how bad is it to keep swapping crank sizes?
03-26-11, 10:32 PM
#1
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how bad is it to keep swapping crank sizes?
Since I ride two or more bikes one has 170mm cranks while the others are 175mm cranks. Do you think it is bad to play tricks on my legs like this and will it negatively affect training?
03-26-11, 10:46 PM
#3
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The bike I currently keep on my trainer has 172.5's. My current on the road bikes are 175's. During this part of the season when I'm riding inside and out, it takes about an hour before my legs feel right on the road.
03-26-11, 10:51 PM
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It won't kill you. I do it all the time and I'm not dead, yet.
03-26-11, 11:13 PM
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From what I've read, you'll get different results depending on length (power, comfort at high cadence, etc), but as long as you don't develop any knee problems, you should be fine. Saddle height and setback might want to be ever so slightly different between the bikes too. I'd probably drop the saddle a hair relative to the bottom bracket on the bike with the longer cranks.
03-27-11, 12:19 AM
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I switch all the time between 165mm (tandem), 170mm (touring bikes), and 175mm (road bike). The 165mm feels a little different for the first few minutes, but I can't say I notice the difference between 170 and 175mm at all. As long as you have the seat height set properly I don't see how there'd be any harm in switching back and forth.
03-27-11, 01:08 AM
#8
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last week I rode my tarmac over 200 miles on 175, then I rode my 170 bike on the first group ride of the year and couldn;t help but hammer it a little and thats when it made my legs feel slow and weak. Could also be due to the 25 degree weather which I don't do well in. Yeah its still freezing up here and getting down to the teens every night.
03-27-11, 07:45 AM
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Between my road, mountain and fixie I have several lengths. I feel awkward when I switch... for about 20 feet. Then everything is fine.
Don't overthink it. Just ride.
Don't overthink it. Just ride.
03-27-11, 07:48 AM
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do you smoke while you work on changing the crank?
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No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
coasting, few quotes are worthy of him, and of those, even fewer printable in a family forum......quote 3alarmer
No @coasting, you should stay 100% as you are right now, don't change a thing....quote Heathpack
03-27-11, 08:12 AM
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I'm not a fit expert, but just switched from 172.5mm to 170mm cranks and did not feel right until I moved my cleats forward a bit. It makes sense to me that cleats (along with saddle) should be adjusted for different crank lengths, so that is the only issue I see. If you're not concerned with having the optimal setup on each bike, then I don't think it will be a problem.
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