Crank length and restricted gears

[swuzzlebubble]

Would there be any merit to consider the extra leverage of longer cranks as a 'work-around' for junior restricted gearing?
IE for a rider perhaps not quite able to get on top of his gearing?
Saddle down and forward to maintain height and (relative) KOPS.

If generally not, would a hill-climb event perhaps be a specifc exception?
Also wondering about any advantage for short held start events?

I would be looking at switching from 150 to 172.5

Cheers

 

[simo1733]

Normally restricted gears will mean that you have to ride at a higher cadence.Increaseing your crank lenght will make this more difficult.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Well its only a "higher" cadence if your optimal gearing would be higher than the restriction.
But then if optimum was lower gearing you would just use that, but needing an even higher cadence.
Guess I'm wondering if a longer crank could help push a bigger gear fast enough.
If the rider is say lighter/weaker/bottom age they may not be able to spin the gear fast enough, or accelerate fast enough.
Have spoken to club "coaches" and they tend to suggest suck it up and learn to push the gearing "cos they're going to have to push bigger when the're older"

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Limiters are metabolic, not force.

 

[CoachFergie]

limiters are metabolic, not force.

damn it, where is the like button!!!

 

[CoachFergie]

damn it, where is the like button!!!

damn it i unleashed the fury of caps locked and was denied!!!

Edit (twice)

 

[42x16ss]

Most juniors on restricted gears wouldn't be tall enough to justify longer cranks and with the decreased resistance the extra force wouldn't be necessary.

Edit: Beaten by Alex and Fergie!

 

[FrankDay]

Would there be any merit to consider the extra leverage of longer cranks as a 'work-around' for junior restricted gearing?
IE for a rider perhaps not quite able to get on top of his gearing?
Saddle down and forward to maintain height and (relative) KOPS.

If generally not, would a hill-climb event perhaps be a specifc exception?
Also wondering about any advantage for short held start events?

I would be looking at switching from 150 to 172.5

Cheers

From a science perspective, there is no justification to going longer to increase power for climbing. Climbing is all about power. Here is the result of a study looking at the effect of crank length on power IN ADULTS.

One would think in juniors, who are presumably shorter, everything would be shifted to the left. I would think shorter than longer (depending on the size of the rider). The problem with climbing with short cranks is the need to keep the cadence up to maintain power. This is easily fixed by changing the gearing on the bike. Think compact chain rings or a triple set-up should solve the problem.