ARGH!!!!!!!! (Bike Fridays - Long)

[Triskeliongirl]

They've finally admitted that perhaps I do need the crank length I use on the rest of my bikes, and said that we would have a new one no later than last friday (and a set back seat post in case the crank doesn't do enough to fix KOP position). ...However, we aren't sure why I can get a good knee position on DH's bike (we ride almost exactly the same saddle height), but not on mine. That's why we're trying the longer cranks (DH's are 170's, which is what I'm getting) and set back seatpost. The crank really shouldn't make *that* much of a difference...Of course, then I may well have to shorten the stem, which will bring with it a whole new set of problems....

I also couldn't get a good KOP on my PRP until I got a laid back seatpost. BUT, be aware that while all bike fridays are *supposed* to have a 73 degree seat tube angle, since on a bike friday its set by the hinge and not weld, theis could be off. A 1 degree change in STA will cause a 1 cm change in set back which I bet is your problem. I always suspected this was the case on my BF since the apparent top tube size they claimed my bike was was not consistent with measurements I got of the bike, *unless* the STA was not 73 which I always suspected but couldn't accurately measure. BUT, a very laid back seatpost should correct this for you. PM me if the one they send doesn't work out and I can tell you what is out there since I have a lot of experience with this. It also depends on the saddle. Are you comparing the same saddle on both bikes. If the saddle on your husband's bike has longer rails so it can be pushed further back, that may explain the position difference. FYI, Brooks saddles have quite short rails so I had to revisit this issue recently.

Actually, I am pretty sure the STA was not as specified on my PRP, becasue if I compare the setback measurement I got dropping a plumb bob off the front of the saddle using the same seatpost and saddle and bike that also has a 73 degree STA I got a different measurement. Only problem now is I can't go back and check measurements since that bike was stolen. I only learned this when I was setting up my next bike. Also be aware that when you assmeble the friday the seatpost has to be ALL the way back before securing the quick release or the setback is off. While this sounds obvious, I did make this mistake on occastion