Yesterday I changed it to 165 and felt a difference, so
I'm writing this review in the hope that it will be of some help to other riders who experience similar discomfort.
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■ Rider
Height 173 cm / Weight 81~82 kg
Low flexibility / Tight hamstrings / Slightly anterior pelvic tilt
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■ Introduction to Cycling
2019
Specialized Allez Sprint 52 size
I changed from 170 to 165 after 4~5 months of cycling.
At that time, there was no significant difference because I was just starting out, and I only felt a little awkward while pedaling.
However, looking back now, it seems like the most comfortable period I've ever ridden.
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■ Bike Change
2021
Reacto XXS size
The standard crank arm length was 165mm.
Although the crank arm length was a good fit, I always struggled to breathe because I chose a smaller size than necessary for sit-bone comfort.
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■ Current Bike
Supersix Evo 3rd generation 51 size
Standard crank arm length 170mm
After taking a break from cycling for over a year, I initially felt nothing.
I didn't feel much difference compared to 165mm, and I actually thought it was better for applying strong torque.
However, even after getting fitted, the pain areas kept changing (feet, pelvis, waist), and I felt more tired on long rides than with the Reacto.
Especially, my hip pain was severe after riding.
I felt a lot of strain on my hips and thighs while riding.
It was difficult to increase my cadence, and I maintained it around 80~85.
To maintain over 90, I needed more energy, which also increased my heart rate.
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■ After Changing to 165mm
My biggest concern when changing was the reduction in torque and awkward pedaling.
I only rode for a short distance of less than 5km, but here are my impressions:
Pedaling became as familiar as it was when I rode the Reacto (on the Reacto, breathing and upper body were difficult, but pedaling itself wasn't).
Maintaining a cadence of 95 or higher was not burdensome.
The frame size seemed appropriate, so I didn't feel much difference in torque.
Before the change, my pelvis would start to hurt even after riding only 5km, but after the change, there was no pain (further confirmation is needed for longer distances).
In addition, the feeling of my thighs pressing on my abdomen decreased, making breathing much easier.
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■ Conclusion
I also hesitated about whether a 5mm difference would be significant, so I used three AI tools for cross-validation, and all of them recommended 165mm, so I decided to change.
The results are very satisfactory.
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■ Reference
For those who are struggling, I recommend verifying it through multiple AI tools.
If you have similar symptoms as me,
I think it's worth considering changing the crank arm length positively.
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■ TMI
I don't believe in the idea that shorter crank arms are a panacea for all problems or that they unconditionally improve performance.
However, from a fitting perspective,
if you feel that your crank arm is too long, or if you have similar symptoms, I think it's worth considering.
