Posts tagged Cycle Jerks

When I started riding in the 80s 170 cranks were pretty much standard on road bikes. And when I started riding mtbs a few years later, 175 were the norm. I didn't like switching back between 170s and 175s, so I put 172.5s on my road and cross bikes. I haven't messed with or thought about crank length in decades.

But now there is a new movement toward shorter cranks. Advantages include higher cadence, relieving lower-back, joint, and muscular pain, and a more open hip angle. My Large Ibis Ripley came with 170s (in part, I believe, to lesson pedal strike). I had no problem getting used to it. And recently a buddy of mine switched to 160s on the road and is loving it. I'm starting to think seriously about 165s on my road bike.

Bike fit guru Andrew Weber is pushing shorter cranks--as short as 145s! Listen to the interview with Andrew on the Cycle Jerks podcast to learn more about the benefits of riding with shorter cranks. You can also read more on Shimano.com

Shop for new cranks on BikeList!

Remco Evenepoel won Liège-Bastogne-Liège for a second time last weekend, but all anyone can talk about were his shorts! Hey, I'm old school. There are a lot of reasons for sticking with black shorts. Cycle Jerks weighs in on this important topic on this weeks' podcast. What are your thoughts?

Be sure to follow the Cycle Jerks Podcast on Spotify!

This week's guest on the Cycle Jerks Podcast is John Freeman, who pioneered dogpacking with his border collie Mira. The two have conquered the Great Divide and are currently in Mexico. Listen to the interview on Cycle Jerks! Photo via BikePacking

My favorite pro bike racer Alison "Action" Jackson danced her way to victory last weekend in a super exciting edition of the women's Paris-Roubaix. I didn't really follow the men's race, but the guys from Cycle Jerks did! Be sure to catch their roundup on this week's podcast!

This week we review epic Paris-Roubaix Femmes and Mens races. Did John Degenkolb get the MALACHI CRUNCH? We discuss this and some rude riders out on one of Beau's rides. Was HE the rude one?

I had a ton of fun talking to these guys. We all worked in bike shops in the SF Bay Area in the 80s and 90s. How much has the bike industry changed since those days? Check it out on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts! Be sure to follow Cycle Jerks on Instagram, too!