When I present or teach on this topic...I start by asking the class where crank length even came from...what made, 170 or 172.5 or 175 standard crank length options? (originally, most likely penny farthing bikes).
I've personally put many world class triathletes on short cranks (or at least short for what we'd consider normal...165-167.5) I've only had professional cyclist switch back after going shorter...mainly due to their lack of adaptation to their TT bikes (don't spend enough time on the bike) or tradition gets in their heads. The research will show that you're free to choose whatever crank length you'd like within a fairly large window without it impacting you're ability to generate power. It's not to say that one crank length is better than the other, but it's a tool available to an athlete to improve or fix any fit related issues.
I can come up with as many examples of athletes successfully using long cranks as I can short cranks.
Mat Steinmetz
51-SPEEDSHOP.com - instagram - @matsteinmetz - facebook
I've personally put many world class triathletes on short cranks (or at least short for what we'd consider normal...165-167.5) I've only had professional cyclist switch back after going shorter...mainly due to their lack of adaptation to their TT bikes (don't spend enough time on the bike) or tradition gets in their heads. The research will show that you're free to choose whatever crank length you'd like within a fairly large window without it impacting you're ability to generate power. It's not to say that one crank length is better than the other, but it's a tool available to an athlete to improve or fix any fit related issues.
I can come up with as many examples of athletes successfully using long cranks as I can short cranks.
Mat Steinmetz
51-SPEEDSHOP.com - instagram - @matsteinmetz - facebook