Narrow Q-factor. Yes, no, don't give a cr@p

[Disturbed]

Jerk mentioned it in a thread and it got me tinking.

How much [or not at all] do you pay to it and what are the apparent upsides of it in your opinion.

I went about 10mm wider with some new pedals and I kinda fell like a bowlegged cowboy. My knees use to run pretty close to the TT but now, notsomuch. Did 10mm make that much difference?

[e-RICHIE]

thanks for the q tip atmo.

[bironi]

Yes, I definitely feel the difference. I'm used to low q-factor cranks, like old campys and mavics. I too feel bow-legged on wider cranks, and I'm 5'-6.625" small. Small changes make big differences in my experience. I sometimes use q-tips and sometimes a knockoff.

[Too Tall]

Ummm, I'm pretty dsylexic so pardon-moi. If your feet are relatively wider apart than your knees would infact tend to be closer to the top tube than prior.

[Tandem Rider]

The longer I ride the more a wide Q-factor bothers my left knee. I sold my spin bike, Santana tandem and don't ride my mountain bike due to the 1 inch wider Q-factor. After I bought the Santana tandem I thought that I would get used to it but after 1100 miles I gave it up. I could still ride but my knee would get sore and bother me riding any bike, standing or walking. Does anyone have any suggestions? Stretches or positioning? I miss not riding my mountain bike.

[962]

Yes. adjust them cleats too.

[Disturbed]

Ummm, I'm pretty dsylexic so pardon-moi. If your feet are relatively wider apart than your knees would infact tend to be closer to the top tube than prior.

Not how it seems to be working with me.


Thanks for sharing your years of experience, insight and knowledge Mr. Sachs. It was very helpful. That's what makes V Salon so "special."

[e-RICHIE]

Not how it seems to be working with me.


Thanks for sharing your years of experience, insight and knowledge Mr. Sachs. It was very helpful. That's what makes V Salon so "special."

so you woke up one day and decided to go 10mm wider atmo?
tell us about the atmotivation that brought about this decision.

[Disturbed]

so you woke up one day and decided to go 10mm wider atmo?
tell us about the atmotivation that brought about this decision.

Yeah, I'm an asshole.

Whatever........

[mschol17]

I didn't like low q cranks.

[dpcompt]

Yes. adjust them cleats too.

i get a fit on my bike from a pt who used to work with max testa. for what its worth, cleat adjustment, for-aft and side to side are part of the fit.
don c.

[e-RICHIE]

Yeah, I'm an asshole.

Whatever........

no, really - what changed (re the pedal thing) atmo?

[WFSTEKL]

Low Q works best for me. I've run campy cranks since merckx was in power and they get it.

[DarrenCT]

if im sober, motivated, have had coffee in the morning, none of this stuff makes a difference. don't think it, just feel it imho

[rabo]

I like low Q and run a road crank 1x9 on the MTB for that reason.
Adjusting Q with the cleat is not so good IMO ,because you introduce a torque on your knee, and so create potential injury.

[Dazza]

When ever the Q factor question bubbles up
I am suprised that many think that every one else's pelvis, femur socket, foot size and leg bone structure is exactly the same as their own
so every one should have a low Q factor dimension.
Total Nonsense say I
It is like saying you should all ride the same crank length as me.
Some people need wider, some do need narrower.
Good pedal systems can assist one to do this if needed such as Keywin with+3mm , +6mm and - 3mm, -6mm axles and a few other brands do have some range of axle lengths
the next real big problem is actually having some one with the correct and real skills to analyse and determine if it is of benefit for the punter to alter from standand.
Not some Galah in retail land reading a manual
Which is why Dr Brian McLean rocks (in down under Brisbane)

In the land of market gizmos to sell, low Q factor does no harm to the brochure. (but always comes second to the gram count)

[WFSTEKL]

I like low Q and run a road crank 1x9 on the MTB for that reason.
Adjusting Q with the cleat is not so good IMO ,because you introduce a torque on your knee, and so create potential injury.

I am interested to hear what you mean by cleat position and knee torque. I assume that you are saying when you position the cleat laterally on the shoe sole, and thus, move the shoe toward the centerline, it results in twisting force on the knee?

[Linnaeus]

I have many bikes with all sorts of Q factors. I get used to a change within about 5 minutes. Dazza hit it -- it's going to vary for each person.

[WFSTEKL]

Dazza,

When is the publish date of your book? I'm in line.

[xtrpickels]

When ever the Q factor question bubbles up
I am suprised that many think that every one else's pelvis, femur socket, foot size and leg bone structure is exactly the same as their own
so every one should have a low Q factor dimension.
Total Nonsense say I
It is like saying you should all ride the same crank length as me.
Some people need wider, some do need narrower.
Good pedal systems can assist one to do this if needed such as Keywin with+3mm , +6mm and - 3mm, -6mm axles and a few other brands do have some range of axle lengths
the next real big problem is actually having some one with the correct and real skills to analyse and determine if it is of benefit for the punter to alter from standand.
Not some Galah in retail land reading a manual
Which is why Dr Brian McLean rocks (in down under Brisbane)

In the land of market gizmos to sell, low Q factor does no harm to the brochure. (but always comes second to the gram count)

Finally a voice of reason