Another thread about crank length (as it applies to different events)
10-13-16 | 06:15 PM
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Another thread about crank length (as it applies to different events)
My experience
I am 47, 6'-1" and 195lbs. I have raced on and off since I was 20 years old, including a season in Europe. I am a CAT 1 on the road and a CAT 2 on the track. For all my years of riding, I rode 175mm (on road bike, on TT bike, on cross bike, on mountain bike). I went back to doing the Pursuit and Kilo on the track in 2012 after 20 years off the track and used a set of 180mm Zipp Vuma Chrono cranks. I got bronze in the pursuit (3k in 3:42) and 4th in the Kilo (1:08.8).
Last year after hearing so much about the benefits of short cranks, and primarily influenced by the Martin study of peak power at 220/195/170/145/120, I went all-in and went 145mm on ALL my bikes. I have been on them for 13 months now.
My observations: my peak power is down 250W on average and 400W from my all time high. My standing starts in the pursuit and kilo are embarrassingly slow. I did have decent success in criteriums and mass start track races, winning a half dozen or so, but it wasn't from sprinting, it was from overall fitness. I did have a PR in the 3K pursuit at Carson Velodrome of 3:41.
I am struggling with wanting to stay on the 145mm given how I see the leverage and peak power down so much. I know they say that leg speed will make up for the lesser force, but while my cadence went up, my power for various time periods never measured to previous years despite being coached, training seriously, and feeling like I was as good of shape as ever. I am currently thinking about staying with 145mm on my Time Trial and Pursuit bike as they is no premium on the start and you are in aero position. Then go back to between 170mm and 175mm for criteriums, road races, and mass start track races. Finally, to go 180, or maybe even 190mm for the Kilo (where the standing start and leverage is most important) and match sprints.
Thoughts on that logic?
I am leaning towards getting a Power Cranks adjustable crank (from 145mm - 182.5mm) that you can put in dual mode (locking out that both arms rotate independently) and then I can do out on the road and take notes about power output.
Any other feedback?
I am 47, 6'-1" and 195lbs. I have raced on and off since I was 20 years old, including a season in Europe. I am a CAT 1 on the road and a CAT 2 on the track. For all my years of riding, I rode 175mm (on road bike, on TT bike, on cross bike, on mountain bike). I went back to doing the Pursuit and Kilo on the track in 2012 after 20 years off the track and used a set of 180mm Zipp Vuma Chrono cranks. I got bronze in the pursuit (3k in 3:42) and 4th in the Kilo (1:08.8).
Last year after hearing so much about the benefits of short cranks, and primarily influenced by the Martin study of peak power at 220/195/170/145/120, I went all-in and went 145mm on ALL my bikes. I have been on them for 13 months now.
My observations: my peak power is down 250W on average and 400W from my all time high. My standing starts in the pursuit and kilo are embarrassingly slow. I did have decent success in criteriums and mass start track races, winning a half dozen or so, but it wasn't from sprinting, it was from overall fitness. I did have a PR in the 3K pursuit at Carson Velodrome of 3:41.
I am struggling with wanting to stay on the 145mm given how I see the leverage and peak power down so much. I know they say that leg speed will make up for the lesser force, but while my cadence went up, my power for various time periods never measured to previous years despite being coached, training seriously, and feeling like I was as good of shape as ever. I am currently thinking about staying with 145mm on my Time Trial and Pursuit bike as they is no premium on the start and you are in aero position. Then go back to between 170mm and 175mm for criteriums, road races, and mass start track races. Finally, to go 180, or maybe even 190mm for the Kilo (where the standing start and leverage is most important) and match sprints.
Thoughts on that logic?
I am leaning towards getting a Power Cranks adjustable crank (from 145mm - 182.5mm) that you can put in dual mode (locking out that both arms rotate independently) and then I can do out on the road and take notes about power output.
Any other feedback?
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