Slipstream - Spring 08 - Short Cranks - TerraCycle Idlers - Grocerey Bags Continued from So you want shorter Crank Arms Now What? My new shorter cranks(155MM) from Biksmith Design & Fabrications are now installed and I have taken my first few rides with them. Here are my first impressions: 1. Installtion...

TerraCycle offers a Longbikes Slipstream Idler Kit that looks very nicely made. It replaces the rubber idlers seen on most recumbents with coged idlers that have high quality bearings. TerraCycle claims that the better idlers provide improved efficiency and quieter operation. This improvement is not...

If you are replacing your crank arms with shorter cranks this video shows you how. You can also find this great video at How to Replace Crank Arms at BikeTutor.com. If you also have to replace the bottom bracket, here’s a great video on how to do that, How to Replace a Cartridge Bottom Bracket...

I have been investigating steps needed to install my short cranks when they arrive. Here’s how the UN54 68/115 (or 118) BB for the Slipstream will install. Make sure you have the special tool needed to install the BB before you start. I use a Park BBT-2 Bottom Bracket Tool for Splined Bottom Brackets...

macpublish suggested in yesterday’s comments that I consider Q-Rings if I am changing cranks. I rode Shimano Bio Pace in days of old so really haven’t paid much attention to Q-Rings, the stories sound the same to me. However, this was the second time I heard that comment. So I decided to...

  Ok, I have decided that I want to replace the standard 170 MM  cranks on my Slipstream with 155 MM cranks more appropriate for my Hobbit legs. So I Googled and found almost nothing. Looks like the shortest commercial Road and MTB cranks are 165 MM. There are 155 MM and shorter cranks out there but...