From a medical standpoint, crank length primarily impacts the hip and knee joints. At top dead center (TDC), the hip reaches maximum flexion, and we need to generate significant force. However, working hard at a joint's extreme range isn't ideal. Shorter cranks reduce hip strain at TDC, promoting better comfort and longevity.
From a performance perspective, shorter cranks engage the quads and glutes earlier and support a more aerodynamic position. The trade-off? Slightly reduced torque, requiring a higher cadence to maintain power. Recently, more athletes have been diagnosed with Flow-Limited Iliac Artery (FLIA)—a condition restricting blood flow to the leg, causing sharp pain and power loss. Extreme aerodynamic positioning is a suspected contributor. High-profile cyclists like Joe Dombrowski, Fabio Aru, Annemiek Van Vleuten, and Carlotta Fondriest have all been affected. Shorter cranks might not be a universal solution, but they can help reduce joint strain and potentially lower FLIA risk—something worth considering for both comfort and performance. SHORTER CRANKS ARE BETTER❤️
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Questions and Answers thanks to BICIdaSTRADA.it
Which saddle angle is the right one? Do we need to tilt the saddle down? What about tilting the saddle up? Do you experience numbness in the perineal region? You can read a few reasonable responses at DOMANDE - Qual è la corretta inclinazione della sella? - BiciDaStrada Look at your web browser for the translating option from Italian to English. There has been a lot of chatting and debating about Thibaut Pinot compressed position, lower saddle during the Tour of the Alps. Changes in the training workload and preparation have had an impact on the saddle position for some pro-cyclists. It is important to remind that from a clinical point of view, lowering the saddle increase quadriceps activation and subsequentially pressure at the knee. Actually lowering the saddle increase the risk of patellofemoral knee pain. You can read more on this at Sella più bassa? Comanda la ricerca (disperata) di forza - bici.PRO
Look at your web browser for the translating option from Italian to English. Thanks to Massimo Iafisco for reporting this article to me. It is helpful to know how to transfer your position to a new bike. The following are the measurements to take: 2 Reach 3 Saddle Height 4 Saddle Setback 5 Handlebar Drop Another way to transfer your position.
Thanks to Kevin Schmidt. 3 Measurements to Rule Them All. A simplified approach to ‘transfer’… | by Kevin Schmidt | Medium Shorter cranks are very beneficial to avoid an extreme hip flexion when pedal at the top position. Also, the short length is helping an aerodynamic position.
www.cyclist.co.uk/in-depth/360/bike-fit-variables-no-2-crank-length Thanks to Matt Wikstrom for a 360 degrees article on how to decide which frame size is the right one.
https://cyclingtips.com/2018/01/beyond-the-top-tube-things-to-know-when-sizing-up-a-road-frame/ Foot-pedal interface is very important during bike fitting. Aim is to transfer as much force from foot to pedal and at the same time allow the foot to keep a natural posture in order to not create ankle-knee-hip tensions. Foot anatomy plays a fundamental role together with shoe. The following two pictures show frames of a video recording needed to evaluate the orthotics changes applied.
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AuthorMassimo Monticelli, osteopath intrigued by manual therapies with passion for cycling, biomechanics and bike fitting. Archives
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