Tommo said:

Feel is the most important factor when you're on the bike don't forget that.

I agree.

I'm not saying shorter cranks are THE answer. Just an answer. 

On the other hand, longer cranks aren't a free lunch way to produce more power. If you like 'em and if you're not planning on a particularly fast cadence, go for it. But to test it, go up by 5mm at least. 2.5mm either way is pretty much irrelevant (apart from a small effect on saddle height). Even 5mm isn't that much. We routinely make that jump going from a road bike (170mm) to a mountain bike (175mm) and most of us barely notice. 

I've used 180mm cranks on a singlespeed mountain bike and I found them awful. They really messed up my cadence when I was spinning. I swapped to 170mm and put on a sprocket that was one tooth bigger. (That is, reduced the effective gear, which is all that you're doing by using longer cranks.) 

On variable gears, you can - and I would argue, will - adjust your cadence and/or your gear to suit your crank length. So if you're not careful, it can be a zero sum game, e.g. you'll stay on top of that high gear and it'll feel easier, but you could be pedalling slower. So power output - and speed - is the same. Mark well Mark's words about power, further up.

I'm on 167.5mm cranks (no particular reason - they came on the bike) and am looking to reduce them further. When you're chained to your one gear choice, you sometimes have to spin. I can't do that so easily on longer cranks.

No particular conclusion to all this, though - except to experiment and find out what works for you. I think most top TTers are wrong to use longer cranks (I think they've just got better engines). But the evidence so far is arguably against me.

But just you wait! In 10 years, everyone will be on 160mm. Or 150mm. And probably 29ers when they're riding off-road.

If not, I'll be the first to admit I got it wrong.  Meantime, boo to the norm!

Debbie's got a 15in Giant 29er on test at the moment. So not just taller folk.  Have a spin on it. 

But I've probably derailled this thread enough. If you listen to Mark, you will go faster, cos he'll fine-tune your engine. If you listen to me, you'll just end up ****ing around with your bike. But hey - it might work.

So its dark nights and colder weather.  For most road riders this is the time to get the best bike cleaned oiled and greased so it can be put away until spring next year.  This saves your best bike from the rigours of wet and salty roads which cause havoc with your bike components.

Also if you have any small mechanical problems on the best bike get them sorted now before you put the bike away so that you dont forget about them over the winter.

Tom has started the winter clothing thread already and is thinking about getting wrapped up a bit more!  One thing when you are out winter riding don't be fooled into thinking you need less hydration.  You can lose the same amount of water in winter and under that warm clothing you can easily lose a bit more…so keep drinking well!

coach…. are rollers any good for you other than improving balance?

thank you.

It sounds a silly question but I was looking at TT tri-bars and would a tri-bar that says it will fit a 31.7 mm handlebar fit a 31.8mm handelbar?

Re. an earlier post….

Running is now not a proplem - Great.

Mandy (my partner) has now said “Of course I will support you if you want to do the London Marathon”

How could I fit this in with my training for CYCLE road racing?

Should I bother?

Are the two disciplines that far from each other that it cannot be done.?

Post edited 6:54 am - November 19, 2009 by Mark G

Matt Schofield said:

are turbo-trainers any good? i'm thinking about getting one but I don't know much about them or what spec to look for in one

Hi Matt How are you getting on with the turbo trainer I lent you?

Good thanks, I've had a go with that DVD it was quite fun, but my Dad was hogging yesturday evening!

It's funny you should mention falling off

There is no set time.   As a general rule though remember you lose fitness twice as fast as you gain it so 4 weeks off would take around 8 weeks to get back to where you were.  But if you have been training for years and used to training you will gain it back quicker than this.  Also 4 weeks would not be recommended for anyone serious about training and wanting to race its far too long (unless you have an injury then unavoidable).

Also if you are completely off the bike now it would depend when your target event is. 

Work 'ard all winter and you'll be back to normal mid-summer then.