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 went from 165's to 170s, liked the change, feels a bit more natural to me.

I'm 5'11"ish and I use 170mm.

I had 165 before and didn't quite like it, I want to try 167.5 in the future.

I'm about 5'10" so that helps a lot actually. How much would one really feel in such a small change? (not harshing on you, legitimately curious)

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.

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.

Growth hormones or steroids?

i've got 165s, 167.5s, 170s, and 172.5s.

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.

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.

For the track bike, I switched from 170s to 167.5. I'm happy.

175s on the road bike.

165mm - 170mm; no more, no less.

Exactly...it depends on the application.

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.

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.

i had 163 cranks and loved them. now im riding on 165's

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

165 on the track, 165 on the road, 165 on the cross bike, 170 on the MTB

170 on the fixed gear

i have 175 on my road bike

long legs are long

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.

165 for FG, 170 for road bikes.

167.5 for track
170 and 172.5s on my other bikes

I use 160's to help reduce pedal strike on corners.

its legs, they're like beer bottles.

srsly, I couldn't imagine that. I'm 6'2, I run 170s, i'd be interested in trying 165s but I have a feeling they'll be too small.

175's so I can have 88 gear inches on my SS but still be able to climb the hills around here.