A road/fixie/SS crank question

[Jack Brunk]

OK,
Am I better off going with a 110 bcd cranks for my flip flop rear hub on my hampsten or should I go track cranks? Seems that there's a better selection of 42 tooth 110 bcd chain rings than 144 bcd. Or should I look into 130 bcd's. I'd like your imput please. I just received the Ergott build Enve wheels and the cranks need to be bought asap.

Thanks

[Peter B]

OK,
Am I better off going with a 110 bcd cranks for my flip flop rear hub on my hampsten or should I go track cranks? Seems that there's a better selection of 42 tooth 110 bcd chain rings than 144 bcd. Or should I look into 130 bcd's. I'd like your imput please. I just received the Ergott build Enve wheels and the cranks need to be bought asap.

Thanks


Jack,

I'm partial to track setups for fixed road riding but many folks do it with road based parts. Either works.

What is special about the 42t ring? You should be able to get most any road ratio you want out of a 47-49t ring if you decide to go 1/8" and 144bcd. Have you already bought the rear cogs? Are you planning to run road or track chain?





.

[Jack Brunk]

Jack,

I'm partial to track setups for fixed road riding but many folks do it with road based parts. Either works.

What is special about the 42t ring? You should be able to get most any road ratio you want out of a 47-49t ring if you decide to go 1/8" and 144bcd. Have you already bought the rear cogs? Are you planning to run road or track chain?





.
Only issue Peter is trying to find track cranks in 172.5mm size. I was planning on running a 42/17-18 fixed and a 20 tooth freewheel so I don't have to monkey with changing the chain. What's your thoughts?

[bicycletricycle]

42 is the smallest available ring for 144bcd track cranks, they should be available. road cranks have a different vhainline which will require you to run the ring on the inside position. This doesnt really look that great. You should be able to get a TA chainring in the size you are looking for easily and they are as nice as anyone needs.

[6mt]

in response to your request of 172.5 track crank, here are few options:

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1413

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1371

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=2043

[keevon]

Sugino 75's and Sugino Grand Mighty's are proper track cranks and come in 172.5mm lengths.

The Grand Mighty cranks are especially beautiful:
http://www.buyafixie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/154432307_a010f00008.jpg

You can absolutely use a road crank on a fixed/SS setup, but as mentioned chainline becomes an issue. If you want to mount the ring in the outer position and have good chainline, you can use a square taper crankset with a shorter bottom bracket. You'll need a BB that is 5-6mm shorter than normal: old Shimano 600 cranks typically use a 112mm BB, but a 107mm BB gives you nice fixed gear chainline.

[markie]

Lots of very knowledgeable and well informed posts already.

I have run both track and road cranks. I find that an all 1/8th setup feels more secure and makes it very difficult to drop a chain.

When I have run road cranks with a 3/32 ring and a 1/8th chain and cog it works OK, but I have to run the chain tighter or else I get dropped chains.

If I was buying new I would get track cranks and all 1/8. Otherwise I would use what I had around.

[oldpotatoe]

OK,
Am I better off going with a 110 bcd cranks for my flip flop rear hub on my hampsten or should I go track cranks? Seems that there's a better selection of 42 tooth 110 bcd chain rings than 144 bcd. Or should I look into 130 bcd's. I'd like your imput please. I just received the Ergott build Enve wheels and the cranks need to be bought asap.

Thanks

Depends on whether you want to go 1/8 inch of 3/32. 144 and 1/8 inch chainrings pretty common, 110 not so much, some for 130. 3/32 doesn't matter.

[Jack Brunk]

Seems like the thing to do is stay 1/8 inch via track cranks.

Thanks for the help.

[Jack Brunk]

So I ordered the following stuff:

Sugino 75 cranks 144 bcd in silver
Sugino Zen Racing 44 tooth chain ring
Sugino 75 109mm BB
Sugino chain bolts
Phil Wood 19 tooth cog
White Ind. 21 tooth free wheel

This combo gives me the same gear inches compared to what I was going to use.

Only parts I need now are bars, stem and head set. I'm thinking Acros head set, Easton EC90 bars and Enve stem.

[Peter B]

Good choices Jack. Just be careful with those 172.5 arms if your frame has much more than 65mm BB drop. I don't want to hear about a high side from a pedal strike.

[rustychisel]

Good choices Jack. Just be careful with those 172.5 arms if your frame has much more than 65mm BB drop. I don't want to hear about a high side from a pedal strike.

He wouldn't fall for that old chestnut, would he? :beer:

Actually the pedal usually catches momentarily, lifts the rear wheel and deposits it about 10cm outside, putting you deeper into the turn... you usually catch it after a *** moment.

Have to be very unlucky to highside it, is my experience.

[Jack Brunk]

Good choices Jack. Just be careful with those 172.5 arms if your frame has much more than 65mm BB drop. I don't want to hear about a high side from a pedal strike.
I'll pay attention. Drop is 72mm. I probably won't be going fast enough or leaning over enough to cause a issue.

[bambam]

If you do feel like a pedal strike is comming. you can always put your outer thight on the saddle and slide to the inside while holding the bike as upright as you need to(ala superbike riders). Granted you can't slide too much but that little bit might help.

good selection in crank. I have a Bianchi pista that came with a 110 bcd and 3/32. Went to a 75 and 1/8. I noticed the difference imediately. The 10 felt soft and flexible while the 75's in the 144bcd felt sturdy and transfered power well. I was alway wondering if I was going to fold that chainring on the 110 bcd when I was applying lot of torque.