corrado33

A thread over in the tandem forum got me thinking. At the coop new people will often mount cranks at a 0 degree offset. It's fun to have a laugh about it when you tell them to go ride the bike and the look on their face when they realize they've messed something up. However, if you've ever tried to ride a bike in that configuration, it doesn't work. It would only work if you were using clips/clipless, and even then it's very... odd.

HOWEVER, for a tandem it may work better, since you have help pulling those pedals back up. Has anybody ever tried this? Obviously it'd be much less efficient than 180 degree offset (L-R) but it may be fun for a while. (Plus it'd be hilarious to watch.)

Thoughts?

andr0id

Some people do set up the captain and stoker at 90 degrees. It's not that popular though.

FBinNY 

I think that what the OP is talking about is what swimmers and divers call "mermaid" style, namely pushing both legs together at the same time. Yes, it would work in a tandem with one rider providing power and returning the other's crank to the top, but would essentially double the power related stresses in the frame. However, it could be a fun experiment.

BlazingPedals

Setting them 180 degrees apart wouldn't accomplish anything constructive. The stoker would be in the power stroke with one leg while the captain is in the power stroke with the other. It *might* induce some foot interference problems. Setting them 90 degrees apart is sometimes done to even out the overall power output for the team. Again, if they're not banging feet because of it.

techsensei

I'd think such a set-up would be less stressful on the frame, since there would be no torsional twisting of the tubes. Then again, both pedals together would have more of a sheering effect at the welds? Somebody make a rig and test it.

fietsbob

Synchronized so The inside pedal is Up in a corner ,, is hard to do with the captain & stoker 90 degrees Out.
but the power is smoother ..

Handcycles work well with both cranks on the same side , as you say Mermaid style , since the rowing motion of combining the arms strength
works well .

corrado33

Yes, this is exactly what I'm talking about. I think it'd be absolutely hilarious and very fun to try. I wonder if anyone has ever done it. Now that I think about it, it may not work because of foot interference. Perhaps if the captain had REALLY small feet.

CliffordK

You could probably do it for fun.

Say a rider is standing on normal cranks/pedals, then one is putting 100% of one's weight on a single crank, then alternating to the opposite side.

With the two cranks together, standing, one would have to alternate between putting the weight on both cranks, then on the handlebars or seat, then back on both cranks.

In that case, your overall power would be cut in half.

Pedalling seated, it would depend on what percent of one's weight goes into the downward force.

I think I've seen a video of people using Power Cranks with a bunny-hop style cranking. Power Cranks on a tandem might be interesting.

Darth Lefty 

This is a good experiment for someone with a tandem trike... I think anyone else is going to fall on their heads

corrado33

If we ever get a tandem at the coop I'll try it for fun, but I doubt we'll ever get one unfortunately.