Easy low cost way to test shorter cranks?

Triathlon Forum
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I have SRAM Force cranks

Any easy and low cost way to try a few different crank lengths?

Old school crank sets you could just take off the crank arm

It seems SRAM Force You need to change the entire crank?

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Croder do a fitter set to test, but you will need to change the bb to Shimano style. I’ve two of their ‘normal’ 160mm . Bonus is you can move the quarq power meter over

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Start with 165mm cranks (any brand) and initiate test
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Test some more
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Keep 165mm cranks

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Dynamic fit bike.

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I have 165s already

Curious about 160s or even shorter

I have identical bikes one with 170s and one with 165. Can’t tell the difference at all

So I am curious how 160s would be

Already pretty low flat back. Curious how shorter cranks would change things

I know higher seat but with cleats farther back that seems to negate the need for higher saddle

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Doesn’t help with long term how I feel actually riding

Nor with aero testing

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There are still some modular cranksets out there - Rotor, SRM, I think FSA maybe? None of it is going to be low cost since you’d be replacing your current crankset.

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Does it change stance width?

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It does. Unfortunately.
But hey, sram cranks are super easy to swap, so why not get some used ones (in the lenght you want to test) and try them out. If they don’t work out for you, sell them again. Small loss maybe, but that way you know.
What are you currently running?
I have a pair of Sram Red 170mm dub, I could send you to test.

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I want to be able to do positional aero testing

So was hoping for a quick crank arm swap

I’m on 165. Don’t want to to go longer. Want to try 160 and 155

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I tested a bike that had 165, and I had typically been using 172.5 - 175 up that point (a commuter bike / cargo bike had 165 unbeknownst to me). I was surprised how much I had to bump the saddle up to feel the legs had the right extension

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Schedule bike fit with former olympian.
Show up for said fit. Witness olyplmpian eat, while ‘fitting’.
Listen to mulitple attempts at upselling cranks, for 3x prices elsewhere. Reject said attempts.
Have fitter laugh in your face when turning down the last request.

…

Arrive home, order on internet. This step, one could do, and perhaps should do on front of fitter.

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15

Sorry to hear you had a bad fit experience. Has. Nothing to do with what I am wanting to do

I have a great fit

Very happy with it

I want to experiment with different size crank arms

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I shortened my crank arms to 165. Moves my cleats back. Very little change needed on saddle height

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Now that is looking great!

Thank you

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18

I recently went from 165mm to 155mm. It took about 2 weeks for me to get used to pushing out power on the 155mm but after the adjustment I am now more comfortably pushing out more power than before. It did allow me to open up more in my hips but I am also able to push my upper body down more which definitely allows for a more aero position.

The one thing I found is that going from a 165 to 155 for me also meant I needed to slide the saddle back about 10mm.

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19

SPIRIT Crank Fitter

As a ‘to buy’ option, but that rental looks a solid plan.

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