Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm length.

For other riders out there with (approximately) my inseam
and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?

"Joe" wrote:

> Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
> inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm length.
>
> For other riders out there with (approximately) my inseam
> and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?

6' 3" 35.5" 175mm

Art Harris

"Arthur Harris" <n2ah@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:SkeGc.33460$kz.5898575@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
>
> "Joe" wrote:
>
> > Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
> > inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm
> > length.
> >
> > For other riders out there with (approximately) my
> > inseam and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?
>
> 6' 3" 35.5" 175mm
>
> Art Harris

6'2.5" 36" 175mm Road and Track. 180mm TT

Phil Holman

chicago22222@yahoo.com (Joe) wrote in message news:<549ce1b.0407050705.393813fc@posting.google.com>...
> Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
> inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm length.
>
> For other riders out there with (approximately) my inseam
> and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?

6'4" 36" 185mm

check out http://www.cranklength.info/

Most people will tell you 175mm cranks are long enough but
most people are shorter than you too.

Bruce.

On 5 Jul 2004 08:05:53 -0700, chicago22222@yahoo.com (Joe) wrote:

>Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
>inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm length.
>
>For other riders out there with (approximately) my inseam
>and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?

I'm 6'2"; I'd buy a 180 crank set if I could afford it, but
I ride 175 now. In my experience, anything longer than 175
is priced at an absurd premium...if it's even available.

One of the guys at a nearby lbs is 6'5"; he has a 185
crank set on his bike. He paid more for those cranks than
I typically spend on a whole (used) bike. (Yes, I'm
*that* cheap.)

Frankly, though, having ridden his and mine both, I can't
say that I think that the extra length is all that valuable.
Your preferences may vary. Remember that the distance from
the ground to the BB on a frame built to your scale may not
be any greater than on one for a medium-build rider, so the
longer cranks may result in reduced pedal-to-ground
clearance. This can be a concern for some riders and
conditions.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to
reply via email. Surrealism is a pectinated ranzel.

> "Joe" wrote:
>>Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
>>inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm length.
>>For other riders out there with (approximately) my inseam
>>and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?

Arthur Harris wrote:
> 6' 3" 35.5" 175mm

175 Road? 175 MTB? 175 Track?

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1
April, 1971

"Bruce Dickson" <bjkd73@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:b2107252.0407052015.7323f01a@posting.google.com...
> chicago22222@yahoo.com (Joe) wrote in message
news:<549ce1b.0407050705.393813fc@posting.google.com>...
> > Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
> > inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm
> > length.
> >
> > For other riders out there with (approximately) my
> > inseam and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?
>
> 6'4" 36" 185mm
>
> check out http://www.cranklength.info/
>
> Most people will tell you 175mm cranks are long enough but
> most people are shorter than you too.

I'm not (6'10"), and I use 175 mm cranks exclusively. I've
heard that "proportional" cranks would make me much faster,
but even if I had the $$$ for 200 mm cranks, and the frame
that would take them, I'd still have to somehow solve the
problem of my knees smashing my ribs -- plus, I'd be too
fast to ride with my friends anymore.

A Muzi wrote:

>> "Joe" wrote:
>>
>>> Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
>>> inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm
>>> length. For other riders out there with (approximately)
>>> my inseam and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?
>
>
> Arthur Harris wrote:
>
>> 6' 3" 35.5" 175mm
>
>
>
> 175 Road? 175 MTB? 175 Track?

165-mm recumbent.

--
Tom Sherman – Quad City Area

chicago22222@yahoo.com (Joe) wrote:
>
> Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
> inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm length.
>
> For other riders out there with (approximately) my inseam
> and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?

I'm 6'8", with about a 40" standing inseam. I have bikes
with 170mm, 180mm, 185mm, 190mm, 196mm, and 205mm cranks. I
enjoy all my bikes, but all else equal I like my longest
cranks best. It doesn't keep me from riding, and enjoying,
my bikes that are equipped with shorter cranks.

I feel like I can ride faster with less effort when I use my
long cranks, and my longest, fastest rides were all on 196mm
Bullseye cranks (which I have had for many years now).

It would be easy and inexpensive for you to try 180mm
cranks, so why not?

