Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Adam You might want to verify with VO about the actual Q of their 50.4 crank.  They list a 144mm Q with a 118mm BB.  I exchanged emails with one member on the iBob list using the VO 50.4 crank and measured a 141.5mm Q with a 110mm BB.   This would indicated the Q stated by VO for their 50.4mm c

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Thanks for all the help everyone! I definitely appreciate the V.O. cranks more now that I've seen the alternatives. I am still mulling it all over, but it seems like buying those and swapping the rings may be the thing for me. FWIW, I've come to prefer more compact cassettes for the FLAT riding

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

On 10 Jan Adam asked: " I'm thinking about moving away from a triple to a double in order to get a lower Q." One option is a 1980's Sugino AT (110/74mm BCD) set for a double, say 46-33, sicne 33T is the smallest 110mm BCD ring out there, e.g. TA Zephyr on Peter White's site. The AT was de

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

VO has a 50.4mm BCD crank in 46-30, but you can use TA rings to get what you want. Their spec is a 144mm Q on a 116mm symmetric BB with a 43.5 FCL (per email from VO). However, John Thruston in AK told me he achieved a 141.5mm Q with a 110mm BB, indicating the VO spec is 3.5mm optimistic (th

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

This has been a good refresher course on q factor. It has also been fun "window shopping" so many nice looking crank arm and chain ring setups. Thanks everyone! Best, Rich in ATL On Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 9:40:03 PM UTC-5 Nick Payne wrote: > Middleburn (now BETD) also make what they cal

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

So, for example, the old TA Cyclotouriste cranksets, which are known for having a low Q, were designed when the rear ends were maybe 120 or 126 for use on frames that could maybe take 32mm or so tires. The stays didn't flare out from the bottom brackets as much as a lot of modern bikes built

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Supplemental: I added a Rivendell chain guard on the outer 110bcd with 38T ring on the inside followed by the Avid Micro-adapter on the 74bcd with a 20T ring. Kim Hetzel. On Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 4:36:53 PM UTC-8 Kim H. wrote: > Awhile back, I wanted to have some ultimate "granny gears

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Awhile back, I wanted to have some ultimate "granny gears" as absolute insurance for climbing hills without spending a lot of money. I came across the Avid Micro-adapter 74/58 bcd granny gear adaptor for a 20T ring. After sometime of playing around with it and getting a lot of advice from over

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Adam, Re: *"...though I'm not sure if I understand what BB will get a specific chainline"* That will be crank and implementation specific. Since this is Riv-centric we can use the concept of a square taper triple mountain crankset as an example. It will require a specific BB length to ach

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

I tapped the right place for info! The nerd crank database is EXACTLY what I was looking for. And Bill, Justus, thanks for clarifying the chainline stuff. I think I get it, though I'm not sure if I understand what BB will get a specific chainline, I'll ask that question once I get farther along

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

"That's like asking why someone wants a longer/shorter stem..." Which could be a perfectly valid question to someone who has stated he has limited knowledge of such things. The reason for the goal may determine the method of achieving it. If the person I actually asked the question of takes o

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Bill, As a fellow Q nerd, this is a really good mention: *A lot of people with 135mm OLD Rivendell Road bikes will set up their double with 43.5mm chain line anyway, thinking of it more as a 1x plus granny setup. Swing the whole cassette in the big ring and only use the larger 4 cogs in the s

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

This one is a little harder or more restrictive as you cannot use a middle/outer combo for a 94bcd double/triple with the 26t and requires the use of the granny ring for most triples, which works against low-Q: *What are options for double cranksets that are around 40/26 or so?* White Industrie

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Adam asked: "What determines how small a q factor a specific bike can have?" In my view it starts with chain line, and a 135mm OLD rear end like a Hillborne "expects" a 47.5mm chain line. For a bike like that, getting into the 150mm range is pretty good. Bikes with a 130mm OLD "expect" a n

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Adam, Regarding: *does swapping the large ring for a bash guard allow for a lower Q? I assumed that would stay the same?* No, in fact this would create a higher Q if implemented properly. Chainline is now between middle and small rings with a bash and need longer BB spindle to achieve proper

Re: [RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Uhh... because lower Q works better for some people? That's like asking why someone wants a longer/shorter stem... Adam, with the VO cranks (if we're thinking of the same ones) if you can get a set of arms without rings, TA rings will fit, which are available in any tooth count down to 26 IIRC. 40

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Since you stated you are a bit new to all of this, I am curious as to exactly why you are so focused on a lower Q? Bill S San Diego On Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 9:26:06 AM UTC-8 Adam wrote: > Thanks, > > Great ideas already. I have thought about the VO cranks, but want slightly > lower ge

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Thanks, Great ideas already. I have thought about the VO cranks, but want slightly lower gearing if I'm going to the trouble of swapping. For Ron, or anyone else, does swapping the large ring for a bash guard allow for a lower Q? I assumed that would stay the same? I'm going to look at the Ale

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Hi Adam, take a look at VO Rando crank. If you can find them, Sun XCD makes their 50.8 BCD and chainrings, which I'm running on 2 bikes. . I was on SJS Cycles last night looking at rings, and noticed they still have some T/A-5 chainrings. On Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 10:15:06 AM UTC-

[RBW] Re: Low q, low range 2x cranks

Behold, the nerd crank database ! I ordered the La Dixna cranks from AlexsCycle and matched them with TA Chainrings for a 42/26 wi