Has anyone run powercranks on a fixed gear? My set are on an old bike that I was going to set up for single speed, then thought, why not get a flip-flop hub and have single or fixed, but I am not sure what would happen if you mixed a fixed gear with a set of powercranks (I have an extra normal crank I could use, but thought the PC would be kind of novel to run on a single setup…plus I’;m too lazy to change it if it would work.).
LF
Hope you are going to use a brake…
Absolutely. I was going to use a brake even with a regular crank. It’s better to have a brake and not need it than to need it and not have it.
If you are setting up a fixed gear with PCs, wouldn’t one of the cranks be constantly engaged and the other one not? Single speed would be different of course (non fixie). The fixie applicaiton would be a bit strange but the single speed appliation would be simple enough. I would recommend a big gear though. The thought of HAVING to spin at a high cadence on the PCs brings up visions of pain.
Mike
Don’t know if the cranks are set up to act as a “freewheel” that much. Seems like you could risk damaging the PCs especially on high speed descents. I wouldn’t do it. But if you do, I recommend both front and rear brakes.
It’s not a fixie if you use powercranks so the flip flop hub is pointless, all you’ve done is effectively move the freewheel from the hub to the cranks.
Just picture it. Rolling down the biggest, longest hill in the neighbourhood, trying to spin fast enough in order to catch up to the chain speed. Top end at the bottom of the hill is 70-80 kph.
The bearings heat up and seize suddenly throwing the legs into motion raising the rider up out of the seat and slamming him/her over the handlebars. A red smear on the pavement (did you see the tire run that girl’s face off in “Death Proof”?) and a chain ring to the back of the head.
Shiznit. Good point. Think I will sell the powercranks and use the old regular crank.
Plus you’ll get all the benefits of riding fixie. Post some pics of your ride when you are done!