Im an xc racer. Ive tried cranks from 155mm thru 175mm. I used to have some pedal strikes with 175 so i tried 155. The pedal strikes went away but my lap times got worse. I lost a lot of acceleration out of corners which cost me precious time. Im 5'5" tall and 56 years old. Im mostly a standing rider so crank length is not all that crucial to my riding. I can see where a shorter crank would work great for certain people but it definitely didnt work for me. Just my experience.......
@@mikestivers8302 Yes. Tried them with two teeth less and two teeth more. Slower than the 175's either way. I had more leverage with the 175's. When you're standing up, the big cranks seem to deliver more power and therefore more speed. If I was a seat rider, I might like the shorter cranks better. Just my opinion...
fair enough. about a year ago i got my first set of cranks that fit my inseam. 160mm, i run 160 at most. one bike has 155's and that mtb has a 28T oval @@Team81MTB
I really thought i'd be able to leave my current bike with the factory build. First, I really want to try shorter cranks. Second, any dropper that isnt PNW blows.
i have a 160mm and have noticed a big difference. my inseam length is 29 and that measurement said i had to use 157.7mm but nothing from manufacturers have this. so it was between 155 and 160.
This topic drives me insane. My bike came with 175mm cranks as standard. I want to give shorter cranks a try... not brave enough to drop straight down to 165mm so I'm looking for 170mm, specifically Shimano XT because the rest of my groupset is Shimano. No one seems to have stock where I'm from. Even 170mm SLX is impossible to find. Its either I wait for stock (who knows for how long) or give the 165s a shot. Everytime I see a video about crank length, I immediately look at my 175mm cranks in disgust. Lol
In terms of hip mobility and cornering it will be the same. An XC racer may be more aware of the leverage and gearing though. Check out the comment from @team81mtb for example.
I tend to stomp with heel around the back/middle when technical and heavy uphills then with the toe/ball for fast cadence. Makes for a little added ankle suspension for bumps. Rough terrain downhill I tend to mix it up and make a V on both pedals when seen sideways. hope that makes sense. Sometimes flex of the shoe on flat pedals varies.@@thestrengthfactory.
ahhh I might be the only one with sloppy habbits hehe. I feel like its also a good work out on the calves when moving from front to back. thanks and ride safe!@@thestrengthfactory.
Your cranks are too long ? Dude you don’t even know my cranks ! How long are your femurs ? Ever chop wood with an axe ? Cut the handle in half and see if it’s easier… Shorter cranks = less leverage. Now your stem…. Oh it’s way too short, start a campaign because this “cranks too short” bandwagon has been played-out.
haha, sorry mate. I gotta get people to click it. If you watch you will see that I am a lot more balanced in my thoughts on this subject than the title may appear. Also..... I do my own firewood thank you..... with a big, long splitting maul.
@@thestrengthfactory. Glad to hear you do your own wood.. me too. I highly recommend riding Sedona with a local, never/ rarely seen trails I’d think wood (sorry had to) spur interest and clicks. I ❤️’d & sub’d
@@msm624 riding since 1995. Spent 8 years doing bike reviews and product testing for MBUK and Wideopen here in the UK. But you’re right. I don’t have a clue. 🤷🏼♀️Have a great day. Don’t forget to subscribe 👍🏻
Im an xc racer. Ive tried cranks from 155mm thru 175mm. I used to have some pedal strikes with 175 so i tried 155. The pedal strikes went away but my lap times got worse. I lost a lot of acceleration out of corners which cost me precious time. Im 5'5" tall and 56 years old. Im mostly a standing rider so crank length is not all that crucial to my riding. I can see where a shorter crank would work great for certain people but it definitely didnt work for me. Just my experience.......
did you change out your gearing? ie a smaller chainring?
@@mikestivers8302 Yes. Tried them with two teeth less and two teeth more. Slower than the 175's either way. I had more leverage with the 175's. When you're standing up, the big cranks seem to deliver more power and therefore more speed. If I was a seat rider, I might like the shorter cranks better. Just my opinion...
fair enough. about a year ago i got my first set of cranks that fit my inseam. 160mm, i run 160 at most. one bike has 155's and that mtb has a 28T oval @@Team81MTB
That's really interesting. Thanks mate.
Totally agree. Shorter cranks mean more effort.
Just ordered a set (165) thanks to the video for my S-works Turbo Levo
Nice... let me know how you get on.
