UKC

I've just started reading 'The Obree Way'. One of the thinks Obree places a lot of emphasis on is getting the right crank length, based on 9.5% of body height. I'm 1.71 m (about 5'7"), so in my instance, that would equate to162mm which is obviously way shorter than the standard 170/172mm

Just wondered if anyone on here (of a similar height) has tried this out and what benefits you might have found? Secondly, anyone know where I might get cranks of this length at a reasonable price?

thanks

In reply to FrankBooth:

Most cranks can be bought in 165mm length. I do wonder if it is worth me trying this out too. I think I am smoother on my single speed / fixed with 165mm than on my road bike with 170mm. You do lose torque with a shorter crank.

In reply to FrankBooth:

I'm surprised he bases his ratio on height rather than leg length (some people have littel bodies and long legs, or long bodies with little legs)

In reply to balmybaldwin:


Yeah, I suppose the only way to be sure is to get a proper fitting

In reply to FrankBooth:

Chris Hoy just answered my question on FB and says he uses the same crank length what ever discipline he rides. I think I might try 165mm on my next road bike.

In reply to FrankBooth:

I got measured on Friday for a new bike.

I'm only marginally taller than you, but it came back as 172.5 cranks - however, as balmybladwin mentioned, I'm proportionately longer in the leg.

In reply to Guy:


Did Hoy say what size he uses?
Gotta be 165 or less on Manchester.

E

In reply to Enty:

He didn't only that he uses the same on all bikes and the same measurements.

In reply to Enty:

He didn't only that he uses the same on all bikes and the same measurements.

He is answering questions via the SIS page.

In reply to FrankBooth:

if my opinion is worth anything, i also agree that a shorter crank length i.e. 165mm is suitable for me (180cm tall)

In reply to FrankBooth:

An article in one of the magazines recently (Cyclist?) concluded that it didn't make much diiference. A longer crank provides more leverage, but if you spend a lot of time on the drops and your hips are insufficiently flexible, then a long crank means that you have a compress an unwilling joint every stroke a tiny bit more. Sit up a bit and that doesn't matter.

I'm 6ft and have 175 cranks and it suits me - the difference between 165 and 175 is naff all (the width of my little finger nail). They did experiments with really short cranks and it still made little difference.