I am setting up my GF Big Sur GS with some semi-slick tires for riding on the road/dirt roads this fall and winter and went out for a spin today. After not riding that bike for awhile,and spending a fair amount of time on my road bike with 165mm cranks, I think I might like to try 165's on my mountain bike. I really notice a lot more flexion in my knees with the 170's that are on the MTB, and I seem to go past what is comfortable or efficient. I keep raising the saddle to compensate, but I am just about maxxed out on what I can adjust there. I have a 44cm frame and a 27-inch inseam.

Does anyone have any suggestions, pros or cons, for doing that? The cranks that are on the bike are Bontrager Select 170's. I checked the Bontrager website and they don't make them in 165's. If you have 165's on a MTB, what brand/model do you use?

Any help is greatly appreciated!