poll: what length cranks do you use? - Cyclocross Magazine2024-03-28T14:34:59Zhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topics/1198434:Topic:13388?commentId=1198434%3AComment%3A14367&feed=yes&xn_auth=no6'1", 18" Karate Monkey, 175m…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-11-09:1198434:Comment:171022008-11-09T15:51:59.420ZxChoke Hazardxhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/xChokeHazardx
6'1", 18" Karate Monkey, 175mm cranks. Had a 58cm Major Jake for five years that came with 172.5mm cranks, possibly due to toe overlap issues. Didn't really notice the length difference after switching back to 175mm. I prefer longer cranks as long as my shoes ain't hittin' the front tire.
6'1", 18" Karate Monkey, 175mm cranks. Had a 58cm Major Jake for five years that came with 172.5mm cranks, possibly due to toe overlap issues. Didn't really notice the length difference after switching back to 175mm. I prefer longer cranks as long as my shoes ain't hittin' the front tire. 6'00"- 56cm road and CX= 172.…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-24:1198434:Comment:143782008-10-24T12:54:44.360ZJBhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JB
6'00"- 56cm road and CX= 172.5 for me. I tried 175 at first on my CX last year but now with my 172.5's i feel i get over the top much quicker on the pedal stroke. I am a firm believer in keeping the same for both road and cx
6'00"- 56cm road and CX= 172.5 for me. I tried 175 at first on my CX last year but now with my 172.5's i feel i get over the top much quicker on the pedal stroke. I am a firm believer in keeping the same for both road and cx Yeah I am a spinner, too. I r…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-24:1198434:Comment:143692008-10-24T06:39:45.589Zerikvhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/erikv
Yeah I am a spinner, too. I ride a fixie with 177.5, everything else is 180.<br />
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I do notice I smack my pedals on the course a lot, but that just pumps me up. I rode crits this summer on 180s and didn't have any problems.
Yeah I am a spinner, too. I ride a fixie with 177.5, everything else is 180.<br />
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I do notice I smack my pedals on the course a lot, but that just pumps me up. I rode crits this summer on 180s and didn't have any problems. Because I'm not sure. Still p…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-24:1198434:Comment:143672008-10-24T06:38:36.851Zerikvhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/erikv
Because I'm not sure. Still pondering.
Because I'm not sure. Still pondering. i am 5foot 7 i ride a 52 cm r…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-23:1198434:Comment:141812008-10-23T00:51:57.097ZJUNIORhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/JohnPaulRusso
i am 5foot 7 i ride a 52 cm redline conquest pro. i use the same as i ride on the road 170. my road bike is 54 cm trek 5.9 sl madone.<br />
JUNIOR
i am 5foot 7 i ride a 52 cm redline conquest pro. i use the same as i ride on the road 170. my road bike is 54 cm trek 5.9 sl madone.<br />
JUNIOR I'm 6'4" with a 35" inseam (c…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-22:1198434:Comment:141022008-10-22T16:49:18.201Zhighcamphttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/highcamp
I'm 6'4" with a 35" inseam (cycling inseam) and I just this year switched from 175 to 177.5 cranks. I'm more of a spinner, but as a previous post alluded to, spinning in 'cross is a sure way to go backwards. For me I think the added length is a help. If I had beefier legs, I probably would stay at 175 so I can accelerate a bit better at the same gear ratio, but as it is, my challenge is more so on the open fields of bumps where you just have chug through them. Like Trebon, I did notice more…
I'm 6'4" with a 35" inseam (cycling inseam) and I just this year switched from 175 to 177.5 cranks. I'm more of a spinner, but as a previous post alluded to, spinning in 'cross is a sure way to go backwards. For me I think the added length is a help. If I had beefier legs, I probably would stay at 175 so I can accelerate a bit better at the same gear ratio, but as it is, my challenge is more so on the open fields of bumps where you just have chug through them. Like Trebon, I did notice more pedal strikes in turns (in the beginning), but it just took some getting used to. Good question- I'm 5'11" with…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-21:1198434:Comment:139392008-10-21T20:38:27.100ZMattyVThttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/MattyVT
Good question- I'm 5'11" with a 33" inseam and run 175's on everything- both CX bikes, road and MTB. I also go back and forth wondering whether the 175 or the 172.5 would be better. Nys runs 172.5 and he's roughly 5'10-5'11"...but I don't know how much of that is leg length.<br />
