Pedal Strike?

This is a semi re-post but I need some quick help. I am planning on ordering a Del Paseo track frame from J and B importers and I usually ride a 56cm road bike but I am strongly considering a 53 cm simply because I will be running riser bars. My question is that I am running a big front cog, 52 teeth with 170 crank arms and I am concerned about pedal strike. I have chosen to go with the 53 cm frame because with proper stem and seat height adjustment I feel that it will be more agile. Also a 53 cm may be easier to bail and it seems most of the MASH. death pedal, etc dudes ride frames that are a bit smaller than what they would ride on a typical road bike. Im a bike mechanic so Im not completely retarded but Im no expert on fixed gears and I would really like some help. I will be ordering this frame Monday so any quick help will be graciously taken. Thanks again.

I personally ride 170mm crank arms and I have no problems with pedal strike, but, of course, it's different for every frame. Most people like to go with 165s to be on the safe side, but you lose some of the leverage you'd have on 170s. If you already have 170s, I'd say ride them for awhile, and if you feel like you need to go shorter, then do that later.

I am a full time mechanic at my lbs as well. I have 170mm arms on a few bikes, most of which have road geometry. My newest bike has track geo and came with 165mm cranks. Between the taller BB height and the shorter crank arms I can lean it pretty far over without hitting. It spins very well and is really easy to keep the spin going. With the longer arms and road geo it seems easier to climb but isnt as great on the flats IMO. Also wider pedals mean less clearance. The only pair I ever hit was some MKS sylvan touring pedals which are significantly wider than the sylvan tracks or street track pedals.

I'm entertaining the idea of getting some bmx pedals and straps.. I can get Shadow Conspiracy pedals for cheap through a relative in the bike business but I'm worried about the pedal strike.. I ride on 165mm cranks..

pedal strike makes you a better rider...

i recover from it every time, its just you gotta be expecting it and ready to react to it when you dive into a corner.

i ride shadow ravenger pedals with BEAR sTRAPS and the outside corners of my pedals are all ground down from strike.

i ride an XL giant bowery with 175 FSA cranks (cuz im tall) but i got no issues... just get ready to correct the bike when the pedal strikes.

punkbrad wrote:

pedal strike makes you a better rider...

i recover from it every time, its just you gotta be expecting it and ready to react to it when you dive into a corner.

i ride shadow ravenger pedals with BEAR sTRAPS and the outside corners of my pedals are all ground down from strike.

i ride an XL giant bowery with 175 FSA cranks (cuz im tall) but i got no issues... just get ready to correct the bike when the pedal strikes.

Word... I haven't had any trouble with pedal strike and I've leaned in deep on a few turns.. I wouldn't say I'm trying to hit the ground but it's just been a total non issue.. Just a little curious as to what the extra length of the BMX pedals brings..

I'll probably order a set of your bear straps soon

Casbah wrote:

punkbrad wrote:

pedal strike makes you a better rider...

i recover from it every time, its just you gotta be expecting it and ready to react to it when you dive into a corner.

i ride shadow ravenger pedals with BEAR sTRAPS and the outside corners of my pedals are all ground down from strike.

i ride an XL giant bowery with 175 FSA cranks (cuz im tall) but i got no issues... just get ready to correct the bike when the pedal strikes.

Word... I haven't had any trouble with pedal strike and I've leaned in deep on a few turns.. I wouldn't say I'm trying to hit the ground but it's just been a total non issue.. Just a little curious as to what the extra length of the BMX pedals brings..

I'll probably order a set of your bear straps soon

the extra platform on the pedal is minimal to the awesome feel of that big-ass platform under your foot - its WAY better... haha. sure thing, hit me up on the straps, ill kick you 5 bux off... jsut remind me.. Brad.

Casbah wrote:

Word... I haven't had any trouble with pedal strike and I've leaned in deep on a few turns.. I wouldn't say I'm trying to hit the ground but it's just been a total non issue.. Just a little curious as to what the extra length of the BMX pedals brings...

I rock 175's with a track bb height and i do some very deep turns with bmx pedals without striking, but it really depends on your bb height.

I think I'll be good to go.. Gonna go pick up some pedals tommorow.

I used to ride my roommate's Bianchi Pista with a track bb and 170's and the strike was horrible, they'd hit the wheel and the ground all the time.

I've got a set of odyseey PCs with soma 2 gates and pake space straps on my "tarck" bike. I havent hit a pedal on that bike, but then I also don't really ride that one very long or hard. That bike only gets sessioned. Been riding with SPDs again and i do like being clipped in. Once i have some extra cash again i'll probably pop for a new road pedal/shoe setup.