crank length, SS 29er
 

I'm building a single speed 29er, and I need to choose 175 or 180mm cranks. I've read some of the discussion and understand that the longer crank may help with leverage. I have 175s on all my bikes but one, and I am leaning towards 180 for the halibut. If it matters, I'm 6'.

I compared the pedal to ground clearance with my 26" 175mm crank K2 and this 29er, and I'll gain ~0.7" of clearance even with the longer cranks.

Anyone running 180mm cranks and regret it?

thx, Eric

Take your index finger and thumb and hold them aprt so they are about the length of a medium sized ant.



This is the difference in length between a 175 and 180mm crank arm.

Yeah, I've got a ruler :). 5mm is actually a pretty large difference. I certainly notice if my seatpost is 5mm too short or tall :).

Because ther aren't that many choices for 180mm length cranks, I run standard 175mm cranks on all of my bikes (including my single speed 29er) except my fixed gear road bike, which runs 170mm cranks for a little extra ground clearance in corners. Running longer cranks might work better, but I doubt there's that much of a difference. But anyway, I'd suggest asking this question in the MTBR 29er forum - there are likely lots of people there who have used longer cranks and have something to say about it.

I didn't realize there was such a forum. I'll try there. thanks

up the irons

Everyone's experience can differ, but I found 180 was noticeable. I ride a Haro Mary SS. I really don't notice the difference spinning on the flats, but climbing is where I found it to be a plus. But then that also could be attributed to the 29" tire, as I have not ridden a 29er with a 175 crank.

Really? That's only two tenths of an inch. I don't think I'd notice.

I definitely notice it on my road bikes. Maybe not so much on my MTB due to being out of the saddle more, etc.

I ordered the 180mm cranks.