170mm cranks ok at HH?

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  • thinking of riding my condor pista at HH on 21st - will the BB and the 170mm cranks be ok on the banking?

    also, gearing - i have a 48t up front...should i drop to 16 or 15 at the back?

  • I Already Own a Fixed Wheel Bike – Can I Ride That?

    In most cases this is fine, Herne Hill has shallow banking compared to indoor tracks so crank length / bottom bracket height is not a big issue.
    Bring rides a pista with 170s on I'm certain.

    put it this way, Manchester spec 165 on all track bikes, they say 170s only on bikes with "manchester spec" ie; an even higher BB.

    and you use eggbeater pedals, which have a low profile and won't clip as soon as flatties with clips n' straps will.

    to summarise: you'll be fine.. the instance when you may come close to a strike can only be cutting sharply up the steepest part of the banking at a low speed which isn't gonna happen unless you are on mushrooms

  • thanks.

    so -leave off the mushrooms this time, you think?

    anyone got some deda track drops?

  • What RPM said.

    Are you a spinner or a masher? Choice of sprocket to suit.

    If you're switching to deep drops for the first time, you might feel it in your lower back the following few days.

    You might also consider moving your saddle forward 5-10mm, compared to your road set-up.

  • re: gearing..either will be ok the 15 might be best. it may also be too hard for you if it's windy.

  • If you're intending on getting an explosive out-of-the-saddle jump during the last lap of a race, when they've already wound up the pace, a 15t will better facilitate this.

    However, a lot of juniors riding the equivalent of 48x16 seem to be able to just crank up the revs even more when push comes to shove.

  • don't they fuckin just!

    little beggars

  • That's the benefit of the British Cycling Youth [st]EPO[/st] Training Scheme.

  • i ride 170mm sg 75 at hh they are ok

  • talkin of which - where were nimhbus and BMMF on the day?

    you wuz missed - both of yuz.

  • Bring did say he wasn't coming...

    there were a few other absentees noted, too.

    still, when you have over 50 riders signing on, it's hardly a problem.

  • I use 170's on ALL the tracks whether in or outdoors, my frames have 11 1/2 BB height. apart from one Fort look alike and that's lower and I've never clonked any track with that either.

    Have used 175's too.....a prob spinning the buggers though

    Ribbles advise to use as close a track length cranck to your road bike as is feasible- makes sense, but do check BB height though.

    As said peddle width/height is worth watching- I use straps and clips on various pedals inc Campag Pista's so have full height and width to be a little wary of.

    If I remember, Calshot has the steepest banking now, and I think that's 45 degrees (although it feels steeper at times- parp factor!).

    I guess if you use a road frame as fixed bike, you may get into bother.

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170mm cranks ok at HH?

Posted by Avatar for nimhbus @nimhbus

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