Single track bike questions

[303BGB]

I have been riding DH for a few years now and have recently started to ride single track trails throughout Co more and more. So I decided to spring for a second bike that's a little more trail specific vs riding my what seems like a 60lb DH bike (Trek session 77).

So I ended up with a Mongoose XR-Pro. Not the best choice for a bike I know, but I didn't have a very big budget at the time and this seemed to have everything I was looking for in a bike and within my price range. Think that should have been a red flag in itself, being that I was getting too much on a bike for the $400 I spent to believe they would be quality parts.

Overall not that bad of a bike in all actuality, has a nice frame and half way decent components. One of the main issues I am having though are that the 29'' tires coupled with what I believe are 175mm crank arms seem to want to come into direct contact of each other when I'm turning... WTH? Who manufactures a bike that way?

My question is this: Would buying shorter crank arms suffice? My concern is that if I were to purchase shorter crank arms, say 165mm then I will be sacrificing the ease of pedaling quite a bit. I cant imagine it to be cost effective to put on smaller tires not to mention how low the frame would ride... Any thoughts? Because at this point i have half a mind to sell the bike on CL and just keep using my DH bike for trail riding.

[jlmuncie]

Toe overlap is fairly common but rarely a real issue on the trail. Unless you're actually getting contact while riding I wouldn't worry about it.

[303BGB]

That's the problem... The peddle actually comes in contact with the tire while riding when I turn, let alone when I have my toes hanging off the front of the peddle. Has almost made me eat it a few times now.

[shiggy]

I have been riding DH for a few years now and have recently started to ride single track trails throughout Co more and more. So I decided to spring for a second bike that's a little more trail specific vs riding my what seems like a 60lb DH bike (Trek session 77).

So I ended up with a Mongoose XR-Pro. Not the best choice for a bike I know, but I didn't have a very big budget at the time and this seemed to have everything I was looking for in a bike and within my price range. Think that should have been a red flag in itself, being that I was getting too much on a bike for the $400 I spent to believe they would be quality parts.

Overall not that bad of a bike in all actuality, has a nice frame and half way decent components. One of the main issues I am having though are that the 29'' tires coupled with what I believe are 175mm crank arms seem to want to come into direct contact of each other when I'm turning... WTH? Who manufactures a bike that way?

My question is this: Would buying shorter crank arms suffice? My concern is that if I were to purchase shorter crank arms, say 165mm then I will be sacrificing the ease of pedaling quite a bit. I cant imagine it to be cost effective to put on smaller tires not to mention how low the frame would ride... Any thoughts? Because at this point i have half a mind to sell the bike on CL and just keep using my DH bike for trail riding.

Looks like the fork may be bent, which would cause the pedal contact.
Did you buy this new or used? I see some non-stock parts on there.

[jlmuncie]

I've not seen direct pedal-tire contact on a MTB. Do you have a picture of it? Going to a 165mm crank probably won't help much as it's less than a 1/2 difference and your foot will still be hanging over.

[303BGB]

That first pic was off Google... But ha! It made me realize I'm a retard and had assembled the fork on backwards Gotta crawl before you can walk lol