Low BB...

[Tienhaara]

Anyone suffer from low BB? I’ve got the 180 rs and allthough I knew about the low BB and taking it in to concideration when riding, it still feels kind of low. Are there any tricks or trades among whyte-riders to raise the bike?

All be it, the bike is great! Can not give enough praise. Well built, trustworthy in every single situation-even OTB!

 

[Nakedebiker]

Anyone suffer from low BB? I’ve got the 180 rs and allthough I knew about the low BB and taking it in to concideration when riding, it still feels kind of low. Are there any tricks or trades among whyte-riders to raise the bike?

All be it, the bike is great! Can not give enough praise. Well built, trustworthy in every single situation-even OTB!

There's supposed to be a new shock linkage kit coming out called 'switch it' that will lift the BB height. My LBS phoned Whyte and confirmed this. I keep looking for info but can find nothing. I emailed Whyte but have had no response!

 

[Doomanic]

Are you running the correct spring rate for your weight?

 

[Tienhaara]

Are you running the correct spring rate for your weight?

Yes sir, have been adjusting it to optimize it. I have not really noticed any bigger differance while keeping it buttery.

 

[Gary]

It's not actually all that low for a long travel gravity biased mtb. It's just low for an Emtb. Geometry and travel aren't too far off that of a modern DH bike.
The BB being a little lower than the average Eeb isn't really a bad thing, The lower BB and subsequent lower overall CoG of the rider means the bike will be even more stable and give the bike more cornering grip. The downside to this is pedalling clearance when the ground is littered with holes/ruts, rocks n roots etc. learn the pedal clearance (as you should witrh any bike) and learn when you can safely put a pedal stroke and when you can't and you will reap the benefits of the low BB. - this does require thinking about foot position more but ultimately it's woth it as you'll become a better rider too.
Anyone thinking about raising or steepening one of these has bought the wrong bike IMO.

 

[luna87824]

It's not actually all that low for a long travel gravity biased mtb. It's just low for an Emtb. Geometry and travel aren't too far off that of a modern DH bike.
The BB being a little lower than the average Eeb isn't really a bad thing, The lower BB and subsequent lower overall CoG of the rider means the bike will be even more stable and give the bike more cornering grip. The downside to this is pedalling clearance when the ground is littered with holes/ruts, rocks n roots etc. learn the pedal clearance (as you should witrh any bike) and learn when you can safely put a pedal stroke and when you can't and you will reap the benefits of the low BB. - this does require thinking about foot position more but ultimately it's woth it as you'll become a better rider too.
Anyone thinking about raising or steepening one of these has bought the wrong bike IMO.

You are correct, anyone that buys a Mountain bike with a 13.2 / 336 mm BB height has bought the wrong bike.....

 

[Gary]

You are correct, anyone that buys a Mountain bike with a 13.2 / 336 mm BB height has bought the wrong bike.....

I have quite a few mtbs with lower BB heights than that. including my 170mm Emtb (326mm)

folk who moan about pedal strikes are basically complaining about their own foot to eye co-ordination and line planning skills

 

[luna87824]

I have quite a few mtbs with lower BB heights than that. including my 170mm Emtb (326mm)

folk who moan about pedal strikes are basically complaining about their own foot to eye co-ordination and line planning skills

Your poor buying decisions does not mean low BBs are a good idea...........

 

[Gary]

 

[R120]

Low BB's are a great idea, but they need getting used to if you haven't ridden a bike with one before - once you have going back to a bike with a high bb feels like riding rocking horse

 

[Nakedebiker]

Low BB's are a great idea, but they need getting used to if you haven't ridden a bike with one before - once you have going back to a bike with a high bb feels like riding rocking horse

I alternate between my e150rs and this which definitely has a high BB (and no seat!)

 

[luna87824]

Low BB's are a great idea, but they need getting used to if you haven't ridden a bike with one before - once you have going back to a bike with a high bb feels like riding rocking horse

We do not ride paved bike paths here......and no matter how much you like low BBs they still suck!!

 

[R120]

Well your entitled to your opinion, mine would be the best handling bikes have low BB's these days, and I dont think anyone on this Forum makes a habit out of riding bike paths, if your a decent rider with good technique then a low BB will only have benefits.

 

[KeithR]

We do not ride paved bike paths here......and no matter how much you like low BBs they still suck!!

