• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

Do Ovalized Cranks Work?

Question: A couple of my friends want to try the new Rotor cranks. Apparently, they help eliminate the “dead spot” at the top of the pedal stroke. What do you think? — Mandy P.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies: Rotor cranks have a cam device that makes them turn “out of phase.” When one crank is at dead bottom center, the other has already gone past 12 o’clock.

I tested a Rotor crank but was unable to adjust to the different pedaling motion it causes. Maybe I didn’t give it enough time.

I’ve used a conventional crank and pedaling action for 32 years. But for whatever reason, I couldn’t ride the Rotor for more than 15 minutes without knee discomfort and a feeling that I was on a galloping horse.

Apparently, however, other riders have persisted, adjusted and experienced improvement in power output and efficiency. So, it appears to be a case-by-case situation.

You can check out several reviews of ovalized cranks, including some by Rotor in the Pedals & Cranks area of our Reviews section. 

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1054
  • ‘Connect’ to Diet-Reverses-Diabetes Study: Even If You Don’t Have the Disease
  • My New Bike: Trek Checkpoint SL 5
  • Weak Muscles Predict Accelerated Aging, Disability and Death

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1054

Newsletter Issue No. 1053

Newsletter Issue No. 1052

Newsletter Issue No. 1051

Newsletter Issue No. 1050

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in