At this point I think it's more so they end up selling two sets of cranks rather than just one... It's also only really in the past few years there's been a more general shift in thinking that shorter is often better for most people and I guess bike manufacturers don't want to switch too early for such things but I can see it happening more over the next couple of years (assuming Shimano & SRAM also ramp up the amount of sub 170mm cranks they produce, otherwise they won't have enough to supply OEMs with anyway)
I've been thinking about going shorter on my HT (from 175 to 165).
Did anyone find they needed a smaller chainring when swapping to shorter cranks?
Surely shorter arms makes for less torque which equals having to apply more force?
I'm already looking at a smaller ring to help me put with the longer climbs (temporarily, until I get some fitness back) so wondering whether shorter cranks will kind of offset the gain from a smaller chain ring and put me back where I started in terms of effort on the hills.
I needed new cranks and have a very low BB on my hardtail, so the Hope EVO 155mm were my choice.
Yes, it definitely changes the gearing - I'm going to get a smaller chainring for climbing days. I don't have short legs yet if feels fine, and somehow really planted in berms.
I do need to raise my seatpost to compensate, which seems to be seized, but that's another thread...
re chainring and shorter cranks
yer technically you should downsize the chainring due to the reduction in torque, in reality, i don't think anyone is ever giving a 100% effort in their easiest gear for extended periods of time, so adding a few percent effort can be adjusted to over time
I picked up a bargain set of x0? x1? idk 165mm carbons for £150 because they were DUB wide, which my bike was specced for anyway, just needed a chainring that would work with my hg+ setup (DMR chainring)
First ride on the 165mm cranks. Definitely better on the pedal strike issue. There were still some strikes, but nowhere near severe.
couldn’t really tell any power difference, but I’ve just come off half nights, so was tired anyway.
Good service from Bikeparts, ordered Friday, delivered Sunday!
Interesting research on crank length from a performance point of view.
TLDR: no appreciable performance difference so free rein to choose for fit, biomechanical, ground clearance reasons.
Currently trying to decide between GRX FC-RX610-1 in 165mm to try shorter cranks or GRX FC-RX820-1 in 170mm because they don't make 165 but it's 70g lighter for the crank (rest of the difference is in the chainring), hollowtech and a prettier finish.
Interesting research on crank length from a performance point of view.
TLDR: no appreciable performance difference so free rein to choose for fit, biomechanical, ground clearance reasons.
Currently trying to decide between GRX FC-RX610-1 in 165mm to try shorter cranks or GRX FC-RX820-1 in 170mm because they don't make 165 but it's 70g lighter for the crank (rest of the difference is in the chainring), hollowtech and a prettier finish.
Nope, in fact I think mine are 160mm
any issues swapping between different crank lengths on different bikes?
Thanks!
Not for me - Idon't even notice
An update. I’ve not had any issues swapping between the two bikes and haven’t found any downsides of running the shorter cranks.
thanks all
