Recumbent - Rotor Crank

Hey all!

Anybody have a rotor crank on the bent?

I just installed one on the Corsa and I won't go back! Why? It's completely eliminated the "dead" spot and I feel as though I've got 2 extra granny gears. Hill climbing is SWEET!!! As far as the flats, I've picked up around 2 MPH faster than the old crank. Very happy---worth every penny! :D

every penny = >100,000 pennies. I like the theory but they are too expensive for just cranks.

$700 for cranks is insane. I could build 2 or 3 more swb machines for that price.

oh boy.... here we go again...... :(

Yes, the war isn't over.

Pfft. Power cranks are better.

Why are Power Cranks better? They seemed to be marketed for atheletes. Are good for touring?

Yes!! Great for touring!! This summer I toured the Finger Lakes (central NY state) and noticed how much EASIER the hills were! My perceived climbing effort was much less.

I never said rotor cranks were cheap! Try to order them from a bike shop that has done a few---might be able to get a better deal!

(I know you said power cranks, but rotor cranks are better, IMHO)

yep.

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/trainingsetuppics.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6993

Hey all!

Anybody have a rotor crank on the bent?

I just installed one on the Corsa and I won't go back! Why? It's completely eliminated the "dead" spot and I feel as though I've got 2 extra granny gears. Hill climbing is SWEET!!!

Hi beaterbike,

I've read a little about the Rotor Cranks, and understand about how the offset crank arms help to eliminate the "dead" spot or "power vacuum"...but, from what I've seen, the Rotor Cranks still come stock with the fairly traditional road triple combo of 30/42/52 rings. Do the offset arms help that much, that the granny 30T ring feels more like a 26T?

I'm curious because I had my new Stratus' 30T inner ring swapped out for a 26T, per my dealer's recommendations...but I'm wondering if my new 26T-42T jump(or drop) will be too extreme. I know that some of the Easy Racers' models, like the Tour Easy, come with the same 26/42/52 combo. My dealer says that he rigs many of his Stratuses that way for his customers who need extra help with hill climbing or who plan on touring. The Rotor Cranks sound like a great, albeit way expensive, alternative, if they really help hill climbing that much. My other thoughts were to eventually find another crank for my Stratus...something like a 24/36/48, 26/38/50, or something in between the two.

Does anyone here have one of these combos on their Stratus or other 'bent, and can comment on:
1) How do you like your setup?
2) What model crank did you get, and how much did it cost?
3) Or did you keep your stock crank and change out chainrings? If so, where did you get your rings, and how much? Were they ramped and pinned, or does this really matter with grip shifting?

Thanks for your help and comments!
;)

If you want gears checkout: http://www.abundantadventures.com/mt_plus.html

They've got Quad and Quint chainrings. Just imagine 22, 32, 42, 52!!!

Why are Power Cranks better? They seemed to be marketed for atheletes. Are good for touring?

I wouldn't recommend them for touring, at least not initially. Powercrank trains your dead spot away, not help you cheat it away like Rotor Cranks (and Biopace chainrings?). The goal is not to make it easier to pedal it's to make yourself stronger and spin better circles.

If you want to ride more efficiently and ride faster and you have quite a bit of $ to spend. Powercranks are they way to go. Having said that if you can't afford it, just do one legged pedalling everywhere. You'll acheive almost the same results. Almost.

sukispop:

You are absolutely right about the stock rotorcrank. Originally, I started out by swapping out my inner ring as well, but found: 1. it didn't really help me that much and 2. my knees were killing me still. After much research and test-riding (had a friend with a bacchetta aero with rotorcrank), I bit the bullet and purchased one. The "advantage" for me was I could dial in the crankarms to "match" the kind of riding I did most (lots of hills, some flats) and lo and behold, solved my knee issues and felt hills were much easier than before. Of course, your results may vary! ;)

I realize that cost can be a BIG issue, but it looks as though you've approached it in a logical, cost-effective way. I hope you find the right setup for you! I agonized over the purchase, but I felt I made the right decision for the long term, i.e. increased riding time translates to lower health-care costs, less stress etc.

Keep on riding---let us know what works for you!
BB

:D I had a set of Rotor Cracks installed on my Ti-Rush this past summer. I was very hesitant about spending $700 for a set of cranks. The promise of a prolonged life for my battered knees and a 30 day return policy provided the extra push to purchase and I haven't been sorry since. They have increased my ability for hill climbing, flatland speed and comfort. I have a 26/39/53 tooth rings on my Ti-Rush but I now wish I had a 54 or 55 tooth big ring on. Maybe next year. The cranks can be set up with any gear option that you want. Your local LBS with any experience of this product should be able to help. If not contact Howie at Rotor Cranks (dealer in Colorado I believe) or contact Hostel Shoppe in Stevens Point, WI.

Another bike shop to check out if you're on the east coast:

www.bike123.com (Mt. Airy Bicycles). Larry Black is the owner, I believe. He is THE man for recumbent/tandem parts, accessories, and hard to find stuff. He does a lot of rotorcranks. I'm thinking of putting them on my tandem...

Check it out ;)

BB