The Q factor is one of the most important features to look at on a Spin ® Bike. The Q factor is the distance between the inside of the pedal attachments on the crank arms on either side or, more simply,
the width of the gap between the two paths your feet follow
.
What should my Q factor be?
Due to bottom bracket size, minimum chainline guidelines and chainstay length, there is an acceptable range for Q-factor, which is typically
between 150mm and 170mm
. Road bikes tend to have a narrower Q-factor (150mm), while mountain bikes tend to have a greater Q-factor (170mm).
What is the best Q factor?
For most people, a Q factor
between 140mm and 170mm
is going to be the optimal choice. If you’re testing out bikes, start with a Q factor of this size and see how it works out for you.
Is Q factor important?
Does Q Factor make a difference? “
Stance width is hugely important
from a biomechanical standpoint. As manufacturers, Q Factor plays a massive role in how we try to maintain our chain line so that it’ll work with really short chainstays or something designed for a more stable ride, with longer chainstays.
What is a bike Q factor?
Essentially Q-Factor is
the distance between the pedal attachment points on the crank arms
, also referred to as Tread. It could also be described as the width of your crankset. This affects your stance, if you’ve ever been snowboarding think of it as the same thing, essentially the distance between your feet.
How do I lower my Q factor?
The easiest way to reduce your Q factor is to
install a shorter bottom bracket
. There are many good, inexpensive square-taper BBs available in different lengths. You could pull the cranks off your present BB, measure them, and then order a shorter BB.
What is Shimano Q factor?
Q factor is
the overall width of an installed crankset
, measured parallel to the bottom bracket shell from the outside of one pedal insertion point to the other. You can think of it like this: the larger the Q factor, the farther apart your feet will be.
Should I shorten my crank length?
A
shorter crank length for the shorter triathlete will
give all the above benefits and more, as less leverage will encourage a higher cadence saving their legs for the run. A lower aero bar position is achievable as knee tracking at the top of the stroke is improved.
Are longer or shorter cranks better?
Your power output is determined by torque multiplied by cadence. While longer cranks do produce more torque, they also decrease cadence for a given effort because the turning circle is larger. Likewise
shorter cranks produce less torque
, but cadence increases for the same effort because the turning circle is shorter.
Are shorter cranks better?
Crank length can be used as a tool to improve fit related issues impacting
comfort
, power, and aerodynamics. Moving to a shorter crank can improve: Comfort: A shorter crank length reduces range of motion at the knee (extension and flexion), hips, and low back.
What does Q factor signify?
In physics and engineering, the quality factor or Q factor is a
dimensionless parameter that describes how underdamped an oscillator or resonator is
. It is approximately defined as the ratio of the initial energy stored in the resonator to the energy lost in one radian of the cycle of oscillation.
How is Q factor cycle calculated?
The Q Factor of a bicycle is
the distance between the pedal attachment points on the crank arms
, when measured parallel to the bottom bracket axle.
What length cranks do pros use?
Most cranks commercially available range from
165 to 175 mm
. This 1 cm span equals about 1/3 inch yet is supposed to fit riders from under 5 feet tall to well over 6 feet. Very tall cyclists can buy 180-mm cranks from a few companies, but that’s generally the upper limit without an investment in custom production.
What is 172mm Q factor?
Q-Factor or crank width is the distance between the two pedal cranks and is a measure of stance width, which is similar to your walking step-width. QF Range. 135mm on an aerodynamic Road Bicycle to 235mm for a Fat Tire Bike.
What is boost Q factor?
Chain line: The chain line is the distance between the centre line of the frame and the centre line of the chain ring (single-chainring configuration). Ideal Boost value 51-53 mm / Ideal non-Boost value 48-50 mm. … Q-factor: The Q-factor of
a pedal is the distance between the two cranks (156 mm, 158 mm, 166 mm, 168 mm)
.
Are longer crank arms better for climbing?
Longer cranks
give more leverage
and the ability to pedal a bigger gear given everything else being equal. … Same applies to cranks on a bicycle. This becomes especially useful in hill climbing, when we are pushing slower revolutions and of course more difficult to push a gear climbing.
