Originally Posted by
PeteHski
As you rightly state, the longer lever is only a potential advantage when in your lowest gear if you are struggling in that gear. You could compensate for the gearing, but it's usually not worth it unless making a big change to the crank length.
There's something else that the longer lever crank arm produces all the time: a greater range of motion (ROM).
I don't know if that is or isn't a benefit to the cyclist, but strength training studies suggest that exercises with a full ROM produce slightly better outcomes (strength, speed, power, muscle size).
Something to consider, at least.