Road Cycling - Another fitting question

Hi all,

Still shopping for bikes & parts, trying to decide.

Now my most recent question is:

What length crank arm to get?

In selecting a group they ask 170, 172.5 or 175

i have a 34" inseam, but think i've read this is a straight preference selection to a degree. I/E if i were 4 feet tall a 175 might be inadvisable, but once you are over a certain inseam pretty much pick whatever size crank you want. Is that true?

Also, how much of a difference would there really be between these choices.

Anyhow, advice would be appreciated.

take care,

Jester

Read this: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

For any particular size leg, there is a crank length which is medium.
You can chose a shorter crank for faster cadence pedalling, or better cornering, or a longer crank for lower cadence , but that is personal choice. Most people sugest +- 2.5mm about your recomended size.
Most people can adapt to an "incorrect" cranks size and there seems to be little difference in short-term tests of power output, it really is a question of long term comfort.
Crank size can affect frame design in terms of bottom bracket height and toe-clip overlap, but that is only a problem for large or small bikes.

What size frame is it?

All anyone can do is tell you what they think. In the end it is your personal choice.

I would reccomend a 172.5 but that is not knowing you or looking at you.