crank length
jamieleung
Posts: 49
Hi all,
Going to purchase a track bike not sure what length of crank to use, currently using 172.5cranks should i go for 170 or 165's??
Thanks, Jamie
Going to purchase a track bike not sure what length of crank to use, currently using 172.5cranks should i go for 170 or 165's??
Thanks, Jamie
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Comments
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you'lll need to choose 165's if you want to ride at manchester velodrome. I don't know if other tracks have a similar rule, but you might as well make it a possibility even if it's not your usual track?0
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yeah i shall be riding at manchester velodrome. Also how would i position the saddle height if i am using shorter cranks? do i keep the height the same as if i were using my road cranks?0
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165 cranks.
A common mistake riders from road and mtb make on the track is having the saddle too high. You should be able to still have a slightly bent knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke, you don't want to be stretching to reach so that your hips are rocking and your toes pointing downwards.0 -
I'd have thought a rider's stature and his possible events would figure in this? Quite a few taller riders have moved onto 170's and pursuiters tend to ride longer cranks, too.
Manc no problem on 170's as far as I know... do Manc have a rule for crank length in their training session??? Certainly I've raced there before on 170's without an issue?
S.If you're as fat as me, all bikes are bendy.0 -
Hi Scherrit,
Yeah, Manchester do state 165 for SQT and other training sessions, though if you were racing a national event there they would be unlikely to enforce it.
I think 165 is a sensible suggestion for the OP, as he appears to be new to track and if he is running 172.5 on the road is unlikely to be freakishly tall..0 -
thanks for all the posts very helpful.0
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165 or 170s will be fine regardless of the rule at manchester, they wont stop you using 170s0
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RPMcoaching wrote:165 cranks.
A common mistake riders from road and mtb make on the track is having the saddle too high. You should be able to still have a slightly bent knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke, you don't want to be stretching to reach so that your hips are rocking and your toes pointing downwards.
? Am I being stupid?
Why would a road rider have his seat too hight? surely they would measure the top of saddle to pedal distance to set it the same? Thats what everyone I know does. Unless they have shoes like mine with cleat adapters so I had to increase my height.
As for the cranks, 165 is generally used unless very tall and doing pursuit but if your going that slow that cranks are close to the banking I would be more worried about sliding down than hitting the track with cranks 0 -
oldwelshman wrote:
? Am I being stupid? Why would a road rider have his seat too hight?
It's a very common mistake!
Mainly reasonably (ie: not complete beginners) experienced riders from other disciples come to the track with their saddles too high, the worst culprits are the people who ride their "fixies" on the road. Toes pointing down, hips rocking desperately stretching to reach.
A lot of people think they get more power this way, but find out how uncomfortable it is when they reach high cadences, as you do on the track.
Compare them to a 6-day rider, who sits comfortably "in" his bike.0 -
RPMcoaching wrote:oldwelshman wrote:
? Am I being stupid? Why would a road rider have his seat too hight?
It's a very common mistake!
Mainly reasonably (ie: not complete beginners) experienced riders from other disciples come to the track with their saddles too high, the worst culprits are the people who ride their "fixies" on the road. Toes pointing down, hips rocking desperately stretching to reach.
A lot of people think they get more power this way, but find out how uncomfortable it is when they reach high cadences, as you do on the track.
Compare them to a 6-day rider, who sits comfortably "in" his bike.
Yes but that means they have their saddle too high on the road also Unless thats what you meant anyway 0 -
That is exactly what i meant!0
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Also considering this question with a new bike. Outdoor track so not steeply banked and no problem even with 175s and a relatively low BB! No indoor tracks in this country. I'm 6ft, 33.75" inside leg and use 175 on all my other bikes... would you still think 165 over 170?0
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Manchester velodrome do occasionally have clamp downs and measure the lengths of cranks and the bottom bracket heights, they also check thinks like are your bolts sticking out from the wheel nuts and do you have bar ends.
I know the pursuiters have longer cranks but they do not do exercises were they are travelling slowly so are less upright on the banking.
If you riding at Manchester go for the 165s0
