Contemplations on Crank Arm Length and Fixed Gear Riding

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Deacon Patrick

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Mar 16, 2018, 4:13:21 PM3/16/18
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In which I ride my single Silver cranks, 2mm shorter than my previous Suginos, and discover the difference is slight yet noticeable.

https://thegrid.ai/withabandon/contemplations-on-crank-arm-length-and-fixed-gear

JohnS

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Mar 16, 2018, 6:45:12 PM3/16/18
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DP,

That's a nice looking crank. Looks a lot like the FSA crank that I bought from Riv about 5 years ago. 175mm length on my QB these days. We've having a very windy past couple of weeks, glad to have the extra leverage when cranking up a hill into a head wind. I've had to use the low gear on the fixed two speed Bendix hub more as well. This morning was the exception, the wind died down, no need for the low gear.

JohnS

Patrick Moore

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Mar 16, 2018, 6:56:41 PM3/16/18
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But what are the lengths of the 2 cranks? I guess at 175 and 172.5 ... did I win?

I use 170s on my fixed road bikes, and only used a longer cranks fixed -- 175 -- on the brief (6 mos?) trial of riding fixed off road. I did install 175s on the Matthews ("road bike for dirt), but that has multiple gears so that I can upshift when I run out of rpm. 

Actually, come to think of it, I did briefly use 172.5 Dura Ace 7410s on the erstwhile Ram, but didn't notice a difference. I do notice a difference between my 175 cranks and the 170s; 175 on the fixed gear mtb felt horrible when trying to spin -- it had a 60" gear, and downhills were torture; which is why I want back to 170s on that bike. And I do notice that I run out of steam at lower r's pm on the 175 mm Matthews than on the Rivs in the same gears.

But I wonder how much of this is due to Q and how much due to the 5mm of additional crank length; both the mtb and the Matthews have ~ 160 mm Qs while the 2 Rivs are at 130.

In any event, I'd rather grunt a bit more up hill in order to be able to spin easier downhill, thus 170s for my Rivs. Jury still out on the Matthews; may eventually swap the 175s for 170s.

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Deacon Patrick

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Mar 16, 2018, 7:00:42 PM3/16/18
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Oh, John! The winds. The winds are a blast! An amazing riding companion who adds mirth and laughter and squinty eyes to the adventure. Will they blow me down the pass as I climb up? Now and again they boost up in a burst of delight only to toy with me and as I quickly shift from using my body as a sail propelling up up the pass to a tuck and grind through the grit sand blasting me face. I’m not as smart as you though, for I’m too pig-headed to downgear for the wind. Though around here, as soon as you downshift for the wind, it stops or pushes you along. Quite the jokester, mountain wind. Grin.

I rather thought today’s ride was a lost cause for comparing crank arm length — which would then mean harder to compare by the time a calm ride came along — but the winds were calm enough in the dprotected crevices and nooks and cranies that I got a great comparison.

With abandon,
Patrick

Deacon Patrick

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Mar 16, 2018, 7:06:58 PM3/16/18
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Patrick, the old cranks were Sugino 175s, the new are Silver 173s. What’s 1/2 mm among friends? Grin.

With abandon,
Patrick

JohnS

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Mar 16, 2018, 7:17:20 PM3/16/18
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DP, I never curse the wind, it's just another aspect of being out doors and enjoying the seasons for what they have to offer.

JohnS

Deacon Patrick

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Mar 16, 2018, 7:25:18 PM3/16/18
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Well said, John!

With abandon,
Patrick

Kainalu V.

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Mar 16, 2018, 8:11:19 PM3/16/18
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I like to pretend I'm not in a grueling headwind at all, just going really really fast...

-Kai
BK NY

Rosco- 178mm
Clem- 180mm
HHH- 178mm/170mm

Patrick Moore

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Mar 16, 2018, 8:29:27 PM3/16/18
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IME, headwinds and non-variable gearing require a considerable mental adjustment but, when you have made that, headwinds are not so bad. And it helps a great deal if you have a riding position for heavy winds that both reduces your frontal area and, I believe just as important if not more so, kicks up your power output, which happens when you bend more at the hips. Together, a mellow, forgiving, humble, and patient attitude, paired with a near-as-you-can butt-back, flat-back position, make a huge difference in dealing with headwinds. And retention helps; I find myself pulling back quite deliberately on the pedals to maintain cadence.

Still and all, mental fortitude and bending over work for winds in the 20 to 30 mph range; when they hit 40 (as ours did the other day, with even higher gusts), lower gears do help a bit.
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