From Gordo's site, Acorn's review of his PC experience "I realize that 2-3 MPH is complete BS", shows what I had thought and been saying, that PC's actually do not help you build power and speed but can actually work against you in that manner. They may build economy but your speed can drop off. They may be a great tool for buiding a smooth pedal stroke but to guarantee 2-3 MPH just by using them is nuts. Coaches Gordo and Friel as well as other PC cyclists that have been using them for a while are beginning to state that they are better used as a complementary tool instead of using them exclusively. Semms as though Coggan was on to something a while back.
Here's Acorn's review, he used them exclusively for a very long period:
http://www.coachgordo.com/...config.pl?read=27327
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" OK, here is my background and current thoughts on PC's.
I used PC's exclusively from October of 2001 through April of 2002. This was on Frank's advice to ride them for 6-9 months exclusively to see results. I went through a very brutal adaption period. I worked myself up to a 4 hour ride at about this time last year. Eventually I was able to build up to a 7 hour ride. I did not focus on high cadence or riding in the aerobars, much of my riding was pure survival. I then hopped back on my tri bike a few weeks before Wildflower and tested at the same speed as my last two season bike splits. On race day itself, on a road bike instead of my tri bike (based on my coach's recomendation to mimic my training setup) I rode 3 or 4 minutes slower than my split the last two years. For reference, all of my splits in 2000 and 2001 were within a minute of each other so I thought I had a really good baseline prior to starting PC's. All of the rest of my bike splits in 2002 were noticeably slower than 2000 and 2001.
From this I draw the conclusion that if any cycling progress was made, it was negative.
I did, however, have a very good training day in the early spring with my best-ever Palomar climb of 78 minutes (not using powercranks but prior to Wildflower, I think I busted the clutch so I had to send them back or something.) And I had a pretty good road race the weekend before Wildflower. I do think the PC's made positive changes, particularly in my low cadence power and my overall economy. But, the problem was that throughout the 2002 season I simply could not beat any of my 2000 or 2001 bike splits.
In summary, for the winter of 99-00 I did mostly indoor spin classes in SF and spent a ton of saddle time commuting on my bike during the spring and summer. The winter of 00-01 I did tons of climbing per Gordo's advice and tried to ride Palomar every weekend I could with as much long slow mileage as possible. 99 was my first season. 00 was my best season and also my fastest bike splits. 01 was comparable on the bike but a little slower on the swim and run. 02 was faster on the swim and run but slower on the bike.
My run splits in 2002, however, did improve slightly. Roughly 10-20 seconds/mile. However, for some crazy reason, I continue to see improvements in my swimming and running even through this last season where I've had PR swim and run splits in every race except IM. My fitness is there. My bike splits are worse.
Now, like Gordo I like the product. I do not want to sell my set to anyone else even though I am not using them right now. I think they are a cool tool. But, as far as bang-for-the-buck goes, I don't consider them particularly special. But I have similar skepticism about bike frames, training plans, aero wheels, and bike fits. Doesn't stop me from spending though
I think I am a prime candidate for some kind of bike improvement. My swim and run splits put me in the top 3 of just about every race, but my bike splits are never in the top 10. I can honestly say that I gave powercranks a full, dedicated effort. I cannot honestly point to any particular identifiable gain that they have made for me. I think they helped my climbing and my running, but I have real test data, this is only gut feeling. I think I should have done more high cadence riding with them, particularly in my aerobars. I was planning to do some of that this winter, but instead I'm focused on a winter marathon and am temporarily only riding for fun. Basically I think I should mimic my race setup. But, I don't expect I'll ever go back and try to use them for 6-9 months exclusively. I just don't have the stomach for that.
The question of why not to use them full time is opportunity cost. If you ride PC's as fast, hard, and strong as you ride regular cranks then by all means leave them on. But, if you blow up at 3 hours with them on, or you dread getting on your bike because of them, or your taint feels like a ripe grapefruit from too much pressure, then maybe you should question the return on your sufferring. I sufferred so completely on them that I was often miserable to the point of screaming or crying. I did tweak my knee a tiny bit at one point. I got stranded a few times. I busted clutches, lost end caps, and even rode palomar on a very weak clutch one day where I could only pedal with one leg on the super steep stuff. None of it was what I consider fun. None of it is stuff I'd like to repeat unless I can figure out exactly how it will benefit me in terms of speed.
