1. Can you install
the Rotor System on any bicycle?
Yes. The Rotor System is designed to be mounted on any standard bicycle frame
available in the market, regardless of type: mountain bike, road bike, triathlon,
downhill, single-speed, recumbent, tandem... The Rotor System can be mounted
on frames with 68mm and 73mm BB tubes with English (BSA) threads and 70mm BB
tubes with Italian (ITA) threads, and is compatible with all major component
groups including 9 and 10 speed versions.
2.
Is the Rotor System authorized for official competitions?
The Rotor System was authorized by the UCI (International Cycling Union) for
professional road bike competition in October, 2000. The Rotor System fulfils
the criteria presented in the UCI rule:
Art 1.3.010 UCI: "The
bicycle should be propelled solely, through a chainset, by
the legs moving in a circular movement".
In Triathlon competition,
use of the Rotor System is permitted:
a) Olympic Distance: ITU reference to the decisions of the UCI.
b) Long Distance: There are no types of restrictions on materials used.
Authorization for use of
the Rotor System in Mountain Bike competition was obtained
in 1998 and these athletes continue to use the Rotor System
with success.
3.
How long does it take to fully adapt to the Rotor System?
Each user should separate the adaptation period into two processes of adaptation:
a) Technical Adaptation:
Like all new equipment, getting accustomed to the Rotor System
takes a little bit of time. Due to technical aspects such as
change of balance while turning or descending, and differences
in pedal cadence, after 1 or 2 hours of riding with the Rotor
System the cranks should feel completely normal and the pedal
revolution more uniform and comfortable, without any strange
sensations.
b) Muscular Adaptation: a) The knees will also require a period of adaptation
since the Rotor System actually changes the neuromuscular coordination of the
lower Extremities; different muscles or different muscular groups are used
with the Rotor System. Complete muscular adaptation is complete within several
days, depending on the fitness level and individual characteristics of the
user.
With a traditional crankset, at the lowest part of the revolution the angle
created between the hip and knee is 120º. At this moment, this leg is “waiting” for
the other leg to begin pushing or lowering, beginning at an angle of 90º,
the highest point of the revolution. This no longer occurs with the Rotor System,
instead, this foot has already passed the highest point of the revolution,
the dead point, and the hip has already begun its descent. With the right foot
situated at the lowest point of the revolution, the presented angle is 150º.
At this moment the left knee expects the right knee to begin flexing, creating
a maximum angle of 75º, however, with the Rotor System the right knee
has already passed this point and has begun pushing or lowering the crank with
the quadriceps, widening the angle to 80º.
4.
Does the Rotor System really optimize my performance?
The Rotor System allows for optimal performance through elimination of the
dead points with crank angle variations and relative development throughout
each revolution, taking better advantage of the applied force. More force is
required during the pushing or lowering of the crank, when the knee is extended,
than during the pulling or raising of the crank with the Rotor System. This
corresponds directly with the knees´ abilities; more pushing strength
as opposed to pulling strength. The created situation is a more comfortable
movement, completed with less effort.
It is important to remember that the Rotor System requires an adaptation period,
length varying depending on each user and their physical characteristics.
5.
How much does the Rotor System weigh and how does this affect
performance?
The Rotor System, including axle, cranks and chainrings, weighs approximately
1200 grams, depending on model type, titanium or steel. When riding, weight
is an issue while climbing, when both the cyclist and the bicycle are moving
against gravity. This is the exact situation where the Rotor System is most
advantageous through eliminating the dead points, improving traction with rounder,
more continuous revolutions.
6.
Is there a recommended pedalling cadence used to maintain
the maximum performance of the Rotor System?
No, there is not a specific recommended pedalling cadence for the Rotor System
because several factors, including physical characteristics, personal preferences,
and how the Rotor System is regulated, vary widely between individual users.
All of these factors influence how the Rotor System works, therefore, our recommendation
is to elect the regulation point you find most comfortable and then to maintain
a normal cadence of 70-100 rpm.
7.
Is Rotor the first to have attempted to eliminate the dead
points?
