2x9 XC Drivetrain

[natehakensak]

Looking at cyclingnews and Geoff Kabushs Litesped I was wondering...
Do manufacturers make cranks specifically for 2x9 applications? I have last years xtrs w/matching pedals and spinning on that (hopefully sooner than later) vs. my road bike feels like I am doing a spread eagle. If the companies do make the 2x9's, are the q-factors appropriately narrower? Is a different pedal choice the better choice?
I guess I don't have child rearing hips and would like to narrow up my pedalling platform over the dirt. I am aware of the saying 'ride what you have', but any other suggestions or ideas? Thanks.

[tedsti]

Middleburn makes 2x9 in square taper and ISIS. You would then have to get a narrow BB to get your narrow Q.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits.aspx?ModelID=3345

I don't believe anyone makes a external BB double with MTB gearing options.

[Matthew]

FRM, Ultra LIght, and Cannondale all make 2x9 cranks with external bottom brackets. Also you can order eggbeaters with narrow axles, which is what a lot of racers are doing). Another option is to use a narrow bottom bracket. I am running isis right now and I just installed the American Classic isis bottom bracket, which besides being really light (148grams) is also so narrow that I had to use spacers on the drive side so my front derailuer could shift into the small ring without hitting the seat tube. It feels way more narrow than my external bottom bracket dues cranks and using this bottom bracket gives me a total crank weight of 772grams. I liked the looks of the frm cranks though.

[natehakensak]

Thanks, I think the pedals are the way to go. Save a little money (vs new bb and crank) and weight I guess. I guess the question remains, how much TI do I really want in my pedals? I am roughly 160lbs, don't want to bend them...

[Matthew]

I had 4 ti last season and they made it most the way through the season and then at afton they self destructed. They seemed to have a seal problem compared to the standards and part of it was my fault for bad maintenance probably. They were light and cool looking though. Otherwise I know several people that have run the twin ti's trouble free for season after season.

[SKullman]

I've pretty much have always run 2x9.

First year on my '93 cannondale I ran 44/34 110mm with a road BB to get narrow, all square taper.

Now in '07 I'm still running 2x9, but 42/29 on my 29er. 5 arm 94mm with a road 107mm square taper BB.

You can go down to a 30t I think with 104mm.

The expensive part of the equation is finding that correct width BB. Since ISIS and Octalink come in a variety of size, a competent shop may be able to help.

Even if the little ring fits with the narrow setup, there is usually no chance the Front Der will be able to swing in to drop the chain on it.

Outboard bearing cranks blow for Q factor.

[soupboy]

I haven't found any ISIS narrower than 108. Other than 2-ring road cranksets, much of what you seek can be achieved with standard MTB cranks (non OB bearing) and narrower BBs. There tend to be more/better options with square taper cranks/BBs. I found some NOS Turbine LPs in square taper/94bcd on eBay for $60. My best eFind ever.