Chalo Colina

"Peter Cole" <peter_cole_no_spam_at_all@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<z8wGc.33554$7t3.8978@attbi_s51>...
> "Bruce Dickson" <bjkd73@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
> news:b2107252.0407052015.7323f01a@posting.google.com...
> > chicago22222@yahoo.com (Joe) wrote in message
> news:<549ce1b.0407050705.393813fc@posting.google.com>...
> > > Just curious--I'm a rider about 6'3" tall (with a 36"
> > > inseam) and am trying to figure out ideal crankarm
> > > length.
> > >
> > > For other riders out there with (approximately) my
> > > inseam and/or height--what size crankarms do you use?
> >
> > 6'4" 36" 185mm
> >
> > check out http://www.cranklength.info/
> >
> > Most people will tell you 175mm cranks are long enough
> > but most people are shorter than you too.
>
> I'm not (6'10"), and I use 175 mm cranks exclusively. I've
> heard that "proportional" cranks would make me much
> faster, but even if I had the $$$ for 200 mm cranks, and
> the frame that would take them, I'd still have to somehow
> solve the problem of my knees smashing my ribs -- plus,
> I'd be too fast to ride with my friends anymore.

I've got 20cm cranks on my Cannondale CAAD2 touring, and
I'm tiny at only 193cm with 94cm inseam. My son recently
switched to 21cm cranks (he has a 102cm inseam) and says
that cycling now feels more like running. I take that to
mean that pedalling now feels a more natural movement -
and I agree.

I think someone your size ought to try longer cranks. 180s
are readily available, and I'm sure you could borrow some!
If you find you get along with 180s, then you might think
about getting some 210s!

LGF

"LGF" <legrandfromage@voila.fr> wrote
>
> I've got 20cm cranks on my Cannondale CAAD2 touring, and
> I'm tiny at only 193cm with 94cm inseam. My son recently
> switched to 21cm cranks (he has a 102cm inseam) and says
> that cycling now feels more like running. I take that to
> mean that pedalling now feels a more natural movement -
> and I agree.

Interesting, I have the same frame (CAAD2), but in a touring
model. My BB is low as it is, I'd really worry about using
longer cranks.

> I think someone your size ought to try longer cranks. 180s
> are readily available, and I'm sure you could borrow some!
> If you find you get along with 180s, then you might think
> about getting some 210s!

I haven't noticed a difference going between 170 and 175, so
I'm not sure I'd notice the change to 180. I'd probably buy
180 if they were not usually a special order. I'd love to
experiment with 200-210's, just to see what they feel like,
but that's a very expensive experiment.

On 6 Jul 2004 18:44:56 -0700, chumpychump@hotmail.com (Chalo) wrote:

>It would be easy and inexpensive for you to try 180mm
>cranks, so why not?

Have you got a source for a 180 or 185 crank set that's
under $75? Nobody in this area will part with one for less
than twice that.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to
reply via email. Surrealism is a pectinated ranzel.

Originally posted by Peter Cole
"LGF" <legrandfromage@voila.fr> wrote
>
> I've got 20cm cranks on my Cannondale CAAD2 touring, and
> I'm tiny at only 193cm with 94cm inseam. My son recently
> switched to 21cm cranks (he has a 102cm inseam) and says
> that cycling now feels more like running. I take that to
> mean that pedalling now feels a more natural movement -
> and I agree.

Interesting, I have the same frame (CAAD2), but in a touring
model. My BB is low as it is, I'd really worry about using
longer cranks.

> I think someone your size ought to try longer cranks. 180s
> are readily available, and I'm sure you could borrow some!
> If you find you get along with 180s, then you might think
> about getting some 210s!

I haven't noticed a difference going between 170 and 175, so
I'm not sure I'd notice the change to 180. I'd probably buy
180 if they were not usually a special order. I'd love to
experiment with 200-210's, just to see what they feel like,
but that's a very expensive experiment.

Interesting contrast- in the recumbent world 155mm cranks are the latest rave with active discussions and experiments with 140, 125, and 100s picking up steam.

Werehatrack <rault00@earthWEEDSlink.net> wrote:

> chumpychump@hotmail.com (Chalo) wrote:
>
> >It would be easy and inexpensive for you to try 180mm
> >cranks, so why not?
>
> Have you got a source for a 180 or 185 crank set that's
> under $75? Nobody in this area will part with one for less
> than twice that.

Here's a 180mm crank for $90 including the bottom bracket:

http://www.danscomp.com/cgi-
bin/hazel.cgi?action=DETAIL&item=451050

Here's a 185mm one for $80 with an American BB, but a
threaded BB is available for it:

http://www.danscomp.com/cgi-
bin/hazel.cgi?action=DETAIL&item=451057

I don't know much about the first crank I listed, but the
Primo crank in the second link is an exemplary piece of work--
cold forged 7075 aluminum arms, heat treated 4140 CrMo
spindle, precision cartridge bearings. In both materials and
mechanical integrity, it totally outclasses any crank Brand
S ever sold.

For a step up in price, but still under $150, there
are cranks offered in 190mm, like Redline Flite and
Profile 3-piece.

Bullseye and Profile will make up to 222mm cranks on a
special order basis.

