Bicycle Pedal Q Factor
Finally bike handling is a serious consideration in terms of q factor.
Bicycle pedal q factor. What would you like us to cover next. The wider the tread the farther apart your feet will be. Pedal to ground clearance while cornering is decreased with higher q factors. The last thing any cyclist wants is to make contact with the ground with anything other than their tires.
Using the previous equation based on the q factor of a shimano crank adding a pedal extender to each side would add 40mm to the overall stance width for a total of 292mm or about 11 5 inches. The q factor of a bicycle is the distance between the pedal attachment points on the crank arms when measured parallel to the bottom bracket axle. This affects how far apart the pedals are which in turn affects the biomechanics of pedaling and the handling of the bike. Bikefitjames from bicycle in richmond explains what q factor or stance is.
The term was coined by grant petersen during his time at bridgestone bicycles. Mountain bike q factor is 170mm adding 40mm to a road bike at 146mm will likely help many cyclists achieve desired comfort and. Simply put q factor on a bicycle is the distance between the outer surfaces of the crank arms. So when you get on a fat bike you feel like you re trying to pedal the sides of a horse.
A large q factor means that the circles described by the feet as the cranks rotate are further away from the centreline of the bottom bracket whereas small q factors place the feet nearer this. The q factor describes the horizontal width between bicycle pedals and determines where the foot is laterally positioned throughout the pedal stroke. It may also be referred to as the tread of the crankset. Stance width is important for a proper pedal stroke.
Stance width is a combination of two essential measurements. The tread or q factor of a crankset is the horizontal width of the cranks measured from where the pedals screw in. It is an odd experience. Mountain bike q factor is 170mm adding 40mm to a road bike at 146mm will likely help many cyclists achieve desired comfort and.
A narrow q factor is also more areo however this should not be a consideration imho. The q stands for quack a reference to the wide stance and waddling gait of ducks. At the other end going too narrow with your q factor in the search for speed. It is generally considered a good idea to keep the tread fairly narrow.