Touring - crank advice on a new bike

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greenstork
12-06-06, 07:25 PM
I'm building up a touring/long ride/super commuter over the course of the next few months. I'm having trouble finding exactly the crankset I want.

Does anyone make a compact double with a 180mm crank length?

I'm familiar with Lennard Zinn's custom cranks and TA Specialites. Are there any other options out there with a 110mm bolt circle diameter?

DavidARayJaxNC
12-06-06, 07:48 PM
Why do you want one with a 180 mm crank length? There must be a special reason and I am just curious.
velonomad
12-06-06, 09:06 PM
Why do you want one with a 180 mm crank length? There must be a special reason and I am just curious.

Because he is a green stork!

greenstork
12-06-06, 09:09 PM
Well, I guess I'd consider a triple as well but the bike is going to be used as much or more for commuting and long rides as it is for touring. I thought a compact double was more appropriate for this type of riding and I can't stand fidgety triples. I need a 180mm crank because I'm 6'4" and I have an 89.5cm inseam.

Edit: A number of people that I trust recommend a larger crank for larger riders, including my bike fit physiologist, Sheldon Brown, and Lennard Zinn to name a few.
valygrl
12-06-06, 09:48 PM
Not trying to talk you into anything, but you could consider using a non-indexed front shifter (like for example, the shimano bar-end shifters). There is no figitiness, you just trim each shift. It takes about 1 minute to get used to it. Also, if you are going to be doing any loaded touring, mountain bike cranks are a great choice, to give you those really low gears you will wish you had.

Cheers.
jens5
12-09-06, 12:17 PM
Although not 180, try a Sugino, 48/36/26/4. 175 is the max they go. 3500 miles a year on my Touring/Commute bike with no trouble what so ever. Rivendell sells them as they install them on many of they're bikes. They can also be found on the net for about $75 every day. Best value for a classic 110 triple I know of.

Richard
Old Hammer Boy
12-09-06, 12:33 PM
Although not 180, try a Sugino, 48/36/26/4. 175 is the max they go. 3500 miles a year on my Touring/Commute bike with no trouble what so ever. Rivendell sells them as they install them on many of they're bikes. They can also be found on the net for about $75 every day. Best value for a classic 110 triple I know of.

Richard

+1. I really like my Sugino XD 600.