I really thought i'd be able to leave my current bike with the factory build. First, I really want to try shorter cranks. Second, any dropper that isnt PNW blows.
i have a 160mm and have noticed a big difference. my inseam length is 29 and that measurement said i had to use 157.7mm but nothing from manufacturers have this. so it was between 155 and 160.
That's cool. Where was this formula of inseam to crank length? Can you post a link please?
measure your inseam and multiply by 5.4@@thestrengthfactory.
@@ARCHONFella ok I'll do some sums. Cheers
This topic drives me insane.
My bike came with 175mm cranks as standard. I want to give shorter cranks a try... not brave enough to drop straight down to 165mm so I'm looking for 170mm, specifically Shimano XT because the rest of my groupset is Shimano.
No one seems to have stock where I'm from. Even 170mm SLX is impossible to find.
Its either I wait for stock (who knows for how long) or give the 165s a shot.
Everytime I see a video about crank length, I immediately look at my 175mm cranks in disgust. Lol
😂😂😂 good luck on your quest!!
Pedal strikes can also damage your motor.
Interesting, does this apply to xc racers too? My bike has very different geometry from a trail bike like the one you are riding
In terms of hip mobility and cornering it will be the same. An XC racer may be more aware of the leverage and gearing though. Check out the comment from @team81mtb for example.
Thanks!@@thestrengthfactory.
I would try shorter crank but my current xtr crank cost me too much 😃
Fair one, cranks are expensive
I'd have to raise my saddle by 15mm (I ride 170mm cranks) and stack heights are already crap for taller riders.
Ah yes - bar height might need to come up for climbing. Nothing changes in isolation does it!
foot placement difference?
Not that I am aware of or that I can feel. Still axle around my mid foot area.
I tend to stomp with heel around the back/middle when technical and heavy uphills then with the toe/ball for fast cadence. Makes for a little added ankle suspension for bumps. Rough terrain downhill I tend to mix it up and make a V on both pedals when seen sideways. hope that makes sense. Sometimes flex of the shoe on flat pedals varies.@@thestrengthfactory.
@@oiyo5124 cheers mate. Despite being on flats I keep mine in the same place the whole time.
ahhh I might be the only one with sloppy habbits hehe. I feel like its also a good work out on the calves when moving from front to back. thanks and ride safe!@@thestrengthfactory.
Your audio is too low 😵
How tall are you?
177 cm. Or just under 5’10” 👍🏻
170cm here and changed 170mm to 152mm and it was just awesome didnt regret a single bit
@@smithgeorge6858 cool. Which brand is that?
@@thestrengthfactory. Cheap Chinese crank arm
😬@@smithgeorge6858
No. Your cranks are too short.
And you can go back😅
Try them and come back to me. Its better in always :) open your mind
Your cranks are too long ?
Dude you don’t even know my cranks !
How long are your femurs ?
Ever chop wood with an axe ?
Cut the handle in half and see if it’s easier…
Shorter cranks = less leverage.
Now your stem…. Oh it’s way too short, start a campaign because this “cranks too short” bandwagon has been played-out.
haha, sorry mate. I gotta get people to click it. If you watch you will see that I am a lot more balanced in my thoughts on this subject than the title may appear.
Also..... I do my own firewood thank you..... with a big, long splitting maul.
@@thestrengthfactory.
Glad to hear you do your own wood.. me too.
I highly recommend riding Sedona with a local, never/ rarely seen trails I’d think wood (sorry had to) spur interest and clicks.
I ❤️’d & sub’d
And the chain waxing vids. I tried and stopped doing that 30 years ago😅.
@@denisrogers4358 thanks dude!
@@johndef5075
This is totally rubish
@@msm624 😂😂😂👍🏻
If you believe this guy, you're a fool.
@@msm624 explain? Why? Have you ridden them? Why am I still riding them a year later then? I prefer them. I think they’re faster.
@@thestrengthfactory. you can think and feel all you want, but you're not faster
And exactly what is your experience and history with mtb?
Are you an experienced racer ?
@@msm624 except my Strava and race results would say different 🫣
@@msm624 riding since 1995. Spent 8 years doing bike reviews and product testing for MBUK and Wideopen here in the UK. But you’re right. I don’t have a clue. 🤷🏼♀️Have a great day. Don’t forget to subscribe 👍🏻