Crank-arm length
08-01-04, 10:03 PM
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Crank-arm length
I'm considering getting a new crankset. Is it possible/worthwhile to order a crankarm that's one size up from my current one?
08-01-04, 10:36 PM
#2
Aluminium Crusader :-)
What's your height, inseam, etc?
Longer cranks are definitely worth trying, but whatever
you do, if you increase your crank length by 5mm or more,
you have to ease into it. I went from 170s to 175s, and stuffed
up one of my knees, and it took a year to repair.
So, you have to give your
knees a chance to get used to the increased flexion at the top of the pedal stroke.
The standard advice goes like this: longer cranks give you more leverage (torque), but they are more difficult to get "spinning" quickly, therefore, sudden accelerations may be affected.
With longer cranks, you're more likely to hit the ground with your pedals.
Longer cranks are definitely worth trying, but whatever
you do, if you increase your crank length by 5mm or more,
you have to ease into it. I went from 170s to 175s, and stuffed
up one of my knees, and it took a year to repair.
So, you have to give your knees a chance to get used to the increased flexion at the top of the pedal stroke.
The standard advice goes like this: longer cranks give you more leverage (torque), but they are more difficult to get "spinning" quickly, therefore, sudden accelerations may be affected.
With longer cranks, you're more likely to hit the ground with your pedals.
08-02-04, 06:02 AM
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With longer cranks, you're more likely to hit the ground with your pedals.
__________________________________
My current crank is 170mm, and it looks like there's still plenty of clearance. Having said that, what's a reasonable amount of clearance I should look to maintain?
__________________________________
My current crank is 170mm, and it looks like there's still plenty of clearance. Having said that, what's a reasonable amount of clearance I should look to maintain?
08-02-04, 06:16 AM
#4
Aluminium Crusader :-)
Originally Posted by HoHoHo
With longer cranks, you're more likely to hit the ground with your pedals.
__________________________________
My current crank is 170mm, and it looks like there's still plenty of clearance. Having said that, what's a reasonable amount of clearance I should look to maintain?
__________________________________
My current crank is 170mm, and it looks like there's still plenty of clearance. Having said that, what's a reasonable amount of clearance I should look to maintain?
I'm not sure what an ideal clearance is.
When I was using 170s, I got used to pedaling around corners, then, obviously, when I switched to 175s (and stuffed my knee, because i didn't ease into it), I continued to ride into corners, and regularly hit the ground with my pedal
08-02-04, 11:24 AM
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All is revealed at
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
08-02-04, 01:21 PM
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Hi,
the length of your thigh bone in inches is about what you want
for a crank in centimeters. Remeber the bone goes all the way into the hip. I measured mine to be 16.5". I had already switched over to 165 cranks, and love them.
the length of your thigh bone in inches is about what you want
for a crank in centimeters. Remeber the bone goes all the way into the hip. I measured mine to be 16.5". I had already switched over to 165 cranks, and love them.
08-02-04, 01:52 PM
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There are about as many theories on crank arm length as there are about how the world came to be. The link MichaelW posted isn't a bad place to start, but shouldn't be seen as an absolute either. FWIW I've got a 33" inseam (31" pants) and I prefer a 175 over anything smaller and I've never tried anything longer.
Andrew
Andrew
