OK, TTN’s record of 100 miles on day three of PC’s was recently broken. John Spurgeon reported riding 207 miles on the third use of them on the Seattle to Portland Bike ride. His time: just under 14 hours on a single speed with PowerCranks and 42:15 gearing. There is a picture of his bike here: http://photos1.blogger.com/img/211/4475/640/DSCN0134.jpg
His background is as an endurance fixed gear rider. Has ridden across the USA on a fixed gear. Did IM Canada on a fixed gear in 6:54. He is reporting his HF’s were none the worse for wear after this.
…so Frank, does this say that riding a fixed gear achieves all or most of the benefits for riding PCs.
In 1990, I rode from Ottawa to Montreal on a long route (220K) on a 52x17 fixed gear. I had a nice solid tailwind on that ride and averaged 35 Kph, so it was bit over 6 hours, which was my fixed gear record. My PC record was 7 hours.
…so Frank, does this say that riding a fixed gear achieves all or most of the benefits for riding PCs.
In 1990, I rode from Ottawa to Montreal on a long route (220K) on a 52x17 fixed gear. I had a nice solid tailwind on that ride and averaged 35 Kph, so it was bit over 6 hours, which was my fixed gear record. My PC record was 7 hours.
Dev
Apparently, based on this report, it can come close although in our experience most people who ride fixed gear bikes don’t come close to this performance. Probably because most people don’t ride fixed gear bikes all the time, which this guy does. And, he is staying with them so I suspect he sees some additional benefit from the cranks over what he can get on fixed gear alone. In addition, I was at an expo last weekend and had another guy come and ride the cranks for an hour at a cadence of 90 on his first experience with them (with only minor “failure” problems) and he was by no means an elite or have any extensive fixed gear experience, so it does seem possible although all of these people are outliers.
In 1990, I rode from Ottawa to Montreal on a long route (220K) on a 52x17 fixed gear. I had a nice solid tailwind on that ride and averaged 35 Kph, so it was bit over 6 hours, which was my fixed gear record. My PC record was 7 hours.
Dev
this would simply suggest to me that either the tail wind was a big factor or your PC base is not adequate for this kind of ride yet.
Frank it was good to see you at the NSCA conference and get a chance to ride those powercranks on the velotron. I have to confess that my hip flexors could feel the effort for a while.
I dont know about riding the PC’s on a fixed gear, but it would be pretty wild to see the chainrings rotating forwards while coasting!
PC’s are now on my purchasing list, unfortunately the budget is squeezed pretty tight right now.
Frank it was good to see you at the NSCA conference and get a chance to ride those powercranks on the velotron. I have to confess that my hip flexors could feel the effort for a while.
I dont know about riding the PC’s on a fixed gear, but it would be pretty wild to see the chainrings rotating forwards while coasting!
PC’s are now on my purchasing list, unfortunately the budget is squeezed pretty tight right now.
Kevin
I was quite impressed with some of the people who got on them there. I told the guy who rode them for an hour that probably no more than 10 people in the world had done that.
Another thing I had to laugh at. Some weight lifter type walked by, about 5’ 4" high and 3’ wide and I asked him what kind of athletes he dealt with. he said basketball players and when he walked over to get on the bike his nametag said LA Lakers. The thought of him dealing with those folks seem just a little funny.
You are a smart man. You have a good product that is a good training tool. However, you are the worst salesman I have ever seen. You incite combat with every post. Do you actually put your huge brain to use before you post? These types of posts turn OFF potential new users considering the fact that 99% of triathletes are not world champion caliber. I own powercranks. I like them as a training tool. Almost everytime you post, I want to sell them… but I resist the urge. Please stop.
What good is two front brakes? I can lock the front with just one.
Styrrell
I think it is an overheating issue on long downhills, not an emergency braking one. You will have to ask the person who built the bike, I was just pointing out what was there.
You are a smart man. You have a good product that is a good training tool. However, you are the worst salesman I have ever seen. You incite combat with every post. Do you actually put your huge brain to use before you post? These types of posts turn OFF potential new users considering the fact that 99% of triathletes are not world champion caliber. I own powercranks. I like them as a training tool. Almost everytime you post, I want to sell them… but I resist the urge. Please stop.
