| Article Index |
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| 4. Q Factor |
| Q factor chart |
| All Pages |
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BB - common acronym for Bottom Bracket.
The Q Factor is the distance between the pedal attachment points on the crank arms. It is measured parallel to the spindle.
Making sure the Q Factor is large enough is important because clipping the frame should be avoided at all costs. However, reducing the Q factor as much as possible is usually desirable for rider comfort and for better aerodynamics. (Another advantage of the BB30 unit, for example, is that it has a narrower Q factor than other systems.)
Best practice to get a decent Q factor is to match like with like. For example, if you take out a Shimano Octalink 118mm, replace it with the same unit. Or, if replacing different components, make sure they are compatible.
