What Crank Length Do You Prefer?
11-20-10, 01:18 AM
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What Crank Length Do You Prefer?
Mostly out of curiosity, I'm wondering what crank length everyone here likes to use. Those of you with multiple bikes (which I think is most of us), do you have same length crank arms on both bikes? Different lengths for different purposes, riding styles, track vs road, etc. etc?
I've got 170mm's on both of my two bikes, and when I bought the cranks for the second bike I went with 170s mostly because it was what I was used to and didn't really want to risk switching up to something I didn't like.
Annnyyyways, without much experience beyond my 170s and my friend's 175s I feel like there may be a whole world of crank lengths that I might like more that I've never had the chance to try.
I did do a little internet scooping and I found a formula of L(mm) = inseam(inches)*5.48
With that I got 172.62mm and a little more curious because if anything I feel like I might like something less than 170s, not more than...
Wrapping this up now, feel like I'm rambling a bit. Do you personally notice a large difference between a small change in crank length? i.e. 5-10mm? And what is your preferred length?
Thanks,
-pete
I've got 170mm's on both of my two bikes, and when I bought the cranks for the second bike I went with 170s mostly because it was what I was used to and didn't really want to risk switching up to something I didn't like.
Annnyyyways, without much experience beyond my 170s and my friend's 175s I feel like there may be a whole world of crank lengths that I might like more that I've never had the chance to try.
I did do a little internet scooping and I found a formula of L(mm) = inseam(inches)*5.48
With that I got 172.62mm and a little more curious because if anything I feel like I might like something less than 170s, not more than...
Wrapping this up now, feel like I'm rambling a bit. Do you personally notice a large difference between a small change in crank length? i.e. 5-10mm? And what is your preferred length?
Thanks,
-pete
11-20-10, 01:34 AM
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11-20-10, 01:37 AM
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depends on how much i'm cornering on the bike. low speed commuter townie with low gears? 175s are fine. bombing hills brakeless and otherwise acting a damn fool on and off the velodrome? i'd prefer to stick to 165's for that. that's why i have two cranksets.
11-20-10, 01:38 AM
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165 on 700c. Tarmac and plywood.
I ran 170 on BMX for years. I like the shorter crank. I have short, powerful legs. Like a big bore turbo 4 cylinder. 165mm makes me a square engine. If you don't know what a square engine is look it up. Rod length and femur length are quite similar to me.
Yes, I know I just mentioned rod length. I'm talking serious maths though people.
I ran 170 on BMX for years. I like the shorter crank. I have short, powerful legs. Like a big bore turbo 4 cylinder. 165mm makes me a square engine. If you don't know what a square engine is look it up. Rod length and femur length are quite similar to me.
Yes, I know I just mentioned rod length. I'm talking serious maths though people.
11-20-10, 01:42 AM
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i've got 165s, 167.5s, 170s, and 172.5s.
11-20-10, 01:43 AM
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I blame the milk.
When I had 165mm, my knees would always tingle when I even just cruise at the normal speed. It might be a fit thing but I don't think it was, might go back to 165mm to see if I like it.
When I had 165mm, my knees would always tingle when I even just cruise at the normal speed. It might be a fit thing but I don't think it was, might go back to 165mm to see if I like it.
11-20-10, 02:43 AM
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I use 167.5mm
I've been considering going smaller, but that probably wont be until my next build, and who knows when that will be.
I've been considering going smaller, but that probably wont be until my next build, and who knows when that will be.
11-20-10, 06:01 AM
#14
Senior Member
167.5 on the track bike. 170 on my street fixies. 172.5 on the road. 175 SS-offroad. 180 on the BMX racer, although this feels a bit long ...thinking of going a bit shorter here..feels like its causing me to spin out too soon.
11-20-10, 08:55 AM
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170 on the pinarello, 165 on the pake, 175 on the schwinn, 175 on the soul, 175 on the no name. Im 5'11" with a 33" inseam. I prefer the 170's over all.
11-20-10, 11:20 AM
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im 5"10 and i have 170's on my bike. on tight corners it will hit the ground sometimes. but i've ridden my friends 165's and i liked it a lot better cause i didnt have to worry much about corners anymore...planning on gettin 165's soon
11-20-10, 12:30 PM
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170 on the fixed gear
i have 175 on my road bike
long legs are long
i have 175 on my road bike
long legs are long
11-20-10, 12:49 PM
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I'm 5'10" and I prefer 170. 165 is probably more practical for my size and avoiding pedal strike but 170 just feels good man.
11-20-10, 02:17 PM
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165 for FG, 170 for road bikes.
11-20-10, 05:50 PM
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