Which shorter crank arms?

samjlevy

Active member
Jan 27, 2023
116
139
Manchester UK
I have a Whyte E-160 RSX, love the bike but trying to reduce the number of pedal strikes I’m getting. Thinking of going to either 150mm or 155mm crank arms.

Any advice on which would be better and what crank arms to look at would be great.
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,105
4,635
Weymouth
I fitted mine to my 2020 E180 RS..............I also have the E160 RSX but have no problem with pedal strikes on that bike.

I bought them for the E180 primarilly due to having to be so careful to a void pedal strikes..........and to better enable full pedal strokes instead of half strokes on some technical climbs etc. They achieved all of that but also had a suprising additional benefit. The E180 is not the best pedalling machine due to its super plush long travel suspension etc but changing to the 155mm cranks I immediately noticed the bike was easier to accelerate from a standstill or when momentum had been lost ( e.g stopping pedalling to avoid spinning out the back wheel on a climb). I believe the reason is that because on an EMTB we apply most rider pedal input from the 12 oclock to 4 oclock positions and because 155m cranks reduce the radius it is easier to push the pedal past 12 oclock. Whatever, it has made a big improvement on that bike.
To be honest I see no reason to follow suit on the E160RSX.
 
Last edited:

samjlevy

Active member
Jan 27, 2023
116
139
Manchester UK
Thanks! Ended up ordering the Hope 155’s.

Another question, how can you tell if the flip chip is in the high or low position?
 

Mikerb

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
May 16, 2019
6,105
4,635
Weymouth
High and Low (H/L) is marked on the shock yoke. If the H line aligns with the bottom edge of the shock lower mount..the bike is in the high position. If it aligns with the L it is in the low position. I use the bike in the High position.....I think that is how they assembled by default.
 

samjlevy

Active member
Jan 27, 2023
116
139
Manchester UK
High and Low (H/L) is marked on the shock yoke. If the H line aligns with the bottom edge of the shock lower mount..the bike is in the high position. If it aligns with the L it is in the low position. I use the bike in the High position.....I think that is how they assembled by default.
Thanks!

How do you change the height? I don’t want to right now but would be good to know.
 

EMTBSEAN

Well-known member
Subscriber
Feb 20, 2020
844
573
Sheffield
I noticed an immediate improvement on my 155mm crank arms, do a Google search but make sure you buy ebike specific ones 😉
 

Hobo Mikey

E*POWAH Elite
Subscriber
May 22, 2020
948
2,476
Where ever
Good on ya mate, are you gonna keep it a secret 😉
Until the postman dumps it on the door. Too late then it’s mine. 👍 Earache is only temporary, the bruises last a bit longer though. :ROFLMAO:Only joking the wife’s cool with me and my bikes and bits, keeps me happy. (y)
 

EMTB Forums

Since 2018

The World's largest electric mountain bike community.

518K
Messages
25,444
Members
Join Our Community

Latest articles


Top