After 200 years of cycling, Rotor is the only technical advancement that has
successfully eliminated the dead points with its effective, ergonomic and reliable
product; the Rotor System. No other product has effectively solved the problem
of the dead points and previous attempts include oval chainrings by Shimano,
Biopace or the Austrian Bikedrive. All of these attempts maintain the cranks
at a fixed 180º. The Rotor System is a technological jump in the evolution
of the bicycle, benefitting cyclists and cycling in general.
8.
Is it true that you can use longer cranks with the Rotor
System?
In reality, using longer or shorter cranks than what you really need can be
damaging to the knee joint, forcing the knee to over-extend, move beyond the
recommended angular limits at critical points, the dead points: 150º at
the lowest point and 75º at the highest. It is true that some studies
completed outside of Rotor have noted the possiblity of using longer cranks
with the Rotor System due to the fact that the Rotor System eliminates the
dead points and therefore eliminates the additional stress submitted to the
knees. We recommend that you use the same length cranks with the Rotor System
as you would with a traditional crankset; cranks available in 170, 172.5, 175
and 180 mm. lengths.
9.
Are chainrings manufactured by other companies compatible
with the Rotor System?
No. The Rotor System is only compatible with its own high quality chainrings,
designed and manufactured by Rotor. Our chainrings are anodized to increase
durability, have sized teeth, ramps and pins to facilitate gear changes, and
are available in the following size combinations:
1) Road Bike: 53-39, 53-36,
52-39, 52-36
2) Road Bike Triple: 53-39-30, 52-39-30
3) Mountain Bike: 46-34-24, 44-34-24
The following chainrings
are also available for road bike installation, sold separatly:
10.
Are the chainrings interchangeable between the different
versions of the Rotor System?
The mountain bike model is not compatible with chainrings from any other model
or version, therefore you cannot install chainrings from previous or newer
models for design reasons. Road bike models are designed so that the chainrings
are interchangeable within the different models, chainrings from a newer system
can be used with your current system or vice versa.
1.
What are the regulation points?
The Rotor System is designed with several regulation points that vary the amount
of muscular force required to move the cranks. A user has the ability to determine
the correct regulation point, depending on their physical characteristics or
the conditions in which they are going to use the Rotor System. These different
regulation points are marked on the power plate in front of the right crank.
The middle regulation point is recommended for the majority of users, however,
it may be necessary to adjust or change the regulation point, especially for
competition. The Rotor System is correctly regulated when the individual user
feels most comfortable.
Keep in mind the following
points when regulating the Rotor System:
a) The correct point is that which feels most comfortable and maintains maximum
performance in all riding conditions for each individual user; increased speed
or eased climbing.
b) If improved performance while climbing is desired, the Rotor System should
be regulated one point lower, permitting stronger abilities in climbs.
c) If improved performance on flat terrain or increased speed is desired, the
Rotor System should be regulated one point higher, permitting higher speeds.
2.
What can I do if the regulation point has changed?
If the Rotor System is not properly installed, the regulation point can change
and rotate downward. There are several incidents where this may occur; an insufficient
amount of thread lock was used during installation, the thread lock did not
completely dry after installation, the threads in the BB tube housing were
not thoroughly cleaned of grease or debris before installing the Rotor System
preventing full adhesion, or the Rotor System was not properly tightened. To
remedy this problem it is necessary to completely remove the Rotor System from
the frame and repeat the installation procedure. Clean all of the threads in
the BB tube housing and on the Rotor System with a solvent or degreaser and
apply a sufficient amount of medium strength thread lock adhesive, Loctite
243 or WÜRTH, to the threads in the BB tube housing and on the threads
on the right side of the Rotor System. After installing the Rotor System, strongly
tighten the fixing nut on the left side of the BB tube housing. Let the Rotor
System and frame set for 2-3 hours to ensure that the adhesive has sufficient
time to dry and secure the Rotor System to the threads in the BB tube housing.
4. When the Rotor
System is correctly installed, are there exposed threads?
