crank length versus cadence?

Unicycles and Equipment
1

I have experience with a 24" wheel with crank lengths of 125, 150 and
170 mm. I haven’t timed my max cadence (RPM) on each, but I definitely
observed that smaller cranks allow higher cadence. Common knowledge of
course. But does someone have quantitative data?

Using the 125’s, a cadence of 130-140 RPM feels safe, but any higher
and a UPD would be a matter of time. What would be a sensible next
crank size down (110? 100?) and what to expect of max cadence then?

Why am I asking? Since the Beest now takes all the MUni duties, I want
to customise my other 24" wheel for some more distance-riding (5 - 10
miles I mean). Flat roads. Larger-wheel uni is on the wish-list for
later.

Klaas Bil

If you had this signature, I have forged it.

2

I’m no expert on this but Roger Davies has this spreadsheet that may be of interest to you.

http://www.unicycle.uk.com/cranklength.xls

Gary

3

Re: crank length versus cadence?

Hey Klaas,
For IUF sanctioned track events 125 is the minimum crank length permitted. This said, at this crank length acheiving a smooth cadence of 200+ is possible, it just takes some practice.

It is my belief that there is a point at which skill becomes the defining factor of one’s maximum speed on a uni. An individual can have all the physical ability in the world, but if they can’t crank it out smoothly they won’t be in the race.

You could go to 110’s next, but as you keep getting shorter you are going to lose valuable leverage and control that you get with longer cranks. Make sure you take into consideration the kind of terrain you will be riding: flat, hilly, mountainous?
Keep on rolling!

4

I have some 102mm cranks on my 26" and its ace! dead fun, cant stop though :slight_smile:

5

At Unicon in guilford a lot or the Japanese were competing in the long-distance race on 24s and even 20s with tiny (50mm maybe !?!). They beat plenty of people on 28s and bigger.

6

Re: crank length versus cadence?

They had down to 65mm cranks at Unicon in Washington, but said that they
used 55mm for longer races - evidently their long races are 42km. Always a
24" wheel, although I was soundly beaten on a Coker. Wait a minute, what if
they discover Cokers?! Actually Cokers are sold in Japan now through a
Japanese distributor.

—Nathan

“nb” <nb.av36b@timelimit.unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:nb.av36b@timelimit.unicyclist.com…
>
> At Unicon in guilford a lot or the Japanese were competing in the
> long-distance race on 24s and even 20s with tiny (50mm maybe !?!). They
> beat plenty of people on 28s and bigger.

7

I can’t imagine the strength it would take to roll a Coker with 55mm cranks. Wow!

B

8

i want a geared coker with either 55mm or 90mm cranks! that wud be so great lol :slight_smile: