Have you been thinking about shortening your crank length?

One of the hottest trends in the cycling industry has been the move to shorter crank lengths from the long standing industry standards. We’ve seen the likes of @tadejpogacar move all the way to 165mm cranks and dominate the pro peloton. We are even seeing top bike brands start to stock shorter cranks on their bikes.

So of course we had to test out a wide range of the most common offerings thanks to the @wahoofitness bike’s adjustability!

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26 Comments

  1. It impacts influencers giving them something to create content about. Also Middle aged Peter Pans with OCD can use it to motivate yet another purchase. It has virtually ZERO influence on normal people who just ride bikes.

  2. Well you're forgetting the fact that nobody has the same anatomy. Some people have longer legs and some have shorter. This video says nothing

  3. crank length is different if using flat pedals vs clips ins. personally i find clipless pedals annoying and not grounding almost as if my body weight is being mounted on shoes rather than stable pedal.. Flat pedals on 177.7 cranks for me

  4. I’m 5’7” and just swapped from 170 to 165 and definitely made a difference. Biggest takeaway is that it feels more natural and I’m able to hold a consistent cadence. And spinning faster increases comfort taking “pressure off the saddle”

  5. you guys are doing a remarkable job! Best 75$ spent and for sure will be subscribing again when the annual plan passes. Now one thing I am struggling with: on 4 different bikes with different geometries (endurance, race, inbetween) and with cranks between 170 and 175 in no way can I get my knee flexion in the rqnge of 104 – 116 degrees. Best I got was with the 175 cranks with 104 degrees (top of pedal stroke). What's the deal? I have my cleats on the optimal position and all the other parameters are in range (except handlebar heigh which I feel the 45 degrees is too relaxed for me).

  6. I don't understand why the torso-hip angle would first get bigger, then get smaller (57>57>59>56>55) as you reduce the crank length. And the knee angle goes 35>38>38>38>37?

  7. For all day rides and common training the longest crank is the best, just for maintenance the movement ability, range of motion.
    In race period nad in race a shorter could be better for some ones. I prefer the long always, especially in triathlon, also because the common range of motion in knees and hips. But this is my opinion.

  8. What is interesting is that by going lower length you should up the saddle height ( the bottom struck being closer to the saddle). Since you apparently didn’t changed it you might feel the bénéfice of both : shorter crack and lower saddle here 😉

  9. I am 6'4" and have used 177.5 for over 40 years. I'm never had back or knee pain. What is forgotten is leverage. Short cranks is just another industry ploy to chisel money out of the gullible.

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