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It seems the three factors in determining crank length are femur length (more than actual leg length), pedaling style and most common course profile. I ride and train often on a very hilly course that's mostly grass where…
Good question- I'm 5'11" with a 33" inseam and run 175's on everything- both CX bikes, road and MTB. I also go back and forth wondering whether the 175 or the 172.5 would be better. Nys runs 172.5 and he's roughly 5'10-5'11"...but I don't know how much of that is leg length.<br />
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It seems the three factors in determining crank length are femur length (more than actual leg length), pedaling style and most common course profile. I ride and train often on a very hilly course that's mostly grass where 175 is key, but when I ride faster grass crit courses like the Cycle Smart GP in Northampton with higher speeds and more turns I think I'd like to be running 172.5.<br />
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When you get this one figured out please let me know because I'm also looking for the right answer! dunk? yeah sort of, not a hig…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-21:1198434:Comment:138652008-10-21T14:40:16.183ZGeWillihttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/GeWilli
dunk? yeah sort of, not a high flying slam but if I can get a good grip on the ball i can sometimes make it in, more a problem of just sucking at Basketball than anything else...<br />
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I heard that Treefarm was trying out 177.5s at Gloucester this year. And he was complaining about the cranks hitting in the turns.<br />
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My second day at G-ster was a first on some nice Grifos and, well, It was the first time I felt like I wanted a higher bottom bracket.<br />
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Logic as far as proportions go is that freaks like…
dunk? yeah sort of, not a high flying slam but if I can get a good grip on the ball i can sometimes make it in, more a problem of just sucking at Basketball than anything else...<br />
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I heard that Treefarm was trying out 177.5s at Gloucester this year. And he was complaining about the cranks hitting in the turns.<br />
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My second day at G-ster was a first on some nice Grifos and, well, It was the first time I felt like I wanted a higher bottom bracket.<br />
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Logic as far as proportions go is that freaks like erikv, me, treefarm and wicks - we should be able to spin 180s far easier than say an average height person on 165-170s. I can hit 150-160 rpm with 180s on the road (not fixed gear). So i don't usually have a problem spinning but spinning in cross still seems pretty unnatural for me. After spending the summer doing TTs with a 40t front ring my spin is as smooth and strong as it has ever been. But if i try it in a cross race I go backwards fast. Gotta use torque (well for me - i dunno about anyone else). I have one cx bike with 170s…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-21:1198434:Comment:137922008-10-21T07:15:57.898Zandrewhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/cyclocross
I have one cx bike with 170s (bought used, never bothered to change), the rest with 175, and I can feel the difference. but that "feel" is on my body. whether it makes any speed difference I have no idea - I have never done real testing. switching bikes all the time (blessing and curse), I like to reduce some of the variables so I prefer them all being the same, as it's one less thing to get used to. But I've done 7 races on 4 bikes this season and they weren't all 175 and I can't ever blame…
I have one cx bike with 170s (bought used, never bothered to change), the rest with 175, and I can feel the difference. but that "feel" is on my body. whether it makes any speed difference I have no idea - I have never done real testing. switching bikes all the time (blessing and curse), I like to reduce some of the variables so I prefer them all being the same, as it's one less thing to get used to. But I've done 7 races on 4 bikes this season and they weren't all 175 and I can't ever blame anything on a crank length though.<br />
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I think riding style can often be a deciding factor - spinner vs masher, and of course height. what are you? if you like 175s better...why…tag:cowbell.cxmagazine.com,2008-10-21:1198434:Comment:137882008-10-21T07:02:45.379Zandrewhttps://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/profile/cyclocross
if you like 175s better...why not switch? or is it just a recent revelation?
if you like 175s better...why not switch? or is it just a recent revelation?