Should keep my mouth shut, but I am blown away. I have been riding the upper Auburn Tri bike route for the last year. Done many many times the same hills and course. 30 miles in length.
So, everything I change I can tell since I have a good idea what gears, speed, and time it takes me. My best time last year ever was 1:44:23 when I was in shape. I rode the course a few days ago for the last time on 180 cranks and not in very good shape and cold. 1:57. So, today I go out, with my SFed foot and not having ridden my bike much at all with my new 200 cranks. As I am starting the ride, I keep feeling something is strange. I dont seem to be in my normal gears. I seems to have been 1 to 2 gears lower for pretty much all the hills. I kept looking back at my gears since it felt weird not being in the gear I was used to. I could tell I had more power pushing the 200 cranks. I could see going up the hills which I know what my speed always is, I was about 1 MPH faster. I got to my turn around point in 47 and said wow, I never have gotten to that point that fast. Bottom line I got back to my car, stopped the watch and it was 1:41! I could not believe it!
So, for all you “taller” folks who are riding 175’s because you have been told longer crank arms make no difference, well I am here to tell you I just showed for me that make a HUGE difference.
(But, I want everyone to stay on cranks that are too short for ya, especially in the 50-54 AG :o) )
I am now going to look at changing my 12-27 rear gears to a 11-25 since I can now use more at the top end with these longer cranks and did not come close to needing my 27 with the longer crank arms.
All I can say to folks who tell me I should quit trying new things, well, if you never try, you never know if something is better. And since there at not that many real tall folks that ride, and spent the money to try longer cranks, there are not many data driven data points to say if they make a difference. Now I have a goal to see if I can do the 30 mile loop in under 1:40. Never thought I could ever dream a time like that for me.
So, Chad and others who are riding longer crank arms, did you find the same experience I just found?
I am 6"5. I wear 36 pants. Thought my inseam was like 37 or so. Just know the calculations were 200 for me. So, seems like lots may be able to get a great benefit by
going to 180, 180, 190, etc. rather that just use what the industry says is “right” for everyone.
Nope, have no power meter or anything. Just old fashion. Go with what feels good, and gives me the fastest times.
Yep, the longer leverage felt great to me. Wonder how many others it would help. I do love it when folks tell others it will make no difference in their performance and
either they have never tried longer cranks or are so short that 170-175’s fit them correctly.
Yep, based on this the formula for crank length is: multiply the inseam measurement by 5.48. from http://www.nettally.com/palmk/crderiva.html, you should be riding on 197.28. I rounded mine up to 200.
would longer cranks be good for someone like myself who has a tendancy to mash?..I have always ridden 175’s, but my inseam is like 34 and I am about 6’1"
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As was posted in this thread, what I may be doing is something I really dont understand. I do think I tend to mash more than spin. What makes it tough is it is not real easy to find longer crank arms to try out. There are a few places that make them that are adjustable, but one would not want to race. So, based on the formula, it would say 186 which is sure a lot longer than the standard 175’s you are using. So, for as good as you are, seems like any little extra would be worth trying. I do know that I have yet to talk to a person who went to longer cranks and ever went back. Granted I have only ridden once, but from my results, I sure dont see how I would go back. I am looking at trying to find a 11-25 Cassette Sprocket shimano compatible now since I want more power at the low end.
Problem again is SO many have opioins, but have never tried longer cranks. And if they are short, they would not want to try. But, for tall folks like ourselfs, it just does not make sense we would want to ride the same cranks as a person 32 inch inseam.
So, as I posted, I can only give the data. It may be only one data point, but for an off season ride, seems like it is heading me in the right direction for next season!!
Thats exactly how I decide on new equipment and postions is by riding a familiar course like you did…if its faster (especially if your not in top fitness) you must have something good going
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I really was not expecting much difference. I generally ride the course about 1:52. Worst has been 2:20, and best is 1:44. So, when I saw the 1:41 when I have hardly ridden my bike for months, I was blown away. And, I also felt so much stronger pushing the larger lever.
Now, I bought my custom cranks from http://www.hscycle.com/Pages/customcrankset.html. They did not have my size in stock so it took 6 weeks to get. I got the package, the BB, rings and arms since I had to replace my RC’s. Would love to see you give it a try, and see how your results are! I know Chad went to 190’s, which may be a little long based on the formula, but he says he loves them. Seem logical if you are a spinner, this may not be the way to go. But, if you mash and use strength, this clearly makes logical sense to try.
Looks as though they have a system similar to the RC’s? Synchronizer?
I’d consider doing something with longer cranks ONLY if the system was similar to the RC’s. I love my 180mm RC’s.
When Rotor comes out with a 200…I’m a buyer!
I have a 37" inseam and according to the math (37 x 5.48) I’d need a 202mm crank length. This would be scary in corners! I hit my 180’s once in awhile.