Pedal strikes and technique

[ETV]

Hey guys.

 

So i recently posted in the 'buyers guide' section about a tallboy3 vs stage max and then a trek fuel ex9.8.

 

So i am leaning towards the tallboy.

 

My question is that when i was seeking advise ppl said that the trek seems to pedal strike alot. some said that was the bike and some said it was the rider...

 

So on my previous camber i didnt really feel that it 'pedal stikes' alot. i mainly ride tygerberg trails. but when i did the MTB argus i had it happen quite a bit in that rooty section of single track after the first long climb at 17km mark.

 

so was that my technique or actually that the camber has a low BB and because the TBMTB dont really have very rooty sections i never noticed it.

 

Reason for all this back and forth is that i dont want to drop 80k on a tallboy to find it is a bike that struggles with pedal stikes like the trek. there is not much online about it struggeling.

 

Please help out with some advise.

 

 

[ETV]

Admin pls move this if it is in the wrong section.

[keithbe]

Hi, from my perspective a combination of technique, terrain and low bbnwiol impact pedal strikes. For my current setup when switching to 650+ wheel the bb drops to 33mm from the 33.8mm on 29er rims...rather than change riding technique between wheel swaps I changed the crank length to 170mm (from 175mm) and the permanant flat pedals are 90mm wide (normally fatties are +100mm). I also change the suspension setup, stiffer, for the 650+ wheels if riding them less than 20psi.

 

The bb drop shouldn't be a deal breaker and there are work arounds. From what I can see the tb has a 33mm height which is on the lower end. Test riding will be the best option; especially on varied terrain.

[The Ghost]

Maybe post the BB heights of the 3 bikes.

[BaGearA]

I'd go for a shorter crank ,  technique is important tho 

 

On my spez I pedal striked alot on the first few rides , on the fourth or fith one i was used to the bike and never had strikes again 

 

but short crank will definitely help

[Dicky DQ]

I cant see that the difference in BB height will have a major impact on pedal strike. If you have bad technique it will happen. Especially if you ride a Dual susser and have forgotten how to pick your lines. 

 

It happen to me when I am tired and don't concentrate. The main reason is because of dumbing down of all the trails. The moment you get an a proper trail you have issues. Granted there are some trails, like the rock section at the top of Eden that you need to focus more, but that is the exception.

[SlowManiac]

I've got a fuel ex and I pedal strike a lot more than on my previous bike (also a fuel ex but a much older model with higher bb). Our trails are very rocky so pretty much rock strike city.

 

Technique definitely plays a part but so does the bike, a few mm does make a difference in my experience.

[ETV]

Thanks guys

 

i appreciate all the responses.

 

I can see that it is a mix of bike and technique.

 

seems to be such a small difference even between XC and trail bikes when i compared them...

 

BIKE               BBheight                     BB drop

 

Camber             330                                42

TB3                       330                            40 

9.8ex                     344                             30

Spark 910              327                              43

Scalpel                   334                               38

 

i got all these figures off the respective websites.

to my inexperienced eyes they all seem to be so close.

was surprised by the scalpel as i never hear ppl complaining of pedal strikes on those...

[PhilipV]

Don't let bb height be you're deciding factor.

A bike with a lower bb is also a more stable bike. Pros/cons.

[Vetplant]

Thanks guys

 

i appreciate all the responses.

 

I can see that it is a mix of bike and technique.

 

seems to be such a small difference even between XC and trail bikes when i compared them...

 

BIKE BBheight BB drop

 

Camber 330 42

TB3 330 40

9.8ex 344 30

Spark 910 327 43

Scalpel 334 38

 

i got all these figures off the respective websites.

to my inexperienced eyes they all seem to be so close.

was surprised by the scalpel as i never hear ppl complaining of pedal strikes on those...

17mm difference between the highest and lowest, about the width of your pinky.

 

Don't stress about it, your technique should adjust accordingly.

[ETV]

thanks guys

[Headshot]

My HT has a 320mm BB height and I don't hit the pedals. Full sus is another story entirely. The static numbers are misleading because unlike a HT you have sag to deal with. If you are having problems try running less sag i.e more pressure...