Want To Try: 160mm Cranks.

I been running 160s for over 2yrs, and just dropped chainring by 2T to make up for the torque loss. Works moar betterer, and can pedal sections with 160s that I couldn't with 170s. Centered stance on DH is better too, you notice it when you go back to a longer cranked bike. I have never seen a moto with fore/aft pegs to improve things.

It is a give/take, but I'll take it, and won't go back. Back and knees hurt less with the shorty cranks too, important as father time creeps up.

For reference my park bike has 170s on it still, so I do go back and forth a lot regularly, not a fan of 170+.

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Originally Posted by SJG

I been running 160s for over 2yrs, and just dropped chainring by 2T to make up for the torque loss. Works moar betterer, and can pedal sections with 160s that I couldn't with 170s. Centered stance on DH is better too, you notice it when you go back to a longer cranked bike. I have never seen a moto with fore/aft pegs to improve things.

It is a give/take, but I'll take it, and won't go back. Back and knees hurt less with the shorty cranks too, important as father time creeps up.

For reference my park bike has 170s on it still, so I do go back and forth a lot regularly, not a fan of 170+.

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When you say you can pedal sections that you can't with 170s, is it just steep or are there rocks to clear?

I do a lot of steep climbing on edge of HAB and I'm already on a 30t ring with 170s and it seems to be the sweet spot for me. Wouldn't want to go down to a 28 for a variety of reasons. I did try 165s for a minute and it seemed fine but already have 170s on all my other bikes and I put those on the Lady's bike.

When I first switched to 160 from 170, it was "harder" to pedal for a couple weeks, but then I didn't even notice it. I run 160s with a 30T on my HD5, which is the one I pedal the most on. Huge fan.

My wife is on 150s with a 28T, she's 5'4" and the crank length is proportionally correct, and her knees and lower back no longer hurt when riding.

160s basically give you another 3/8" of pedal clearance before hitting anything. I have found it's a significant improvement on a modern full suspension bike. If you are over 6' there's zero reason to do it.

I’m all in. Ordered a 152 trail craft and a ring and BB off planet cycles closing sale for stupid cheap. I’ll report back with what I find. 6’1”, mostly steep technical climbs during alpine season. Really curious to try this.


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