FSA k Fforce megaexo horror stories..

johnscleary
johnscleary Posts: 84
edited May 2008 in Workshop
Ive just recently ordered a 2007 Kforce megaexo crankset for a build and then I find this;
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/drive ... px#reviews
Anybody got any opinions?Ive emailed fsa in the probably vain hope that Ive nothing to worry about, but theyll hardly tell me the set is a bag of shite and send me a new one, eh?
Spesh Works Roubaix '10
28 Charolais and counting.

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    johnscleary wrote:
    Ive just recently ordered a 2007 Kforce megaexo crankset for a build and then I find this;
    http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/drive ... px#reviews
    Anybody got any opinions?Ive emailed fsa in the probably vain hope that Ive nothing to worry about, but theyll hardly tell me the set is a bag of shite and send me a new one, eh?

    I wouldn't turn it into a piece of crap before you even
    get it. Always someone out there
    claiming this or that is is junk. You here more about the "bad" stuff because when something works really well for someone they don't write in about it. Plenty of people
    out there will tell you that Campy or Shimano or Sram or whatever is pure garbage.

    Dennis Noward
  • over-the-hill
    over-the-hill Posts: 144
    This has come up here before. One shop I asked said they aren't selling them at the moment due to all the trouble and another said that this product is at the top of their warranty claims list.

    Search this forum for more info.
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    yep ... only two people I know who have had them have both been let down by them. there seems to be an issue with the cranks actually staying on!

    I asked my LBS about them and coincidentially he had one lying on the floor that had just been replaced with a DA crank as it was bust and didn't have a high opinion of them at all.

    but there must be lots out there functioning perfectly.

    I'd go Dura Ace for a crank every time for a double, and campag or shimano for a compact.

    why bother with anything less reliable?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I think this has been bad timing. Not your fault, but I'm sure the claims are valid.

    If it were me, I would try and get a refund then buy something else.
  • johnscleary
    johnscleary Posts: 84
    thanks for taking the time to reply lads-im in no doubt that Ill be returning the set, god knows how many bad reviews Ive read at this point, one guy even having the crank wind off on a descent!
    Rather not have to pay top whack for the privilege of having the same happen to me.
    Cheers
    Spesh Works Roubaix '10
    28 Charolais and counting.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    What are the advantages of this set vs a trusted Campag/Shimano set ?

    The crank breaking could be very very nasty indeed. I wouldnt bother with them.
  • johnscleary
    johnscleary Posts: 84
    supposedly smoother shifting, plus they simply look great-especially on my 2007 s works roubaix frame.
    I got a deal on the one I ordered that brought it in about the same price(including the bb) as Dura Ace, and so I went for it.
    Boy do I now regret it.You live and learn.
    Spesh Works Roubaix '10
    28 Charolais and counting.
  • proto
    proto Posts: 1,483
    edited May 2008
    Got a very similar FSA SLK Mega Exo chainset on my bike. Just different rings I think.
    I had also heard stories of left hand cranks coming loose, so made sure I installed it correctly torqued up, and additionllay put some threadlock on the retaining bolt.
    Not had a single problem with it, done probably 2000 miles. No squeaks, creaks or groans.
  • proto
    proto Posts: 1,483
    johnscleary wrote:
    thanks for taking the time to reply lads-im in no doubt that Ill be returning the set, god knows how many bad reviews Ive read at this point, one guy even having the crank wind off on a descent!
    Rather not have to pay top whack for the privilege of having the same happen to me.
    Cheers

    Can I buy the chainset off you, please? Serious request.
  • johnscleary
    johnscleary Posts: 84
    Proto, where do you live?Uk I presume?If you want to buy the set email me at johnscleary@eircom.net.
    Spesh Works Roubaix '10
    28 Charolais and counting.
  • proto
    proto Posts: 1,483
    johnscleary wrote:
    Proto, where do you live?Uk I presume?If you want to buy the set email me at johnscleary@eircom.net.

    Will do. Is it a compact?
  • johnscleary
    johnscleary Posts: 84
    yeah, 50-34 for shimano 10 speed.
    I presume youve read the reviews?Ive emailed FSA about the issues Im concerned about but havent even heard back from them.Id expect delivery in the next few days.
    Spesh Works Roubaix '10
    28 Charolais and counting.
  • azzerb
    azzerb Posts: 208
    cougie wrote:
    What are the advantages of this set vs a trusted Campag/Shimano set ?

    The crank breaking could be very very nasty indeed. I wouldnt bother with them.

    I beleive the Cinqo power meter will fit onto this when it comes out (I think)
    New Dolan Volare (not quite complete)
  • oldskoolkool
    oldskoolkool Posts: 86
    I would suspect most troubles with the FSA left side crank arm are as a result of poor fitting.If you read the FSA fitting instructions they are very specific about it and state that you need to use Loctite retaining compound on the spline interfaces and blue thread lock on the bolt threads.
    Using threadlock alone on the bolt threads will not be enough as the retaining compound stops any movement between crank arm and spindle.
  • johnscleary
    johnscleary Posts: 84
    Hi oldskool, I take your point about the fitting and the care necessary, but surely a crankset at this pricepoint shouldnt be reliant solely on glue and threadlock to hold together?
    Im aghast at the lack of basic engineering quality.
    Spesh Works Roubaix '10
    28 Charolais and counting.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I've seen multi-million pound aircraft held together with such technologies, so wouldn't worry so much about their use on a pair of cranks - the trouble is that when they are used as an excuse for sloppy tolerances. I don't think we want to go back to the days of filing cotter pins and wiring lock-nuts - the trouble is that these modern designs are increasingly reliant upon high tolerances and correct assembly to work properly - clearly something that's been missing with the FSA unit in question.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I have a Shimano compact with pinch bolts holding the left side on. While some have said that this is ugly, I have found it to be really functional in it's ease of installation, adjustment,
    and reliabilty. No problems. Much easier than the old style square taper or Isis spline.
    I have heard about left crankarms coming off on the newer outboard bearing
    cranksets but thought that it was an installation problem / error. I also remember a friend
    of mine, some years ago, cursing and finally switching, to a Shimano crank after months
    of trying to keep the left crankarm on his C-Record gruppo. Had those weird Delta
    brakes on it. Now, those he liked. He's still a Campy guy these days.

    Dennis Noward
  • cacbyname
    cacbyname Posts: 285
    I've been using the FSA K Force for a year or so ~2000 miles and it's stayed together so far. Didn't know until seeing this thread there were any issues with it.
  • Brian1
    Brian1 Posts: 595
    Poto I have just picked up my new Izoard which I had specced with 10 speed Dura ace and FSA SLK Pro.I have about 100 miles on the bike and ompared to my previous bike (10 shimano R700 compact) it seems very noisy.Whats your experience.Did you have to make any adjustments

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