Re: [CR]steelcranks, aluminum cranks, Q factor

> Mark and Fred make valid points.
> In my experience through the years, The "Kneesavers" function extermely
> well and can be purchased in several lengths to compensate.
> I only ever used them because of injury, longer feet and extreme foot
> angle, or some congenital symptom needing the adapters.
> Many people only used one.
> Never did the "Q" factor enter in, as all the riders I ever dealt with
> adapted to the regular factory crank widths and pedal positions.
> I haven't come across anyone with such wide hips that drastic accomodation
> was needed.
> In horse parlance a big strong plow horse was measured in axe handle
> width, ie. 15 axe handles across the a**.
> Someone may be pretty big, but the pelvis just doesn't seem to be that
> much wider to affect the stroke. Muscle and fat mass don't count.
> Again, I refer to my previous post in making your foot flat across the
> bottom so your power goes straightr down and not out.
> I've never had my foot slide sideways, and especially not when strapped in
> snugly and pedalling with some finesse and not in some untrained manner.
> Again, for over a hundred years, it's been feet as close to crank as
> possible and knees as close to top tube as can.
> Knees and legs spread apart like some pleasure-bent lady of the night is
> not the efficient stroking position(on your bike).
> Look again at all the racing pictures frontal views especially those in
> motion. It's knees in!
> I don't think any one of us is going to tell the Super pro riders they
> don't know how to be most efficient and one with their bike.
> Maybe every once in a blue moon someone can come along and need special
> consideration, but I haven't seen it yet in over 40 years of fitting.
> Again, in my prior post, look to your core muscles, hip flexors, etc., to
> improve your flexibility for nice loose, powerful, smooth pedalling.
> Ted Ernst
> Palos Verdes Estates
> CA USA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Stonich" <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>
> To: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]steelcranks, aluminum cranks, Q factor
>
>
>> At 4/24/2007 08:24 PM -0700, ternst wrote:
>>>Then we have to see to the foot/cleat angle to keep our heel from
>>>touching frame or crank and adjust our feet positions accordingly.
>>>I can remember years ago being able to twist foot sideways and if not
>>>paying attention whacking ankle on crank and cutting accordingly. OUCH!
>>>and bleeding. S*)(^% and F@&() !! Oh well, one learned.
>>>Depending on your individual needs your feet will be farther or closer
>>>to the cranks, and your "Q" will change whether you like it or not.
>>>If you are only riding 5MPH and watching celestial bodies along the
>>>beach, it won't mean jack.
>>>If you want to ride a little more intensly, try to get it dialed in and
>>>save your hips, knees, and ankles.
>>>If the cleats are incorrect, a host of foot problems could manifest
>>>themselves depending on your intensity.
>>> >From what I've posted, hopefully you will see how the relationship
>>>between "Q" and foot position are inexhorably related.
>>>How about your experiences, gals and guys?
>>
>> Ted,
>> Personally, I need "Knee Savers" pedal extenders on all my bikes with
>> older "Low Q Factor" cranks. Without them, I either pedal with my feet
>> hanging off the ends of the pedals or wreck my knees.
>>
>>
>> Mark Stonich;
>> BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
>> 5349 Elliot Ave S. - Minneapolis. MN 55417
>> Ph. (612) 824-2372 http://bikesmithdesign.com
>> http://mnhpva.org