Has anyone experimented with different crank arm lengths?
170 mm seems to be the standard, but I have a collection of cranks I'm not using, so I've been trying out some different lengths. For the last week I've been using 175's, and hated them. Good leverage for going up hills slowly, terrible for anything else. So for comparison now I've switched to the shortest ones I had, the 152mm (6") crank that came on my Kent magnesium folder. As you'd expect, not much leverage; but great for spinning! I may actually stick with this one....
Isn't crank arm lenght kind of a moot point on a folder or any small-wheeled bike? I have 175mm crank arms (16" wheels) and I drag pedal constantly unless I make a very conscious effort to pay attention to which pedal is up at any given turn. I'd say since most of us aren't riding these on high performance rides, go with a shorter crank arm just so you don't constantly scrape. I realize there are die-hards that ride folders exclusively, but so far my impression (and my own practice) is that most stick with their regular road bikes for performance rides and ride folders for convenience and transportation purposes.