Are Shorter Cranks Better? The Complete Guide for Road, Gravel and All-Road Riders
Shorter cranks are becoming increasingly popular, especially since riders like Tadej Pogačar began using them at the top level. It’s a small change that can make a surprisingly significant difference to how a bike feels. At Gloria, we’re seeing more riders exploring shorter crank lengths as a way to improve comfort, cadence, and overall efficiency.
For many riders, reducing crank length opens the hips, smooths out the pedal stroke, and reduces strain on the knees and lower back. These benefits are relevant whether you ride road, gravel, all-road or a more adventure-focused setup.
Even Carlos, the founder of Gloria, made the switch. After a bike fit session with Wei at Foundation Bikes, he moved to 160 mm cranks and immediately noticed a smoother, more open position. Many of our all-road and gravel riders experience similar improvements, especially when combined with SRAM Apex, one of our most popular and versatile groupsets.
This guide explains why shorter cranks are gaining momentum, what the science says, and whether this change might be right for you.
For many riders, reducing crank length opens the hips, smooths out the pedal stroke, and reduces strain on the knees and lower back. These benefits are relevant whether you ride road, gravel, all-road or a more adventure-focused setup.
Even Carlos, the founder of Gloria, made the switch. After a bike fit session with Wei at Foundation Bikes, he moved to 160 mm cranks and immediately noticed a smoother, more open position. Many of our all-road and gravel riders experience similar improvements, especially when combined with SRAM Apex, one of our most popular and versatile groupsets.
This guide explains why shorter cranks are gaining momentum, what the science says, and whether this change might be right for you.
Why Do Riders Switch to Shorter Cranks?
Shorter cranks can address several common comfort and performance issues. The most widely reported benefits include:
* Reduced hip flexion and improved hip comfort
* Easier breathing due to a more open hip angle
* Smoother, higher cadence with less muscular fatigue
*Reduced knee compression at the top of the pedal stroke
*Improved ground clearance for gravel and off-road riding
*A more aerodynamic position without sacrificing comfort
*Better long-distance efficiency
* Reduced hip flexion and improved hip comfort
* Easier breathing due to a more open hip angle
* Smoother, higher cadence with less muscular fatigue
*Reduced knee compression at the top of the pedal stroke
*Improved ground clearance for gravel and off-road riding
*A more aerodynamic position without sacrificing comfort
*Better long-distance efficiency
The Science Behind It
The biomechanics of crank length are well-studied, and the findings are consistent across research and bike-fit practice.
Shorter crank lengths have been shown to have little effect on overall power output, as riders naturally adjust their cadence to maintain the same level of work. In practice, a shorter lever often allows a slightly higher and more comfortable cadence, which helps distribute muscular effort more evenly and can improve sustainability over longer efforts.
From a biomechanical perspective, shorter cranks reduce the degree of hip flexion at the top of the pedal stroke, meaning the hip remains more open. This reduction in joint compression can decrease stress on the hip flexors and lower back, and may improve comfort and efficiency, particularly for riders who spend long periods seated or riding in more forward positions.
→ Explore the Gloria All-Road
Shorter crank lengths have been shown to have little effect on overall power output, as riders naturally adjust their cadence to maintain the same level of work. In practice, a shorter lever often allows a slightly higher and more comfortable cadence, which helps distribute muscular effort more evenly and can improve sustainability over longer efforts.
From a biomechanical perspective, shorter cranks reduce the degree of hip flexion at the top of the pedal stroke, meaning the hip remains more open. This reduction in joint compression can decrease stress on the hip flexors and lower back, and may improve comfort and efficiency, particularly for riders who spend long periods seated or riding in more forward positions.
→ Explore the Gloria All-Road
Is This Just a Trend?
Shorter cranks may feel like a trend, but the reasons behind their rise are grounded in fit, ergonomics and real-world riding experience.
It isn’t hype for three reasons:
1) Professional riders are adopting shorter lengths for improved aerodynamics and long-term comfort.
2) Everyday cyclists are experiencing noticeable reductions in hip and knee discomfort.
