I have joined the 165 club

[teeonethousand]

At my service on 2x12 Giant Revolt late last year the mechanic mentioned a slight buckle on my FSA chain ring...nothing to worry about too much but you need to know it's there. The rest of everything is GRX so I assume the FSA was a cost decision and most Revolt riders report many benefits in changing to GRX cranks . So, Instead of new rings bought a grx crankset and decided to go 165 as, at 5'8 and 30" legs I decided it was probably smart to do that rather than 172.5 like the old one. Rings went from 48/32 to 46/30 and a new BB was needed plus I replaced cassette and chain so a bit of a change all round. I did about 32 miles today, first time out, and on one of my usual slightly hilly routes and really enjoyed the ride and maybe felt a few differences but then maybe it was the sunshine and/or psychology. Either way I am pleased I made those choices .

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

At my service on 2x12 Giant Revolt late last year the mechanic mentioned a slight buckle on my FSA chain ring...nothing to worry about too much but you need to know it's there. The rest of everything is GRX so I assume the FSA was a cost decision and most Revolt riders report many benefits in changing to GRX cranks . So, Instead of new rings bought a grx crankset and decided to go 165 as, at 5'8 and 30" legs I decided it was probably smart to do that rather than 172.5 like the old one. Rings went from 48/32 to 46/30 and a new BB was needed plus I replaced cassette and chain so a bit of a change all round. I did about 32 miles today, first time out, and on one of my usual slightly hilly routes and really enjoyed the ride and maybe felt a few differences but then maybe it was the sunshine and/or psychology. Either way I am pleased I made those choices .

I mentioned similar on another thread. I have switched from 170 to 160mm for reasons of comfort and to help with an existing back problem. Probably the best bike fit decision I have ever made. After a few weeks it is pretty clear I have been riding too long a crank for 20 years!

 

[teeonethousand]

I mentioned similar on another thread. I have switched from 170 to 160mm fpr reasons of comfort and to help with an existing back problem. Probably the best bike fit decision I have ever made. After a few weeks it is pretty clear I have been riding too long a crank for 20 years!

I don't have any aches/pains at the moment but I am now in my 70s and have noticed that when I get really cold it's my knees that ache first ......so I hope I am future proofing 😁

 

[Sharky]

Don't forget to reset your saddle height.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Good luck with it!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I hope you get on well with it. I tried changing from 170 to 165mm cranks after spending years struggling to find a set up that really worked for me. It became a standing joke that I was always tweaking the saddle adjustment. The 165 cranks seem to suit me and when I need to set up one of the bikes it is a lot easier than it used to be to find a comfortable position. I wish I'd tried it when I first considered the idea about 12 years ago.

 

[Sharky]

An interesting memory ....

When I first got serious, I was riding a Williams C34, steel chain set. Being imperial in those days, cranks were 6.5" , which equates to a 165mm measurement.

Did some good rides on that bike, but I was too eager to switch to a bike with alloy components, which meant 170mm cranks.

I remember the first couple of races I did on the new bike, just didn't have the same "zip" as the old bike.

 

[travellingwest]

Sorry to jump on your thread but it seems an opportune moment to ask how changing the crank length affects your riding comfort etc? I am sure this is obvious to those in the know but I am ignorant and just wonder what sort of effect it has on the body position, comfort, riding style/ability etc. TIA