Hollowtech-2 Crankset Axle Length
 

I am trying to install the Shimano Alfine crankset into my Soma Juice 29er. As you can see from the pic, the crank's axle length (68mm) is too short. The bb shell width of the frame is 73mm, and this is a Shimano HT-2 crankset. Maybe I need a different crankset, but I am thinking this crankset/frame combination might work because I've seen pics of the crank installed in this frame. I'll attach pics for reference. Please let me know if I am explaining this clearly, and thanks for helping.

I can't tell from the picture, but do you have shims installed between the BB shell and the BB Cup? If so, remove those.

is there an off chance that the crankset is a special order for 73mm shells?

Hm... not sure. Do I need to remove the bb to find out? I hope these pics can give you a better picture.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6...19a69b0a_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6...8363f286_z.jpg

I've also seen another bike with this setup.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/...da5e6a30_z.jpg

The Alfine crankset is for 68mm bottom-bracket shells, according to Shimano. One option would be to have your BB shell milled down from 73mm to 68mm.

OTOH, You might just get the MTB crankset for the 73 wide BB shell,
then set it up as a single speed ,
by buying a different set of chainring, and a chainguard ..
given the BB axle is part of the right crank arm these days, on the latest designs..

The spacer would be between the drive side cup and the BB shell.

The road BBs don't come with spacers, either.

Right, getting another crankset is the way to go... just curious how the other people with the same frame did it.

There are two different type Alfine crankset.
Single and double chain guard type. Double chain guard type has 9.5mm longer axle.
If you remove inner chainguard and 1 spacer it fits 73mm shell.

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/te...9830637968.pdf

Really helpful information. Thanks so much!