Shorter SS Cranks

[northshore]

Many of you already know I converted the old Shimano LX into SS cranks. Apparently the crank arms seems awfully long or the Marin B-17 frame just has a BB that sits so low on the frame. At the bottom of the crank stroke it sits about 1 inch from the ground. Do companies sell shorter SS crank arms so I won't lose so much energy and clearance? Perhaps a crankset that I can convert that is not SS dedicated with shorter crank arms?

[CPATCRASH]

Holy crap! How long are the cranks? 190's?

[Abui]

Originally Posted by northshore

Many of you already know I converted the old Shimano LX into SS cranks. Apparently the crank arms seems awfully long or the Marin B-17 frame just has a BB that sits so low on the frame. At the bottom of the crank stroke it sits about 1 inch from the ground. Do companies sell shorter SS crank arms so I won't lose so much energy and clearance? Perhaps a crankset that I can convert that is not SS dedicated with shorter crank arms?

Shorter cranks will make mashing the gears even harder. Many SS riders put on longer cranks. If you change from 175mm to 180mm cranks you can use 1 tooth bigger chainring (32 -> 33) for the same pedal force. You don't gain or lose energy just leverage.

I'd rather change frames than use short cranks.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by northshore

Many of you already know I converted the old Shimano LX into SS cranks. Apparently the crank arms seems awfully long or the Marin B-17 frame just has a BB that sits so low on the frame. At the bottom of the crank stroke it sits about 1 inch from the ground. Do companies sell shorter SS crank arms so I won't lose so much energy and clearance? Perhaps a crankset that I can convert that is not SS dedicated with shorter crank arms?

Are you slamming into lots of rocks? Otherwise I would not go shorter on your cranks on a SS. I wouldn't want to give up the leverage for climbing.

Maybe try running less sag on your fork if you're running suspension. Or put a 5" fork on that frame. It'll slacken the HA/SA but it'll also raise the BB. I ran a 120 fork on that frame before and I didn't notice any issues.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Are you slamming into lots of rocks? Otherwise I would not go shorter on your cranks on a SS. I wouldn't want to give up the leverage for climbing.

Maybe try running less sag on your fork if you're running suspension. Or put a 5" fork on that frame. It'll slacken the HA/SA but it'll also raise the BB. I ran a 120 fork on that frame before and I didn't notice any issues.

Good idea. Neglected the fork. I'm running a 140mm Marz fork but it has no lockout. I think it's adjustable from 100 to 140.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by northshore

Good idea. Neglected the fork. I'm running a 140mm Marz fork but it has no lockout. I think it's adjustable from 100 to 140.

Are you running it at 140mm! Wow are you running 175mm cranks? Hmm, maybe they changed the geometry on this frame since I had my B17.

Post up a pic please.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Are you running it at 140mm! Wow are you running 175mm cranks? Hmm, maybe they changed the geometry on this frame since I had my B17.

Post up a pic please.

I rarely run it at 140 so I can climb. Here are a few pics but none of them are updated. P.S. yes I do sometimes smash rocks, trees, people, trash cans, etc but that's my own damn fault since I'm not a seasoned rider.

[houseofmusic]

I want to go 180 for my crank too, however my 175 is already bashing all kind of rocks everytime i go down rock-it and lynx. blah

[Pho'dUp]

Here's mine with a 125mm Psylo up front to compare. Have you ever owned a Hardtail before? Because the BB height on Hardtails are usually lower than FS bikes. You know, no suspension to compensate for?

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Here's mine with a 125mm Psylo up front to compare. Have you ever owned a Hardtail before? Because the BB height on Hardtails are usually lower than FS bikes. You know, no suspension to compensate for?

I had a full rigid Diamond Back multispeed back during college. I don't recall smacking stuff on that bike but I probably wasn't paying attention back then. I'll try running it at the 100mm setting to see if that helps.

[J_Sims]

Your problem is very evident... your wheels are tooo small. try some 29" hoops

[northshore]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Your problem is very evident... your wheels are tooo small. try some 29" hoops

I'm not into the 29er scene. I tend to side towards the views of a 26er is allot more fun to ride, huck, tear up etc, (cause I grew up on BMX bikes). Back to the thread....

[Rockinthecasbah]

on a SS it might be worth it just watch your pedal position and try to keep them level in the turns and bumps/hucks/jumps/ladders/teeter todders/wallrides/dragons