Track cranks/bb question - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-05-2004, 01:59 PM

What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
cranks when it comes to chainline issues? I know the spindle length of
the bb is typically shorter, and it seems like track cranks typically
have a larger chainwheel diameter. And maybe track cranks are a little
more built-up.

Anything I'm missing?

/s

08-05-2004, 05:47 PM

supabonbon wrote:

> What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
> cranks when it comes to chainline issues?

Track cranks generally have about a 42 mm chainline, sometimes a bit
less. See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Track cranks most often come in the 165 mm length, which is shorter than
current fashion for road cranks.

Most track cranks use the old 144 mm bolt circle, while most road cranks
use the 130 bolt circle.

Track drivetrains commonly use the older, wider 1/8" chain and
sprockets, rather than the 3/32" size used for road bikes.

See my fixed gear articles: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Sheldon "Prefers Road Cranks For Road Fixed Use" Brown
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| I still feel that variable gears are only for people over |
| forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength |
| of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? |
| We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear! |
| --Henri Desgrange, _L'…quipe_ article of 1902 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-05-2004, 05:47 PM

supabonbon wrote:

> What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
> cranks when it comes to chainline issues?

Track cranks generally have about a 42 mm chainline, sometimes a bit
less. See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Track cranks most often come in the 165 mm length, which is shorter than
current fashion for road cranks.

Most track cranks use the old 144 mm bolt circle, while most road cranks
use the 130 bolt circle.

Track drivetrains commonly use the older, wider 1/8" chain and
sprockets, rather than the 3/32" size used for road bikes.

See my fixed gear articles: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Sheldon "Prefers Road Cranks For Road Fixed Use" Brown
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| I still feel that variable gears are only for people over |
| forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength |
| of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? |
| We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear! |
| --Henri Desgrange, _L'…quipe_ article of 1902 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-05-2004, 05:47 PM

supabonbon wrote:

> What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
> cranks when it comes to chainline issues?

Track cranks generally have about a 42 mm chainline, sometimes a bit
less. See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Track cranks most often come in the 165 mm length, which is shorter than
current fashion for road cranks.

Most track cranks use the old 144 mm bolt circle, while most road cranks
use the 130 bolt circle.

Track drivetrains commonly use the older, wider 1/8" chain and
sprockets, rather than the 3/32" size used for road bikes.

See my fixed gear articles: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Sheldon "Prefers Road Cranks For Road Fixed Use" Brown
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| I still feel that variable gears are only for people over |
| forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength |
| of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? |
| We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear! |
| --Henri Desgrange, _L'…quipe_ article of 1902 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-05-2004, 05:47 PM

supabonbon wrote:

> What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
> cranks when it comes to chainline issues?

Track cranks generally have about a 42 mm chainline, sometimes a bit
less. See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Track cranks most often come in the 165 mm length, which is shorter than
current fashion for road cranks.

Most track cranks use the old 144 mm bolt circle, while most road cranks
use the 130 bolt circle.

Track drivetrains commonly use the older, wider 1/8" chain and
sprockets, rather than the 3/32" size used for road bikes.

See my fixed gear articles: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Sheldon "Prefers Road Cranks For Road Fixed Use" Brown
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| I still feel that variable gears are only for people over |
| forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength |
| of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? |
| We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear! |
| --Henri Desgrange, _L'…quipe_ article of 1902 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-05-2004, 05:47 PM

supabonbon wrote:

> What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
> cranks when it comes to chainline issues?

Track cranks generally have about a 42 mm chainline, sometimes a bit
less. See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Track cranks most often come in the 165 mm length, which is shorter than
current fashion for road cranks.

Most track cranks use the old 144 mm bolt circle, while most road cranks
use the 130 bolt circle.

Track drivetrains commonly use the older, wider 1/8" chain and
sprockets, rather than the 3/32" size used for road bikes.

See my fixed gear articles: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Sheldon "Prefers Road Cranks For Road Fixed Use" Brown
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| I still feel that variable gears are only for people over |
| forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength |
| of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? |
| We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear! |
| --Henri Desgrange, _L'…quipe_ article of 1902 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-05-2004, 10:19 PM

On 5 Aug 2004 13:59:58 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (supabonbon)
wrote:

>What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
>cranks when it comes to chainline issues? I know the spindle length of
>the bb is typically shorter, and it seems like track cranks typically
>have a larger chainwheel diameter. And maybe track cranks are a little
>more built-up.

Contemporary track cranks generally conform to the common chainline
standard of 42.5 mm., plus or minus .5 mm. It's a specification shared
with premium track hub models for compatibility.

As part of our online track catalogue, there's a reference page that
addresses many track-specific issues, including chainline, which you
may find helpful. The link direct to the page is
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

-------------------------------
John Dacey
Business Cycles, Miami, Florida
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Since 1983
Our catalog of track equipment: online since 1996
-------------------------------

08-05-2004, 10:19 PM

On 5 Aug 2004 13:59:58 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (supabonbon)
wrote:

>What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
>cranks when it comes to chainline issues? I know the spindle length of
>the bb is typically shorter, and it seems like track cranks typically
>have a larger chainwheel diameter. And maybe track cranks are a little
>more built-up.

Contemporary track cranks generally conform to the common chainline
standard of 42.5 mm., plus or minus .5 mm. It's a specification shared
with premium track hub models for compatibility.

As part of our online track catalogue, there's a reference page that
addresses many track-specific issues, including chainline, which you
may find helpful. The link direct to the page is
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

-------------------------------
John Dacey
Business Cycles, Miami, Florida
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Since 1983
Our catalog of track equipment: online since 1996
-------------------------------

08-05-2004, 10:19 PM

On 5 Aug 2004 13:59:58 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (supabonbon)
wrote:

>What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
>cranks when it comes to chainline issues? I know the spindle length of
>the bb is typically shorter, and it seems like track cranks typically
>have a larger chainwheel diameter. And maybe track cranks are a little
>more built-up.

Contemporary track cranks generally conform to the common chainline
standard of 42.5 mm., plus or minus .5 mm. It's a specification shared
with premium track hub models for compatibility.

As part of our online track catalogue, there's a reference page that
addresses many track-specific issues, including chainline, which you
may find helpful. The link direct to the page is
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

-------------------------------
John Dacey
Business Cycles, Miami, Florida
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Since 1983
Our catalog of track equipment: online since 1996
-------------------------------

08-05-2004, 10:19 PM

On 5 Aug 2004 13:59:58 -0700, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (supabonbon)
wrote:

>What is the major difference between track cranks and regular road
>cranks when it comes to chainline issues? I know the spindle length of
>the bb is typically shorter, and it seems like track cranks typically
>have a larger chainwheel diameter. And maybe track cranks are a little
>more built-up.

Contemporary track cranks generally conform to the common chainline
standard of 42.5 mm., plus or minus .5 mm. It's a specification shared
with premium track hub models for compatibility.

As part of our online track catalogue, there's a reference page that
addresses many track-specific issues, including chainline, which you
may find helpful. The link direct to the page is
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

-------------------------------
John Dacey
Business Cycles, Miami, Florida
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Since 1983
Our catalog of track equipment: online since 1996
-------------------------------