Originally Posted by
shelbyfv
"Seems" is the key. Your extensively detailed "findings" appear to be purely subjective, certainly no power measurement. Not to mention the extensively detailed string of ill fitting bikes. You might get less pushback if you backed up your opinions with actual power measurements or at least some comparison rides of significant distance.
I think Sheldon Brown had it about right:
“
Too long cranks cause excessive knee flex, and can cause pain/injury if it causes your knee to flex more than it is used to.
I learned this the hard way when I bought a used mountain bike that came with 180 mm cranks. I found that it made my knees hurt every time I rode it.
On the other hand, there doesn't seem to be any deleterious effect from shorter cranks.”
I had a similar experience: over a long stretch of time, I’m more comfortable with 170 mm cranks than longer cranks. Longer MTB cranks eventually make my knees hurt. YMMV.
Otto