Pedals too low to the ground

terrycox
terrycox Posts: 8
edited August 2015 in Workshop
Just purchased a Spanish Moma electric folding bike, kitted out with all Shimano equipment running on 20 inch wheels.
The bike is brilliant in all respects, except for the pedal ground clearance, which is 2.5 inches (6cm) from the floor.
You only have to deviate the tiniest bit from upright and they ground on the floor, its virtually impossible to turn left or right without this happening, and its really unnerving.
I'm 68 yrs old and just want to cycle quite normally (no outrageous stuff) I need advice on this, as in, is it possible to fit a shorter crank arm etc ???
Anyone got any feedback or advice.
Thanks Terry.

Comments

  • keezx
    keezx Posts: 1,322
    I would not consider this as a roadbike but there are 3 possible solutions:
    1-Shorter cranks indeed.
    Most likely the bike has 170 mm cranks and 165 or 160 makes a difference.
    Keeping a reasonable cadence will be easyer too....
    2-Narrower pedals
    3-Fatter tyres
    4-All above combined....
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    Can't you stop pedalling as you make the turn and keep the crank arm up in the vertical position, and use the electric motor to power you through?
  • terrycox
    terrycox Posts: 8
    Hello Keezx, all good ideas, will look into all these, I think a combination of all would be needed. I take it that "I would not consider this as a roadbike" is a personal choice, I chose it because at 68 its smaller than my old road bike, and its got power assist. (old man now)
  • terrycox
    terrycox Posts: 8
    Hello dj58, I actually thought of adopting that method this afternoon, using it as a fully electric bike (Throttle only) and only peddle on the straight. I bought it initially as a road bike but with power assist when needed, but it seems that isn't going to work out too well.
    Terry.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    It doesn't look that bad from the photo. You must be leaning the bike over at a good angle ?

    Pedalling through a corner is often a bad idea. Who was the French tour rider who crashed doing this this tour ?
  • rafletcher
    rafletcher Posts: 1,235
    [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19680914#p19680914]cougie[/url] wrote:
    It doesn't look that bad from the photo. You must be leaning the bike over at a good angle ?

    Pedalling through a corner is often a bad idea. Who was the French tour rider who crashed doing this this tour ?

    Pinot
  • terrycox
    terrycox Posts: 8
    Hello Cougie, I'm not leaning the bike at all, I only have to stop at junction to turn left or right, and the minute you pedal away they ground, like I said the clearance is only 6cm or 2.5 ins, I am fully aware that only a fool would go into a turn pedalling, I am turning from a standstill, I have ridden bikes for 50 plus years and this is the only bike to give me this problem.
    Terry
  • Skonk
    Skonk Posts: 364
    Could you return the bike stating it's not fit for purpose due to this?

    Seems to me that if you can't actually pedal from a stand still left or right at a junction without it grounding then the bike isn't fit for use and is potentially dangerous.

    I'd try to get a refund on it if it were me; and then try to visit a few shops that stock similar bikes and have a proper look at the options to find one that wont have this problem.

    I don't think it's fair to have to spend money to modify the bike as a workaround.
    Canyon Spectral AL 9.0 EX
    Planet X RT90 Ultegra Di2
  • mattsccm
    mattsccm Posts: 409
    Not wanting to be rude but is this just a poorly designed bike. There are lots out there and this sort of bike is rarely boughtbby experienced cyclists. More likely to be bought by some one who rarely rides and iusn't as thoughtful as the OP.
    I would attremptba refund and do some research before buying something else.

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