Andy
I am surprised and sorry you feel that way. I am continually amazed by what some of you can or do do with these things. I suspect such an achievement amazes those who have them. Since you own them I am surprised you are not impressed with what this man did. what was your third ride like?
Why does this post bother you since you already own a pair? I am not trying to sell you with this post or anyone else as most of the others here have already made up their mind as to whether they would want them in the future or not. Some here are saving their pennies and others wouldn’t use them if offered for free (and I have offered some here cranks free (under certain conditions) and they have turned them down). Especially since this post would indicate that perhaps people can learn the PC way without PC’s, as Dev pointed out.
This site probably has the highest percentage of PC’ers of any anywhere. I simply thought the achievement amazing and thought others would find it the same.
It IS impressive. And it is not your product that bothers me, it is your lack of lack of tact… as evidenced by your subject line and your response to Dev… IMO.
It IS impressive. And it is not your product that bothers me, it is your lack of lack of tact… as evidenced by your subject line and your response to Dev… IMO.
Andy
How many here would not consider their third ride on PC’s “whimpish” compared to this. Further, it is my opinion, if anyone rides faster on regular cranks than PC’s it is an indication the PC base is inadequate. Only when the PC and regular crank ride time is the same, for whatever distance you are trying to do, would I consider the PC base adequate - for that distance. You have trained on them, why would you think otherwise?
If I were riding for hours I’d rather be on Powercranks that a fixed gear!
Man, long descents on a fixed gear in a 42x15 would be brutal. With powercranks, it would be leisurely. I’d bet that if the guy spends that much time on a fixed bike, he’s already pedalling “Franks” or very close to it. The hip flexors sure feel it after about 3 or 4 kilo starts.
It is a cop out to say that base is ‘inadequate’ if you are slower on PC’s. If ‘train more’ is your ultimate answer, my response is that training more on any crank will make you faster. PROVE DIFFERENT. This horse has been beaten to death… PC’s work my hip flexors better than regular cranks. I think this helps my running, and I think there is evidence to this fact. PC’s also help my coordination and pedalling efficiency. In regard to cycling, they are NOT as fast as my RC’s. Period.
I’m not fighting your product. I think PCs have their place, that is why I own them. I just think you could really use a good, sales oriented spokesman…other than yourself. Someone that understands why it is not wise to basically insult your target market.
It is a cop out to say that base is ‘inadequate’ if you are slower on PC’s. If ‘train more’ is your ultimate answer, my response is that training more on any crank will make you faster. PROVE DIFFERENT. This horse has been beaten to death… PC’s work my hip flexors better than regular cranks. I think this helps my running, and I think there is evidence to this fact. PC’s also help my coordination and pedalling efficiency. In regard to cycling, they are NOT as fast as my RC’s. Period.
I’m not fighting your product. I think PCs have their place, that is why I own them. I just think you could really use a good, sales oriented spokesman…other than yourself. Someone that understands why it is not wise to basically insult your target market.
Andy
It is simply my position that if one is “perfectly” trained on PC’s then there should be no difference between regular cranks and PC’s as the rider cannot tell the difference between the two. If there is a difference, then we must explain it. I explain it by there being an inadequate PC base. How would you explain it?
I am not trying to piss off any target market as only about 150 people max will see this thread anyhow, and probably half of them already own the product. I am only trying to put forth my views of the product when these questions come up.
Frank…the main point about the tailwind is that I was riding a relatively huge 52x17 fixed gear for 6 hours at 35 kph. I could have not ridden that far, that quick without a huge tailwind given that I was in a pretty big gear (for me) having to deal with several moderate hills along the route that I chose. Personally, I think that riding PCs is tougher than a fixed gear, but both go a long way to achieve similar results, especially if you have to do lots of high rpm downhill fixed gear riding. I think your latest dude is a case in point. I don’t know if you have done over 5 hours on both systems, but after a while you just want the ride to end !
