crank length preferances fixed versus freewheel
05-01-06, 11:42 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
crank length preferances fixed versus freewheel
I know the tendancy is to use shorter cranks on a fixie, mostly for safety reasons, but do you still use longer cranks on other bikes?
I used 175s exclusively for years and liked that length (I'm 6'2"), until I built my first fixed gear which has 170s. At first the 170s felt too short, but I've been riding fixed exclusively for months and I got used to the shorter cranks. OK, so I got on my geared road bike finally this weekend and went on a hard ride with a bunch of roadies...after going fixed for so long, the other guys were amazed at my wicked fast cadence and newly founded climbing prowess (+1 for fixed gear winter riding/training). However, the 175s now just feel way too long,..they got me bouncing up and down becuase I ride at a higher cadence than before and I'm just not used to the 175 mm length anymore. Now, I'm thinking its best to just stick with the same crank length on all bikes, and may put 170s on my road bike too.
I used 175s exclusively for years and liked that length (I'm 6'2"), until I built my first fixed gear which has 170s. At first the 170s felt too short, but I've been riding fixed exclusively for months and I got used to the shorter cranks. OK, so I got on my geared road bike finally this weekend and went on a hard ride with a bunch of roadies...after going fixed for so long, the other guys were amazed at my wicked fast cadence and newly founded climbing prowess (+1 for fixed gear winter riding/training). However, the 175s now just feel way too long,..they got me bouncing up and down becuase I ride at a higher cadence than before and I'm just not used to the 175 mm length anymore. Now, I'm thinking its best to just stick with the same crank length on all bikes, and may put 170s on my road bike too.
05-01-06, 11:50 AM
#2
jack of one or two trades
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I've got 175's on my SS MTB, and 170's on my street fixes. No real problems, since the way I ride on each of them rarely ever overlaps...
On the street, I start out mashing (from a stop), and wind up spinning at a reasonable speed.
On the trails, I start out spinning at a reasonable speed, spin my ass off as I see a hill, and end up mashing at the top of the hill. When I'm going for speed on my MTB, it can get herky jerky, but if I wanted to go fast, I wouldn't be riding a SS.
On the street, I start out mashing (from a stop), and wind up spinning at a reasonable speed.
On the trails, I start out spinning at a reasonable speed, spin my ass off as I see a hill, and end up mashing at the top of the hill. When I'm going for speed on my MTB, it can get herky jerky, but if I wanted to go fast, I wouldn't be riding a SS.
05-01-06, 12:00 PM
#3
Biggity-bam
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I just got some 175mm DA track cranks and I was planning on purchasing a Pista Concept, anyone know if there will be any problems?
05-01-06, 12:01 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
I've got 175's on my SS MTB, and 170's on my street fixes. No real problems, since the way I ride on each of them rarely ever overlaps...
That makes sense. I have 175s on my SS MTB and its not a problem because its such a different context. The problem for comes with different length cranks on my fixed and geared road bikes, which I ride in identical conditions.
05-01-06, 12:08 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Learn_not2burn
I just got some 175mm DA track cranks and I was planning on purchasing a Pista Concept, anyone know if there will be any problems?
