OK, so we have now determined a 172mm crank on the left and a 175mm on the right isn’t a “standard configuration”! To be real honest, I never noticed a difference. When I got the new ride in 98 it was soooooooooooooo much better than the old one I had I was just thrilled with every ride.
But this brings me to my next questions. How do you (or a fitter) determine what is the proper crank length for an individual. (I am sure this subject will generate some very interesting responses) What are standard crank sizes and what difference does a couple of mm really make.
OK folks, have fun with these questions but I would like a little serious feed back.
33 inch inseam on 172.5 on one bike, 175 on the other. Most fitters put me on 172.5, a couple said 175. I guess I’m a tweener. Can’t say I could tell you there is a real difference, although I can imagine a difference ;-D
There is not a serious answer because it has been understudied. I am sure to get responses to that comment, but I have yet to see an acceptable study where the selection of subjects is appropriate, the number of subjects is enough to yield accurate analysis and the subjects are not chimpanzees. I believe it falls into the same category as “which wheels are faster, 650c or 700c?”. 700c wheels have been around for eons; do you think 700c wheels underwent wind tunnel testing, rolling resistance analysis etc at the turn of the century. The plain facts are that there is not the demand by enough members of society to bring about enough funds for the study. I bet Coggan would concur with the problem of limited funds for performance testing.
Sorry to be vague.
That said, I ride 180mm on the triathlon TT bike and I have 172.5 on the mountain bike which I use for commuting and I can’t notice much if any difference.