Bike Spec (crank length and cassette) help
I'm getting a new tri bike. Already paid for and ordered. I need to decide on a couple of simple things like Crank specs and Cassette.
I'm 6'-1" tall (currently 205lbs but race weight of ~185lbs) and currently ride a 56cm P3 with 170 length (down from 175 on my old road bike) standard cranks (53/39) and usually run a 11-27 cassette.
I read the old lengthy discussions on crank length when I went down to my 170's from 175 on my old bike. I was thinking of sticking with 170 unless some of the peeps here that went way shorter (say 165 for me) can convince me to go smaller. I was also thinking of going with a Compact crank given my size and propensity to find hills to ride on (will be racing IMNYC this yr). I think my preferred Cassette will depend on whether or not I go with a Compact or Standard. So my 3 questions are:
1) What crank length should I get? (170 or other)
2) Compact or Standard Cranks?
3) What Cassette? Was thinking 11-25 or 11-27 if compact and 12-27 or 12-28 if standard. or some other?
Comments
1) I can't answer on crank length - my 'guess' is at your height (and my height too) 172.5 is right.
2) Compact cranks are de rigueur in haus
3) You'll probably want to get a few different cassettes and swap them out for different terrains. perhaps an 11-15 and a 12-27.
There will be a decent amount of climbing at IMNYC so compact cranks and a 11-26 or 12-27 would probably be to your advantage in limiting watts while keeping cadence manageable.
There are a bunch of threads on this in the forum - you'll probably want to read every post in "The Ironman gearing thread": http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/422/Default.aspx
(2) Compact - "Mo Debbinly!"
(3) I have a 12x27 that I used last year for IMLou and Kona. I spin out in my biggest gear -- 50/12 at ~110rpm -- at 34+ mph. Plenty fast for me to stop pedaling.