Tandem Cycling - Crank Phasing
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Smooooth
08-12-07, 05:29 PM
We are running our cranks out of phase which is very nice for an even power delivery. However when climbing out of the saddle it is hard to get in a rhythm. We haven't tried the cranks with the same phasing yet. Do we need to practice more and we will get it or change the crank position?
Thanks
TandemGeek
08-12-07, 09:28 PM
Yes... and no.
Seriously, some folks have been able to "get it together" climbing out of the saddle out of phase, whereas others just can't get there. It's one of those things that each team must work through. So, if you're otherwise pleased riding out of phase continue to work on your climbing technique, varying cadance and the like to see if you can find a sweet spot. If after giving your best efforts it just never comes around, then you'll have to make a decision:
a. Riding with one person up and out of the saddle at a time is good-enough and allows us to enjoy the remaining 95% of the time we spend riding seated and out of phase... or
b. There's just something about honking up a hill or sprinting for a county line sign that we can't live without so bye-bye out-of-phase.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Smooooth
08-12-07, 10:32 PM
Thanks tandemgeek. I did a search on "crank phase" and came up with a great thread, which you had a big part in. I learned a lot. It really comes down to what you are comfortable with. Will continue to practice, maybe play around with the phase degree a little. We are doing a century on Sunday with about 5,000 feet of climbing. We are doing one more tandem ride on Tuesday, we will work on our out of the saddle climbing technique. I am sure with a little practice we will get it.
zonatandem
08-13-07, 02:23 PM
Both standing OOP is a bit of a circus act, but some folks really get the hang of it. Don't 'rock' the bike if both are trying to stand OOP.
If it does not work out, one partner standing at a time works great too.
We pedal OOP and do not stand, unless it's a bit of an emergency . . . we just use our gears.
Smooooth
08-13-07, 02:43 PM
Thanks Zona. I just changed our OOP from stoker to captain leading. Thanks to the graphic by tandemgeek. This may change things for us as I am the stronger rider. So far we love the OOP for the smooth power delivery.
Standing and climbing/sprinting has to be the hardest thing to do on a tandem. I read on this forum that others have mastered OOP climbing and sprinting out of the saddle. We will practice this technique and rock the body not the bike-hopefully.
Take care