I am a happy powercrank owner. I realize that 2-3 MPH is complete BS. I knew that before I bought them. I like the product so much that I shelled out for a pair for my coach. I think everyone should have a set. I think everyone would if the price were 1/2 of what it is. I disagree with the marketing message just like Gordo, but since I'm not a coach I don't really give a rats arse what the marketing message is. It's not my concern. I got my cranks. I will use them how I see fit. That's the beauty of living in the free world.
I hope that helps clarify and summarize my experience and opinions about these things. They really are a neat tool. I really did feel different using them. But, bottom line is that I still suck on the bike, apparently even worse than I sucked two years ago, and well below what I think my physical limits are. I am but one data point. Perhaps I am doing something seriously wrong with my cycling. But, if so, powercranks did not fix my problem.
I would definitely be interested to see what might happen to Gordo after 6-9 months of exclusive powercranking. I have serious doubts that Frank's claims would hold true in that scenario. And I really don't think it's worth Gordo's time to spend a season proving him wrong. Because, when it comes down to it. Frank makes a product that helps. I want Frank to succeed. He has a great idea and he's taken it to reality. I fully applaud that.
If anyone bothered to read this, please realize I support both Frank and Gordo and all of their positive contributions to this sport. It's a darn cool sport and I'm happy to have the opportunity to indulge myself with training. So far I have not found the secret on cycling success. And my swim and run times are really not substantially faster than what I was doing in high school. So, the sad truth is that I don't have any good advice to give except train your kids early and often
Basically, if you have a bike with aerobars, a wetsuit, a pair of cycling shoes, a pair of running shoes, and a helmet, everything else is gravy. Tom Soderdahl finished 11th in Kona this year on a plain jane set of Spinergy X-Aero clinchers. I am pretty confident he would have done comparably well with the 32 spokers he was riding before he picked up the xaeros. Maybe he would have cracked the top 10 with Hed 3's, but maybe he would have anyway without the penalty he picked up.
Basically, if you want to spend, by all means buy anything you want. Just realize it may not make you any faster than the baseline of required equipment, a will to train, and a desire to improve. "
Here's Acorn's review, he used them exclusively for a very long period:
http://www.coachgordo.com/...config.pl?read=27327
---------------------------------------------------------
" OK, here is my background and current thoughts on PC's.
I used PC's exclusively from October of 2001 through April of 2002. This was on Frank's advice to ride them for 6-9 months exclusively to see results. I went through a very brutal adaption period. I worked myself up to a 4 hour ride at about this time last year. Eventually I was able to build up to a 7 hour ride. I did not focus on high cadence or riding in the aerobars, much of my riding was pure survival. I then hopped back on my tri bike a few weeks before Wildflower and tested at the same speed as my last two season bike splits. On race day itself, on a road bike instead of my tri bike (based on my coach's recomendation to mimic my training setup) I rode 3 or 4 minutes slower than my split the last two years. For reference, all of my splits in 2000 and 2001 were within a minute of each other so I thought I had a really good baseline prior to starting PC's. All of the rest of my bike splits in 2002 were noticeably slower than 2000 and 2001.
From this I draw the conclusion that if any cycling progress was made, it was negative.
I did, however, have a very good training day in the early spring with my best-ever Palomar climb of 78 minutes (not using powercranks but prior to Wildflower, I think I busted the clutch so I had to send them back or something.) And I had a pretty good road race the weekend before Wildflower. I do think the PC's made positive changes, particularly in my low cadence power and my overall economy. But, the problem was that throughout the 2002 season I simply could not beat any of my 2000 or 2001 bike splits.
In summary, for the winter of 99-00 I did mostly indoor spin classes in SF and spent a ton of saddle time commuting on my bike during the spring and summer. The winter of 00-01 I did tons of climbing per Gordo's advice and tried to ride Palomar every weekend I could with as much long slow mileage as possible. 99 was my first season. 00 was my best season and also my fastest bike splits. 01 was comparable on the bike but a little slower on the swim and run. 02 was faster on the swim and run but slower on the bike.
