Why Is Vingegaard Using Tiny Cranks?! | GCN Tech Show Ep. 375

This week, Alex Paton & Conor Dunne discuss the absolutely mental 150mm cranks that Jonas Vingegaard has been spotted racing on at the Volta ao Algarve. Is this ridiculous? Is this the future? And seriously...how short is too short?

Plus, we've got a brand-new bike customisation platform from @canyon, new hubs & a saddle spotted at early-season races, new bags from Old Man Mountain, and much more! 🚴‍♂️🔥

⏱️ Timestamps: ⏱️
00:00 Welcome to the GCN Tech show!
00:38 Are shorter cranks better?
02:52 What cranks is Vingegaard using?
03:52 Why use shorter cranks?
04:16 Why use longer cranks?
05:50 The science
07:28 Other variables
09:34 What crank lengths we use
10:50 Hot & Spicy Tech
10:59 Canyon's new customisation process: "MyCanyon"
14:27 Pogačar's silver spokes & hubs
15:10 New Visma-Lease A Bike saddle
16:14 New Assos x Ortlieb bikepacking bags & equipment
17:04 New Old Man Mountain bikepacking bags
18:36 Pirelli P Zero Race Nero tyres
19:27 Zwift Academy Episode 3 drops Saturday!
20:52 Comment of the Week
24:39 Bike Vault

Useful Links:

Is Jonas on to something here? 🤨 Do you think crank length is actually important, or a waste of time? 👀 Let us know in the comments!

Watch more on GCN Tech...

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📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency

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[gcntech]

Is Jonas on to something here? 🤨 Do you think crank length is actually important, or a waste of time? 👀 Let us know!

[yogatriathlete]

My 6 year old daughter is riding 120mm cranks so she's got 1 up on Vingegaard

[ltu]

Don't foget that the cranks should be proportional to leg length! If we scale Jonas's 150 mm cranks by the difference of the height between Jonas and Conor, we get 175 mm. Conor has been riding the "extremely short crank" train the entire time!

[GilbertTang]

I really appreciate that you’re leaving the bikes, articles, posts, etc, up longer for viewers.

[minimedic]

I only 163cm tall and switched to 155cm cranks and love it. But hard to find. Im glad the pros going shorter and shorter will inevitably allow more options for us shorter riders

[JoeyCarbone_]

Pogi: I'm using 165mm cranks

Vingegaard: hold my Carlsberg

[doughicks]

I've been using 150mm for over 10 years. My inseam is only 73cm and after a broken hip, scar tissue and lack of flexibility the short cranks have saved my ability to ride. One great test is to jump on a trainer, one legged and now slowly roll your leg over the top. If you feel a struggle or you lean to accomplish a full circle you probably need shorter cranks. Think about it, if your leg won't freely roll over the top it's like putting the breaks on ever pedal stroke (through your legs). I was afraid of losing torque but was informed by an engineer your not losing torque through your cranks, just use different gears.

[tonyg]

I am eagerly awaiting the 50 mm cranks. Infinite power. Cadence over 9000.

[matthewbaynham]

Fantastic to see pannier bags and racks are coming back.

I recommend using a toe strap as a backup to attach the bag to the rack, so if the bag does come off the rack, it's not going to go bouncing down the road.

[squatchy]

I actually shortened my cranks about 4 or 5 years ago. And what I found is that having my knees come not as close to my body as it used to help me to get over the top easier and it allowed me to open up my hips a little bit as well. And that seemed to give me a little more power

[OriginalTrev]

You see Alex... the saddle has to be lowered when transitioning from 160mm to 175mm cranks because at the bottom of the pedal stroke the distance from the saddle to the pedal is effectively 15mm longer. You would also have to remove headset spacers so Chloe wouldn't notice the change in riding posture.

[monkmchorning]

89 cm legs here. I switched from 170s to 175s in the 1970s because that's what Eddy used, and we're roughly the same size. I noticed my sprint lost some snap, but I felt better situated on the bike and my climbing improved. I attribute that to being fairly large, like Eddy, and dealing with the gearing limitations of the period. With 42t chainrings, 5-7 freewheel cogs, and the derailleur limitations of the day, gearing was always a compromise between gaps, derailleur performance, and having one cogs low enough to get you over the next pass. Long climbs invariably meant drops in cadence, sliding to the back of the saddle, and applying force to 180 degrees of pedal stroke or more. Longer cranks gave me the leverage to handle that. And plenty of riders far shorter than Eddy and I also used 175s: Anquetil, Hinault, Fignon, and LeMond, to name a few. If i were interested in marginal gains, perhaps I should slide my saddle forward, invest in 2x12 gearing with a 32t cog on the bottom, and 165 mm cranks. And find a way to lose 12 kg. But at 73, my habits run deep, and, outside of replacing what gets worn out or broken, buying new cycling gear is a out of the question.

[davidrobinson]

I was way ahead of the curve on this. Back in 2009, I needed new cranks in Thunder Bay Ontario. Long story but I managed to get, from Petrie's Cycle -- great store ! -- a 165 mm ultegra crankset with 39-53 teeth on the rings.
I had a trailer full of gear, headed across Canada to the west. As soon as I pulled out of town, I noticed how much more comfortable the 165's were. And they were the only cranks available in town so it was them or nothing. I'm 6' tall and I've used 175's for years, but would have started out with 171's which were common in the seventies.
I find that it's a general relief on all other parts of the body. Circles feel smoother and more finely controllable. I would want 165's on any bike nowadays. I'm 65 and maybe that's a factor as well.
Cheers mates !

[BikesAndBanjos]

I'm 6'2" and down to 155s on three of my bikes. I think it feels way more comfortable and I know this is VERY subjective. But I feel like I'm better on super steep ascents with the shorter cranks.

My wife was having recurring knee pains during multi day touring rides and we switched her from 172.5 to 155 about two years ago. We've done a number of multi day 200 plus mile tours since then and she hasn't experienced any knee issues with the new cranks.

[luma]

The main point for shorter cranks is the hip angle. And hip flexors. These affect power transmission and fatigue.

[Jensen_MacD]

I'm 5'7 with a short inseam and used 140mm and now 150mm cranks. I'm a fan of the 150mm.

[stevenhunt]

He’s onto a winner! I’m 6-1 or 186cm and I went to 165mm cranks from 175mm….improved cadence, it feels like it’s given me more easier gears for double digit climbs…all my bikes now have 165mm

[silmarillion]

Two other benefits of shorter cranks; I) Don’t scrape cranks on the road when cornering, ii) Don’t risk hitting front wheel with cranks when cornering sharply using a frame with steeper angles

[nmuchmore]

I 6'3" and tried 170 and 172.5 I felt like I just couldn't find the right cadence or the right gearing. I tend to like bigger chainrings and when I went back to my 175s 5239, and 1030 cassette it just felt right so I'm just going to stick to 175 because they just feel the best

[Tedwill-home]

I just had a bike fitting with my gravel bike and it was recommended to reduce the crank from 170 to 160 and it’s made a huge difference. I don’t have any knee pain at all anymore.