shorter crank lengths

thenumber8

i currently run 175mm cranks but was wondering what, if any, difference using 172.5 would make. is my pedal action going to go to pot if i downsize?

redddraggon

thenumber8 wrote:

i currently run 175mm cranks but was wondering what, if any, difference using 172.5 would make. is my pedal action going to go to pot if i downsize?

It'll probably be fine. You can nearly always go shorter, but going longer can cause problems.

Doobz

hey dude,

I doubt you will notice any difference at all to be honest. It all depends of the type of rider and how easily they adapt to a change in their bike set-up or change in bike itself.

I have ridden a few bikes with different crank lengths and never been able to tell what's what in terms of crank length..

FORUM EXPERT

Depends on foot size shin length and many other positional elements.

You can run into problems with ITB shin soreness and Patella tendonitis

Saying that if set up properly you should be ok

Why the change?

kenbaxter

Did exactly the same - from 175 to 172.5. No difference. None. Zilch. After all 2.5 mm is darn small!

andyp

My fixed wheel commuter has 165 mm cranks whilst all my other bikes have 172.5 mm cranks. I don't notice any difference when changing from one to the other.

Monty Dog

I run 165mm on my fixies and 170mm on my geared bikes - I can spin faster on the shorter cranks, but I don't really notice much of a difference.