Bicycle Mechanics - Does you gap between you pedals get smaller if you convert from a triple to a double?

Damn typos. Sorry! Mod help for "you" to "your" please? :o

My Lemond Sarthe came witha triple and I really don't need the granny gear. I like the somewhat large spacing between the pedals right know because I'm big.

If I go to a bad-ass Campy Record Double or something similar, will the gap narrow since there are less chainrings? :(

No. chainrings bolt onto your crank not the other way around. Therefore they don't affect the distance between you cranks. Take a look at your crankset you'll what I mean.

There's a product out there that extend the pedal axles.
You screw them into the holes the pedals normally screw into, and then you screw your pedals into the extenders in turn.
At least I think that's how they work.

Other than that, you can also use a wider bottom bracket, I would think.

Other than that, you can also use a wider bottom bracket, I would think.At the expense of hosing the chainline.

just remove the granny

No. chainrings bolt onto your crank not the other way around. Therefore they don't affect the distance between you cranks. Take a look at your crankset you'll what I mean.A typical double will have a smaller Q(distance between the pedals), than a triple

just remove the grannyThen the chainline will blow.

A typical double will have a smaller Q(distance between the pedals), than a double. ..

..Damm that was good carpet.Want some? ;) :D

sorry Sincitycycler my info was wrong if you want to do things the right way you'll have get a new BB 102mm instead of 111mm, Double Crankset, front derailler, chain and possibly rear as well. You could on the other hand just take off the offending granny or just pretend it's not there.

A typical double will have a smaller Q(distance between the pedals), than a triple


Ah, that's what I was affraid of...what can i do to maintain the current Q if I go to a 53-39 double?

Ah, that's what I was affraid of...what can i do to maintain the current Q if I go to a 53-39 double?

Do what Cdcf suggested, get some pedal extenders. Here is an example - http://www.bikescor.com/product/knee.htm

I didn't look very hard, there are probably cheaper ones.

Do what Cdcf suggested, get some pedal extenders. Here is an example - http://www.bikescor.com/product/knee.htm

I didn't look very hard, there are probably cheaper ones.

Thanks. I knew you guys knew your $hit! :)

Then the chainline will blow.

Why?

Why?

Because a triple's chainline is supposed to fall on the middle chainring, whereas a double's is supposed to fall between the two chainrings.

Because a triple's chainline is supposed to fall on the middle chainring, whereas a double's is supposed to fall between the two chainrings.There is a difference between chainine and Q factor which is what he is grousing about.

Thanks. I knew you guys knew your $hit! :)Well. don't crap your pants yet. The link to the pedal extenders shows they start witha minimum of 20mm. The difference in Q in going from a triple to double is not near that.

There is a difference between chainine and Q factor which is what he is grousing about.

I understand the difference between chainline and Q-factor. I was responding to what I thought was rmfnla asking why the chainline wouldn't be that great if Sincitycycler decided to get his desired Q-factor and a double crank by just ditching the inner ring of his current triple.

I understand the difference between chainline and Q-factor. I was responding to what I thought was rmfnla asking why the chainline wouldn't be that great if Sincitycycler decided to get his desired Q-factor and a double crank by just ditching the inner ring of his current triple.Fair enough. That's what carpet for an after dinner smoke will do for the chain of thought. :o Besides being an 'expert', he should have known.

Fair enough. That's what carpet for an after dinner smoke will do for the chain of thought. :o Besides being an 'expert', he should have known.

:lol: Pass some of that carpet my way, sydney.

Because a triple's chainline is supposed to fall on the middle chainring, whereas a double's is supposed to fall between the two chainrings.

Please explain in American English!

Please explain in American English!

If you've decided on a double crankset, your best bet would be to go with a true double as opposed to a modified triple. The reason is that the chainline would be better. Chainline is explained very well by Sheldon Brown (as usual) here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ca-m.html#chainline

If you've decided you want your feet that far apart on your pedals (though I don't really recommend it), I'd look for a double crank with a large Q-factor, and use the recommended bottom bracket for that crank to attain the best chainline. Q-factor is explained here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1991/pages/bridgestone-1991-13.htm, and also under the second definition of the term "tread" here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_tp-z.html#tread

I understand the difference between chainline and Q-factor. I was responding to what I thought was rmfnla asking why the chainline wouldn't be that great if Sincitycycler decided to get his desired Q-factor and a double crank by just ditching the inner ring of his current triple.

No, I was wondering why sydney said "the chainline would blow" after removing the granny. Seems to me the chainline would remain the same.

OP likes the rest of the setup; if the CL wasn't a problem before it shouldn't be now.

No, I was wondering why sydney said "the chainline would blow" after removing the granny. Seems to me the chainline would remain the same.

Won't be correct for a double.

Won't be correct for a double.

True, but it works.

Just pull the granny, re-adjust the FD to preclude that shift and off he goes.

Of course, the OP is asking about Campy cranks so I guess he's not adverse to spending a little $; so many of these posts ask how to do things on the cheap.

To me, it's the pedal extenders that aren't correct.

True, but it works.

So does riding without a helmet.... For awhile. I'll tell it like its is.Feel free to spin any fable you want.

So does riding without a helmet.... For awhile. I'll tell it like its is.Feel free to spin any fable you want.

So a less-than-perfect chainline = riding w/o a helmet?

I think you have the "fable" thing pretty well wrapped up...

So a less-than-perfect chainline = riding w/o a helmet?

I think you have the "fable" thing pretty well wrapped up...From what I see on daily rides, it's apparent that a great many of the muppets have no clue about chainline, and proper use of gearing anyway,but sydney will still tell it like it is and the muppets and carpet smokers can do as they wish.

From what I see on daily rides, it's apparent that a great many of the muppets have no clue about chainline, and proper use of gearing anyway,but sydney will still tell it like it is and the muppets and carpet smokers can do as they wish.

:lol: