Are Short Bike Cranks Better? Quick Answer

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Therefore, shorter crank lengths are recommended for stand-up bicycles to avoid fatigue.” Shorter cranks are common in downhill for a reason. The main takeaway from the published science is that crank length either doesn’t affect pedalling performance, or there’s a possible advantage to shorter cranks.Going to a shorter crank will allow you to ride at a lower back angle which minimizes frontal surface area improving aerodynamics. It can be frustrating to know that there are many available crank options that would work for an athlete.It changes gearing

So if you do end up changing crankarm lengths, it will change your gearing as well. The relative jumps between gears stay the same, but the overall range will feel slightly easier to pedal, or smaller, with shorter cranks and harder with longer ones.

Are Short Bike Cranks Better?
Are Short Bike Cranks Better?

Why are shorter cranks better?

Going to a shorter crank will allow you to ride at a lower back angle which minimizes frontal surface area improving aerodynamics. It can be frustrating to know that there are many available crank options that would work for an athlete.

Are short cranks harder to pedal?

It changes gearing

So if you do end up changing crankarm lengths, it will change your gearing as well. The relative jumps between gears stay the same, but the overall range will feel slightly easier to pedal, or smaller, with shorter cranks and harder with longer ones.


Does Size Matter? | How Crank Length Affects Performance On The Bike?

Does Size Matter? | How Crank Length Affects Performance On The Bike?
Does Size Matter? | How Crank Length Affects Performance On The Bike?

Images related to the topicDoes Size Matter? | How Crank Length Affects Performance On The Bike?

Does Size Matter? | How Crank Length Affects Performance On The Bike?
Does Size Matter? | How Crank Length Affects Performance On The Bike?

Are shorter cranks easier on knees?

Pain is relieved. Just by installing shorter crank arms, without any other adjustment, the knee at maximum flexion is lowered by 7.5 mm. That difference provides approximately 3° to 4° of relief.

Is 170mm crank too short?

Basically, Shimano thinks 170 to 175mm is the Goldilocks zone of crank length for most people and most bikes.

Is 165mm crank too short?

There is very little downside to shorter cranks, so if you find yourself on the cusp between two sizes, always go for the shorter length. 162.5 and 167.5mm are quite rare, so in both cases you may find your best option is to go with 165mm.

Are shorter cranks better for climbing?

2. Shorter cranks are easier to spin and thus better for acceleration and quickness, relative to something longer. Tradition always dictated that track riders used shorter cranks, as their riding style required those characteristics.

Are 160mm cranks too short?

5 Answers. Show activity on this post. 160mm crank is abnormally short. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t but as Axemasta mentions, you should have a bike fit before deciding what crank arm length you should have.


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What is the best crank length for cycling? – BikeRadar

Small bikes tend to come with 170mm cranks, medium with 172.5mm … Shorter cranks mean improved pedalling clearance, both on and off-road.

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The Benefits of Reducing Your Crank Length

Going to a shorter crank will allow you to ride at a lower back angle which minimizes frontal surface area improving aerodynamics. It can be frustrating to know …

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Are MTB Crank Arms Too Long? Here’s Why They Might …

Shorter cranks will benefit you in those cases. Also, shorter cranks can give you a higher cadence and better acceleration. There has been no …

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Short cranks, better pedalling? | CycleFit

A shorter crank length for the shorter triathlete will give all the above benefits and more, as less leverage will encourage a higher cadence …

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Does crank length really matter?

Crank length can be used as a tool to improve fit related issues impacting comfort, power, and aerodynamics. Moving to a shorter crank can improve: Comfort: A shorter crank length reduces range of motion at the knee (extension and flexion), hips, and low back.

What’s the difference between 170mm and 175mm cranks?

Still though, the difference between 170 mm and 175mm is less than 3% and leg lengths of bike riders vary by far more than that. There is a school of thought, particularly in the United States, which suggests that crank length should be proportionate to leg length.

Does 2.5 mm crank length make a difference?

Most experienced cyclists would consider a 5 or 10 mm difference in saddle height measured to the bottom of the pedal stroke to be a significant change, so they should not dismiss a 2.5 or 5 mm difference in crank length as being any less important because that makes a 5 or 10 mm difference in the saddle height when …


Should You Ride A Shorter Crank? | Choosing Your Bike Crank Length

Should You Ride A Shorter Crank? | Choosing Your Bike Crank Length
Should You Ride A Shorter Crank? | Choosing Your Bike Crank Length

Images related to the topicShould You Ride A Shorter Crank? | Choosing Your Bike Crank Length

Should You Ride A Shorter Crank? | Choosing Your Bike Crank Length
Should You Ride A Shorter Crank? | Choosing Your Bike Crank Length

What is the difference between 165mm and 170mm crank?

165mm’s make you spin faster, but with less power because of reduced leverage, 170mm’s slower but more power. This is mostly effective in road racing. But for DH racing/riding where higher cadence isn’t crucial, it mostly comes down to what feels nice for you, and what will give you the most ground clearance.

Are longer crank arms better?

As you’ll know from using a crowbar or a wheelbarrow, the longer the lever, the greater the load that can be lifted; so a longer lever arm allows a rider to create more torque than a rider with similar leg strength, but a shorter lever arm. But there’s more to going faster than driving a big gear.

Why do Ebikes have short cranks?

eMTB is a discipline that’s seen shorter cranks introduced from the outset. The primary reason for this is the increased clearance a shorter crank provides. On an eBike this is both necessary for the technical terrain you can climb, as well as the increased speed you’ll be climbing at.

How do I know what size crankset to buy?

Cranks come in a range of sizes, most commonly from 165mm to 190mm, and ideal crank length is often determined by three factors: your height, your cycling discipline and your personal preferences. If you change your crank length, it will change how it feels to pedal your bike, and it may change your fit on your bike.

Do lighter cranks make a difference?

Once you get all your components “spinning” and is constant; it doesn’t really matter if they are lighter or not. It’s only when they are confronted by gravity or opposing forces when it will make a slight difference again.

Does MTB crank length matter?

Macdermid found that riders reached their peak power nearly 1 second quicker on 170mm cranks than they did on 175mm cranks. That means shorter cranks give riders better acceleration, which can make a difference when passing other riders or trying to clean an obstacle.

Does crank length affect saddle height?

This means that if you try shorter cranks you add the difference to the seat height measured from the center of the bb, with longer cranks you subtract the difference. This maintains the same seat to pedal length. Everything else being the same, shorter cranks = higher saddle, longer cranks = lower saddle.

How does crank arm length affect riding?

The result is that, with the same ratio and force exerted on the pedal, it favours a higher cadence. Meanwhile, a longer crank allows a rider to push/pull harder ratios but makes it more difficult to maintain a high cadence.


Does Crank Length Affect Your Cycling Performance? The Science

Does Crank Length Affect Your Cycling Performance? The Science
Does Crank Length Affect Your Cycling Performance? The Science

Images related to the topicDoes Crank Length Affect Your Cycling Performance? The Science

Does Crank Length Affect Your Cycling Performance? The Science
Does Crank Length Affect Your Cycling Performance? The Science

What does crank length mean?

Cranks are measured from the centre of the pedal axle to the centre of the bottom bracket spindle. Lengths most often range from 160mm up to 185mm, in 2.5mm increments, and typically bigger bikes will come with longer cranks.

What size crankset single speed?

165 mm is Good!

We generally recommend 165 mm length cranks for road fixed-gear use. This shorter length makes it easier to spin faster cadences, and also reduces the risk of striking a pedal while cornering (with a fixed gear, where you have to pedal through the corners, this can be an issue.)

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