Funky idea.
While in the shed I got a funky idea in my head. Hear me out.
I currently use 140mm short cranks @75cm inseam, being a follower of Mike Burrows' line of thought. Now such short cranks are already very controversial thought to many,
but I have no plans to ever go back higher. I tried many lengths and incremental size differences and 140 feels perfect. It just fits me and my style of riding, which is down and low. No more knee issues or hip angle issues.
However, using these short cranks on my roadbike, means that compared to the 175s that were originally on it, I have to raise my saddle 3.5 centimers, the bars 3.5 centimeters, basically the whole setup, and I can no longer effectively reach
the ground with my shoes while on the seat. I don't like this side effect of shorter cranks -- sitting up higher on my bike.
The best solution to this problem would be to have a frame with a lower BB. My BB height could drop by 3.5 centimers without increasing the risk of pedal strike compared to what there was. This would solve my problems.
However as far as I know there are no frames with such low bottom brackets to accomodate a standard 140mm crank length. Smaller wheeled bikes instead use horizontal chainstays to keep the BB height the same height as larger bikes...I would need
a special frame built, which I cannot afford.
So now I got this idea in my head. Considering I already ride in somewhat of a TT position. Why not swap my front wheel and fork for a 24 inch wheel and fork. This would
effectively turn the geometry into a TT bike, making the seattube more vertical instead, and making the compact sloped top tube almost level with the ground, while dropping the BB height.
It would lower my overall height on the bike again, giving me an aerodynamic advantage and slightly increasing safety in case of a crash.
What do you think of this idea? Is it doable? Would it mess too much with the handling of the bike?