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2) Thought about lowering the BB to 270mm high. I don't like pedal strikes, and have the habits of fixed gear pedaling almost constantly, but as this one will be geared and I read that low BB is preferable for bike stability, I thought it could be good to lower it. But I don't want to have it too low either ; so what are the advised BB height for this use? is 270mm coherent? is it really necessary to lower the BB?
) Thought about lowering the BB to 270mm high. I don't like pedal strikes, and have the habits of fixed gear pedaling almost constantly, but as this one will be geared and I read that low BB is preferable for bike stability, I thought it could be good to lower it. But I don't want to have it too low either ; so what are the advised BB height for this use? is 270mm coherent? is it really necessary to lower the BB?
I've done a bit of reading on the subject. A low BB certainly gives a more planted feel and interestingly it seems that a lot of custom bikes have a bigger BB drop than OTP. Some (most?) of it might be more psychological than pure physics, but for example a modern US geo CX bike feels more stable than an old school euro one.
270mm is a bit high for a rando bike IMHO, with no benefits, but if that's what you prefer go for it. Or, as always, let the builder do its job.
Not sure this is the best place to ask about frame geometry, feel free to redirect me to the correct thread.
I have a current bike that I quite like how it rides, it is a 650B fixed gear custom frameset that I based on another bike with slight tweaks.
Current main specifics are:
I am beginning to think about a kind of rando bike inspired by french 650B bikes, to start making longer rides in tarmac and light dry gravel ; and I would like to base it on the current custom frame I have with adjustments:
1) Thought about changing the headtube angle to 73.5°, but with changes in fork rake to have the same 42mmtrail, this would help me limit toe overlap (already using 165mm cranks) without changing how the bike steers as I quite like how it is now. Is this coherent or the reasoning is wrong?
2) Thought about lowering the BB to 270mm high. I don't like pedal strikes, and have the habits of fixed gear pedaling almost constantly, but as this one will be geared and I read that low BB is preferable for bike stability, I thought it could be good to lower it. But I don't want to have it too low either ; so what are the advised BB height for this use? is 270mm coherent? is it really necessary to lower the BB? I guess it can also help to increase stack and thus comfort. Is it coherent thinking?
3) Current seat tube angle is 75°, what would be a benefit of changing it? Currently my fixed 650B has porteur bars as I always feel too stretched on drops, but I believe this is also due to the drop between saddle and handlebars. Basically I need a frame that is taller than long similar to @edscoble 's bike in this thread I believe which is another reason to go custom. Would 75° be problematic for a randonneur frame, as it is my current set-up, or it won't have any impact at all?
Thank you in advance for the advises