PowerCranks
training system choices
Basic, XLite, Long Adjustable,
Options, Special orders
PowerCranks™ Basic ($999)
This is our most popular crank. It will fit 99% of all people out their and adapt to 99% of the bikes out there. It is built to give many years of service. With the Model 7 crank length is now adjustable from 145 to 182.5 so it will be right for almost everyone and give every cyclist the ability to easily test for best crank length for them. (see the crank length discussion) It will also accommodate the three standard (130 and 135 mm BCD) and compact (110 BCD) chain rings without difficulty. You only need know your BB type so we can send you the correct adapter and which options you might want (see below). Our standard BB type is the tapered square. Shimano Octalink V1 and ISIS adapters are also available. Many of you may have the new 10 speed integrated crank sets with external bearings and no bottom bracket axle. If that is the case then you will need to purchase a bottom bracket to mount into your bicycle or contact us as we do have special adapter that might work.
Pros: Does everything PowerCranks is supposed to do. The extra weight and bulk adds to the training benefit and will ensure the cranks will last for many years.
Cons: Heavy (about 3 lb) which is a psychological drawback to many cyclists and could be a small detriment if one chose to race on them.
Options: (see below for full description)
"Dual-Mode" or locking option ($250) to allow the user to convert the crank into a "regular" fixed crank.
triple chain ring option ($50).
PowerCranks X-Lite ($1299)
The PowerCranks X-lite crank system is for those who are bothered by the weight of the basic crank and for those who think they might want to race on the PoweCranks someday. The only difference between these cranks and our basic cranks is we have tried to take as much weight as possible out of the crank arm. They are CNC machined out of stronger 7075 aluminum for this purpose. These are about as light and as strong as they can get while still having the strength to support the clutch mechanism and to be as stiff as possible.
Pros: Does everything PowerCranks is supposed to do but with less weight for those concerned about weight. Saves about 375 grams over the basic cranks.
Cons: Still heavier than most regular crank sets. (over 2 lbs).
Options: (see below for full description)
"Dual-Mode" or locking option ($250) to allow the user to convert the crank into a "regular" fixed crank.
triple chain ring option ($50)
PowerCranks long-adjustable ($1199)
While our basic cranks do have the ability to adjust the crank length the range is limited to between 145 and 182.5 mm there are two potential drawbacks to this that might be important to some users. it requires a pedal wrench to change the crank length and the range of adjustment may not be as much as you need. Therefore, we also offer this long-adjustable length crank which quickly and easily changes from as short as 85mm to as long as 220mm using a simple 5 mm allen wrench. This choice would be the best choice for you if:
1. You run a rehab facility and need to fit many different size people on the bike or want a bike that can adjust to people with poor range of motion or different leg lengths.
2.
You have a family and will be sharing a single bike with small children or the size between the husband and wife is quite large.
3.
You are very tall and a "normal" length crank dosn't give much stimulus to your hip flexors so a crank that can go up to 220 mm may be just what you need to get the max benefit from the device. Or, if you are primarily interested in running improvement we think longer cranks are, again, better for this application. This lets you continue to increase the stimulus by increasing the length of the crank as you adapt. Or, if you are buying the cranks for a young athlete who will be growing but you don't want to be buying a new set of PowerCranks as often as you have to buy them new shoes.
Pros: Does everything PowerCranks is supposed to do but with a wider range of length options. If your toes tend to point out when you ride this will move your ankles away from the cranks, making it less likely you will bang them when you ride, a problem for the occasional PowerCranker.
Cons: Even heavier than the basic cranks (that could be an advantage depending upon your viewpoint).
Q factor (width of pedals) is increased about 15 mm, this bothers a few but isn't noticed by most.
Options: (see below for full description)
"Dual-Mode" or locking option ($250) to allow the user to convert the crank into a "regular" fixed crank.
triple chain ring option ($50)
Options
Dual mode (lock-up) option ($250)
There are a few instances where the dual mode option is definitely good to have. Plus, there is something new on the horizon that might make it a good option for everyone. The known good uses for the dual mode option are:
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You are a coach and will be using the cranks to do fittings. Locking them up facilitates measuring the angles you need
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You are at a very high level now and have heard the stories about how hard they are in the beginning and are afraid of losing fitness. While this isn't really an issue for most you can't know if it is an issue for you until you get on them. If you need the reassurance that you can keep your mileage up and adapt a little more slowly if needed, in order to get on them, then by all means do so. Having the option doesn't mean you have to use it. But, if you don't have it and it keeps you from using the cranks, this is a bad thing
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You only have one bike and intend to race using regular cranks. We recommend after the adaption period that, if you will be racing on regular cranks, that you occasionally train on regular cranks to train yourself to ride them the same way you ride the PC's. If you only have one bike the dual mode cranks facilitate this training.
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You will put them on a mountain bike and occasionally ride trails where the PC mode would be dangerous. This would allow you to lock them out for these sections of the trail.
So, why are we changing our thoughts on the dual mode option that we might recommend them for everyone? Well, soon there will be a product on the market where the dual mode will offer a real advantage to the serious cyclist. Seen at the 2009 Interbike this product is supposed to be available in early 2010. The product? Vector, a new cycling power meter that will actually give left and right pedal forces (and force direction) around the entire circle. Of course, this is exactly what PowerCranks is trying to do and now you will be able to confirm how much change is actually occurring. But, most of our customers still race on regular cranks. Having the dual mode function on a bike with with the Vector power meter one will be able to immediately see how much they "revert" when they go back to regular cranks. This will really let the PowerCranker know how well adapted they really are and how much more work there is to be done. It will be a great fine-tuning device and the dual mode will facilitate its use. Getting the dual mode option now means it will be possible to take full advantage of this new product when it becomes available.
Pros: People can build up the PC ability slowly while maintaining their training volume. One doesn't need two bikes to be able to easily ride either PowerCranks or regular cranks. Further, it allows one exercise bike to serve two functions with a single footprint. If you are a rehab professional and need a bike that can do passive range of motion, lock the PC's up and now you have an ordinary exercise bike.
Cons: Makes it easy for the athlete to be lazy. This can slow down and limit their progress.
Triple option ($50)
This option simply allows one to use a three chain ring system. The small chain ring adapter size is a 74 mm BCD 5 bolt pattern and is combined with our standard spider which gives the rider three different chain ring combination choices in one spider, 110/74, 130/74, and 135/74.
Bottom Bracket Choices
PowerCranks must be mounted to a standard bottom bracket we make five types for the three most 
common standard bicycle bottom brackets and for two different ones frequently seen on high end exercise bikes. These choices are:
•tapered square - this has been around "forever". This is our basic BB type.
•Shimano V1 octalink - Shimano has made two different versions of the octalink system. We work with the road/track model.
•ISIS - a new "standard
• a heavy duty hexagon used on the Lemond Revmaster classic. ($25 upcharge - includes special spider for Lemond classic Revmaster.)
Special Orders
Yes, we have and can do special orders. We have made both basic, Xlite, and our long adjustable cranks to go as long as 250 mm. We have made basic cranks to go as short as 85 mm for those concerned about the wider 'Q' of our long-adjustable crank. And we have made special spiders to accomodate track chain rings (144 BCD) and very small chain rings. Call if you have a special need for a price quote.