They look decidedly strange when fitted to a bike but those who use them swear by them.
We saw the clip below of top Irish rider Bryan McCrystal using power cranks - the first time some of us on stickybottle had ever seen them in action - and felt compelled to share.
Unlike the regular model, each power crank exists independently of the other.
A set of regular cranks is taken off your bike and power cranks put in their place.
Once fitted, the cranks will not automatically turn like conventional cranks; one coming up as the other is pressing down in the predictable circular motion.
Bryan McCrystal on his way to victory in the Traders Cup in Dundalk on the opening day of the 2014 season. He has won some of Ireland's biggest races and was once an international triathlete (Photo: Damian Faulkner)
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Instead, each crank must be controlled as an independent entity; each must be pushed down and pulled up, requiring a lot more mental focus.
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The additional workload and the difference in the type of work required to push these cranks around means the legs, and most muscles from the waist down, are put under a lot more pressure.
They force the user to learn how to pedal their bike in a more efficient and powerful manner, also ensuring your leg muscles will become balanced - both right & left and fore & aft.
Essentially they’re a regarded by users as a conditioning tool and are perhaps more popular with triathletes than cyclists.
Have a look at the clip below and see what you think.
