For more than twenty-five years, Gary Greib has been a consistent presence in competitive triathlon and running. Now at 60, his racing history spans numerous podium finishes and qualifications to bucket list events including the Boston Marathon, Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and the Ironman World Championship in Kona. His longevity in the sport reflects a disciplined, engineering-minded approach to performance and efficiency.

Beyond his own racing, Gary has spent the last eight years coaching athletes through his business, Excel Triathlon. He has guided roughly one hundred athletes, combining his mechanical engineering background with a deep understanding of triathlon demands. He also teaches Power Cycle and Triathlon Swim classes at a local health club, reinforcing his commitment to helping others get faster, smarter, and more efficient across swim, bike, and run.

Short Cranks as a Performance Tool

Gary’s interest in short cranks came from the same place as much of his performance evolution: research, testing, and a refusal to accept unnecessary limitations. In 2022, after studying the benefits and seeing no meaningful downsides, he switched from the stock 172.5mm cranks on his triathlon bike to JCOB 155mm cranks. The goal was ultimately to open up his hip angle in an aggressive aero position and maintain power without compromising comfort.

Since making the change, his bike splits have been as good or better than ever, even in the 55–59 age group. Gary credits much of this to the short cranks, which allow him to pedal comfortably and powerfully while staying low in aero. The equipment choice aligns with his broader philosophy: use smart, targeted changes to unlock free speed and sustainable performance gains.

Engineering Mindset Applied to Triathlon

With a mechanical engineering degree, Gary approaches triathlon like a systems problem. Every component—position, equipment, training structure, and race execution-is evaluated for efficiency and return on effort. His focus is not just on working harder, but on working smarter, especially in the aero position where small changes can yield meaningful time savings over long distances.

This mindset carries into his coaching at Excel Triathlon, where he helps athletes identify limiting factors and address them with practical solutions. Whether it’s refining bike fit, adjusting crank length, or dialing in pacing strategies, Gary’s approach is grounded in real world experience and data-informed decisions. His work in the studio leading Power Cycle and Triathlon Swim classes gives him additional insight into how athletes move, adapt, and respond to structured training.

Short Cranks in Practice and Athlete Adoption

As Gary’s own results confirmed the benefits of short cranks, he began integrating them into his coaching toolkit. Since becoming a JCOB dealer, he has ordered short cranks for around a dozen of his athletes. Many of these are women or smaller-statured men whose stock crank lengths are proportionally too long, or athletes who report a dead spot at the top of the pedal stroke that limits smooth power delivery.

For these athletes, shorter cranks often provide a more natural, powerful pedal stroke and improved comfort in aero. The change can reduce hip impingement, improve cadence, and make it easier to stay in a fast position for longer. Gary’s experience reinforces that crank length is not a one-size-fits-all decision—it’s a key variable that can be tuned for both performance and sustainability.

True to his engineering roots, Gary even developed a DIY aero chainring cover for the JCOB cranks. The cover has now gone through four race seasons without issue and offers a marginal aero gain while maintaining a clean, integrated look. It’s another example of his willingness to experiment and refine details in pursuit of speed.

Coaching, Community, and Where to Find Gary

Gary’s impact extends beyond his own race results. Through Excel Triathlon, he has helped roughly one hundred athletes pursue their goals—from first-time finishers to competitors targeting world championship qualification. His blend of technical insight, practical coaching, and long-term experience in the sport makes him a valuable resource for athletes looking to optimize their setup and training.

Athletes interested in working with Gary or learning more about his approach can connect with him and follow his work online:

Excel Triathlon Website: https://exceltriathlon.webador.com/

Excel Triathlon Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/exceltriathlon

DIY Aero Chainring Cover Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1N3gQrbU7W/