Gidday guys.
I have been riding 175mm cranks all my life. The first bike I bought had them, and not knowing any better, any other bike I bought had them, and bike shops just said "you are 6'1", it's what you need". Any groupset I bought had them, because it's what I though I needed.
Now that I am getting older, I am finding my knees are getting sore after a ride, so started researching via the good old internet and questioning if they were the right length.
With a 860mm inseam, all the research I did indicated 172.5 was the optimum length for me, so I took the plunge and got a set of Ultegra R8000, 52-36 in 172.5.
I really wasn't expecting to feel any difference with a change of only 2.5mm, and really thought I had just wasted my money, but wanted to give it a try.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised. As well as my knees feeling a lot better, it just felt smoother. My 175's didn't feel bad to turn in any way, but the 172.5's just feel smoother turning them.
Anyway, I know it's very subjective, and there are multiple formulas and opinions, and what worked for me, may not work for others, but just sharing my experience.
I wasn't expecting any noticeable difference, but I am glad I was willing to spend a relatively small amount of money to be a lot more comfortable on my bike. I didn't make any other setup changes.
Regards to all.
I have been riding 175mm cranks all my life. The first bike I bought had them, and not knowing any better, any other bike I bought had them, and bike shops just said "you are 6'1", it's what you need". Any groupset I bought had them, because it's what I though I needed.
Now that I am getting older, I am finding my knees are getting sore after a ride, so started researching via the good old internet and questioning if they were the right length.
With a 860mm inseam, all the research I did indicated 172.5 was the optimum length for me, so I took the plunge and got a set of Ultegra R8000, 52-36 in 172.5.
I really wasn't expecting to feel any difference with a change of only 2.5mm, and really thought I had just wasted my money, but wanted to give it a try.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised. As well as my knees feeling a lot better, it just felt smoother. My 175's didn't feel bad to turn in any way, but the 172.5's just feel smoother turning them.
Anyway, I know it's very subjective, and there are multiple formulas and opinions, and what worked for me, may not work for others, but just sharing my experience.
I wasn't expecting any noticeable difference, but I am glad I was willing to spend a relatively small amount of money to be a lot more comfortable on my bike. I didn't make any other setup changes.
Regards to all.