Hi, Does anyone have experience using cranks shorter than 170mm? Or have information relating to recommended crank lengths for cyclists of certain heights or leg lengths?
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Re: Crank Length ? [alex]
[ In reply to ]
I have a fixed gear bike with 165mm cranks that I used to ride every spring. I'm not sure if it was all the downhills or the short cranks but, boy did I learn to spin fast!
As for articles on crank length there a lots, but a brief look at them last year left me more confused than before. This is probably the most complicated issue in bicycle fitting.
One of the better links I have handy is on scaling crank length to inseam:
http://www.nettally.com/palmk/crankset.html
There are some others on the inter-relation of crank length and cadence and crank length and gear ratio that need to be considered. Crank length also impacts my favourite fitting topics - minimum hip angle and technique.
BTW, what is your interest in short cranks? What lengths have you ridden before? What do you hope to gain?
As for articles on crank length there a lots, but a brief look at them last year left me more confused than before. This is probably the most complicated issue in bicycle fitting.
One of the better links I have handy is on scaling crank length to inseam:
http://www.nettally.com/palmk/crankset.html
There are some others on the inter-relation of crank length and cadence and crank length and gear ratio that need to be considered. Crank length also impacts my favourite fitting topics - minimum hip angle and technique.
BTW, what is your interest in short cranks? What lengths have you ridden before? What do you hope to gain?
Last edited by:
Dan Rishworth: Mar 19, 03 7:47
Re: Crank Length ? [Dan Rishworth]
[ In reply to ]
That website, I've read before and seems to go against everything I have ever read or heard. But it does make sense.
I have only ridden 170's and 172.5. I find that I feel a lot more powerful with the 172.5's but I need to ride them for a while to get used to spinning with them. I use 170's on my training bike and 172.5's on the racing bike.
I have a friend who is relatively short and wishes to try 165's. Pehaps he should try 165 and ride 170's to race - what do you ride now?
Alex
I have a friend who is relatively short and wishes to try 165's. Pehaps he should try 165 and ride 170's to race - what do you ride now?
Alex