Originally Posted by
RockiesDad
It might just be me being a little height challenged but it seems that folks on big bikes always seem to pass me. I ride a 51cm and those bikes that look like 56cm and bigger go faster. Might just be they are younger and stronger (bigger engines). Anyway, just some random thoughts going through my mind as I ride... Unless there is some truth with bigger bikes going faster. Maybe their cranks are longer or something... :-)
As a taller dude - I don't go faster than others. I do have a bike with 200mm cranks though (KHS Flite 747) and when I am on that - I sure can generate a lot of torque. I go faster on that bike just for novelty sake. In any case, crank size and speed has been studied a lot and I think the outcome is that more aero higher cadence wins. With 200mm cranks you cannot do aero without beating your belly off with your knees - meaning that shorter cranks get you more aero.