And the wheelsucker would do almost anything to get this additional power (caveats, it has to be legal, and ideally is ethical). May the wheelsucker present PowerCranks, legal and arguably ethical. You can read information on the www.powercranks.com website or check out one of the PowerCrank videos, but these are biased opinions, because they want you to buy a set. For other opinions on PowerCranks, try these.
From a hilarious posting on bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com The Fall Guys: A Guide to Cyclists in Autumn, specifically:
The Serious Roadie
Even the serious roadie takes some time every year to relax. He's no longer worrying about the season that's just passed, and he's not yet preparing for next season. He's just having fun. As it happens, this period of relaxation was last Thursday, from 12:00 to 4:30, and if you're a roadie worth your embrocations then you're well into training for next year's meaningless park races. At this time of year The Serious Roadie can be seen riding alone, or he can be seen riding with other identically-clad cyclists in tight formations designed to discourage any sort of autonomy or enjoyment. The Serious Roadie has temporarily downgraded from his $2,000 carbon race wheels to his $1,200 aluminum training wheels. He's also got either a Power Tap or an SRM, he's watching his watts more carefully than a security guard at a lightbulb factory, and he is under strict instructions from a highly-paid coach that he is not to ride hard lest he inadvertently compromise his chances for a top-20 finish in a Tuesday night Cat 4 training race, or, worse yet, enjoy himself. And if his spirit is not yet broken completely, or if he doesn't quite trust himself, he might even be riding a pair of Power Cranks, the cycling equivalent of a Victorian anti-masturbation device.
What are PowerCranks?
Basically, the two crank arms are not attached to each other, and each crankarm has a clutch, such that the crankarm only comes up if you pull it up with your foot, on the back of the pedal stroke. Piece of cake, you think, I pull up all the time! No you don't, and the wheelsucker will prove it to you by letting you try his bike with PowerCrank pedals. You will not be able to pedal more than a couple of minutes before stopping to rest your legs, and the tops of your quads will be screaming for mercy and will feel like mush.
It takes multiple workouts to work up to being able to ride PowerCranks nonstop for 20 minutes or longer. You are better off starting on the indoor trainer, because on the road you will find any and all excuses to coast and rest your legs.
But if you persevere through, you will develop stronger muscles to pull up with, and you will have better results on tests like the spin scan.
Despite his advanced age the wheelsucker is no expert on training (he has only been riding with a team for three years), but he listens to what his coach says, and he listens to people like John Howard, and both recommend PowerCranks. For that matter so does Pez Cycling.
Pez on PowerCranks
Last winter, during PowerCrank season, the wheelsucker worked up to 30 minutes non stop (note that this is hearsay and is not corroborated) nonstop on the PowerCranks. This year he wants to take the PowerCranks on the road for longer rides AFTER working up to 30+ minutes on the trainer. Right now he is back to five minute intervals and several days recovery.
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