Crank Length: Does It Really Matter?

For decades, cyclists and fitters alike have treated crank length as sacred—often dictated by outdated rules or assumptions that “taller riders need longer cranks.” But recent research paints a very different picture—one that challenges conventional wisdom and brings the focus back to function over tradition.

Myth: Longer Cranks = More Power

At face value, the idea that longer cranks generate more leverage and therefore more power seems logical. But Martin and Spirduso (2001) debunked this in a landmark study where cyclists rode with crank lengths ranging from 120 mm to 220 mm. They found that maximum power output remained unchanged across crank lengths between 145 and 195 mm—a surprisingly wide “neutral zone” with no performance loss.

More recently, Burrus et al. (2021) tested novice cyclists using 145 mm and 175 mm cranks. Riders using the shorter cranks produced 3–5.5% more power at the same oxygen cost—indicating improved efficiency, not just mechanical leverage.

No Major Differences in Joint Power, but Big Differences in Fit

Barrett et al. (2011) and Barratt et al. (2016) explored crank lengths from 150 mm to 190 mm and found no significant difference in hip, knee, or ankle power contribution. However, longer cranks did increase joint range of motion, particularly at the hips and knees. This matters, especially in aero positions where hip closure can restrict breathing, reduce glute recruitment, and cause discomfort or injury.

A 2023 study using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) confirmed that shorter cranks reduce excessive knee and pelvic motion, promoting a more stable and efficient pedal stroke.

Crank Length and Efficiency

From an aerobic perspective, research continues to show crank length has little to no effect on oxygen consumption or heart rate at submaximal efforts. Whether you’re using 165 mm or 175 mm cranks, your engine runs just as efficiently, assuming cadence remains consistent.

For time trialists, triathletes, and riders seeking a more aggressive position, shorter cranks help open the hip angle, improve comfort, and reduce the risk of overuse injuries—without sacrificing performance.

Real-World Trends

Many pro cyclists are shifting toward shorter cranks—not to gain watts, but to reduce joint strain and allow for more aerodynamic positioning. At the 2025 Tour de France, 160–165 mm cranks were increasingly common in the peloton, even among taller riders (Cycling Weekly, 2025).

Practical Takeaways

So, should you change your crank length? Here’s what the science suggests:

  • Stick with what works if you’re comfortable and performing well in the 170–175 mm range.
  • Go shorter if you’re experiencing hip, knee, or low back discomfort—especially in aero setups.
  • Don’t chase leverage—you won’t gain power with longer cranks, but you may sacrifice joint health and positioning.
  • Fit always comes first. Crank length should complement—not compromise—your position, flexibility, and performance demands.

Final Word

Crank length isn’t a magic bullet. But when dialed in properly, it can significantly improve your comfort, biomechanics, and long-term durability on the bike. If you’re unsure whether your setup is optimized, a professional bike fit may be the smartest investment you can make in your training and performance.

References

  • Martin JC, Spirduso WW. (2001). Determinants of maximal cycling power: crank length, pedaling rate, and pedal speed.
  • Burrus B, Armendariz M, Moscicki T. (2021). Shorter crank lengths improve cycling performance in novice cyclists. J Strength Cond Res.
  • Barrett RS et al. (2011). Crank length does not influence joint-specific power during submaximal cycling.
  • Barratt PR et al. (2016). Influence of crank length on cycling biomechanics.
  • Cycling Weekly. (2025). Five tech trends from the 2025 Tour de France.
  • SPM Study: PubMed ID 40464620

Your First Tri Bike

Many individuals get into triathlon with a running or swimming background. Their first order of business is to purchase their first “real” bike. The question they ask us most often is, “What is the best bike to get?”  Like many questions in the world of endurance sports, the simple answer is, “It depends.”  That said, we do have some advice that might point you in the right direction.

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Bike Fit Box Launches Bike Saddle Box

Friends of Science of Speed know that we take great pride in our expert bike fits. Last year, we launched Bike Fit Box to bring that expertise to cyclists through virtual, at-home fittings. Now, Bike Fit Box is introducing a brand new service that is changing the game once again.

Bike Saddle Box is a first-of-its-kind saddle demo experience that allows cyclists to try out multiple saddles at home, on their very own bike for fourteen days.

This unique way to shop for saddles is built for convenience, which is the foundation of all the services we offer at Bike Fit Box. Cyclists can test ride these saddles at home on their own bike for as many rides as they like. They keep what you love, send back what you don’t. It’s that simple – and should always be this simple – to make your next ride more comfortable.

The Bike Saddle Box demo experience comes at a flat-rate cost of $75. Cyclists who opt to keep one or more saddles from the demo are charged for those saddles at a discounted rate following the completion of the demo period. More than 40 models are available to try from top brands like ISM, Pro, Selle Italia, WTB, Prologo, Fiz’i:k, Origin 8 and Terry.

