I’m 6’3″ and, like many with my height, I’ve got long legs. For over a decade now, I’ve been riding road bikes with 180mm Bike Cranks and I absolutely love them. It’s a length that just feels right to me. There was a period where I experimented with 175mm cranks on my road bike, influenced by online cycling forums where shorter cranks are often recommended. However, after a few months of trying them out, I realized that the longer 180mm cranks were simply a better fit for my riding style and body mechanics. On shorter cranks, I always felt a slight restriction in my range of motion, something that disappeared when I went back to 180mm.
The same principle applies to my time trial (TT) bike, though with a slight adjustment in crank length. For my Shiv TT, I use 175mm bike cranks. This is paired with a Dash saddle that allows for significant forward hip rotation, effectively mirroring my hip angle on my road bike. When I tried 170mm cranks on my TT bike, I felt a noticeable lack of power, especially when trying to accelerate over short, rolling hills in an aerodynamic tuck. Maintaining speed became more challenging, and that aggressive push over the crest of a hill just wasn’t the same. It felt a bit like being caught in too high a gear on a climb – a constant need to spin at a higher cadence, particularly at the start of any incline on the TT course. Similarly, on descents during TTs, I prefer to push a big gear at around 80-85 rpm to maintain my power targets, and again, longer cranks felt more efficient for this.
Ultimately, for me, it comes down to feel. Bike cranks that feel good are the ones that work best, and shorter cranks simply don’t provide that comfortable and powerful feeling I look for in my cycling experience.
Think about it another way: do you ever skip steps when you’re climbing stairs? I’ve always naturally skipped a step – it feels more natural and efficient to me. It’s not something I consciously decided to do; it’s just how I’ve always moved. When I walk up stairs one step at a time with my wife, I feel noticeably slower and somewhat awkward.
So, that’s my personal experience with bike cranks and crank length. Finding the right crank length is a very individual thing, and for me, longer cranks have consistently delivered a better riding experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what feels best for you, even if it goes against the common recommendations.
