Originally Posted by
GamblerGORD53
The underlying and undeniable scientific principle involved is ... What is gained in force is lost in distance. Newton's Laws.
181.5 is 10% more than 165. Me with the long crank will do 90 revs for your 100. Our TOES will be going EXACTLY the same speed along our respective circumference of motion. My knees will be pushing at 10% less weight than you. So I don't see how knee strain is a factor. I can see how high revs do help in high speed applications.
Not sure what you're saying about revs or what you mean about "knee strain" but it must be consistent with the fact that in any given gear, the longer the crank the greater the foot-speed. The greater the circle described by the arc of the pedal the more distance the foot must travel per revolution.