Help me choose a crankset?

notsoblue
notsoblue Posts: 5,756
edited May 2011 in Commuting chat
Right, so my old crankset and BB are knackered, and I'm looking to get a replacement.

This is what I had:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CSF ... et-megaexo

And I'm looking for a slight upgrade. Currently within my budget:

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CSS ... 0-chainset
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CSF ... d-crankset

Ignoring tooth count, and crank length, how do these two compare performance wise? The FSA is a fair bit lighter than the SRAM, but I'm a bit wary of choosing FSA again given the experience with an 8 month old crank and BB being screwed! Is this unfounded? Should I give FSA another chance?

Please, hive mind, help me make an informed choice! :)
FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05

Comments

  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    The SRAM chainrings look pretty cool. Then again I'm using an FSA Gimondi chainset on the Pompino and it is great....

    Is there a bad decision to take here? Probably not.
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,767
    Dunno. I like square taper JIS, me. got over 10 years out of my last BB and the cranks are still going strong (as they should for great lumps of alloy). Given your experience, then I'd prioritise strength and durability over weight - what's a couple of hundred grams if you have a bag on your back?
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    I'm picking up a Miche compact (50/36) this evening. Its a warranty replacement and I was planning to sell it on so it could be yours for the right price - will add a link later.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    edited May 2011
    Can't help with the specific choice, but I can offer some general comments:

    - Never had FSA cranks and never will. The eternal complaint is that they are sh!t. They creak, they grind and then they go phut (enter stage right countless members of the cast defending the durability of FSA cranksets...)
    - Used to have Campy square taper carbon Chorus. Loved it, but in hindsight (a) the BB would clickk something rotten. I think this was the cup moving against the BB itself. (b) square taper is a PITA to remove (c) it wasn't as stiff as what I moved to.
    - Now run S975 SRAM, which is the power meter version of the S900, which is a beefed up version of S500 (esp at the spider). Very stiff - stiffer than my Campy rig. With the right torque wrench and bit, very easy to fit and remove. The weak link is the standard GXP BB with is from what I have read poor. I went for the ceramic bearing model, which seems fine, although I have to keep an eye on the lube on the bearings. I have been recommended a Chris King BB, but can't be arced just yet to switch.

    Agree with rjsterry on going for strength over lightness in a crankset and BB.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Thanks guys. Food for thought.

    I think the crank axle damage is a manufacturing fault rather than wear and tear, and that is what has damaged the BB. Picture: http://i55.tinypic.com/2hedopf.jpg (I'm not sure what kind of survivable accident I could have had to have caused this damage)

    Also, with regards to strength and durability, it looks like I may be taking a hit on both points if I went for the FSA which is described as "[FSA's] most economical carbon integrated crankset".

    Hmmmm. Leaning towards the SRAM now. Unfortunately I'm limited on price (<£200) and to whats available from PX as this should be a warranty replacement.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • magoo289
    magoo289 Posts: 223
    If your thinking of FSA cranks, their 30% off offer doesn't end until 31 May. http://www.fullspeedahead.com/news/43/O ... IAL-OFFERS

    But you need to buy 2 of the items
    CAAD9
    Bianchi Infinito CV
    [url=Http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/ref/magoo289]Http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/ref/magoo289[/url]
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    Of what PlanetX are offering, I would take the Ultegra 6700, and chuck in the additional cash.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Sorry to interrupt, I hope I'm not out of order here.

    But I have a brand new unfitted SRAM Rival 50/34 172.5mm chainset inc BB for sale.

    I'm in South London and am happy for a cash on collection/meet half way.

    6822-1305913638-0.jpg

    PM me if interested.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    another +1 on the weight, in the BB area it's not such an issue.

