STA & Cranks

[Miranda]

I addressed STA in your other thread. I need 73 or shallower to get my KOP set up right with commercially available seatposts.

Regarding crank arm length, I am a 165 all the way. I tried a 170 at a previous fitters recommendation, and it made my knees come too high at the top of the pedal stroke, applying too much shear force across my knee cap and causing horrible pain. I am 5'4" tall, 30.5" cycling inseam.

Thx... I remember that we are pretty close except my legs are a bit shorter in the inseam... and I seem to make up for it in the torso. I'm still thinking the RS would come pretty close to fitting me. I need just a wee bit steeper STA in the 74. I know you had to shorten your reach up by switching out the bars. That might be ok for me as is. The TT length of 51.5 is what the fitter suggested as well--same as the RS. I'm just thinking if I need my seat moved forward to get the knee over the spindle... then that puts my seat going up??? That part gets my brain confused. Maybe that's where he's thinking the 170 cranks could work. But, my legs just seem too short. Plus, I assume being a smaller 48cm bike it comes stock with 165s. Hmmm...

[Cataboo]

erm. If you're ever in the DC area, I have 3 bikes you can ride to see how they fit!

But definitely, it's getting started from high gears or going up a hill that I really feel it in my knees on 170's... I do have patellofemoral syndrome or whatever in my right knee - so it has a tendency to track wrong because the muscles on the inside of my thigh aren't as strong as the muscles on my outer thigh, so they pull my knee cap off track. On 165 cranks... I don't feel my knees till maybe 40 or more miles? Depending on how hilly it is... If I'm on 170's... I feel my knees fairly instantly.

And yes, I need to do my knee exercises more often.

[GLC1968]

Oh, I had no Terry dealership near by either. In fact, working with Terry - we had a hard time even finding a bike shop that would take delivery for me! (even the LBS where my H and I had already bought 3 bikes wouldn't do it ).

We eventually found one and because of all my research, the bike fit so I didn't need to send it back. I was taking a chance though - I did not have opportunity to ride one prior to ordering it. But, like I mentioned above, you have 30 days to send it back if it doesn't work for you. Not ideal - but when the only other way to get small bikes to try is to flat out order them from an LBS, it seemed like a good option for me.

[Miranda]

erm. If you're ever in the DC area, I have 3 bikes you can ride to see how they fit!

But definitely, it's getting started from high gears or going up a hill that I really feel it in my knees on 170's... I do have patellofemoral syndrome or whatever in my right knee - so it has a tendency to track wrong because the muscles on the inside of my thigh aren't as strong as the muscles on my outer thigh, so they pull my knee cap off track. On 165 cranks... I don't feel my knees till maybe 40 or more miles? Depending on how hilly it is... If I'm on 170's... I feel my knees fairly instantly.

And yes, I need to do my knee exercises more often.

lol... Awe, that's mighty kind of you in thought. I have one crazy knee as is. I'll keep that in mind.

Oh, I had no Terry dealership near by either. In fact, working with Terry - we had a hard time even finding a bike shop that would take delivery for me! (even the LBS where my H and I had already bought 3 bikes wouldn't do it ).

We eventually found one and because of all my research, the bike fit so I didn't need to send it back. I was taking a chance though - I did not have opportunity to ride one prior to ordering it. But, like I mentioned above, you have 30 days to send it back if it doesn't work for you. Not ideal - but when the only other way to get small bikes to try is to flat out order them from an LBS, it seemed like a good option for me.

I see what you mean. I called the Terry dealer and they have two models on hand. Not in the type of Terry I'd want to try out. And big. But, I think I can mount them. It needs to thaw a bit to test ride. I did see that on Terry's web site on how to get the bike now. Thanks.

[fidlfreek]

Ok I don't know about all this technical information but...

I was on 165 cranks (and a triple) and then moved to a 170 crank (double) and my knee pain is GONE. Totally gone, AND, I now have considerably more power and spinning is coming much more naturally.

Like I said, I don't know about all the technical gab but this bike fit stuff is all sort of mystical and at some point you just have to buy a bike (and at this price point its gonna be a nice one!). If its not perfect you switch out cranksets. Big deal. Thats a $200-500 change out if you buy the crankset on ebay, and even less if you then turn around and sell the old (almost new) one.

Miranda, I was in this same boat. Wanting my new bike to be JUST perfect. And you too will find at some point its a leap of faith. You're new ride is going to be SUCH an improvement over the current bike that you'll be amazed any way you go.

[Ana]

I was on 165 cranks (and a triple) and then moved to a 170 crank (double) and my knee pain is GONE. Totally gone, AND, I now have considerably more power and spinning is coming much more naturally.

Maybe the double reduced lateral distance between your pedals?

How do you like the double compared to the triple? Is it a compact double?

[Miranda]

Maybe the double reduced lateral distance between your pedals?

How do you like the double compared to the triple? Is it a compact double?

BLEEEEEP... this is Fidlfreek's answering service... see the bike specs in this link below:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=28898

[Miranda]

Ok I don't know about all this technical information but...

I was on 165 cranks (and a triple) and then moved to a 170 crank (double) and my knee pain is GONE. Totally gone, AND, I now have considerably more power and spinning is coming much more naturally.

Like I said, I don't know about all the technical gab but this bike fit stuff is all sort of mystical and at some point you just have to buy a bike (and at this price point its gonna be a nice one!). If its not perfect you switch out cranksets. Big deal. Thats a $200-500 change out if you buy the crankset on ebay, and even less if you then turn around and sell the old (almost new) one.

Miranda, I was in this same boat. Wanting my new bike to be JUST perfect. And you too will find at some point its a leap of faith. You're new ride is going to be SUCH an improvement over the current bike that you'll be amazed any way you go.

Oh, Fidlfreek... thx. Your post made me let out a BIG *sigh*. My buying experience with the shop was not so great with the bike I have now. It made me a tainted buyer. But, one would hope with each purchase you become a little wiser. Therefore, it's gotta be better than that last.