I went from a 170 to a 175 and am loving it. It fits my legs so much better.

I don't know my "cycling inseam", but my Levi's are 34" inseam. I've always been one to take stairs two at a time because it felt easier. Taking stairs one at a time feels like baby steps and actually leaves me more tired at the top.

The longer cranks feel the same way, like instead of taking baby steps, I can move like a grown-up. I know it's only 10mm, about a half-inch, in circle diameter, but it's made a world of difference for me. I don't pretend to understand why. I'm just diggin' it.

Strangely, my average cadence has gone UP on the longer cranks. Tracking with the cyclometer over similar rides, 76 to 78 average for the ride is the best I can do on the 170s. First ride out, and every ride since, I average 83 to 85 on the 175s. Typical cadences on the flats are 87-92 on the 170s and 95-105 on the 175s. Max is 110 on the 170s and 125-130 on the 175s.

Climbing and riding into stiff headwinds seems easier and I've never experienced the "lead legs" feeling since switching.

All I can figure is that my legs feel less constrained, and are able to move a more natural (for me) distance.

The whole experience has me looking around for 180s, just to see what would happen with those.