Building my first fixie after riding a few and living with some messengers in boston (their skill level totally impressed me and got me hooked, they were all too hooked on coke to continue living with though) I've come to the crankset portion of the build. I am looking for any advice / wisdom on what to look for in a BB & crank purchase.

I've been looking around on ebay and I found these two cheaper sets thoughts?

https://cgi.ebay.com/Origin-8-170mm-T...QQcmdZViewItem

https://cgi.ebay.com/ANDEL-TRACK-FIXE...QQcmdZViewItem

The Andel/Radius/Soma/Alien crankset is supposed to be good for the money. I'm about to replace my Sugino RD's with one.

I've got the Origin-8, they go for around $50-$60 in shops. It's nice but it uses a road BCD. Could be useful to you if you're into road bikes (spare rings and whatnot), but to get some 1/8" rings you're better off with track BCD.

Btw, what length do you want? You posted both a 170 and 165.

^^ (re: length) No idea. What are good deciding factors there (my height / bike size?) I'm thinking 170 because that is what I use now on my current mountain bike but that might as well be an entirely different world (more worried about ground clearance and logs)

Also is there anything to consider with the bottom bracket as well? Installing the BB (aside from the headset) is the portion of the entire process I am most worried about.

I was using 170's with some Sakae road pedals, and I used to get a lot of pedal strike. Since I switched the pedals to a pair of MKS and moved to 165's I've been taking turns far more aggressively and I've yet to have strike. I would think your pedal shape and BB height is more important but you might as well use 165's if you're worried.

if you have a road frame you are converting might as well get 165. if you have geometry with a high bottom bracket (track frame) you could get away with 170 pretty easily. having to worry about pedal strike while cornering sucks.
if you're a taller person 170 cranks will probably fit you better than 165.

You can usually find an almost-new set of Ultegra or DuraAce cranks on Ebay for $50-100 with the crank arms a little scratched up. Just make sure the spindles are ok.

I'd go with 165's. I still sometimes forget I'm on my fixie and take really sharp turns; the other day I had a pedalstrike that lifted the bike right off the ground. I almost lost it but was able to hang on and not crash.

Why on gods gray earth would you suggest 144 BCD track sizing over the far, far, easier to find and cheaper road 130 BCD?

i'm glad i don't get stuck trying to be cheap. i don't mind spending more for quality.

What benefits do you get spending twice as much on a crank which will be ridden on the street?

you get street cred. what else matters?

You mentioned quality skipper.

BULLETPROOF $35 cranks. Then you can say I only spent $35!

we already had this thread about the quality difference. example: sugino 75s are better than cheap because they are stronger and stiffer. yes, you can tell on the street. I spent $165 on a pair and I love them. Am I haulicinating this difference?? No way.

Looking at your velo space I see you are a bike fashionista. That explains a lot. Enjoy those 75s, CK headset, and Izumi Super Toughness chain....I'm sure you'll impress a lot of college kids with them.....

Having ridden all manner of cranks I disagree. Decent wheels on the other hand make a world of difference.

awww, somebody poopied in your cornflakes today?

.

Nope, I simply don't like bike snobs knocking people who make sensible decisions regarding the parts they use. Enjoy that NJS chain.....

Stronger? You mean you've been breaking other cranks?
Stiffer? You mean you can tell crank flex from frame flex?

OP, either of those cranks will be great. I do agree that 130 is preferable to 144 in general, but it seems like there has been such a boom in track stuff that 144 chainrings aren't going to be a problem in the foreseeable future, especially if you don't mind running 1/8" chain.

Well if you read...

That's why...

fine, point taken. no sense in arguing w/an angry midget.

Ouch?

No anger kid, just common sense from someone who has his bikes for riding, not as a fashion accessory.

naw, he's right. you shouldnt get knocked for asking a sensible question. i do like those alienbike cranks, but i also like izumi chains and i'm stooopid so don't take my advice... oh yeah am i'm a prada-wearing "kid" who goes to collidge.