165 or 170 cranks??

Dustine

Hi, im buying a new set of cranks, and would appreciate some advice. I currently run 170mm but clipped the road turning on my new fixed frame, whose bb is 20mm lower than my old one!! Anyway, will i notice much of a difference in pedalling a 165 crank, or is it much ado about nothing??? It should help with clearance when cornering, and i can buy a shorter pedal axle at a later date (crank bros) also. I need new cranks either way, i just wondered about pedalling the different sizes.
Cheers for your help in advance.

myqul

You wont notice a thing. I tried out 80mm cranks as an experiment last week and barely noticed anything.

Dustine

I meant to add that i am 5'10" with a 31.5" inseam, but it was late... On various calculators this gave me between 165 and 177.5mm crank lengths!!! If it doesnt make much difference i will just go shorter to avoid grinding the road!

philak

I'd be very surprised if you don't notice any difference between 170 and 165 cranks,at least to start with.

BUICK

I don't know personally, but read an article on this subject in C+ suggesting that the shorter cranks would probably be easier on your knees and generally feel better/more efficient. Actually, it may have been the CTC mag... but either way the consensus was the same!

myqul

Yea short cranks are better for knees. Heres' some stuff about shorties

http://bikesmithdesign.com/Short_Cranks ... _faqs.html

Dustine

Myqul- thats very short!!! 150mm!!!
PhilaK, what difference do you think i would notice??
Frankly, i could do with spinning more, AND avoiding knee injury (who couldnt!!) but im riding a fixed anyway, not that it seems to have done my knees any harm yet. I am going to drop my gear inches when i buy a crankset, whatever else.

philak

When i went from 170 to 172.5 mm cranks i noticed the difference in my knees straightaway and it was harder for me to spin in the equivalent gear.

It did surprise me i have to say although im now used to the change weeks later.Going to shorter cranks would presumably have the opposite effect for you ie make it easier.

maddog 2

some can tell, some can't

same old story really. Whichever camp you are in, you will adapt to it pretty quickly and it won't kill you.

[ps modern bikes with multiple gears allow you to 'freewheel' when turning around ]

myqul

Dustine wrote:

Myqul- thats very short!!! 150mm!!!
.

You'd be supprised how low you can go. I run 140mm to help with my hip problem (short cranks are good for hips as well as knees for the same reasons) and notice very little if any difference to my old 175mm's