> The main problem I see with variable crank length, aside from
> probable lack of strength, is the fact that there will probably be
> some "extra" crank sticking out when you have your pedal at a short
> setting. This extra part would probably be very annoying to pedal
> around.
If the extra part were on the axle side, rather than on the pedal
side, it shouldn't be a problem. That is, rather than have the pedal
attach to the crank arm at varying points, have the axle attach to the
crank arm at different points.
Annoying method: Possibly less annoying method:
W W
C W W
PPPPC W PPPPC W
C W C W
C W C W C
CAAAAAC CAAAAAC
W C C W C
W CPPPP W CPPPP
W C W
W W
P - Pedal
C - Crank arm
A - Axle
W - Wheel
You'd still have to pedal around it, but you were already pedaling
around the crank arm all the way up to the axle.
The question of how to securely attach things so that they aren't too
much of a pain to move but are sturdy enough to use is obviously a
problem, but I'm not convinced it's insurmountable. (pardon the pun)
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Seth Golub seth@cs.wustl.edu
http://www.cs.wustl.edu/~seth/ sgolub@teknowledge.com