Given the current hotness of short cranks in the tri world, here's a thought that popped into my head:
Instead of keeping the same BB height, and thereby raise the rider if they use short cranks, why don't we see bikes with a lowered BB?
At a guess, lets say for an average tall rider, you spec a maximum 160mm crank. You could probably drop the bottom bracket 15mm over current designs.
Benefits that I see:
Lower CG. Not sure if this makes you more or less stable. Less I think. But probably sharpens up the handling.
Lower saddle height. Easier to mount the bike.
The big one: Reduced frontal area. Rider, bars, top tube, everything is lowered, hence Better aero.
Downsides? I can't think of any.
XS size frames might be impossible without 650C or some fancy head tube concept.
Handling might be affected in some way.
Cornering clearance would be the same as a higher BB/longer crank design
Any thoughts from the experts out there?
Instead of keeping the same BB height, and thereby raise the rider if they use short cranks, why don't we see bikes with a lowered BB?
At a guess, lets say for an average tall rider, you spec a maximum 160mm crank. You could probably drop the bottom bracket 15mm over current designs.
Benefits that I see:
Lower CG. Not sure if this makes you more or less stable. Less I think. But probably sharpens up the handling.
Lower saddle height. Easier to mount the bike.
The big one: Reduced frontal area. Rider, bars, top tube, everything is lowered, hence Better aero.
Downsides? I can't think of any.
XS size frames might be impossible without 650C or some fancy head tube concept.
Handling might be affected in some way.
Cornering clearance would be the same as a higher BB/longer crank design
Any thoughts from the experts out there?