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Cyclocross bikes also have higher bottom brackets
by dc-programmer 4y ago
Cyclocross bikes also have higher bottom brackets
- prmoustache 4y agoThat is what I mentionned by "Slightly lower BB" for the gravel bike, just stated in the opposite direction. It doesn't matter much anyway and CX bikes from US brands had already started lowering the BB of the CX bikes because US courses designers are usually less keen on putting off cambers section than euro courses designers.
- dc-programmer 4y agoSorry somehow missed that. The explanation I heard for the traditionally higher brackets is that it facilitates quicker turning. Is there truth to this or is this more of a marketing thing?
- prmoustache 4y agoI think it is a mix of many parameters and the main one was that when cx was invented people were using toe clips with straps, albeit looser than on the road and they would hit the ground until the rider has put his foot inside when the bottom bracket was too low. The rest is mostly the ability to pedal in the corners without clipping a wheel, which help maintain and feel grip, tradition and also to help on the many off camber sections the courses used to have. I think quicker turning has never been the true reason imo.
- kevin_thibedeau 4y agoLarger road frames are designed to accommodate longer cranks and their BB drop approaches that of traditional CX which is itself dropping to lower heights as fashion changes.