I got to try @ruari ‘s 114mm cranks on the 29’’ on a ride up to Grefenskollen in Oslo and also gave his 24’’ with 89mm cranks a try. Now I just ordered some new cranks myself. For now I think it will be
114 on the 29’’
100 on the 24’’
maybe change the hole on the 36’’ from 150 to 125.
I still have to see how this works out in the hilly terrain I’m usually cycling. However, Grefenskollen wasn’t flat, either - and I made it up there without my knees hurting for days.
So, how did the short crank riders here discover that short cranks actually work? Coming from bicycles, I never thought I would ever want to ride anything shorter than 125mm.
I will tell you a little secret [ok, it is not a secret I think I mentioned it here before and I certainly told people like @PedalSprell].
I got my first set of short cranks simply because I selected wrong on UDC. I meant to buy longer cranks but did not pay enough attention and ended up with 102mms instead. Then I figured, well I spent the money, I might as well use them.
They were wierd and kinda scary at first but very quickly I also noticed they were much quicker for my commutes and from that point I was sold.
Thanks for the ride! To bad you showed up half an hour early at my place on Tuesday
A year ago @ruari lent me his 114mm, 100mm and 89 mm cranks I loved 114 mm on my 29er and tried 100 and 89 mm cranks on my 36er. What a blast! My knees couldn’t take it though, so I am back on 125s.
Also I got myself 110mm/130mm multihole cranks for my 29er. Works surprisingly well for Muni! 89 mm on a 24 is fun but a bit crazy with no brakes. 100 mm is a good choice. Enjoy!
you wouldn’t have come with us anyway. I mean we only went there to move your Torker into a more comfortable sitting position. You left it lying on the floor when there was space on your bench in front of your table.
For what price? I would only do it to experience how they ride, but I foresee that I would just change them back to 150mm cranks to make the rides more comfy and then it is just wasting money.
More comfy!? With all those big bouncy movements caused by your legs going up and down so much. Clearly spoken by someone who has not experienced the smooth joy of shorter cranks.
My Oracle 36" came with 125mm cranks so that is what i went for. Later on when i wanted to go faster i got shorter cranks which also lead me to using short cranks on my other unicycles (that i got later).
Considering the amount of unused bicycle and unicycle parts lying around in my basement I’m quite good at wasting money on bikes and unis. (Did I mention that a almost whole Schlumpf uni has been lying around in parts for 2 years, only waiting for a brake that fits.)
I mostly ride on roads or somewhat rough gravel anyway. In case I want to go off road again, I’ll keep the 27.5’’ wheel with 125/140 dual cranks and a 3.8’’ tyre around.
actually the only muni that is bouncy for me is my latest 24” municycle. It actually came with 150mm cranks, which is way too long for a 24”, so I put 125s on that, but still it is bouncy. I don’t feel that on the 26 or 29” uni’s.
The 24’’ is the first one which gets shorter cranks. Currently I’m riding the inner hole of the 125/140 and I don’t see me ever using the outer hole again. Even 125 feels long compared to the smooth feeling on @ruari ‘s 24 with 89mm cranks (riding downhill without brakes was to scary for me, though. Only tried it in a flat parking lot)
If I ever come back to Oslo, I’ll bring my 24 with 89mm cranks and we’ll test this. I’m still convinced it’s faster with a brake if the hill is steep and long enough, so that you cannot just roll out at the bottom.
To bad you showed up half an hour early at my place on Tuesday 
you wouldn’t have come with us anyway. I mean we only went there to move your Torker into a more comfortable sitting position. You left it lying on the floor when there was space on your bench in front of your table.
