Hi,
So I've got a new mega frame, which I've just put some old 175mm xt cranks on.
I'm noticing though that my heels are hitting the seatstays when pedaling, and moving around whilst descending, so want to sort this out. I've never had this on any other bikes.
I'll buy new slimmer shoes, but also want to put on some 165mm cranks, as I've read about other benefits to shorter cranks as well as hoping that they'll help with the above.
Does anyone know what chainline etc I'd need? And if anyone knows where I can buy 165mm Shimano cranks, that'd be great!
Thanks!
According to the Nukeproof website chainline is 52mm.
Not sure where you could get 165 Shimano cranks - have you tried www.freewheel.co.uk or one of the German sites?
Lot of brands have their chainline adjusted by the chainring though, so chainlien still leaves feet in the same place, it's q-factor that will widen the stance
I'd be looking at changing the pedals to bigger qfactor either by replacing those or the axles in place of the shoes.
Not sure about the benefits plural of shorter cranks, about the only genuine benefit is less pedal strike. Beyond that anything else is going to be an issue of preference - so it might benefit you it might hinder you or, more likely, you'll not notice at all after an hour.
What pedals do you currently run - flats or clipless?
Shorter cranks would help a bit, but I imagine more gain would be from pedals that place your feet further from the crank arms, i.e. wider Q factor as mentioned by others.
If you do decide to try shorter cranks, Race Face also have models with 24mm axle that are interchangeable with Shimano, i.e. HT2 BBs. Something like the Ride or Aeffect crank is available in 165mm.
Shimano SLX cranks in 165mm, noting they don't come with a chainring, so order both.
Work fine on my Boost Cotic.
Thanks,
I've read a few articles about running shorter cranks, and theres a fair bit of evidence that they can also help with knee and hip pain, which I sometimes suffer, and there don't seem to be any real negatives so I'm definitely wanting to try them. I don't really suffer many pedal strikes, but anything that helps with that is a bonus!
I'm currently using nukeproof horizon SPD pedals. Increasing the Q factor would definitely be beneficial as well I think. Any suggestions for helping with that?
I don’t really suffer many pedal strikes, but anything that helps with that is a bonus!
Another bonus of shorter cranks is that you can run a softer rear end, ie more sag.
What about some pedal extenders to put your feet further outboard. You can pick them up for about a tenner so not a massive outlay to test if that works.
I’m currently using nukeproof horizon SPD pedals. Increasing the Q factor would definitely be beneficial as well I think. Any suggestions for helping with that?
I think horizons already have about the widest Q factor of any spd pedal - I looked this up previously as with spds I have a slightly wonky left foot and I squeak my left toe against my cranks sometimes.
I wonder if you have either narrow Q factor cranks or have the bb spacing incorrect - is it just 1 side of both sides of the bike you are catching the seatstays?
