Originally Posted by
Bike Gremlin
I'm saying that the current design makes them look more aero, but the flat-width does nothing for making them stronger and stiffer where they need to be. It mostly just adds weight.
So, they are bound to flex, especially when you stand on a pedal at 6 o'clock (with all your weight on the pedal), and that I believe helps with the cracking and water-induced galvanic corrosion.
There is some room on the inner (towards the bike) side - they are angled outwards already.
Relja
The cranks are angled out to clear the front derailleur and chain. Crankarms have had wide with thin profile since they started being made of aluminum - this isn't a new thing attached to hollow cranks.