Took the Spectral out for it's maiden ride with an oval chainring...
Wow it actually made a difference! Acceleration had a bit more zip and 95% efforts seemed like 90% as I had a little more in reserve to get over stubborn obstacles. There's a particularly tricky exposed root that's about 6 inches high in the middle of a climb which I can never clear. Cleared it!
Also I set two new descending PRs after following some advice from an MTB coach on YouTube. I kept my elbows a little more forward when push/pulling the bars to the side which kept my weight forward and gave me more grip. The first time the rear tyre slid out I panicked a little and stood up which ruined the corner, but the next time I went with it and what a thrill!
Shit loads of rain on the way this weekend so I have a couple more days of riding left. Maybe I'll get that XT shifter installed this weekend?..