Carbon Chainsets ????

kellys_heroes
kellys_heroes Posts: 88
edited March 2008 in Workshop
was looking for a bit of feedback regarding carbon Cranks / Chainsets, i am from
the old school of trusted components, i prefer using Campag Record alloy chainsets as i am a bit on the heavy side,what i mean is i am 6ft4 tall and weigh 14stone - just getting back in to serious cycling - just worried about using Carbon Cranks as these things are generally designed for the average rider and would not feel comfortable putting lots of pressure on cranks when out the saddle.....would like to hear if any other rider of my weight and size has encountered problems - if any . or am i worrying about nothing..Cheers.

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Well i seriously doubt that companies would sell components that are dangerous.

    Will they last as long as alloy ? Who knows.

    I'm happy with my alloy DA chainset though - the weight difference won't be noticeable to me and costs less.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Not many of us put out more power than the pros so I don't think there is any problem with durability. I would be more concerned with possible impact damage as it may not be visible and them let you down later.
    My Fleet.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    i'm sure they will be fine - they are used by the pro's - boonen, hushvod - the bigger sprinters can't be lightweight and will put a lot of power through them

    I have the Campag Centaur Carbon compact chainset - it is a work of art - such quality of build - almost a shame to put it on a bike!

    go for it - they are a it lighter, look great and i'm sure they will be fine with you on board..
  • kellys_heroes
    kellys_heroes Posts: 88
    yeah i am sure that a carbon chainset would be fine,, dont think i am being sarcastic when i say that i did think about the pro`s using them esp Boonen who`s about 6ft 4 tall..but in his case his mechanic would prob fit a few chainsets thru the racing year so any wear and tear would not be noticed..us mere mortals have got the ONE chainset for good...bought 2 alloy campag record chainsets of ebay bargain at 60 quid each...but will prob want to do my new Litespeed justce with a a Carbon one..sorry to namedrop but been off the bike serious...what the hell if you cant indulge in your fav pastime.cheers
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    exactly - get it bought for that new lightspeed!

    i see what you mean about the pro's perhaps getting through a few of them in a season - but again - if there was the risk of them failing completely - i mean snapping - then they wouldn't use them to start with!
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    John.T wrote:
    Not many of us put out more power than the pros so I don't think there is any problem with durability.
    Plenty of ordinary riders put more force through the cranks than the pros do though - and it's force rather than power that's the problem. All you need is to be heavier than them, and even the big sprinters are actually pretty light compared to normal tall people. Having said that I can't believe there is a problem with anything mainstream - at least not until you weigh a lot more than 14 stone.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I do seem to scuff my cranks - just carelessly clanking them against the kerb or something at cafe stops. Nothing major, but would that be a problem on carbon ?
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Power is a product of force and revs. Petachi can produce around 1000 watts so to apply the same force as my 200ish he would have to be pedaling at 5 times the revs. He is not that good so the force he applies must be greater than mine by rather a lot. As for the loadings on the Mur and similar climbs I hate to think what they are. Rather more than even a 20 stone rider standing on the pedals I suspect. There are only 2 things stopping me using carbon cranks. Cost and the risks from impact damage. Mainly the first one.
    My Fleet.

Categories