Alternatives to SRAM Force cranks

Brocade

Folks,
Am looking for an alternative to SRAM Force Cranks. Something in the same price bracket but better in absolutely every way. Lighter, stiffer, longer lasting, diamond studded, the works. What are my alternatives ? Specs will be 170mm, compact, GXP BB.
Thanks in advance.

Pokerface

Brocade wrote:

Folks,
Am looking for an alternative to SRAM Force Cranks. Something in the same price bracket but better in absolutely every way. Lighter, stiffer, longer lasting, diamond studded, the works. What are my alternatives ? Specs will be 170mm, compact, GXP BB.
Thanks in advance.

Can't beat SRAM FORCE 2010 cranks in the same price range.

softlad

Pokerface wrote:

Can't beat SRAM FORCE 2010 cranks in the same price range.

+1 the Force crank is hard to beat - especially at some of the prices available online.

what is is you don't like about them..?

bendertherobot

GXP BB will mean Truvativ or SRAM surely. Ergo all SRAM anyway?

Brocade

softlad wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

Can't beat SRAM FORCE 2010 cranks in the same price range.

+1 the Force crank is hard to beat - especially at some of the prices available online.

what is is you don't like about them..?

Reviews here http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/drive ... 91crx.aspx

were pretty bad about the Force cranksets. Perhaps these problems have been solved ?

Radioactiveman

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/


http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

Popular cycling sites, all good prices/delivery

softlad

doesn't sound like any of those three reviews have had the chainset fitted properly. I run the 2010 Force chainset (the reviews look like 09 or earlier) - fitting was a bit of a pain, and it took a couple of attempts to get it right, with no play - but mine's probably done 600-700 miles now without any problems...

davidcambridge1

I have a 2009 Force chainset, I absolutely love it!

Brocade

OK one more question: is Force really worth the extra cash over Rival for the crankset ?

ScottieP

2010 Force is supposed to be very close in performance to Red for a lot less money. Red will be upgraded again next year I believe - but I think that all Force components are a step up from Rival not just the crankset. 2010 Force is what I would put on any bike I built this year (funds allowing), my lower budget choice would be Rival. I would choose SRAM above Shimano or Campag - but that's just me - they're all good and you'll get loads of different opinions on here .... Ultimately choose the one you like best and will most enjoy having on your bike. Good luck!

Pokerface

Brocade wrote:

OK one more question: is Force really worth the extra cash over Rival for the crankset ?

Depends why you want it.

It's lighter, stronger and looks nicer. But will it make you win races or go faster? Probably not.


I just replaced my Sram Red cranks with the Force ones. I needed new cranks - but it wasn't worth paying an extra £50-£100 for the Red cranks over the Force ones. As they are basically the same with different graphics (and I use 3rd party chainrings anyway).

All comes down to personal preference.

EDIT: I wouldn't personally buy the 2009 Force stuff, but the 2010 Force stuff is almost the same as Sram Red at a fraction of the cost.

rake

Pokerface wrote:

Brocade wrote:

OK one more question: is Force really worth the extra cash over Rival for the crankset ?

Depends why you want it.

It's lighter, stronger and looks nicer. But will it make you win races or go faster? Probably not.


I just replaced my Sram Red cranks with the Force ones. I needed new cranks - but it wasn't worth paying an extra £50-£100 for the Red cranks over the Force ones. As they are basically the same with different graphics (and I use 3rd party chainrings anyway).

All comes down to personal preference.

EDIT: I wouldn't personally buy the 2009 Force stuff, but the 2010 Force stuff is almost the same as Sram Red at a fraction of the cost.

why did you need new cranks. did they break?

bendertherobot

rake wrote:

why did you need new cranks. did they break?

Wrong length I recall.

Brocade

OK Many thanks all, this is very useful. I guess I will go with Force 2010 cranks then. Essentially, this is for a fresh new build.

Brocade

Actually, I do have another question: would it be a good idea to just get the Force Crankset with the SRAM provided B/B or should I buy the crankset from Force and would you recommend the B/B from someone else ? I also read some negative reviews about the SRAM B/B's which is why I ask. Many thanks. I have a 68mm English thread BB shell.

rake

you could save money on rival oct cranks and get a ceramic black box bb. rival cranks are very strong and not much weight penalty.

dennisn

ScottieP wrote:

2010 Force is supposed to be very close in performance to Red for a lot less money.

I really do need it explained to me what the PERFORMANCE difference is between Red
and Force? What makes it BETTER? You say very close. So what's the difference?

ScottieP

dennisn wrote:

ScottieP wrote:

2010 Force is supposed to be very close in performance to Red for a lot less money.

I really do need it explained to me what the PERFORMANCE difference is between Red
and Force? What makes it BETTER? You say very close. So what's the difference?

Hi Dennis

It's reading reviews like this ......that led me to make the comments ... I'm sure if I did some more googling I could find another one or two but the reviews I've read have been pretty consistent in their praise

http://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/sram-force-road-groupset

dennisn

ScottieP wrote:

dennisn wrote:

ScottieP wrote:

2010 Force is supposed to be very close in performance to Red for a lot less money.

I really do need it explained to me what the PERFORMANCE difference is between Red
and Force? What makes it BETTER? You say very close. So what's the difference?

Hi Dennis

It's reading reviews like this ......that led me to make the comments ... I'm sure if I did some more googling I could find another one or two but the reviews I've read have been pretty consistent in their praise

http://www.cyclingnews.com/reviews/sram-force-road-groupset

I know what you're saying. It's just that when I read some of the posts and people talk about this being better than that(i.e. frames, components, tires) that it really makes me wonder if they would know the difference in anything blindfolded(so to speak)? Could they tell the difference in a DA crank or Super Record or Red? Or Red and 105 for that matter? I doubt it. Which is sort of why I usually bring up that kind of question. I know asking things like that sounds a bit sarcastic but when someone makes a claim about this valve core being better than that valve core(so to speak) my fingers just can't help but type out WHY.

Pokerface

Please just ignore Dennis. He's old and just likes to be difficult.


We just tolerate him 'cause we're afraid if we yell at him he might go into a corner and wet himself.

ScottieP

dennisn wrote:

I know what you're saying. It's just that when I read some of the posts and people talk about this being better than that(i.e. frames, components, tires) that it really makes me wonder if they would know the difference in anything blindfolded(so to speak)? Could they tell the difference in a DA crank or Super Record or Red? Or Red and 105 for that matter? I doubt it. Which is sort of why I usually bring up that kind of question. I know asking things like that sounds a bit sarcastic but when someone makes a claim about this valve core being better than that valve core(so to speak) my fingers just can't help but type out WHY.

Dennis,

Fair enough - that's the joy of forums - lots of opinion some based on facts/reviews/some based on experience and some just pure opinion - they all have their place and we can make up our own minds based on the amalgamation of all three. Personally I wouldn't know a Record Crankset if it hit me on the head - but I was interested in one I'd be on here and a few other forums to find out what I needed to know. Personally I like the SRAM stuff - although as yet I don't own any (thanks to the recession's impact on my wallet).

Always happy to watch or participate in the debate.

ScottieP