I am a 6' 9" cyclist. This site will record my various bike builds and maybe help another tall guy with their freak sized bike project.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Schwinn update
I threw on some old 700C wheels with roughly 31cm wide tires (temp sizing wheels), put on Shimano clipless pedals and repacked the bearings on the axles and bottom bracket.
Showing some real progress, thanks for posting these pictures!
As a fellow tall cyclist, the thing I'm most curious about is your take on crank length since you started riding the Schwinn. I've read the research studies and some discussion boards, but after riding everything from 200 to 165mm cranks, I'm still not sure if longer cranks have considerable benefits, or are just a way to sell more stuff...
I have 180mm cranks on my road bike and 29er mountain bike. I really like them on my 29er mountain bike because it is set up as a 1 x 9 (only one front chain ring) and I need the extra leverage the 180mm cranks give me on hills.
On my road bike I suspect my cadence suffers and I am not all that sure there is a benefit of longer cranks.
When I road the Schwinn with the 170mm cranks I noticed my legs felt stronger. However, this I figured out was due to the seat being much lower then I usually ride and as it turns out much closer to what I should be riding. I have dialed in a seat height that is lower than my other two bikes but much higher than the limit on the stock Schwinn.
In all I am really enjoying the ease of spinning a high cadence with the 170mm cranks. I need to lower the seat on the road bike and see if that makes the 180mm cranks feel better. If not I don't think I will do cranks that long for a road bike again.
I will say that crank length preference depends on your riding style as well. I am more of an endurance rider than a raw strength guy. For me spinning fast for a long time is much easier than long periods of muscling the pedals. I think if you can muscle through then the leverage of a longer crank arm is probably more beneficial.
Thanks my take! I will try to write back after I test my other road bike with the lower seat.
Showing some real progress, thanks for posting these pictures!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow tall cyclist, the thing I'm most curious about is your take on crank length since you started riding the Schwinn. I've read the research studies and some discussion boards, but after riding everything from 200 to 165mm cranks, I'm still not sure if longer cranks have considerable benefits, or are just a way to sell more stuff...
Looking forward to the next update!
Good topic!
ReplyDeleteI have 180mm cranks on my road bike and 29er mountain bike. I really like them on my 29er mountain bike because it is set up as a 1 x 9 (only one front chain ring) and I need the extra leverage the 180mm cranks give me on hills.
On my road bike I suspect my cadence suffers and I am not all that sure there is a benefit of longer cranks.
When I road the Schwinn with the 170mm cranks I noticed my legs felt stronger. However, this I figured out was due to the seat being much lower then I usually ride and as it turns out much closer to what I should be riding. I have dialed in a seat height that is lower than my other two bikes but much higher than the limit on the stock Schwinn.
In all I am really enjoying the ease of spinning a high cadence with the 170mm cranks. I need to lower the seat on the road bike and see if that makes the 180mm cranks feel better. If not I don't think I will do cranks that long for a road bike again.
I will say that crank length preference depends on your riding style as well. I am more of an endurance rider than a raw strength guy. For me spinning fast for a long time is much easier than long periods of muscling the pedals. I think if you can muscle through then the leverage of a longer crank arm is probably more beneficial.
Thanks my take! I will try to write back after I test my other road bike with the lower seat.
Regards,