170, 172.5 or 175 cranks

chrisga

Does the length make that much of a difference to pedalling? Is it noticeable? Or is it more to do with clearance to front wheel or something like that?

Your thoughts please.

flanners1

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index ... 56530.html

daveydave43

it depends on what type of rider you are.

of course, the wheel clearance will change, but shorter cranks will make a faster cadence easier, and so is better suited for climbers
longer cranks will have more leverage, and so might be better for TT races, although cranks that are too long for your legs will result in stretching your foot at the bottom, and bunching up your knees at the top of the crank rotation. This will result in a loss of power, and will feel horrible

hope this helps!

chrisga

Yep thanks Daveydave, thats the sort of stuff i needed. Ta muchly!

what brakes

I have always had 175 arms but my new bike came with 170's! i didnt realise till later once i had measured them, but i always felt my legs wernt being stretch enough! and that was why!

So yes they do make a difference! although if you already have a bike measure whats on them if they are comfortable for you.

cougie

I've used many different crank length from 167.5 to 175mm.

To me - I cant honestly say that I'd notice. Once a crank broke the day before a long reliabilty ride so I swapped it for one hanging round. They were different lengths and it didnt even make much difference then. Most of us will have odd length legs anyway.

ugo.santalucia

cougie wrote:

I've used many different crank length from 167.5 to 175mm.

To me - I cant honestly say that I'd notice. Once a crank broke the day before a long reliabilty ride so I swapped it for one hanging round. They were different lengths and it didnt even make much difference then. Most of us will have odd length legs anyway.

THat's interesting... I would expect a noticeable difference.. but if you say so... I am numb too, so could probably do with mixed cranks...