I've read on here that a lot you guys use or recommend the Dotek cranks. I'mthinking about getting them because I need some 165mm cranks and mine are 170mm, 144 bcd so rings are like $50 a piece. But read that the Q is really bad with these. Is it really that bad or enough to cause a problem? Or would I be better off trying to get some old SR or Sugino cranks?

I had 'em and I hated them. The only thing that I thought was good about them was the price,But that's just me. They creaked and moaned and the Q was horrible. . .how bad you ask? Stand up, put your knees together and your feet about a foot apart and that's what I felt like riding. Some people can do that. . .but not me.

i've been thinking about these cranks too. they're cheap and after having a couple scary cases of pedal strike, i'd like to get 165s. what's "the Q" you guys are talking about? and would it just be better to skip these and get bulletproof cranks if i was still going to go with inexpensive bmx cranks?

The Q is the width between the pedals. I'm guessing even if you do get the Bulletproof or any other bmx cranks, they will have a higher Q than regular road cranks.

The BulletProof cranks have a Q of about 158, which puts them in between the typical Road Crank (~140s) & MTB Crank (~170s). As the Rivendell excerpt states, Q can be very subjective. I ride a pair of Bulletproofs on a 118 BB so that gives me a Q of 168. I really don't notice anything different with regards to my Sugino 75s on the GT which have a Q of 139.

Just my two cents

if you are worried about pedal strike, getting shorter BMX cranks with a huge Q factor won't change much. 165mm cranks with 160 Q is as likely to hit ground as 170mm cranks with 135 Q.