General Cycling Discussion - Quick Question about Surly Steamroller and BB height

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carlaftw
04-19-09, 11:43 PM
I've been looking at getting a surly steamroller for my next bike project and have come across a good deal on some crank arms. However, I am having a dilemma. The size steamroller I would need is a 49 cm, but the crank arms that I am looking/leaning to get are 167.5 mm in length. Would this put me at risk for pedal striking? I plan on exclusively riding this on city streets, with the rare possible of it seeing the track.

Are these size crank arms okay to get? Or should I stick to looking for ones that are 165 mm in length?

Thanks for any advice.

Carla

Velo Dog
04-21-09, 07:55 AM
Fair warning: I ride a 64, so I'm not an expert on small frames. But my wife's only 5'1", and she's never hit the 170mm cranks I put on her bike (I had a set in the garage when I built it). The difference between 165 and 167.5 is only a tenth of an inch; I can't imagine it would cause a significant problem. Pedaling through sharp turns isn't a very good idea anyway, and i have the scars to prove it.
surfrider
04-21-09, 07:28 PM
I've got a 56cm Steamroller with 165 crank arms, and my feet WILL strike the front wheel if I'm trying to trackstand (I say try, because I'm a failure at it:( ). However, while riding, I tend to lean into corners, and typically don't pedal while going around corners really slowly, so its never been a problem. The bigger issue for me is the Steamroller's more compact geometry compared to my Trek hybrid bike; changing between them can be an 'experience'. No problem with toe strike on the hybrid.

Velo Dog
04-21-09, 08:41 PM
I've got a 56cm Steamroller with 165 crank arms, and my feet WILL strike the front wheel if I'm trying to trackstand .

Just FYI, this is very common. I can touch the front wheel with my feet on four of my five bikes if I try--but it's never once happened while I was riding. It used to be called "toe clip overlap," but I don't know what it's called now. In any case, it's not an issue. I rode my Trek 12,000 miles before somebody asked me if I could touch the wheel with my toes and I found out I could.