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Q-factor, BB Width, does it even matter???

Submitted by ArenFry on Jan 31 2012 9:22pm

So I've had the same sinz cranks forever and am pretty happy with them but I just want something stiffer. I hear profiles get lots of good review but, they're much wider than a track crank.

SO the question is,
Does q-factor make a big difference in balance and handling? Hoping to hear from people who have tried a couple different widths before I drop the bills.

Also do your ankles get bit when you hop, hop, hop?

#1
Tim A's picture
Tim A
COMOPOLO

I personally never noticed any difference with a change in Q-factor and I don't think you'll notice either if your just swapping out cranks on the same frame. With that said, Profile makes a great product. The arms of the cranks are relatively flat so you shouldn't have a problem with ankle rub. They're also really customizable, with plenty of different crank arm lengths and spindle lengths. What you wind up with is a really strong and smooth drivetrain that will outlast all those square-tapered single-speed cranksets out on the market. I've been running Profiles on my BMX bikes since I was a kid and have never had any issues. Steel is real.

www.comopolo.com

Feb 1 2012 10:34am
#2
danfinger's picture
danfinger
San Francisco Bike Polo
ArenFry wrote:

Does q-factor make a difference?

It does, but I'd say it's likely pretty negligible. Put your feet together and hop side to side, how's the balance? Now put your feet at shoulder width and hop side to side- better right? your feet further apart are going to provide more stability. But with q-factor we're talking an inch?

The Q on my bike is pretty wide because of the hub/freewheel combo I'm using- spindle: 125mm and I never have a problem with ankle bite.

I've been running WI ENO SS cranks since March 2010 and they have been bullet proof.

Feb 1 2012 3:23pm
#3
shane00001's picture
shane00001
dublin bike polo

i've been running profiles for the past few weeks and i've hit my ankles twice off them. beforehand i was playing on the MKE polo guard with the sugino cranks for two years and didn't hit my ankles once. maybe it'll just take a bit more getting used to. all in all though, they're great cranks.

Feb 2 2012 11:25am
#4
drizz's picture
drizz
Seattle

shimano slx fc-m665 crankset. as far as i can tell, it's around the same weight as the profile setup, a bit cheaper, stiff as shit, and it's built for mountain biking, so it can take a beating. it comes with a bashguard, a 36t chainring (which works well with 18t-22t fw/cogs, depending on your setup), and you can buy replacement 104 bcd chainrings at most bike shops.

---------------------------
carve. smash. eat shit.

Feb 29 2012 7:24pm
#5
ArenFry's picture
ArenFry
Minneapolis Hardcourt Bike Polo

Thanks for the responses guys.
I'm still looking around for better cranks, wish the mke pologuard wasn't designed with 5bolt 110bcd.

My thoughts on q-factor have come down to turning clearance when cutting close on someone. Tried a few profile setups but found my feet felt a little far away from me. Hard to say really, liked the stiffness, but am looking at the sugino mighty tour cranks.

Anyone from japan running these? I know sugino is cheaper over there.

Mar 8 2012 8:25pm