"I pedal at a really low cadence and noticed that going from 175 to 170 that it was harder to maintain the pace in the same gear."
I noticed the same thing, but still adapted, because I like the extra clearance for modern, low-BB, mid-travel bikes. I stick with 170 for trail, and 165 for DH where I don't really care much about pedaling performance.
Although the crank/pedal flex is somewhat of a factor, I think that if you measured the power loss between sizes, it would be negligible compared to other factors going on with a bike under pedal power. Also, not all that deflection results in power loss, since it's more of a spring system that would return at least some of that deflection as your power-stroke ends.
Jan. 20, 2023, 10:08 a.m. - Mammal
"I pedal at a really low cadence and noticed that going from 175 to 170 that it was harder to maintain the pace in the same gear." I noticed the same thing, but still adapted, because I like the extra clearance for modern, low-BB, mid-travel bikes. I stick with 170 for trail, and 165 for DH where I don't really care much about pedaling performance. Although the crank/pedal flex is somewhat of a factor, I think that if you measured the power loss between sizes, it would be negligible compared to other factors going on with a bike under pedal power. Also, not all that deflection results in power loss, since it's more of a spring system that would return at least some of that deflection as your power-stroke ends.