support are now under SRAM. The finishes of the new range are visually aligned with Maven Ultimate and Eagle Transmission — a clear signal that the spider-based solution for pedal feedback becomes part of SRAM's portfolio, not a third-party accessory.
What Ochain does, in short
Ochain is a spider damper mounted on the crankset, between the arms and the chainring. It allows a controlled backward rotation of the chainring under load and decouples the rider from forces that produce feedback in the pedals. The mechanism uses a two-stage spring + bumper and serviceable end-stop elastomers — smooth engagement when transitioning from "float" to "power", without the metallic feel ("clank") of hub-based solutions.
Three forms of feedback, not just kickback
Ochain addresses three distinct sources of pedal feedback, not just classic pedal kickback:
Pedal kickback — chain growth during suspension compression rotates the drivetrain backward. It rarely occurs at high speeds, as wheel rotation compensates for it — but when it does, Ochain absorbs it.
Cassette backwards slap — when the chain jumps, the cassette rolls forward and then "slaps" back, jerking the drivetrain up to the pedals. A high-frequency event present on any full suspension, regardless of design. Ochain absorbs it through controlled chainring rotation.
Rear wheel lockup during braking — when the rear wheel lifts off the ground under braking, the cassette locks instantly; upon recontact, it releases. The entire cycle transmits to the pedals as stiffness. Ochain drastically reduces the transfer.
Here's the difference from high-pivot + idler: that architecture solves only kickback. Cassette backwards slap and rear wheel lockup remain. Ochain addresses all three.
New SRAM Ochain Range — Four Models
Dial adjustment (R and S): rotate a button on the spider to change the travel angle directly on the trail, without tools. More angle for technical descents, less for technical climbing.
Price Ochain R, S: 1,978 Lei
Travel chip adjustment (N and E): change an internal chip that fixes the angle. Mechanically simpler, more economical as an entry point.
Price Ochain N, E: 1,614 Lei
All four: premium aluminum with optimized wall-thickness, validated ISO and on SRAM fatigue testing standards. New sealing: double lip silicone seals + new gasket materials for contamination resistance.
External-Adjust Upgrade Kit — N and E become dial-adjust
For riders on Ochain N and Ochain E, there is an Ochain External-Adjust Upgrade Kit that replaces the travel chip faceplate with a dial-adjust faceplate that works like on R or S. Adjustment 0° → 12° directly on the trail, premium finish matched with Maven Ultimate and Eagle Transmission.
In practice: take N or E as an entry point and, when you want quick adjustment on mixed rides (technical climb + long descent), do the upgrade without changing the entire Ochain.
Upgrade price: 521 Lei
Service at 200h, alongside suspension
The Ochain service interval aligns with that of the suspension: 200 hours of ride time. Full service can be done by most home mechanics, and the new sealing system (double lip silicone seals + new gaskets) keeps lubrication clean between intervals.
Practically: when you send your shock/fork for service, it's time to service the Ochain too. No separate maintenance calendar.
Compatibility
The mechanism works with any suspension design and any travel, mounted between the crankset arms and chainring. Models are explicitly divided into MTB (R, N) and E-MTB (S, E), the latter sized for the high torque of motors.
For exact mounting standards per model (SRAM 3-bolt / 8-bolt etc.) and the complete list of compatible e-MTBs (Bosch, Brose, Specialized Levo systems), refer to each model's sheet:
Why spider, not hub
Consistent travel regardless of cog — Ochain sits on the crank spider, behavior is identical in any gear. Hub solutions have amplified travel when climbing (large cog) and reduced when descending (small cog), because the effect depends on the cassette/chainring ratio.
No sacrifice on points of engagement — hub solutions give up PoE to achieve travel; Ochain retains your hub's PoE.
Ideal combo — Ochain + hub with high PoE = clean setup for technical climbing, zero variability in power transmission.
This doesn't mean the hub is a bad solution — it's just a different philosophy. See e*thirteen Sidekick 2.0 for the other side of the discussion: decoupling at the drivetrain (Ochain) vs. decoupling at the hub (Sidekick) vs. control through geometry (high pivot + idler) vs. frame architecture. All make sense, each in its area.
Competition Validation
In 2025, bikes equipped with Ochain won:
World Championships DH elite men
World Championships DH elite women
both overall World Cup DH titles
Many top riders choose to run Ochain even when the sponsorship contract does not include it — self-funded.
Who it's for
DH — maximum control on aggressive descents, total feedback isolation
Technical Enduro — long rides, rock gardens, brake bumps, roots
Trail / short travel — here the difference is often felt most clearly: short travel + wide gear range = more pedal feedback than on DH
E-MTB — S and E variants are sized for motor torque; on e-bikes, feedback is amplified by high torque and large cogs
Less relevant for hardtail (the issue doesn't exist) and for riders completely satisfied with the current feel of their bike.
Conclusion
The integration of Ochain into SRAM is not just rebranding. Decoupling pedal feedback at the spider level becomes a SRAM standard, with finish aligned to Maven Ultimate and Eagle Transmission, service alongside suspension, and an Upgrade Kit that makes N and E upgradable to dial without changing the entire product.
For those already riding full suspension and wanting a tangible upgrade on descents — without changing the frame or hub — Ochain remains one of the most effective interventions. Now, under SRAM, more accessible than ever.
Official manufacturer sources:
SRAM — Ochain range page: https://www.sram.com/en/sram/mountain/series/ochain
Ochain — announcement of integration into SRAM and redirect to shop.sram: https://www.ochain.bike
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