More bike fit questions

The spirit of Grav-lo-cross. No but seriously, cyclocross and gravel go here!

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uquality
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:36 pm

by uquality

I'm 173 cm tall.
Just bought a new Medium (54 cm) Focus Mares CX.
The fit is pretty close to my road bike and feels good.
I plan to use this bike as a mostly as a CX bike, but also some gravel racing and training rides.

My questions is about the crank and handlebar factory specs.
It came with 44 cm bars (no flare). I see a lot of manufacturers doing this for bikes 54 cm and up.
The traditional wisdom is go one size up from your road bike... but most, including me are going with ultra-narrow bars these days.
One the road I ride 40cm 3T bar but they are 38cm at the hoods.
So, road to CX at the hoods difference is 6 cm!
I have a pair of 42cm bars that are 40.5 at the hoods. I think these would feel great for gravel road riding, but wonder if I would feel a lack of leverage for cyclocross racing?
My old CX bike is 42cm at the hoods. Feels ok, but it was my first CX bike, so I don't know any better.
Should I:
a) get used to 44cm
b) find a 42cm (at the hoods) bar
c) use the 40.5 (at the hoods), 42 cm bar.
d) other?
I'm ok with a slightly shorter reach if a narrower bar is the best answer.

The other spec I'm second guessing is the 172.5 cranks (Force 1). I've always ridden 170's for road, TT, CX.
I'm lowered my seat height (~70cm) a few mm to compensate for the longer crank, but I wonder whether I would be better to switch the new cranks out for 170's right away?

I'm 173 cm tall, 62 kg, 70cm saddle height (69cm on road w/ speedplay). Not a big rider.

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wheelsONfire
Posts: 6283
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:15 am
Location: NorthEU

by wheelsONfire

I'm taller than you and i use 42cm width bars on both road and gravel bike.
I would switch cranks to that length you like best, ... which seems to be 170mm.
I use 172.5mm and tried 175mm. I couldn't pedal good with them.
Bikes:

Ax Lightness Vial EVO Race (2019.01.03)
Open *UP* (2016.04.14)
Paduano Racing Fidia (kind of shelved)


Ex bike; Vial EVO D, Vial EVO Ultra, Scott Foil, Paduano ti bike.

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