Useful tips

Do crank arm lengths matter?

Do crank arm lengths matter?

Crank length changes may help solve long-simmering aches and pains, but they’re most effective when you’re doing everything you should be doing to be strong on the bike. It changes gearing. If you do end up changing crankarm lengths, it will change your gearing as well.

What crank length should I use?

The joint ranges of motion will be dependent upon the femur, tibia and foot length, which vary (usually) in proportion to your height. So in simple terms and assuming we all have similar proportions we could use our 172.5mm cranks and 1.778m height to suggest crank lengths should be 9.7% of our height.

Should I use a shorter crank?

A shorter crank length for the shorter triathlete will give all the above benefits and more, as less leverage will encourage a higher cadence saving their legs for the run. A lower aero bar position is achievable as knee tracking at the top of the stroke is improved.

What are the benefits of shorter crank arms?

How to choose the correct crank arm length?

If you are changing the cranks on an existing bike. Get a bike fit and then buy a cheap crank or borrow a crank with a different length. Go for a few rides and see what length is best. When you know what size you need. Go ahead and buy the crank you want. How To Choose The Correct Crank Length – The Most Important Bike Adjustment You’ve Never Made?

Do you need to change your crankarm length?

If you’re only making a slight move, then adjusting saddle height to account for the longer or shorter cranks may be all you need to do. But if, say, you’re a 5’2” woman who’s been sentenced to 172.5mm road cranks all your life and you’re moving to 165mm or shorter cranks, more substantive changes may be necessary.

What’s the best crank length for an athlete?

There are limited recommendations on how to select the best crank length other than knowing that the standard fit is 172.5 for a 180cm athlete. Jim Martin from the University of Utah suggests that the optimum should be about 20% of your inseam or 41% of your tibia length.

How does crank arm length affect pedal stroke?

The obvious effect that the length of a crank arm has on the rider is the size of the circle that the rider’s foot traces during the pedal stroke – the shorter the crank, the smaller the circle. This is important because of one key moment: the very top of the pedal stroke – the point at which…

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