jyl

If I get low on the bike, at some point my thighs/knees hit my chest/ribs. (Not my stomach, I'm not that fat.) How can I change my body position to get lower?

gregf83 

Shorter cranks.

AnthonyG

Yes, this. Knees hitting your chest is a classic sign that your cranks are too long for your inseam. What's your inseam to the floor without shoes and your crank length if you don't mind me asking?

Tall people find it easy to get into a low tuck position because their legs are long in relation to the crank length.

Anthony

gregf83 

I think you're asking the OP but I have short legs and a long torso which is not a good combination for getting into an aero position. I'm 5'9" with 30ish" inseam. I use 170mm cranks but could go to 160 or 165 if they were readily available.

AnthonyG

Yes sorry, I quoted you but was asking the OP a question. And yes, I would be riding shorter cranks if I were you. 150mm to 160mm would be good for you in my opinion, depending exactly on what you inseam is.


When I was riding 165mm cranks I couldn't get into a tuck to save myself. With 125mm cranks its EASY!

Anthony

jyl

32" inseam, 172.5 mm cranks.

The bike has a low gear 42 x 26 so I'm doubtful about using short cranks. Think I'd sacrifice too much on the climbs.

AnthonyG

Based on an inseam of 32" then 172.5mm cranks aren' totally horrendous although you could be better off with 165mm or 170mm cranks. Knees hitting your chest in a tuck is what happens when your cranks are too long.

Honestly you don't really loose torque with shorter cranks unless they are REALLY short(say 110mm), Long cranks might have some advantage for a few degrees of the cycle yet long cranks also make it more difficult to get over top dead centre. Short cranks might sacrifice a little peak torque yet they make it easier to move through top dead centre. Its swings and roundabouts.

Anthony

jyl

I'll keep an eye out for some shorter cranks. Thanks!

fietsbob

Cue Blazing Pedals .. low racer recumbent .. head and feet, just barely higher than your wheels .