The point of taking crank length into account is that the leverage of the system is calculated more accurately. Shortening the cranks raises the gear, and shrinking the ring lowers the gear. Both together should have a net effect of zero.
175mm cranks, 44t ring, 18t cog, and 29”x1.9” tires = 4.8 gain ratio. 170mm cranks, 42t ring, 18t cog, and 29”x1.9” tires = 4.8 gain ratio. In theory the two setups would have the same leverage, and in practice... it would be fine. In my experience, you’d get used to the change right away, if you even noticed it. I’d switch. Smaller ring, shorter cranks, easier spin; all advantages offroad. Philip Santa Rosa, CA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
