Nathan Young wrote:
Are you sure they put the correct prop on the plane? I know some of
the new 172 series were produced with 160hp and others with 180hp.
Although you have to hope the mechanics did a better job - if you have
a 160hp it is possible they swapped props with a 180hp 172.
A cruise prop would drag down both the static RPM and climb
performance. On the other hand, you should notice a few mph
improvement in cruise (unless the prop is grossly wrong).

You will definitely feel the difference when you bring the power up for
takeoff.
The club I am in has three C172N's. One has a cruise prop. The first
time I flew it, I thought something was wrong when it took what seemed
(and actually was) a longer takeoff roll. I looked at the tach to see if
the RPM was low, but it was fine. Once leveled off in cruise, I noticed
the higher cruise airspeed and realized the prop difference.