Originally Posted by
HillRider
That's a big if. If you can turn a faster cadence using the same gearing then certainly you go faster.....but you need to generate more power to do it and maybe you can and maybe you can't. A shorted crank does not give you a faster cadence, particularly against increased resistance. It may allow some riders to spin faster but they may also need a lower gear to do it.
...in theory, perhaps; and,
Originally Posted by
AlmostTrick
Don't forget, the shorter crank will have less leverage and therefore require more force to turn it. (in the same gear)
however, in reality...
...with the resulting
lower foot speed comes countervailing benefits that more than compensate for these variables, at least for those who experience greater efficiency going to a shorter crank. The greatest benefit will be for those for whom shifting to an even higher gear feels completely natural when going to a shorter crank.