170 vs 175 mm cranks

[RenegadeRick]

I want to get a new crankset but the one I want is only available in 170mm and my current cranks are 175mm.

Will I notice the difference?

What are the advantages or disadvantages of a shorter crankarm length?

Thanks!

[yousmellfunnytoo]

I know I ride BMX but I recently made the switch..

I broke my cranks, and the company replaced them sending me out a pair of 170's instead of 175's because they were out of stock on the 175s for a week, and I needed to ride. (ended up mistakingly sending me a pair of 175s 2 weeks later )

To me pedal clearance isnt that much of an issue as i dont really ride with my feet up and down.

I REALLY like the 170's though, 5mm of a difference isnt THAT much. Its not even 1/4th of an inch. But with the 175s I used to hit my feet with my front tire a lot. It seems the 170's don't let that happen. I learned barspins pretty much as soon as i got them.

They are only a few grams lighter, and I cannot tell a difference between the torque, and I run a pretty tall ratio for speed.

I'd say give them a whirl. You might end up finding more reason to like them.

[baudler]

Put a Hammerschmidt on the Mullet. 

[baudler]

I think his Mullet is a SS...I assume someone out there has put a HS on a single speed...wonder if it works at all.

[Seanbikes]

I've seen people on the web who have run a HS on a singlespeed but I don't think the mullet has ISCG mounts.

[RenegadeRick]

I assure you the hammerschmidt is not what I had in mind. Based on you suggestions, I just may pull the trigger on those 170s.

[Red Snail Racing]

I have run 175 and 180 on my single speed and I did notice a difference on clearance, believe it or not.  Regarding the added leverage, that was slightly noticeable as well, but I quickly adapted to both.

The upside of shorter cranks is that your knees bend a bit less, creating less stress at the top of the rotation and you may be able to spin a hair faster, as the stroke is shorter.

I'm about to start on another build and I'm thinking 175 or 170, but not 180 this time.

[I pick bad lines]

I run 170 on most of my bikes and 175 on my SSCX. I think 170 is best for the mtn bikes for the clearance. I'll go 175 on any road or CX bike in the future for the added torque. It takes almost no time to get used to the difference in length.

[Seanbikes]

Around here I'd personally stick with 175s for everything except a downhill/fr build but I have pretty long legs.