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Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

 
 
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Old 06-07.-2004, 12:30 AM   #1
Joe
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Default Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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?
 
Old 06-07.-2004, 12:30 AM   #2
Arthur Harris
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

"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
 
Old 06-07.-2004, 09:16 AM   #3
Philip Holman
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

"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
 
Old 06-07.-2004, 01:30 PM   #4
Bruce Dickson
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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.
 
Old 06-07.-2004, 01:30 PM   #5
Werehatrack
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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.
 
Old 06-07.-2004, 01:46 PM   #6
A Muzi
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

> "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
 
Old 06-07.-2004, 08:45 PM   #7
Peter Cole
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

"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.
 
Old 07-07.-2004, 09:46 AM   #8
Tom Sherman
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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
 
Old 07-07.-2004, 11:01 AM   #9
Chalo
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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
 
Old 07-07.-2004, 07:00 PM   #10
Lgf
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

"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
 
Old 07-07.-2004, 08:45 PM   #11
Peter Cole
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

"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.
 
Old 08-07.-2004, 03:22 AM   #12
Werehatrack
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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.
 
Old 08-07.-2004, 08:51 AM   #13
meb
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: arlington, VA
Posts: 1,208
Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

Quote:
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.
meb is offline  
Old 08-07.-2004, 09:16 AM   #14
Chalo
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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
 
Old 08-07.-2004, 09:30 AM   #15
Chalo
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Default Re: Crankarm Length for Taller Rider

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
 
 


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