Chalo Colina

legrandfromage@voila.fr (LGF) wrote:
>
> I've got 20cm cranks on my Cannondale CAAD2 touring, and
> I'm tiny at only 193cm with 94cm inseam. My son recently
> switched to 21cm cranks (he has a 102cm inseam) and says
> that cycling now feels more like running.

Where did you and your son get your cranks?

Chalo Colina

On 7 Jul 2004 17:08:43 -0700, chumpychump@hotmail.com (Chalo) wrote:

>Werehatrack <rault00@earthWEEDSlink.net> wrote:
>
>> chumpychump@hotmail.com (Chalo) wrote:
>>
>> >It would be easy and inexpensive for you to try 180mm
>> >cranks, so why not?
>>
>> Have you got a source for a 180 or 185 crank set that's
>> under $75? Nobody in this area will part with one for
>> less than twice that.
>
>Here's a 180mm crank for $90 including the bottom bracket:
>
>http://www.danscomp.com/cgi-
>bin/hazel.cgi?action=DETAIL&item=451050

[more good but not presently useful information snipped]

Okay, that covers some single-speed and BMX pretty well, but
howzabout a 180 or 185 for a regular square taper (or even
Octalink or ISIS) and three rings? (The ones you pointed to
will be useful for something else I'm plotting, but that's a
long way from needing cranks yet.)
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to
reply via email. Surrealism is a pectinated ranzel.

Chalo wrote:

> Where did you and your son get your cranks?

Genes?

Bill "sorry, that was just for Jonesy" S.

chumpychump@hotmail.com (Chalo) wrote in message news:<8b4b7de4.0407071613.4fd270cf@posting.google.com>...
> legrandfromage@voila.fr (LGF) wrote:
> >
> > I've got 20cm cranks on my Cannondale CAAD2 touring, and
> > I'm tiny at only 193cm with 94cm inseam. My son recently
> > switched to 21cm cranks (he has a 102cm inseam) and says
> > that cycling now feels more like running.
>
> Where did you and your son get your cranks?
>
> Chalo Colina

We got our cranks from http://www.hscycle.com/ . I have
several sets of 180s, (D-Ace, TA, old Campy Record,
Stronglight) and think the High Sierra cranks better. They
are very solid! If you do decide to get some, go for the
triple, as it can be used as a double (or single)- similar
design philosophy to Stronglight in that respect.

LGF

"Peter Cole" <peter_cole_no_spam_at_all@comcast.net> wrote in message news:<_2RGc.40145$Oq2.15442@attbi_s52>...
> "LGF" <legrandfromage@voila.fr> wrote
> >
> > I've got 20cm cranks on my Cannondale CAAD2 touring, and
> > I'm tiny at only 193cm with 94cm inseam. My son recently
> > switched to 21cm cranks (he has a 102cm inseam) and says
> > that cycling now feels more like running. I take that to
> > mean that pedalling now feels a more natural movement -
> > and I agree.
>
> Interesting, I have the same frame (CAAD2), but in a
> touring model. My BB is low as it is, I'd really worry
> about using longer cranks.
>
>
> > I think someone your size ought to try longer cranks.
> > 180s are readily available, and I'm sure you could
> > borrow some! If you find you get along with 180s, then
> > you might think about getting some 210s!
>
> I haven't noticed a difference going between 170 and 175,
> so I'm not sure I'd notice the change to 180. I'd probably
> buy 180 if they were not usually a special order. I'd love
> to experiment with 200-210's, just to see what they feel
> like, but that's a very expensive experiment.

I have the same frame as you. The only problems I have
encountered so far are when I have ventured off-road. I am
slightly wary of pedal-strike, but it hasn't happened yet. I
was riding around the twisting roads of Brittany this
weekend, and the only things that troubled me were the
hills. The situation however is not ideal, but if things
continue to go well, I will get a more appropriate frame.
(My son's hand-me-down no doubt!)

It could well be that 170/175 is the best length crank for
you. It could also be that they are both too short. You
won't know until you experiment, and that unfortunately
involves an expensive risk. However, at 6'10" I think moving
to 20cm cranks is entirely minimal.

LGF

legrandfromage@voila.fr (LGF) wrote:

> We got our cranks from http://www.hscycle.com/ . I have
> several sets of 180s, (D-Ace, TA, old Campy Record,
> Stronglight) and think the High Sierra cranks better. They
> are very solid! If you do decide to get some, go for the
> triple, as it can be used as a double (or single)- similar
> design philosophy to Stronglight in that respect.

Thanks for the link; those look great. I can't use such
cranks due to the square taper interface (I broke them when
I weighed two-thirds what I do now), but the availability of
so many sizes in a conventional crank is news to me.

Chalo Colina