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Expert Bike fitter Neill Stanbury explains to us some major benefits of using shorter cranks on your bike. There are many use cases where going shorter will improve your position, comfort and even increase power on the bike. But is the minor downside worth it?
#cycling #roadcycling #training #bikefit
31 Comments
I have a 35” inseam and known labral tears of hips and had increased pain L hip due to impingement. Saw orthopedic doctor. Said it was arthritis, live with it, and get a hip replacement when unbearable. I went from 175mm to 170mm crank. Pain gone in a week.
In reality, you’ll just end up adjusting the saddle height to compensate for the crank length
There is an advantage that is huge for older cyclists and that is knee health.
As a person who has been riding for decades and that includes years of racing with a left leg that was bowed and is weaker than the right leg by 40%, I have had knee problems for 30+ years.
The left knee was worn out 20 years ago. It was getting difficult to ride and switching to shorter cranks allowed the knees to do all you talked about but also I became significantly faster along with less stress and wear on knees.
Furthermore,there are lower peak loads on knees with shorter cranks. I suggest you look on here, ^Shorter crank length debunked* from an engineer/cyclist who did a motion analysis. I think you will find it interesting.
I love your videos by the way. They have been helpful
The ability of this chap to explain complicated points very clearly is a real skill in itself. Video after video he conveys knowledge effortlessly.
I am currently riding 165 mm cranks however something feels strange about it. I’m wondering if I should go to 160 mm cranks because I have short legs and long torso femur 44 cm shank 34 mm torso 54 mm arms, 73 mm.
6'1" and I spin 85-90 rpm with 153mm crank arms All the power , faster acceleration , and a higher cadence.
i have hip pain and lower back on one side,after 4 years riding with pain i found the problem= pelvic obliquity. i have low rpm because and can't bring my knee to my chest. max 45 degrees.iam 6,1 and go from 175 to 170mm crank and it was all haven.now try to go 165mm crank for mtb
Reason Number 6: Rider doesn't understand physics/torque and power loss of shorter crank arms. If 160mm is great, 140 or 120 has to be even better, right? Follow the numbers. As crank arm length is reduced, torque and power are reduced. There's a reason very short crank arms aren't made. If I needed to improve "fit" or comfort I'd prefer a high 45° gramps stem or an mtb riser bar and keep my ability to climb hills with 175's.
hi genuine question, isn't the first option here IMPROVING YOUR FLEXIBILITY? anyone?😅
Running 160mm cranks. Im 5' 9" , but I have very short legs, long torso and arms. Was a huge improvement since saddle height has always been a problem to get enough drop to bars.
Persuasive stuff. This guy gives every impression of knowing what he's talking about, providing evidence for each point he makes. I was surprised though that shorter cranks take longer to wind up as I would have thought the opposite.
What's Neil's height, inseam, and road bike size?
Wouldn't one loose leverage the shorter the crank….especially uphill?
I wonder what's their take on Bisaddle
What do you think about the knee being between 145° at the bottom point and 69° at the top point?
In my case, 166cm, to be within these knee angles I should mount 145mm cranks
What's the difference between getting a cleat with a lower stack height and or a thiner shoe sole. Rather than a new set of 165 mm cranks???
i thought for sure my leg would be at 45 degrees. nope, easy to press it flat into my chest haha! I like short cranks anyway, more comfy
6’6” rider. Used to have hip pain with 180’s. Switched to 190’s and never looked back. Lower rpm, lower HR, higher power output.
question that everybody asks: how short is too short?
ah,,, been wondering why one of my knees have been splaying – been trying to add spacers (Q factor), change seat height etc. am generally fit but still have a bit of a stomach and maybe 10 lbs/5 ' 8", overweight (an age thing, and I like food), which makes it worse – perhaps you want to mention that hahaha. just ordered 165 (from 172.5)
How is seat height measured?
So,im a 5'10 guy,i can spin and i can use torque as much as anything,i use the usual 172.5…when im on top form i go from 95 to 75 and back again, shouldn i go to… 165?stay on the 172.5 mm cranks?
Bruised my ribs for weeks the one time i dropped the handle bar and went on a 3 h ride from my knees striking the "soft tissue opposition" 😀
How tall are you?
Hey-Nice video-I ride USA in the Rockies in the mountains mainly XC and single track-we have to climb here to get to the good
so always vertical kicking your behindonce on top cruise – so I'm long legged narrow torso long reach always rode 175mm-and I have to be on my game to go-still ride often just turned 70 -any thoughts about on the dirt and in the mountains or would recommend keep the longer for the power when needed-look forward I joined your channel**Shorter cranks is a pleasure!! period!!
I have no back, knee, leg or hip issues whilst doing 200km+ rides. My bike fit physio recommends going from 172.5 to 165mm cranks. I'm 183cm & don't want to raise the seat higher. I like pedalling whilst standing for long periods of time whilst climbing. Thinking of going 167.5mm on my new bike but a bit unsure.
shorter cranks = longer w&nks
Don’t get the cadence issue you can just change gearing?
Reason one to not use short cranks: you want to win the pack sprint which is often decided by half a wheel or less.
Reason two: you have long legs for your total height.
Reason three: you are relatively more short-twitch (in an endurance sport) and you feel less tired and burn less energy using a little more short-twitch.
Reason four: you ride on your toes because it’s more comfortable. People ride (and run) in ways that are more comfortable which translates to more efficient and it’s less efficient when they change their natural gait.
I'm 1,51m and always had 170 crancks. Just managed to find a 152 last week. It says it's for kids😅, but whatever. The range it's limited and the few available are really expensive, but finally I'm going to separate my seat from the frame😂