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Old 05-25-11, 05:32 AM
  #5  
bradtx
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Location: Pearland, Texas
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Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana

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bluefoxicey. From what I've read and experianced in decades of riding a bike, the crankarm length is the most easily adaptable cycling related item for the recreational rider to become accustomed to, barring range of motion issues. I read excerpts from a study that proclaims that 170 mm is the most suitable length for most recreational riders. My four roadies have four different crankarm lengths and I can tell a difference if I ride them back to back, but then I quickly adapt.

Cadence is perhaps the main issue. A shorter crankarm is more suitable to a cyclist that spins, or wants to spin at a higher RPM and the longer crankarms are a good alternative for those that spin slower, producing a tad more torque.

All-in-all it won't hurt anything to try the 170 mm length crankarms.

Brad
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