cchistanis, My logic is based on not wanting the bar and my balls becoming one. If I am reading your post correctly you feel 5/8 of an inch clearance from balls to bar is adequate. I am not comfortable with that so the 17 gives a bit more clearance and some would say better control. Either way it is personal choice, to each his own. I was simply relaying what I had done to give the youngster more options.