>Egg Rings
I may miss big chainrings, but not Shimano's Biopace system, or Egg Rings as they were more often known. The reason for this nickname was their shape- slightly oval. The idea was to increase efficiency and minimise effort on the dead spot (or something). It didn't work, and more worryingly many riders complained of aching knees from the new technology. Despite Shimano's might, Biopace didn't last.