It is now rather clear in the World Tour events that more and more riders are choosing shorter crank lengths in recent years. Not only are normal riders starting to experiment with shorter cranks, but taller riders—even those close to 180 cm in height—are also following this trend. The Tour de France this year clearly shows the inclination toward shorter cranks.
This change, however, questions the conventional wisdom that says most adult males find a 170mm crank length perfect. Actually, many bike fitters and coaches argued long ago about the advantages of shorter cranks depending on data analysis and actual tests with riders.
Still, the public has not generally embraced the concept of shorter cranks in recent times. The key is leverage: shorter cranks usually generate less power output, which makes it challenging to sustain constant performance throughout the furious assaults and defends of road racing, hence perhaps missing out on podium finishes. Still, numerous professionals and riders have at last confirmed this idea following years of study and testing. "On the same course, the difference in CdA (drag coefficient) between 170mm and 165mm cranks is 3.5%, meaning riders require less wattage, resulting in better long-term output," explains CycleFit co-founder Phil Cavell.
Shorter cranks have therefore progressively become the preferred option for track riders striving for optimum power efficiency. Many great riders have also noticed this trend; Tadej Pogačar is a perfect illustration. Examining his decisions closely shows that the 176 cm tall Pogačar first utilized 172.5mm cranks, changed to 170mm last year, and this year firmly chose 165mm cranks. This adjustment helps him to keep a better cadence and lessen strain on his knees and legs, allowing him to perform remarkably at the pivotal points of high-intensity races spanning up to five hours.
Perhaps it was Pogačar who started the conversation about the importance of shorter cranks. By choosing 165mm cranks, Pogačar improves efficiency and increases cadence.
For cyclists, shorter cranks clearly provide benefits; yet, deeper research reveals even more benefits. Shorter cranks can help solve fit problems in aerodynamic riding positions, improve cadence, give greater room between the pedals and the ground when cornering, and reduce lower back, joint, or muscular strain. In time trials (TT), for instance, shorter cranks can stop the knees from running over the chest or handlebars.
Of course, shorter cranks are not novel ideas. Years ago, many triathletes began using shorter cranks. Originally experimenting with shorter crank lengths in the triathlon field, fitters helped riders lower hip flexion and attain a more open hip angle in more aggressive riding positions.
Many great riders still follow longer cranks, though. Vingegaard, for instance, keeps running 172.5mm cranks. Given his height—175 cm—this is really sensible. Furthermore, a longer crank does aid in producing improved power production from the Cervelo S5 with its lower top tube design. Vingegaard said in an interview that his decision stems from his long-standing riding practices. He never felt comfortable with shorter cranks in real riding; hence, he finally went back to utilizing longer cranks even though he had tried shorter cranks.
If you are curious about how changing crank length might affect your riding experience, Jacobson suggests trying a BikeFitting session with professional fitting services. Whether you are dealing with lower back pain, looking to increase cadence, adjust hip angles, or simply want to experiment with a new setup, BikeFitting can help you find the crank length that suits you best. After all, the primary goal of cycling is to stay healthy and fit; if the wrong equipment leads to injuries, it would defeat the purpose.
Shimano's top-tier Dura-Ace 12-speed groupset offers seven crank length options: 160, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, 175, and 177.5mm. The Ultegra and 105 groupsets provide five options: 160, 165, 170, 172.5, and 175mm. SRAM has also embraced the trend towards shorter cranks by adding a 160mm option to its top-level Red groupset and the more entry-level Rival groupset.
Well-known brands for specialized components, ROTOR and FSA, have also taken this direction. Apart from the current 160mm cranks, they have also brought even smaller, more extreme sizes like 155mm and 145mm, therefore offering more choices for female cyclists or those of shorter height.
Though a pair of cranks might be somewhat costly, selecting the length that fits you best is crucial, even if trying shorter cranks might provide a totally different riding experience. You are now utilizing what crank length?