Yes, when properly installed some of the threads will remain exposed on the
right side of the frame. Once the chainline is correctly adjusted, a few threads
will remain visible due to design details that make the Rotor System compatible
with all frames; those with longer or shorter BB tube housings (68, 70, 73,
E-type derailleur, etc.). This detail does not interfere with securing or installing
the Rotor System to the frame. The Rotor System will stay in place as long
as an adequate amount of thread lock adhesive is used on the threads on the
right side of the BB tube housing and Rotor System along with securely tightening
the fixing nut on the left side of the Rotor System.
5. Is the Rotor System
compatible with all mountain bike frames: full suspension,
Hardtail, Freeride, ...?
The Rotor System is specially designed so that it can be installed on all existing
bicycle frames in the market, including full suspension, Freeride or descent
with turning axels and wide rear chassis located near the BB tube housing.
For this type of frame, there is a special version of the Rotor System that
accommodates the suspension mechanism while maintaining the chain line.
The Freeride model is recommended for the
following full suspension bicycles: Specialized Enduro, Trek
Liquid y Fuel, Schwinn Straight 8, Giant AC DS, Kona
Stinky, Tomac 78 Special, Scott Hight Octane FR,...
6.
For mountain bikes, is the Rotor System compatible with E-type
front derailleurs secured to the pedal box?
For the mountain bike version, there are two models of the Rotor System, XC
(normal) for a 47.5mm chain line with 68 and 73mm pedal boxes, and Freeride
(FR) for a 49.5mm chain line, recommended for bicycles with a BB tube housing
measuring 73mm., full suspension, and bicycles equipped with E-type front derailleurs.
Select the correct Rotor
for your mountain bike with the following chart:
BB Tube Housing Width (mm) Derailleur MTB Rotor Version
Clamp E-type
68 X XC
68 X XC
73 X XC
73 X FR
68/73 FS with wide rear chassis FR
7. Can the Rotor
System be installed on all Road Bikes?
The Rotor System is available in both English (BSA) and Italian (ITA) thread
models for road bikes. Also, within these two types of threads, the road bike
version is available in double and triple plate models which can be installed
on all road bike frames.
8.
Can the Rotor be installed on Tandem and Recumbent bicycles?
Recumbent: The Rotor system offers exactly the same advantages for a recumbent
bicycle as it does for a normal bicycle, be it road or mountain. The only difference
is the installation process. The installation instructions are practically
identical; the right crank is placed in a horizontal position to set the regulation
points instead of a vertical position and moved forward to make adjustments
instead of vertical to the floor since the dead points are located in line
with the direction of advancement.
Tandems: Given the constant evolution of this market, Rotor is in the process
of developing a Rotor System specifically for tandem bicycles. The new Tandem
Rotor System will have a special left crank, improving chain traction between
the front and rear Rotor Systems. This system will require that both positions
utilize the Rotor System, not a combination of the Rotor System with a traditional
cranksets
9.
Does the Rotor System offer any benefits for single-speed
bicycles?
The Rotor System offers several advantages over traditional cranksets, especially
for single-speed bicycles. The Rotor System offers an indisputable advantage
for the added force that it provides, whether it be higher speeds or improved
performance in ascents with its advantageous “permanent push”.
10.
What is the required maintenance for the Rotor System?
Properly maintaining the Rotor System is very simple and only limited to NOT
using pressure washers such as “Kärcher”. In addition to avoiding
pressure washers, it is suggested that the links be greased periodically, every
2-3 months if the Rotor System is used in normal, dry conditions. If continually
exposed to water, streams, mud or rain, it is strongly recommended that the
links be greased more frequently
11. How is
the axle greased?
Greasing the axle is a simple procedure required once a year. Using an 8mm
Allen key, remove the left crank installation screw. This is the entrance to
the interior of the axle. Through this opening, apply a liquid grease with
a grease injection pump or syringe.
The grease will flow through the interior of the axle and to the appropriate
bearings.
12. How do
I grease the links?
Each pivot on the links has a small whole that corresponds to each bearing.
Access this area by removing the Torx screw and apply grease with a grease
injection pump or syringe. Grease these links and bearings periodically; every
2-3 months for normal use, more frequently with repeated use in wetter conditions.