Curious about Bike Fit Box and Bike Saddle Box? Learn more and book your at-home delivery today!

More Fitness = More Food

More Fitness = More Food

So much of the fitness industry is telling you that dieting is how people get more fit. This may be true if weight loss is your goal – calorie deficits are the path to taking off weight. Though, if increased and sustained physical fitness is your goal, here’s a newsflash for you: it’s going to take more food.

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Is A Noseless Saddle Right For You?

In the last ten years, we have seen an increasing trend in saddle manufacturers to create a short or no nose saddle.  These saddles originated in Pro Tour TTs as athletes began cutting the nose of saddles off to make their seat fore/aft position meet UCI regulations. It later caught traction in triathlon due to the improved comfort and is now prominent in the road and off-road scenes.

Many cyclists wonder, “Will a noseless saddle work for me?” Here are some changes you might see if you switch to this saddle style.

Aggressive position

In this situation, the wider front of a noseless saddle provides greater support of the ischial rami and helps to alleviate numbness in many circumstances.

Further forward saddle position

Most riders sit further forward on a noseless saddle. This naturally moves the rider forward in relation to the saddle rails and provides an increased forward placement of the rider.

No more irritation from the saddle nose

For some cyclists the longer nose of a traditional saddle has a tendency to get in the way. By switching to a noseless saddle you can reduce chaffing in both the thigh and groin.

Curious about your bike saddle and how it affects the way you ride your bike? Learn more about our bike fitting services where we can dial in your saddle, cleats and cockpit for the ultimate riding experience.

Take A Seat

As the Science of Speed team guides athletes with custom coaching and when we provide professional bike fits, one of the most frequent questions asked is, “Where should I be sitting on the bike saddle?”

The short answer: there is no one right place for a rider to sit on their bike saddle.

Why? To achieve the best performance and comfort, you’ll find that your position on the bike seat changes throughout each and every ride. It’s all about adaptability. Your riding style, your bike’s saddle, and your own body will determine how your posterior meets the seat. Understanding how these affect placement will help you find the sweet spot.

First, consider the way that you ride. For example, when a road cyclist is riding in the hoods, their pelvis will be rotated more anteriorly or more backward. Due to this, they’re going to gravitate to a wider portion of the saddle as they’re on the ischial tuberosity (AKA the sit bones.) However, as the position becomes more aggressive (as the ride becomes more intense,) that same rider will rotate their pelvis more forward. At that point, the saddle pressure goes to a narrower spot in the ischium causing them to shift forward on the saddle.

Second, take a look at your own saddle! Is it designed to match your riding style? Is it a traditional road bike saddle designed for multiple positions, a noseless saddle geared towards a more “aggressive” riding style, or maybe you are riding a more cushioned saddle designed for fitness riding and a more upright posture?

Finally, listen to your body on the ride. Try out different positions. Get to know what feels more sensitive and what positions offer you more longevity. Do those positions that feel the best support your ability to maintain your desired posture? 

If you’re still struggling, it’s probably time for a professional bike fit. Your saddle is just one element of creating the right angles and positioning for a comfortable and efficient ride. If you’re in North Florida, schedule a fit in person. If you’re anywhere in the US or simply desire a fit at home, enjoy a virtual bike fit experience with Bike Fit Box.

Consider A Summer Transition

Across the world, endurance events are being canceled due to the pandemic. It’s causing more than just heartbreak for athletes who were looking forward to their races. It’s causing athletes to step back and reassess their training for the foreseeable future. While it can be disappointing to see event days put on hold, it doesn’t mean all your training was for nothing. In this unique moment in history, there lies an opportunity for athletes to bank the hard work they’ve been putting in.

Science of Speed coaches create periodized training for our athletes. What is periodization? We’ve got an entire article here to break it down for you. Here’s the Spark Notes version: your training should cycle through periods of building, tapering, racing, and transition on an annual, monthly, and weekly basis.

As racing takes a pause, Science of Speed is recommending this to our athletes: consider taking your transition (aka your recovery) block now. For anywhere from ten days to upwards of four weeks, allow your body to rebuild after these months of high intensity. We often think of rest or recovery as “losing” fitness. This is not the case. In fact, burnout is one of the largest reasons we see athletes stop training and racing altogether.  Training is a time commitment and these transition periods will help you to physically recover but they help to mentally rejuvenate you, which is just as important!! 

So, as you review your entire season during this constantly changing and adapting world, consider how you can also change and adapt. Need help periodizing your training? Our coaches are here to help you create a plan for success — event or no event! Contact us now.