Rusevelt Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Has anyone experiemented with this crazy idea to increase pedal torque power by running opposite length cranks? the idea came to fruitition when i was playing around doing trackstands and stamping on the pedals with my leading right foot, and was just wondering about running 160mm on my left crank arm, and keeping 170mm on the right crank arm. it shouldn't feel too weird pedalling wise with 10mm difference (maybe a little weird) and because i rely on my leading right foot/pedal to maintain backwheel control, again it shouldn't feel too alien in maintaining balance. maybe someone out with some spare old cranks might give it a go........just a crazy thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kid creole Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 it would feel totally weird and you wouldn't even be able to ride properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave85 Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 You'd be surprised just how little a difference in crank length our bodies will notice, I accidently used a pair of cranks with 5mm difference and it was very strange, it would take a fair bit of getting used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel C Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 yh great idea jus look like your riding with a limp!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusevelt Posted May 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 it would feel totally weird and you wouldn't even be able to ride properly.Well i was originally thinking 5mm crank length difference but you wouldn't feel much benefit. but if you ran 15mm difference it would totally unrideable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greetings Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Used a 170/175mm combo (one crank broke so i had to replace it with whatever i had at home).Didn't feel that weird, got used to it quickly. Didn't notice any increase in power even though the long crank was for my lead foot. But that's just 5mm difference, 10 could be a bit different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2sixstreet Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 I don't understand what you're trying to achieve. By the sound of it you would reduce the torque on the shorter side (torque = force [applied by leg] x radius[crank length]) and be very uncomfortable in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cai Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 If you upgraded from two 160's, to one 160 + one 170 - then there could be an increase in torque/power.But downgrading from a 170 to a 160, that can only make life worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Can you not afford the full pair of longer cranks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigjames Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 bigger leg muscles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Better technique and better fast twitch muscle fibres = ideal solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aener Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 I'd get a pair of longer cranks, were I you.I used a 170 and 175, without trouble, for about 9 months. Got used to it real quick, and no-one would steal my bike for a go Haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabiot Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Can you not afford the full pair of longer cranks?I'm sure you were dead serious and trying to help... but that was freakin hilarious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 I'm sure you were dead serious and trying to help... but that was freakin hilariousNah, I was pretty much taking the piss! I don't really understand why you'd only put on ONE longer crank?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Ive run different crank lengths before... really noticed no difference what so ever, but then again my bike is pretty rusty/creaky/f**ked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavyn. Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 I rode a 160 and a 175 for a few weeks and noticed a huge difference for the worse, was so difficult to ride because it felt so weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 This thread made me think of those old school 26 inch bikes, but with a 24'' wheel fitted for the rear. My friend is running that set up till now, because he was sponsored a few years back (till the shop closed down in 2002) and he keeps taco-ing the rear wheel, so his sponsor gave him a 24'' wheel to solve all the taco-ing problems.26-24 set up makes it easier to jump up.Here's some of his videos: Youtube Video -> ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Dark Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 This thread made me think of those old school 26 inch bikes, but with a 24'' wheel fitted for the rear. My friend is running that set up till now, because he was sponsored a few years back (till the shop closed down in 2002) and he keeps taco-ing the rear wheel, so his sponsor gave him a 24'' wheel to solve all the taco-ing problems.26-24 set up makes it easier to jump up.All that would do is increase this bottom bracket height and slacken the head angle...same effect as running a "mock" .. a mod with stock forks and front wheelWhy would decreasing the length of one crank = more power?!Surely the answer is to have longer cranks to increase leverage on both sides....... i ran 175 / 170 for ages and couldn't even tell the difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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