Not sure if this is the proper forum but here goes.

I currently ride 175mm cranks and am thinking of going down to 172.5's. I am 5'10 tall and about a 32" inseam. I don't know if that helps or not...I can provide more info if it helps. Will going down to the 172.5's hurt me in any way? I've been told they'd probably actually help me more but I don't know.

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- Zipp rims will break if you look at them too hard
- R-Sys wheels will spontaneously explode
- The ZG crankset will never, ever exist
- Everyone needs Lightweights, even if they're fat and old
- Parts actually made of metal are SO 10 years ago

There are many schools of thought on crank length - are you able to try both and then decide?
Technically speaking, you will lose some leverage for the bigger gears, but will be able to spin the smaller gears easier - what is your riding style?

How long have you been on 175?

What sort of riding/racing are you doing?

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You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.
-- Frank Zappa

I've started on 175's when I was 18. Went back to 172.5's sometime around when I turned pro (20 years old), then switched back to 175's about 2 years ago (24 years old).

My saddle height is 75.5 and I ride 53-39 rings.

I find the longer cranks let me rely more easilly on my muscular strength and can push a larger gear more easilly. Accelaration is hindered slightly with the 175's but as my maximum power has increased over the years, I don't notice the difference when "winding up" any more.

Hope that can help you.

Justin

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Svelte Cycles

the jerk started on 175s when he was 13 years old. when he was 18 he switched to 180s when some old guy told him it'd be better; and since he was giving the jerk the bike to ride the jerk didn't have much choice. sometime around the jerk's early to mid twenties he went to not riding a bike at all so there were no cranks. then a bunch of years later this guy who i quoted made the jerk ride again so the jerk used 180s again.

the jerk uses 180s and 54/42 rings. he has an 84cm saddle height.

the jerk finds the longer cranks feel right and let him push the bigger gears he likes. the bigger gears are great because the jerk is really lazy and he can pedal fewer times and go the same distance.

jerk

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the jerk is always right!
the jerk thinks your stem is too short!

thats a big jerk...

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You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.
-- Frank Zappa

The Jerk is always right.

Justin

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Svelte Cycles

In my avatar pic of me riding in the Giro. I am most likely not thinking about crank lengths.

Justin

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Svelte Cycles

in the jerk's avatar, the jerk's wife is most certainly not thinking of crank arms either. see you have alot in common.

jerk

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the jerk is always right!
the jerk thinks your stem is too short!

I hear you are a lot nicer on that other forum.

Justin

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Svelte Cycles

more obtuse perhaps.

does the jerk look like he cares about crank arm length here?

jerk

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the jerk is always right!
the jerk thinks your stem is too short!

Funny, I was racing for Saeco that year and didn't see you on the circuit. Is that you in the Lotto kit?

Justin

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Svelte Cycles

justin-

i'm sorry if i'm being ornery. i haven't ridden in 10 days because harold lent my bike to a customer on the one day off i took! you should see how awesomely fat i am getting.

jerk

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the jerk is always right!
the jerk thinks your stem is too short!

if i had twice the talent and four times the skills i still wouldn't have ever gotton to ride with lotto so no. plus that is charleroi circa 1994 i think.

jerk

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the jerk is always right!
the jerk thinks your stem is too short!

Doooode! No worries. Like I said before. Buy a Trek 1100 with safety brakes and a happy-vague gel saddle. Spray paint the entire thing black. Harlond will never loan it out!

Justin

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Svelte Cycles

i know...but lotto wasn't even a team in 1994!

jerk

_________________
the jerk is always right!
the jerk thinks your stem is too short!