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Shorter crank arms have several potential advantages for gravel riders. <\/p>\n
But there\u2019s a general trend for shorter cranks, with Jonas Vingegaard spotted experimenting with cranks as short as 150mm<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Shimano states shorter cranks can enable riders to pedal more efficiently and at higher cadences<\/a>, while reducing joint strain. It singles them out as an advantage in particular for long gravel rides and races.<\/p>\n In addition, they\u2019re likely to be a better choice for shorter riders and may improve ground clearance a little on more technical terrain.\u00a0<\/p>\n As tends to be the case, SRAM got there first, though. Its Red XPLR<\/a> crankset and power meter are available with six crank-arm lengths, starting with 160mm and 165mm, and heading up in 2.5mm increments to 175mm. Force XPLR<\/a> and Rival XPLR omit the 167.5mm length.<\/p>\n Larger chainrings for gravel racers The existing GRX RX800 series offers 40- and 42-tooth chainrings, which might be a little too small for gravel racing<\/a> and those who ride predominantly in flatter places.\u00a0<\/p>\n So Shimano has added new 44-tooth and 46-tooth chainring options to enable faster riders to spin more efficiently. It claims a bonus of lower friction from less chain articulation<\/a>. That\u2019s not likely to be so significant at the crankset, but also tends to place the chain more towards the middle of the cassette, where there are more teeth engaged, and the effect of lower chain-link articulation and a straighter chainline<\/a> are more pronounced.<\/p>\n
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Shimano’s larger 44- and 46-tooth chainrings are likely to appeal to gravel racers. <\/p>\n