My run splits in 2002, however, did improve slightly. Roughly 10-20 seconds/mile. However, for some crazy reason, I continue to see improvements in my swimming and running even through this last season where I've had PR swim and run splits in every race except IM. My fitness is there. My bike splits are worse.
Now, like Gordo I like the product. I do not want to sell my set to anyone else even though I am not using them right now. I think they are a cool tool. But, as far as bang-for-the-buck goes, I don't consider them particularly special. But I have similar skepticism about bike frames, training plans, aero wheels, and bike fits. Doesn't stop me from spending though
I think I am a prime candidate for some kind of bike improvement. My swim and run splits put me in the top 3 of just about every race, but my bike splits are never in the top 10. I can honestly say that I gave powercranks a full, dedicated effort. I cannot honestly point to any particular identifiable gain that they have made for me. I think they helped my climbing and my running, but I have real test data, this is only gut feeling. I think I should have done more high cadence riding with them, particularly in my aerobars. I was planning to do some of that this winter, but instead I'm focused on a winter marathon and am temporarily only riding for fun. Basically I think I should mimic my race setup. But, I don't expect I'll ever go back and try to use them for 6-9 months exclusively. I just don't have the stomach for that.
The question of why not to use them full time is opportunity cost. If you ride PC's as fast, hard, and strong as you ride regular cranks then by all means leave them on. But, if you blow up at 3 hours with them on, or you dread getting on your bike because of them, or your taint feels like a ripe grapefruit from too much pressure, then maybe you should question the return on your sufferring. I sufferred so completely on them that I was often miserable to the point of screaming or crying. I did tweak my knee a tiny bit at one point. I got stranded a few times. I busted clutches, lost end caps, and even rode palomar on a very weak clutch one day where I could only pedal with one leg on the super steep stuff. None of it was what I consider fun. None of it is stuff I'd like to repeat unless I can figure out exactly how it will benefit me in terms of speed.
I am a happy powercrank owner. I realize that 2-3 MPH is complete BS. I knew that before I bought them. I like the product so much that I shelled out for a pair for my coach. I think everyone should have a set. I think everyone would if the price were 1/2 of what it is. I disagree with the marketing message just like Gordo, but since I'm not a coach I don't really give a rats arse what the marketing message is. It's not my concern. I got my cranks. I will use them how I see fit. That's the beauty of living in the free world.
I hope that helps clarify and summarize my experience and opinions about these things. They really are a neat tool. I really did feel different using them. But, bottom line is that I still suck on the bike, apparently even worse than I sucked two years ago, and well below what I think my physical limits are. I am but one data point. Perhaps I am doing something seriously wrong with my cycling. But, if so, powercranks did not fix my problem.
I would definitely be interested to see what might happen to Gordo after 6-9 months of exclusive powercranking. I have serious doubts that Frank's claims would hold true in that scenario. And I really don't think it's worth Gordo's time to spend a season proving him wrong. Because, when it comes down to it. Frank makes a product that helps. I want Frank to succeed. He has a great idea and he's taken it to reality. I fully applaud that.
If anyone bothered to read this, please realize I support both Frank and Gordo and all of their positive contributions to this sport. It's a darn cool sport and I'm happy to have the opportunity to indulge myself with training. So far I have not found the secret on cycling success. And my swim and run times are really not substantially faster than what I was doing in high school. So, the sad truth is that I don't have any good advice to give except train your kids early and often
Basically, if you have a bike with aerobars, a wetsuit, a pair of cycling shoes, a pair of running shoes, and a helmet, everything else is gravy. Tom Soderdahl finished 11th in Kona this year on a plain jane set of Spinergy X-Aero clinchers. I am pretty confident he would have done comparably well with the 32 spokers he was riding before he picked up the xaeros. Maybe he would have cracked the top 10 with Hed 3's, but maybe he would have anyway without the penalty he picked up.
Basically, if you want to spend, by all means buy anything you want. Just realize it may not make you any faster than the baseline of required equipment, a will to train, and a desire to improve. "