[mtntrance]

When I went to build my Sir 9 I used a XT crank set with 180mm arms versus the standard 175mm. It been frustrating having the pedals hit the ground more often. I know I can use the EBB to perhaps raise the bottom bracket. I for the most part like the increased leverage but hitting something kills momentum. Maybe I just need to be more strategic when pedaling over obstacles?

 

[shiggy]

180mm cranks are generally too short for me. 182-185 is nice.

Yes! Use the EB to raise the cranks if you can! That is a no brainer.

You do need, and probably will naturally, to learn when to ratchet to reduce pedal strikes.

 

[BrianU]

Just curious Shiggy, what's your inseam length?

Brian

 

[Upchuck]

I use 180's on my SS. It took a few rides, but now I don't have any problems with pedal strikes. Just have to time the pedal stroke and ratchet once in a while. Now fixie would suck with 180's on rocky terrain!

 

[shiggy]

Just curious Shiggy, what's your inseam length?

Brian

Just under 35"

 

[Lutarious]

Yup

I have an inseam just over 32, and I ride 180;s on both of my Single Speeds (26 and 29er). I think I hit my pedals more on the full suspension bike with 175's, to tell the truth.

 

[Nat]

I think I hit my pedals more on the full suspension bike with 175's, to tell the truth.

Same here, on a Blur.

 

[Birdman]

180's here

I run 180's on all 3 of my mtb's (rigid SS, steel geared hardtail, geared fully), and rarely have pedal strike issues. 35" inseam.

JMJ

 

[Finch Platte]

I think I hit my pedals more on the full suspension bike with 175's, to tell the truth.

Same here. I'm running 180s on the SS, but I have a 35" inseam.

I had 180s on my FS, and had to go to 175s due to pedals hitting everything. Sucks. :madman:

fp

 

[Cloxxki]

I only turn 175's on bikes that are unimportant to me. Climbing is a disaster with them, especially with the power on. I have a set on my Surly Cross-Check which only sees flat commuting right now. Every minor orad climb I attempt, it's like the SS gearing is much longer than it really is. I put my power down, nothing happens.
Other bikes are on 180mm and 185mm now, expecting a 195mm set in to try out.

 

[C. Alshus]

180mm on my Seven SS. Inseem is 36"

 

[SKullman]

180mm XT square tapers, 30" inseam.

 

[Zanetti]

Nope, no 180's here.

I use 190's.

 

[mtntrance]

Looks like I wound up...

getting the correct size at 180mm. On my ride today I was more intentional with ratcheting and did not strike anything.

 

[jDubELu]

Dang!

Now I have something else on my list of "have to haves"...

The Monocog 29er came with 175's, and having an inseam between 35-36" I've been curios about longer crank arms but haven't thought to ask until seeing this thread.

I wasn't as concerned with banging into stuff with the longer arms as I was with what it would do to my spin. Do any of you running 185's notice that it's any easier or harder to spin? For some reason I had it in my head that it might be a little more difficult to maintain a consistent spin on the flats.

Any recommendations on decent (cheap) 185 cranks?

Thanks!

 

[Potential Roadkill]

170s, 175s and getting ready to try 180s

I'm running 170mm cranks on my 26ss, 175s on my 1-9 Sutra, and am frankly not seeing a lot of difference performance wise between the two. Recently found a pair of 180mm Sigunos, and figured, what the hell, so I'm going to try those on the 26in SS.
Fit wise, I should be running a 172mm crank according to the crank length calculator I found.
Be interesting to see the performance differences.

 

[shiggy]

Now I have something else on my list of "have to haves"...

The Monocog 29er came with 175's, and having an inseam between 35-36" I've been curios about longer crank arms but haven't thought to ask until seeing this thread.

I wasn't as concerned with banging into stuff with the longer arms as I was with what it would do to my spin. Do any of you running 185's notice that it's any easier or harder to spin? For some reason I had it in my head that it might be a little more difficult to maintain a consistent spin on the flats.

Any recommendations on decent (cheap) 185 cranks?

Thanks!

I am using 180s on my MonoC 29er. Partly because of the BB height, partly because of cost. There are no "cheap" 185s. I use Profile Racing arms and try to pick up used 182s and 185s from ebay.

It took me about 2 weeks to adapt to spinning 185 cranks from 180s. I now have no more trouble spinning them than 180s. When I ride 175 or shorter cranks I feel like I am shuffling my feet.

The key to learning to ride the longer cranks is to emphasize lifting our knees over the top of the pedal stroke. After a few rides it becomes natural.

 

[Sparticus]

No 180s for me

When I went to build my Sir 9 I used a XT crank set with 180mm arms versus the standard 175mm. It been frustrating having the pedals hit the ground more often. I know I can use the EBB to perhaps raise the bottom bracket. I for the most part like the increased leverage but hitting something kills momentum. Maybe I just need to be more strategic when pedaling over obstacles?

180mm cranks are too short for me. I've been riding cranks in the 195mm-202mm range since 1992. Inseam = 36". I don't find spinning a challenge... if one calls what I do "spinning." Whatever. Let's just say I keep up with most everybody else.

--Sparty

 

[jDubELu]

I am using 180s on my MonoC 29er. Partly because of the BB height, partly because of cost.

The key to learning to ride the longer cranks is to emphasize lifting our knees over the top of the pedal stroke. After a few rides it becomes natural.

Thanks for the info Shiggy! Is the bottom bracket on the MC29er a standard 68mm English/ISO type, or is it a BMX thing? And is there any difference between the two? I guess what I'm asking is do I need a special bottom bracket if I decide to swap cranks? (other than ISIS, square taper... I'm pretty clear on that stuff)

Thanks again!

 

[FoShizzle]

i dont buy into the 0.2 inches making that dramatic of a difference "on the trail", but thats just me. Having said that, I dont think 180s are worse for my needs, so I use em