The results of my bike fit are in and I am making some significant changes to my position.  As a result of the changes I am making, my hip angle at the top of the pedal stroke will be too closed.  To fix this, I need to change my bike’s crank. My crank arm is too long.

Last week I wrote about how I was getting an online bike fit.  I have now received the recommendations from the fitter.  I am changing a number of things, but essentially my new position can be described as lower and longer.  The fitter is telling me that my new position should not only be more lots more comfortable, it should also be faster.

The only challenge is that need to change my cranks.  The 170 stamped on my crank in the photo, indicates that the cranks are 170mm long.  My fitter recommends I ride with a crank that is 160mm long.  While that sounds like something simple to change, in my case it is not.

I am a victim of my current choice of crank and power meter.  I have a Quarq power meter and as a result a SRAM GXP crank.  Guess what, the shortest crank arm that SRAM/Quarq makes, is 165mm. This means that to get to a 160mm crank length, I will need to change my power meter, change my cranks and also switch out my bottom bracket.

Once again my bike becomes a money pit.  I have some decisions to make.  What new components should I get?  What type of power meter?  I have some research to do, but I do know one thing, I will make the change.  Comfort is critical on the bike and if my crank arm is too long, it needs to go.