Dimension
175mm Cyclocross Crankarms
Shortened to 154mm
More and more riders are discovering the advantages of using shorter crank arms on recumbents. However they have been stymied by the lack of reasonably priced, short cranks, capable of accepting small 3rd chainrings. (Of course shorter riders, on upright bicycles, can also benefit from short cranks. )
I've tooled up to shorten crankarms, but few cranks have enough material in the area of a new pedal eye to do so safely.

I recently found that the Dimension Cyclocross arms have plenty of metal where it's needed. These are decent quality, nothing fancy, with 110/74mm bolt circles. They take a 115mm, 118mm or 122mm square spindle.

Due to the straight shape, these are among the handful of cranks that have as much metal, in the critical area at the sides of the new hole, as they did before shortening.
Therefore they should be safe with Knee Savers.


Shown w/24-36-46 SunTour Chainrings - $135
Black 24t Suntour are all gone, substituting 24t black Salsa.

$85 a pair if sold as just arms
or
$75 if sold as part of a crankset.
MN residents add 6.5% sales tax

Prices, as of 3/2/2008, for some typical cranksets

With Plain Rings
24 Salsa 36-46 black Suntour "Power Rings" $135.00
Salsa 24 Sugino 34-42     $136.00
Salsa 24 Sugino 36-46     $144.00
Salsa 26 Sugino 38-48      $ 145.75
Sugino 28-42-52     $153.75.00
Salsa 24-34-44     $ 150.75
Salsa 26-39-50     $ 160.25

With Ramped & Pinned Rings
Sugino 24-36-46    $166.00
Race Face 24-34-46    $182.25
Race Face 24-36-48    $210.75

Sugino rings are 2024 Aluminum
Salsa and Race Face are harder 7075 aluminum.

Other chainring combinations are available, see "Chainrings" page.

These prices include crankarms, labor to shorten them, 3 chainrings, and 2 sets of chainring bolts but not bottom bracket spindle. Let me know if you need crankarm fixing bolts. About 1/2 of the sets come without them, so I'll just send them to those who request them

I have to buy these as "arms only", without rings and bolts.
So;
The good news is you can select a wide range of chainrings.

The bad news is that the economics of assembling a crankset from modified arms and individual parts, means you end up paying near 105 prices.

Do not send money, based on these prices.
Due to worsening exchange rates, my parts costs can rise at any time. And, my suppliers are often out of at least some specific rings. Chainring prices vary widely, depending on brand and size.

Contact me mark@bikesmithdesign.com or 612-824-2372, for a current quote and availability.


BB spindle; Square taper. 115mm, 118mm or 122mm spindles produce a chainline that works well with most good derailleurs. 118mm produces the same chainline as Shimano 105/Ultegra triples.

It's best to support your local bike shops, for non-specialty items such as BB spindles. However, I can provide spindles if you need them.

Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD) The middle and outer ring are 110mm BCD, inner is 74mm.

110mm BCD rings are available in even tooth counts from 34 to 54, plus 39 and 53.
74mm BCD rings are available in even tooth counts from 24 to 32.

People often ask if they can use the 52-42-30 rings from their road cranks. The answer is no, but unless you are very fast, or have a small drive wheel, a 52t chainring isn't much use at the higher cadences encouraged by short cranks. They usually end up keeping their old crankset intact, to sell or put on another bike, and buying smaller 110mm rings.

If you aren't sure which you have, holes on a 110 are 64.7mm (2.55") between centers and 130s are 76.4mm (3.00") between centers.

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