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low ground clearance

Old 02-04-09, 03:39 PM
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low ground clearance

I recently purchased a new F/S bike. I've owned plenty in the past and don't recall this as a common reoccuring problem. The end of my crankarm hits the ground what seems like an inordinate amount of times, every ride. i have adjusted my sag to the point I feel like I'm riding a hardtail. Even inflated my tires a little more. Also I use egg beater pedals, to increase clearance ratio. Lastly, I run a 175mm crankarm length, since I'm 6'1" and have a 34 1/2 inseam. If I run shorter crankarms will this make a differance and if I did change will I give up anything in performance, cadence, power, etc. Any other suggestions. Thanks for your help.
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Old 02-04-09, 03:50 PM
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dont pedal when turning

get fatter tires
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Old 02-04-09, 10:39 PM
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you sure theres nothing wrong with the rear shock? i had this problem for awhile and then notice the the shock was jammed somehow and didnt fully extend anymore
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Old 02-04-09, 11:23 PM
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I can only assume this bike has a lower bb height than your previous bikes without more details. Have you changed terrain? Are you standing more? Different kind of shock or more travel with this bike? Details help...

I doubt 5mm of arm length, say if you go to a 170, is going to make a great difference in clearance as that's not much difference.
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Old 02-05-09, 09:44 AM
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I riding the same terrain or the same trails, always in the saddle, with the same rear shock. Never pedals through turns (between 60 and 90 degrees). I have somehow lost BB clearance. It must be in the rear shock, in the sag while I'm riding. I missing something somewhere. Thanks for your replys and suggestions.
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Old 02-05-09, 09:58 AM
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Post a good picture of your bike on a level surface from the side.
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Old 02-05-09, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by jmbikeman
I riding the same terrain or the same trails, always in the saddle, with the same rear shock. Never pedals through turns (between 60 and 90 degrees). I have somehow lost BB clearance. It must be in the rear shock, in the sag while I'm riding. I missing something somewhere. Thanks for your replys and suggestions.
It's more likely just that your new bike has a different bb height (distance center of bb spindle to ground), they're not all created equal. I have one fs bike where pedal strike is significantly easier to do than the others, and it's not that the measurement is hugely different. Some shocks can blow through their stroke easier than others. What bike and shock is it?
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Old 02-05-09, 12:41 PM
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Just check the difference in BB heights between the two bikes (load the FS when you measure). Lower BB bikes just require a modification to the way you pedal. The pedal strikes will be obvious at first but you'll adapt and won't get many/any pedal strikes after a while.
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Old 02-05-09, 12:42 PM
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BTW, I wouldn't bother with cranks that are 5mm shorter...likely won't notice any difference in terms of clearance. Riding style/method will be a more effective modification.
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Old 02-05-09, 01:24 PM
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How about telling us what FS bike you bought? Maybe knowing what the BB height is would help people...
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Old 02-09-09, 05:29 AM
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low ground clearance (cont.)

The bike is a 2006 Kestrel Edge with a Fox w pro pedal. Thanks
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Old 02-09-09, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by jmbikeman
The bike is a 2006 Kestrel Edge with a Fox w pro pedal. Thanks
Here's the specs https://www.kestrelbicycles.com/getat...f095/EDGE.aspx

That is indeed a farily low bb, especially for a full suspension bike.
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