Whats the obsession with shorter cranks being a magic bullet for higher cadence positions. Do the so-called experts actually understand the biomechanics at play here. It seems like a simplistic assumption to think that just because your legs are moving through a shorter arc, youll somehow be able to maintain a higher RPM.
Isnt it possible that the emphasis on shorter cranks is just a fad, and were neglecting other, more critical factors that contribute to a riders ability to maintain high cadence. I mean, what about things like muscle conditioning, pedal stroke efficiency, and overall bike fit. Dont these play a far more significant role in determining a riders optimal cadence than something as basic as crank length.
And what about the impact of shorter cranks on power output. If youre sacrificing leverage and mechanical advantage with shorter cranks, arent you also limiting your ability to produce power. It seems like a classic case of trade-offs, where the benefits of shorter cranks in terms of higher cadence are offset by reduced power output.
Can someone explain to me why were so focused on shorter cranks as a means of achieving higher cadence. Is there actual scientific evidence to support this, or is it just a bunch of anecdotal nonsense being peddled by manufacturers and coaches. I want to see some hard data and research on this topic before I start chopping down my crank arms.