Crank Length/Knee Pain
Discussion
I know there are many variables that can trigger knee issues but does anyone have any experience with moving to another cranks to help with knee pain?
In general what are people running (and what inseam or height are you) for road and gravel riding? My road bike has longer cranks than my gravel bike and that seems to be triggering the issue.
In general what are people running (and what inseam or height are you) for road and gravel riding? My road bike has longer cranks than my gravel bike and that seems to be triggering the issue.
What’s the difference in crank length? I’ve heard people talking about the massive discernible difference between riding 175 and 172.5 cranks. Considering it’s 2.5mm, or 5mm in the total revolution I have my doubts. I’ve probably got different shorts that change things as much as that!
The cranks will make very little difference to knee issues ( in the ‘common’ size range). Most ‘short crankers’ are doing it more for the effect of being able to get a more aero position easily. I find shorter cranks more comfortable due to the smaller pedal circle, but that’s ankles, not knees. Your seating position and frame geo, will be more of a driver, for knee issues.
If you're anywhere near Winchester/Hampshire then think about booking an appointment with Vankru cycling.
https://www.vankru.com/
https://www.vankru.com/
I had on/off problems with my right knee (quadreceps tendon issues). I went from 175mm crnks to 170mm. It made a huge difference. if i ride a bike with 175 for more than a couple of longer rides these days i can feel my knee giving me grief again.
Anecdotal i know but there you go. Greame Obree came up with some calculation for crank lenght compared to your hieght, Google it. I found it after id swapped my cranks but for me what his calculation recommended was bang on.
I should say, i had to let my knee recover first though. Swapping the cranks has kept recurring problems away that used to keep me off the bike for a few weeks at a time. but ridng with an injury is just silly.
This is all assuming sadle height etc is correct, i doubt just swapping my cranks would have made much difference if everything else was skewed.
HTH
Anecdotal i know but there you go. Greame Obree came up with some calculation for crank lenght compared to your hieght, Google it. I found it after id swapped my cranks but for me what his calculation recommended was bang on.
I should say, i had to let my knee recover first though. Swapping the cranks has kept recurring problems away that used to keep me off the bike for a few weeks at a time. but ridng with an injury is just silly.
This is all assuming sadle height etc is correct, i doubt just swapping my cranks would have made much difference if everything else was skewed.
HTH
BlueComet said:
If you're anywhere near Winchester/Hampshire then think about booking an appointment with Vankru cycling.
https://www.vankru.com/
This guy is superb. He uses a retul fit, and really knows his stuff. He’s not in the easiest place to find, but if you look for the road to the left of the Alma inn pub, in Lower Upham ( Sciviers Lane, not Alma Lane) he’s just past the end of the road.https://www.vankru.com/
Edited by BrundanBianchi on Wednesday 16th September 14:34
Edited by BrundanBianchi on Wednesday 16th September 14:34
ukbabz said:
Crank lengths vary depending on the geometry of the bike you're riding too. My allez and Grand Canyon (MTB) have 175 whilst my TCR has 172.5 and I think my old cube MTB had 170.
I'm 6ft tall with ~31inch inseam
Quite right. The crank length in isolation won’t make a halfpence of difference. You pick a crank length that works best with all the other components if you want to make a big difference.I'm 6ft tall with ~31inch inseam
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