Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

165mm Square taper crank?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

165mm Square taper crank?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-10-16, 06:50 PM
  #1  
PolarBear007
Touring Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 278

Bikes: 23" Schwinn High Plains, 20" Trek 830 Antelope

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
165mm Square taper crank?

Hi all -

I have a bike that i would like to put shorter cranks on (my '90 Schwinn High Plains). It has the "Bio-Pace" chain rings and a 170mm crank set now.

Is it possible to put different crank arms on without having to do anything to the BB?

Were 165mm "Bio-Pace" crank sets even made? I'm asking about the Bio-Pace b/c that's what's on there now and i like it (i also put a 24t granny gear on it!!!)

Thank!!!
PolarBear007 is offline  
Old 03-10-16, 07:06 PM
  #2  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,517

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times in 2,058 Posts
Bio pace is just the chain rings. If you find a 165mm crank witht he correct BCD you can swap your bio pace rings on it. Or you can just use round rings
dedhed is offline  
Old 03-10-16, 07:19 PM
  #3  
Bill Kapaun
Really Old Senior Member
 
Bill Kapaun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Posts: 13,875

Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1795 Post(s)
Liked 1,271 Times in 877 Posts
I put newer Sq. Taper 165mm cranks on my 2 bikes. (see my bikes to the left)
The required 113mm BB was shorter then either of the existing BB's even though one was only 3-4 years old at the time.

Last edited by Bill Kapaun; 03-10-16 at 07:22 PM.
Bill Kapaun is offline  
Old 03-10-16, 09:44 PM
  #4  
Andrew R Stewart 
Senior Member
 
Andrew R Stewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,098

Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4211 Post(s)
Liked 3,881 Times in 2,316 Posts
The Bb size/length is a factor of mostly the crank arm, spindle hole and mounting location of the rings. How all three relate to each other, dimensionally, is the issue. Or put another way where are the rings located WRT the end of the spindle. As the same labeled model of crank goes through the versions over the years this relationship can and often changes too. Without doing a lot of looking up in manufacture's spec charts and then confirming by actually trial fitting one can't say with much confidence how close to the frame will a different crank arm fit. Even if you're buying used arms off Ebay (and I'd recently bought a couple of arm sets of a certain mid/late 1980s era model for $50 - $100 each pair) a different BB is not too much more expense. Andy.
Andrew R Stewart is offline  
Old 03-10-16, 11:23 PM
  #5  
Jeff Wills
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
 
Jeff Wills's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,843
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 712 Times in 380 Posts
Originally Posted by PolarBear007
Hi all -

I have a bike that i would like to put shorter cranks on (my '90 Schwinn High Plains). It has the "Bio-Pace" chain rings and a 170mm crank set now.

Is it possible to put different crank arms on without having to do anything to the BB?

Were 165mm "Bio-Pace" crank sets even made? I'm asking about the Bio-Pace b/c that's what's on there now and i like it (i also put a 24t granny gear on it!!!)

Thank!!!
IIRC, yes they were available, but far more rare than the 170mm or 175mm versions of the same crank.

Here's a pair of crankarms that will accept your chainrings: Origin8 Crankarm Set 165 74/130Bcd Sl Trpl | Bikewagon
but I am nearly 100% sure that you will need a shorter bottom bracket for them to work properly. "Low profile" cranks became popular in the early '90's, which caused a shift to shorter BB's.
__________________
Jeff Wills

Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills is online now  
Old 03-11-16, 08:31 PM
  #6  
PolarBear007
Touring Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 278

Bikes: 23" Schwinn High Plains, 20" Trek 830 Antelope

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thanks everyone!

As i've read through everyone's response RE: the bb, "shorter" is an adjective used.... does this mean it is narrower than what i currently have? In other words, short = the ends of the pedal axle are closer to the edge of the bb housing?

Sorry, while i am mechanically adept, i'm not well acquainted with bicycle nomenclature....
PolarBear007 is offline  
Old 03-11-16, 09:42 PM
  #7  
Homebrew01
Super Moderator
 
Homebrew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times in 612 Posts
Yes, Bottom bracket axle lengths vary... the amount of axle extending out of the cups.
BB axle lengths have to match, to some degree, with the crankset. Too short and the crank hits the frame, too long and it may feel uncomfortable or awkward.

In addition to this site, Sheldon Brown's website has a lot of information on bike specs of all kinds.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Old 03-11-16, 09:51 PM
  #8  
PolarBear007
Touring Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 278

Bikes: 23" Schwinn High Plains, 20" Trek 830 Antelope

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Homebrew01
Yes, Bottom bracket axle lengths vary... the amount of axle extending out of the cups.
BB axle lengths have to match, to some degree, with the crankset. Too short and the crank hits the frame, too long and it may feel uncomfortable or awkward.
Thank you. That is a very easily understood description.

Originally Posted by Homebrew01
In addition to this site, Sheldon Brown's website has a lot of information on bike specs of all kinds.
Yeah, i'm sure it is. But then i'd have to actually R-E-A-D...... and i never did learn...
PolarBear007 is offline  
Old 03-11-16, 11:01 PM
  #9  
Jeff Wills
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
 
Jeff Wills's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,843
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 712 Times in 380 Posts
Originally Posted by PolarBear007
Yeah, i'm sure it is. But then i'd have to actually R-E-A-D...... and i never did learn...
If you can get hold of a Sutherland's Manual, you can just look at the pictures. They're very informative.
__________________
Jeff Wills

Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
angelonc
Commuting
8
05-12-19 10:36 AM
tarwheel
Classic & Vintage
14
04-11-16 07:57 AM
bikebreak
Bicycle Mechanics
7
02-12-14 08:44 PM
s1xty7
Bicycle Mechanics
6
05-10-12 03:54 PM
jimmuller
Classic & Vintage
23
10-19-10 03:48 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.