170mm crank arms?

[rock]

have always had 175mm crank arms on my mtb - what would be the consequences of changing to 170mm ?

usually the over 6 footers go for 180mm, i'm 5'6" ??

 

 

thanks

 

[Daxiet]

Off the top of my head a slight reduction in power (tiny) and slight increase in speed potential. I have 170mm crank arms, not by choice, but that's what the manufacturer believed best suited the size and design of bike, hence I stick with it. 

[Christie]

Topic of crank length have been discussed before on the hub.  For the full discussion, try searching the tech forum for "crank".

If I remember correctly, scientific research done by varying the crank from 140mm to 220mm found that crank length makes no difference to performance - you generate the more or less the same power, just a different cadence.

[JPW#]

yowzers! I rode a Argus once with 170's nearly died! 170s are what you should use on your track bike.

[Veloce]

Tee hee....crank arms.....

 

Attack, JB, ATTACK!!!!!!!

[MoreTrails]

Hey Rock

 

I got 170's on my trail bike - you won't believe how much of a difference 5mm make with clearance on the trail. I rode 175's before, constantly clipping rocks. With the 170's, over the last 6months i have maybe clipped at most 10 times....

 

And one doesn't notice the difference when pedaling when off road.

 

P.S. Thanks for the shiftes...