Which one do you prefer and why. How many of you have started off with straight and moved onto cranks.

I'm gonna buy myself some top end paddles that should last me a couple of seasons with the sort of
paddling I do, so if I get straights do you think I'll want to change after a few sessions, or is it worth
going for cranks straight out. I've tried cranks and find them more comfortable, but are they worth the
extra money.

Sounds like you already answered your own question? Your already committed to buying a "top of the line" paddle and you know for you a bentshaft is more comfortable. Spend the "extra money". Being comfortable is key!

Started with straight shafts with 90degree feathers, cool once upon a time but now have evolved to a bentshaft at 15.

I use and love the AT ATX Flexi as my main paddle and a Lendal, 4 piece, bentshaft as my breakdown. I have seen that going from a bentshaft to a bentshaft when things aren't going well is better than trying to go from your bentshaft to a straightshaft breakdown.

t

Neutral bent. In the evolution from straight shafts there were first crank shafts, then bent shafts, then neutral bent shafts (4 bends...)

I started on straight and have gone to neutral bent shafts. I'll probably never go back to straight. I like that way they feel and feel like I have more power and control and my hands are always in the right position. Even though most are weaker and definitely more expensive, I still think they are well worth it. Some people don't like them... Different strokes for different folks.

cranked- I find them much more comfortable than straights, although i only find the H2O team crank or the ophion crank comfortable- I tried werners, AT, Robsons etc. cranks and just couldn't get on with them.

AdrianTregoning wrote:

I'll probably never go back to straight.

Creepy... . I like straight shafts, lighter and less expensive than bent shafts. I also don't have to worry about length as much, because the whole shaft is the same diameter and you can move your hands freely. One advantage of a bent shaft would be that if you got disoriented underwater but still had your paddle, you could find the proper hand position easier, but that is easily achieved with some thin minicell around the shaft of the paddle or you can also get paddle grips.

Hahaha.. Too bad I love woman too much

Always hear that argument that a straight shaft is lighter than a bent. Went on the werner site and it seems there is a 2oz difference between all their straight vs bent paddles. Is 1oz per arm really a problem for anyone?

As for length? I think it should be a big worry. Proper lenght is very important unless you are touring. In creeking and riverrunning you want your paddle almost verticle and close to your kayak while controling your boat... keeping an active paddle blade in the water.... with as little actual paddling strokes as you can. If your paddle is too long there are many problems with this as it becomes a fulcrum.

The biggest worry with a paddle that is too long should be that because your arms are more spread out it forces you elbows to be away from you body which leaves your shoulders, which are the weakest part of the body open to all sorts of problems.

My experiences with crankshafts are mixed. The first one I owned (a werner sherpa) gave me pains in my lower arms (which I had never had with straight shafts). I think I got this because the shaft allowed me to hold grip hard around the shaft for long periods of time, which would put a lot of stress on my muscles. I know that many are happy with this paddle, but it wasn't the right with me and didn't suit my technique. I had to sell it, and I bought another one (a lettmann) which I really enjoy and I have never seen the problems with my arms again.. I guess this is very individual, and ideally you should try different types before splashing out a lot of cash on one.

Another aspect with cranks are the price, and I wouldn't personally "invest" in one before I got pretty confident on the river and swims are rare, as they can be easily lost

My point on the length is that for a bent shaft, the bend in the paddle is fixed, but in a straight shaft, you can grip any part of the paddle. Also, I am 5'8" and use a 200 cm paddle, but in reality, that is only a little over 2 inches different in length than a 194 cm. Also, since I am only 14, it was sensible to get a slightly larger paddle that I would grow in to, instead of a paddle that I might grow out of in a month because of a growth spurt.

I've been using werner cranked blades for about five years now and feel that they are much better than straights. I like the fact that your hand position is fixed and that you get less stress on your wrists.

The only drawbacks are that the cranked shaft is weaker than a straight, they are more expensive and Werner don't do 4 part Bent splits (which are great for flying with).

As Adrian said I would never buy a straight paddle again.

Yours,

Neil Newton Taylor

www.swiftwaterrescue.at

I am afraid I am on the straight side

My main problem with bent shafts (I had one for about 3 or 4 months) is that I am used to moving my hands around, depending on the type of strokes I make and to have more elevation (is this the proper term in English, I mean "hefboom werking" for those who understand Dutch) by extending the shaft etc. The fixed position of your hands with a bent shaft does not allow that.

BTW: is it me or do I sometimes see people use a bent shaft but with their hands _beside_ the angled grips so in fact they are holding the paddle like it is a straight shaft one? I always get this feeling when seeing EJ in pictures. I could be completely wrong of course, it just that it looks that way.

Anyway, most of this is not an issue for me anymore as my main paddle is a Rasmussen Wing nowadays

Well I'm using the Lettmann Pro Extreme and can't imagine going back to straights. I used to paddle a Robson Pogo (not a bad paddle). But I use my arms profesionelly every day for 8-10 hours and got more and more sore with the straight shaft. Once I got to bend it was gone. The good thing about the Lettmann is pure quality. The power transition is enormous. I prefer forward speed on the river and that the Letmann delivers without a doubt.

The more neutral position and thus the line up of your shoulder/ torso is a big pre for the bendshafts. I think.

That bends brake more than straights? I can't say they do actually.

Fwag wrote:

Well I'm using the Lettmann Pro Extreme

Excellent paddle indeed

Oh, you like it?

Lettmann Fan? Check this one: www.lettmann.de/catalog/images/Grarante.jpg

Man what a boat!!! I've seen it in real as well, light, stiff and looks really fast...

Ok back to paddles...

Whats the difference/point of straight and bent shafts??
Excuse my ignorance but you gotta learn somewhere and could be useful to know as im purchasing my own paddles soon.
Sarah

Crank/Bent Shaft paddles are supposed to be more designed for ergonomics, and straight shafts are just more traditional. Straight shafts are almost always less expensive since the company doesn't have to either bend the shaft or make a curved mold. I don't know of any company that exclusively makes bent shafts, and I personally prefer a straight shaft, because the shaft can fit many different sizes of people, which you can read more on if you scroll down a bit on the page.

Well on the cranked you will have your wrist in the neutral bend position. That means as nature has put it there. If you use a straight you'll have to paddle with a 'sidesideflexed' wrist. This will (some will say in theory) put more stress on your wrist/ lower arm and line up for shoulder and torso. That is the main difference.
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