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New School BMX 2004 - Now => New School Park, Street & Dirt => Topic started by: medved on April 13, 2013, 06:24 PM

Title: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: medved on April 13, 2013, 06:24 PM
On my search for a bike to get me rolling round the streets most of he completes seem to have 170mm cranks.

I understand the 25:9 gearing, but why the shorter cranks? Are they easier to jump/ boost with or just for a smaller rider?

Btw I ride 175s on my race bike and always have done so.  Does it make any noticeable difference  or not?
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: Betty on April 13, 2013, 06:26 PM
Makes spinning tricks easier.... allegedly  :-\
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: Peter J on April 13, 2013, 06:31 PM
I've got 160's on mine  :-\

Feel fine as I rarely pedal

Come to the I hardly ride  :-[
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: punkdSICO on April 13, 2013, 06:54 PM
Feel fine as I rarely pedal

Come to the I hardly ride  :-[
:)  I know the feeling..

Paul
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: kev-s on April 13, 2013, 07:43 PM
i run 170's but used to always run 180's only took 10 mins to get used to the difference

reason why alot of people run 170's is because it saves abit of weight, most new school bikes have shorter rear ends so makes sense to have shorter crank arms as when i ran 180's on a 13.75 rear end the heel of my foot used to clip the peg, now it dosent

if racing/dirt jumping then i can see the appeal of longer cranks but on a park bike they just aren't needed :daumenhoch:

also most completes are aimed at kids, who obviously have shorter legs :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: Betty on April 13, 2013, 07:51 PM
Good point on the short rear end Kev

I'm running a frame with 13" rear with 175mm cranks and haven't had any peg/heel clearance issues, must be down to my size 7 feet   :-[

 :LolLolLolLol:
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: hunterdubber on April 13, 2013, 07:57 PM
On a race track is the only place it would matter  ::)

If you are just rolling around streets or riding parks ,

where you just drop in and pump or do the the odd rev on your crank ,it doesn'r matter  :)
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: kev-s on April 13, 2013, 08:00 PM
Good point on the short rear end Kev

I'm running a frame with 13" rear with 175mm cranks and haven't had any peg/heel clearance issues, must be down to my size 7 feet   :-[

 :LolLolLolLol:

lol my size 10's used to clip the dirtbike's peg when i ran 180's on the dirtbikes 14" rear end
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: fugazi on April 13, 2013, 09:30 PM
All the above & some people say You get more 'pop' with shorter cranks, as well as stiffer & less liable to bend.
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: Dark Diggler on April 13, 2013, 09:36 PM
short cranks and massive bars combined with seat/post combos make you look special
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: SaMAlex on April 13, 2013, 09:47 PM
Another reason for shorter cranks is  is its easier to "pinch" your feet (for bar spins) if they are closer together. And it makes crank arm/pedal slide tricks easier.

Or so I have read .... :-[
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: fugazi on April 13, 2013, 10:05 PM
And to add to the mix, a lot of flat riders have cranks as short as 140mm!
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: ED209 on April 15, 2013, 04:55 PM
I need some 170mms for exactly the reason Kev says about heel clippage.
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: garran on April 15, 2013, 05:55 PM
on my morales i had straight forks with 180 flights, kept hitting my feet on the tires and i'm only a size 7 ;D
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: HARODAVE on April 15, 2013, 09:21 PM
had some 170 prolines on my OS bike and they felt great to ride , wouldnt mind giving them a go on my NS to see if i can tell the difference between them and 175's  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: 170mm cranks what's the deal?
Post by: medved on April 22, 2013, 10:20 PM
Well in the end the bike I bought turned up with 175mm cranks instead! That's that then
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