crank arm length
650
Member
1066 days
deepbluex posted 2 years ago.
Robj3411 wrote:
What difference does the length of the crank arms make? Is it totally based on size ie leg length or is there something to be gained by going longer or shorter.I ask this because, I'm piecing a bike together while I am over here. I'm 5'9" and my current road bike has 170s on it however my friend who is the same height and rides the same road fram as me rides 175. I'm not sure if I should go bigger or not and what that will do?
Thanks rob
Generally, people who prefer faster cadence go with shorter crank arms. I prefer a slower cadence and the longer 175mm crank arms give me more leverage to push the harder gears.
As an aside, Lance Armstrong is 5'10", rides a 58cm frame and uses crank arms of 177.5mm.
Just think of the longer crank as a longer lever to apply force to. While you can apply more power with a longer crank arm, the tradeoff is that your joints and legs have to move more during each revolution of the cranks. It's harder to keep up a faster cadence that way than if you are making small circles with your pedals with short crank arms.
What difference does the length of the crank arms make? Is it totally based on size ie leg length or is there something to be gained by going longer or shorter.
I ask this because, I'm piecing a bike together while I am over here. I'm 5'9" and my current road bike has 170s on it however my friend who is the same height and rides the same road fram as me rides 175. I'm not sure if I should go bigger or not and what that will do?
Thanks rob