Well that's us put in our place...

 

[luna87824]

Well that's us put in our place...

 

[luna87824]

Low BB's are a great idea, but they need getting used to if you haven't ridden a bike with one before - once you have going back to a bike with a high bb feels like riding rocking horse

Low BBs work great here!!

 

[Rosemount]

I have quite a few mtbs with lower BB heights than that. including my 170mm Emtb (326mm)

folk who moan about pedal strikes are basically complaining about their own foot to eye co-ordination and line planning skills

 

[luna87824]

Low BBs and a rocky trails.........

 

[RoJo]

I'm a massive fan of low BB but there comes a point where correct timing of pedal strokes causes the bike to be slower than a BB height that would allow for more consistent pedaling.
What crank length does the 180 RS use? Shortening the cranks might be a win-win situation to avoid you having to raise the BB. 5mm crank length change is really noticeable particularly on technical climbs where it's important to just keep pedaling rather than worrying about the efficiency.

 

[Jackware]

It's not actually all that low for a long travel gravity biased mtb. It's just low for an Emtb. Geometry and travel aren't too far off that of a modern DH bike.
The BB being a little lower than the average Eeb isn't really a bad thing, The lower BB and subsequent lower overall CoG of the rider means the bike will be even more stable and give the bike more cornering grip. The downside to this is pedalling clearance when the ground is littered with holes/ruts, rocks n roots etc. learn the pedal clearance (as you should witrh any bike) and learn when you can safely put a pedal stroke and when you can't and you will reap the benefits of the low BB. - this does require thinking about foot position more but ultimately it's woth it as you'll become a better rider too.
Anyone thinking about raising or steepening one of these has bought the wrong bike IMO.

I hope you've got this advice saved so you can copy and paste everytime this query/pedal strikes appears on this forum

 

[Gary]

TBF it's not really relevant to fatbikes

 

[KeithR]

Low BBs and a rocky trails......... View attachment 39182

Sure - along with a lack of skill...

 

[Eddy Current]

I guess if Whyte plans to do a carbon frame on their emtb line. This one is in the top 5 of my wishlist

 

[The EMF]

I guess if Whyte plans to do a carbon frame on their emtb line. This one is in the top 5 of my wishlist

One of the reasons I bought my E150-RS is that frame is AL......no probs when it comes to recycling

 

[ThierryGTLTS]

Low BB means better stability, and I feel it.

Great for me

 

[Gary]

What you clearly don't understand is dynamic BB height.
Suspension travel has to be taken into account when designing static BB height. So the ideal static BB height of bikes with different amount of suspension differs. But even so the Whyte isn't spectacularly low. forgetting muppets who can't time a pedal stroke for a second. Too low a BB also affects handling negatively in maneuverability and nimbleness the larger the wheel size (the higher the axle) the greater effect a very low bb will have on this .

 

[Mikerb]

I have the E180 RS and also a Levo Comp. .....and I dont ride bike parks. When I first started riding the Whyte I had regular pedal strikes but mostly on specific trail centre trails rather than my local forest trails. I agree totally with Gary here. The low centre of balance of the E180 makes an incredible difference to its handling especially on fast descents with sweeping left then right turns but it does mean being far more conscious of when to put in a pedal stroke and when not. The big difference I noted between my local natural forest trails and a trial centre red trail ( for example) is that trail centres tend to use rocks as trail boundary markers and to support negative camber corners etc.
After a couple of weeks and the need to replace a few pins on my pedals I am no longer suffering more than the occasional pedal strike. So it is...at least for me, just a matter of adjusting. If that is an improvement to my riding then great, it certainly encourages far better technique on corners which brings even more benefit.

 

[Rosemount]

Way back in the late 70s Mongoose BMX bikes were the standard .
The were had relatively low BB . Meant you had to wait a moment longer before you could start pedaling exiting corners . But felt better turning the corners . Jumping was also more comfortable because of the lower centre of gravity .

Here we are 40 years later discussing the same things ???

 

[Gary]

Either your memory is poor or you didn't ride much BMX

 

[Tienhaara]

I’m the tool that started the thread, I was young and stupid and in need of the money....

Now a few months and a lot of asstime later I do understand the pros of a proper handling bike. It was a steep learningcurve and some pins off me pedals, just simply a different feel from my acoustic bike (bb is just slighly higher?).

I now stand corrected!