Crank lengths?

[S-Express]

Indurain used very long cranks, apparently.

180mm.

 

[buzzy-beans]

It depends if your pedalling force is a variable or a constant. Most human physical outputs are pretty constant although you can improve with training to a new and better constant. If your preferred pedaling force is constant, then bigger circles are more work. If your mechanical cog ratio is constant, then bigger circles at lower force are the same work.
It is pretty easy and convenient to change cogs.

As I wrote before, when fitting longer cranks then surely the amount of knee movement is proportionally increased: -

"So taking into account that excessive knee flex is directly associated with knee pain and are directly related (most especially with us arthritic old'uns), then by altering the gearing slightly whilst having shorter cranks will be better for your body?"

BB

 

[MichaelW2]

As I wrote before, when fitting longer cranks then surely the amount of knee movement is proportionally increased: -

"So taking into account that excessive knee flex is directly associated with knee pain and are directly related (most especially with us arthritic old'uns), then by altering the gearing slightly whilst having shorter cranks will be better for your body?"

BB

That should be the main determinant of crank size. For medium riders, we have a fair choice but for tall riders all cranks are proportionately short and for short riders, almost all cranks are proportionately long. Specialities-TA offer 155mm-185mm which is the widest range you can find.

 

[velovoice]

Specialities-TA offer 155mm-185mm which is the widest range you can find.

I would be very surprised if that's the case. Certainly the research I did in 2014 revealed more options than just Specialities TA and, given that bike fitters are increasingly recommending shorter cranks, surely even more options are available now? Certainly SJS still sell cranks as short as 140.

(Reminder to self to update that post.)

ETA: If you are looking for a single brand/manufacturer that offers a single model in that wide of range, then yes, you may well be right.