3 Modern bike design, particularly gravel and all-road bikes, benefits from improved ground clearance.
The cycling industry has historically been slow to adapt long-standing standards. Crank lengths of 170–175mm became “normal” simply because that’s what was available. Now that shorter options exist, riders are discovering that they often feel better.
It isn’t hype for three reasons:
1) Professional riders are adopting shorter lengths for improved aerodynamics and long-term comfort.
2) Everyday cyclists are experiencing noticeable reductions in hip and knee discomfort.
3 Modern bike design, particularly gravel and all-road bikes, benefits from improved ground clearance.
The cycling industry has historically been slow to adapt long-standing standards. Crank lengths of 170–175mm became “normal” simply because that’s what was available. Now that shorter options exist, riders are discovering that they often feel better.
A Real Example: Carlos at Gloria
After a bike fit with Wei at Foundation Bikes based in central London, Carlos switched to 160 mm cranks. The difference was immediate:
* A more open hip position
* Less tension during climbs
* More stable breathing in a lower position
* Greater comfort on long rides
This is consistent with what many Gloria customers report when they try shorter lengths for the first time.
→ Learn about Foundation Bikes fitting: https://www.foundation.fit
* A more open hip position
* Less tension during climbs
* More stable breathing in a lower position
* Greater comfort on long rides
This is consistent with what many Gloria customers report when they try shorter lengths for the first time.
→ Learn about Foundation Bikes fitting: https://www.foundation.fit
Why SRAM Apex Works So Well With Shorter Cranks
SRAM Apex 1× is one of our most popular choices for all-road and gravel builds, and it pairs particularly well with shorter crank lengths.
Benefits include:
* Wide-range gearing that supports a natural, smooth cadence
* Clean, simple controls with reliable shifting
* Excellent modulation for mixed terrain
* A versatile setup ideal for road, gravel and long-distance adventures
* Shorter cranks encourage a higher-cadence style, and Apex handles that perfectly.
→ Explore SRAM Apex builds at Gloria:
Benefits include:
* Wide-range gearing that supports a natural, smooth cadence
* Clean, simple controls with reliable shifting
* Excellent modulation for mixed terrain
* A versatile setup ideal for road, gravel and long-distance adventures
* Shorter cranks encourage a higher-cadence style, and Apex handles that perfectly.
→ Explore SRAM Apex builds at Gloria:
Who Should Consider Switching?
Shorter cranks are especially helpful for:
Riders with tight hips or limited flexibility
* Riders experiencing knee or hip discomfort
* Riders who prefer smooth, high-cadence pedalling
* Gravel and all-road riders who need ground clearance
* Bikepackers and long-distance riders looking for comfort
* Smaller riders, including many women
* Anyone who wants a more efficient fit without major changes
They are less suited to riders who prefer a very low-cadence, high-torque pedalling style or riders with exceptionally long legs.
Riders with tight hips or limited flexibility
* Riders experiencing knee or hip discomfort
* Riders who prefer smooth, high-cadence pedalling
* Gravel and all-road riders who need ground clearance
* Bikepackers and long-distance riders looking for comfort
* Smaller riders, including many women
* Anyone who wants a more efficient fit without major changes
They are less suited to riders who prefer a very low-cadence, high-torque pedalling style or riders with exceptionally long legs.
Final Thoughts
Shorter cranks offer one of the most meaningful, accessible upgrades in cycling. They can improve comfort, increase cadence, reduce strain, improve handling and make your bike feel more tailored to you.
Whether you ride road, gravel, titanium or all-road, shorter cranks are well worth considering. At Gloria, we’ve seen how transformative they can be for riders of all styles and experiences.
If you’re thinking about making the switch, visit us at Gloria for advice on lengths, setups and compatibility.
→Want to book a test ride? Email us at shop@gloriacycling.com to arrange a time.
Whether you ride road, gravel, titanium or all-road, shorter cranks are well worth considering. At Gloria, we’ve seen how transformative they can be for riders of all styles and experiences.
If you’re thinking about making the switch, visit us at Gloria for advice on lengths, setups and compatibility.
→Want to book a test ride? Email us at shop@gloriacycling.com to arrange a time.
