shortest cranks?

[sundial]

As previously said most road bike cranks go down to 165mm. If you need to go shorter, then there will likely be a balance between the how short you need to go, the quality of the crank and the price you are willing to pay.

Sylvia, thanks and I do agree with you. If I go shorter I will have to consider the quality of the part and the price I am willing to pay. Eden got me to thinking about my mtb so I tossed the idea around with my better half and he talked with my favorite mechanic at the LBS. They are ordering in Shimano 165mm cranks for my mtb. I am really interested to know if I can actually turn the pedals with these cranks. It will be much easier to work up to 165's than the 172.5 in my opinion. Right now I can only crank the pedals forward to 9/10 o'clock and backward to 3/4 o'clock. SadieKate, my knees will probably thank me for the smaller cranks. Thanks for the tips everyone. I appreciate your help.

[Sylvia]

If the 165mm don't work, you might consider crank shorteners until you can work up to the 165mm, or just to get an idea how short you may need to go.

I'm fairly short, 5' with a 25" inseam and have flexibility issues. I hadn't ridden a bike in 30 years and needed to get an idea how short I needed to go, so I tried crank shorteners initially.

BTW, I am now riding with Ultegras shortened to 144mm

[TsPoet]

Shorter cranks are common on recumbents. So, they can be purchased. Stonich shortens cranks to order and is very knowledgable about the topic.
http://bikesmithdesign.com/Short_Cranks/dotek.html

[Triskeliongirl]

I think you will be fine with 165s (that is what I ride with). But if you need shorter Lenard Zinn makes custom cranks in any size to order.

[sundial]

Custom cranks or special order cranks are something I will keep in mind. Hubby was thinking about the cranks on a 'bent bike and asked if I wanted to consider a recumbent trike in the meantime. I told him that for now I want to remain motivated to work towards turning the pedals on my diamond frame bike. I don't know how long it will be before I can--it could be within a month or it could be 3 months. I've been told by my ortho to expect to wait at least 6 months before I feel pretty good.

[itself]

I ride recumbent with 155mm cranks. Peregrine Bicycle Works sells a triple, 52-42-30 with the 155mm cranks for $95.

My physicial therapist said the crank length is really important to look at with mechanics. If you are having hip issues, IT band issues, shorter cranks might be a consideration.

[MomOnBike]

I'm riding 165s on my recumbent. After I had my knee 'scoped, I just couldn't turn the 170s I had on it at the time. (Your mental picture should be a glorious spring day, and me out in the backyard unable to make the cranks go all the way 'round. That incident ended in frustrated tears). I'm 5'8" when I stand straight, and my 6'2" father used to ride the same saddle without changing stirrup length, BTW.

As several have said, shorter cranks are out there. They are a Godsend if you have knee problems.