Benefit of longer crank arm?

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2004-04-08 10:27 AM

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Subject: Benefit of longer crank arm?
What's the benefit of going to a longer crank arm? I need to order a new crankset on my Mnt Bike as my top chainring is shot and the low end peice that's on there is such that the rings are not replaceable. My crankarm is presently 170mm, I can get 175mm or even a 180mm if I want. IMHO, the 0.5 to 1 cm won't make that much of a difference for clearance issues, but what is the benefit of a longer crankarm for riding. It should enable me to generate a wee bit more torque, right? Wee bit more tq x rpm means a wee bit more power.

I need to order a crankset today order to have the bike ready by Sat's practice run. Any quick feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Don

2004-04-08 10:41 AM
in reply to: #17242

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Subject: RE: Benefit of longer crank arm?
Some reading:
http://www.cranklength.info/cranks.htm
http://www.performancebike.com/help/roadsizing.cfm

Another article dealing with crank arm lenght, triathletes and bike/run transition:
http://www.t3coaching.com/Articles/t3_infamousRUN.htm

2004-04-08 11:08 AM
in reply to: #17247

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Subject: RE: Benefit of longer crank arm?
Great links, thanks. The last link was interesting reading on the crank legth and srun stride length. On my training and race runs , I use a short stride with faster cadenence, this helps to save my thighs for the finish which I use a longer stride. If I run slow with a long stride my thighs burn. Yesterday's brick I ran a what felt like a very short stride for me for the first mile but still was able to crank out good time. The info gained from this forum is excellent, thanks again.

Don
2004-04-08 4:45 PM
in reply to: #17242

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Subject: RE: Benefit of longer crank arm?
No problems, glad to have helped.
Yeah, that third link is interesting. I've never thought of it that way before, so now, as I'm building myself a road bike, I'm wondering about crank arm lenghts yet again...
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