warthog1 wrote:I didn't like the way the compact shifts, and shorter crank arms suck
Well as counter intuitive as it is, if I was riding a lot of hills (and could still maintain cadence in bottom gear) I would get a standard too, as bigger chainrings are more efficient. Since I can do my current rides in the big ring, the inner ring is just there for when road/path circumstances force me to go slow.
As you know, longer cranks are just another form of gearing. Since ideal leg speed appears to stay the same, the cadence gets lower. I've also found it better for consistency and torque in the past when MTBs only came with 175s. Back then a 28 on the front was the smallest chainring and 28 on the back was the largest sprocket. The first thing we would do is fit a 24 chainring. None of us thought of shorter cranks then.
With ITT, I suppose you've weighed up the limitation longer cranks pose in how low you can go. Other than that, they pose slightly more aero drag. Reminds me of this guy.
“I use short cranks, 165mm, which is also against current thinking — people say you should have cranks matched to your leg length. My theory is that it is lighter, stiffer and more aero, and it operates your legs over the more efficient portion of the stroke, so you can optimise your saddle height.”
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As for the spacers, if you can't get the exact size spacer you want, you can sand one down (a bit) on a smooth piece of concrete. I know a guy who does this to shims for his engine cam lifters. He says it sames him time and money sourcing the correct shim. He is an experienced engine builder with his main hobbies being engines and motorcycles.
One thing I like about Shimano external cranks is the ability to fine tune the pressure on the bearings just with the hand tightened screw-adjuster (thingy). I think it allows an easy and accurate way of getting the preload as light as possible without rattling, which should reduce drag and wear. It seems many are hyped about stiffness, but not many are thinking too much about bearing drag. Then again, I suppose if the majority of non-racers truly cared enough about drag, we would be riding fared 'bents to pick up ~5Km/h, rather than trying to fit into the crowd with the latest piece of carbon with high-tech appeal.