Crank length

[mickle]

Centre to centre. The difference between 170 & 175mm is minimal. You won't notice it.

I bought a Saracen Conquest many years ago which had been fitted with a 175mm and a 170mm crank from the factory. I noticed. It took me a while, but I noticed. It's 10mm across the diameter of the circle described by the pedal axle, which is no small amount in terms of saddle height.

But you're probably right that it would be very difficult to tell the difference in a blind test between a bike fitted with a matching set of 175s versus 170s.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I bought a Saracen Conquest many years ago which had been fitted with a 175mm and a 170mm crank from the factory. I noticed. It took me a while, but I noticed. It's 10mm across the diameter of the circle described by the pedal axle, which is no small amount in terms of saddle height.

But you're probably right that it would be very difficult to tell the difference in a blind test between a bike fitted with a matching set of 175s versus 170s.

Now there's an interesting one. If it wasn't for the saddle height problem it would be interesting experiment but alas, you noticed because of that. Years ago we had a guy on one of these forums who had a leg length discrepancy and the discussion was about shims under his shoes and all that. I suggested two different crank lengths and that was discussed up and down, left and right, with no formal conclusion. Then a (claimed) orthopaedic surgeon climbed in and pee'd all over my battery and said it wouldn't work. I asked why, and he disappeared from the thread. I still wonder, why won't it work? He with the 10mm leg discrepancy never experimented with it and went the appeal-to-authority route. To this day I still want to analyse this but on the internet, everyone can be an othopaedic surgeon.

 

[cyberknight]

Centre to centre. The difference between 170 & 175mm is minimal. You won't notice it.

oddly i do notice it , mind you i notice if my saddle drops 2 mm