    My experiences with FSA cranksets have been smart but flexi under load, I can't fault either the shimano or campagnolo kit buuuut my carbon centaur, yummy!
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • jejv
    jejv Posts: 566
    rjsterry wrote:
    Dunno. I like square taper JIS, me. got over 10 years out of my last BB and the cranks are still going strong (as they should for great lumps of alloy). Given your experience, then I'd prioritise strength and durability over weight - what's a couple of hundred grams if you have a bag on your back?
    OK, So what JIS compact triple chainset would you go for ?
    What are these "great lumps of alloy" of which you speak ?
    Sugino ? Middleburn ? TA ?
  • Butterd2
    Butterd2 Posts: 937
    jejv wrote:
    What are these "great lumps of alloy" of which you speak ?
    Sugino ? Middleburn ? TA ?

    My last Middleburn crankset on my MTB only lasted 15 years and then when it did fail Middleburn only gave me 50% discount on a new one. At this rate I'll have to buy 2 more before I die. :)
    Scott CR-1 (FCN 4)
    Pace RC200 FG Conversion (FCN 5)
    Giant Trance X

    My collection of Cols
  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 29,767
    edited May 2011
    jejv wrote:
    rjsterry wrote:
    Dunno. I like square taper JIS, me. got over 10 years out of my last BB and the cranks are still going strong (as they should for great lumps of alloy). Given your experience, then I'd prioritise strength and durability over weight - what's a couple of hundred grams if you have a bag on your back?
    OK, So what JIS compact triple chainset would you go for ?
    What are these "great lumps of alloy" of which you speak ?
    Sugino ? Middleburn ? TA ?

    It's just the unbranded one that my Giant came with back in 1997 I'm afraid, fitted with 52/42T chainrings. They are scuffed to hell, but otherwise fine for commuting. I've had my eye out for a chainset for the Mercian and aside from 'vintage' stuff, have had real trouble finding anything for a square taper BB in polished alloy of reasonable quality.
    1985 Mercian King of Mercia - work in progress (Hah! Who am I kidding?)
    Pinnacle Monzonite

    Part of the anti-growth coalition
  • will3
    will3 Posts: 2,173
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... OC:GB:1123

    ??
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Right, I have one of these available:

    http://road.cc/content/review/10446-mic ... x-crankset

    Brand new, I also have a used Miche bottom bracket to go with it. Probably not of interest to notsoblue if he's dealing with Planet X, but if anybody else would like it I'm open to serious offers.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/
  • sketchley
    sketchley Posts: 4,238
    The rest of your bike is Sram Red is it not?

    How about http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CSS ... d-chainset only £199.99 if you are happy with 172.5mm.
    --
    Chris

    Genesis Equilibrium - FCN 3/4/5
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Well Planet X have just reduced their SRAM Red Chainset to £199, so that has made the decision for me. Glad I procrastinated about the choice as the SRAM Red was almost twice that price yesterday! Finally, the carpet matches the drapes on my SL Pro ;)

    Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated :)
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Sketchley wrote:
    The rest of your bike is Sram Red is it not?

    How about http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CSS ... d-chainset only £199.99 if you are happy with 172.5mm.

    Whoops, our posts crossed there! Indeed, thats what I went for. :)
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    I'm more interested in what you are doing with your existing cranks?

    I have the same and think they are great. The only thing is i have lost the screw cap that goes in the end of the non-drive side crank that tensions the bearings.

    If you don't need it can i have it???
    FCN = 4
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    I'm more interested in what you are doing with your existing cranks?

    I have the same and think they are great. The only thing is i have lost the screw cap that goes in the end of the non-drive side crank that tensions the bearings.

    If you don't need it can i have it???

    My crank cracked! http://i55.tinypic.com/2hedopf.jpg So its going back to FSA via PX for a warranty claim.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    oh well; worth a try!
    FCN = 4
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CSSRRE/sram-red-chainset

    SRAM Red from Planet X for £199.
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    Already PM'd nsb on that, he bought it yesterday (at the sale price) :D
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    ^ Great minds think alike :lol:

    *goes back to perusing sale items....*
  • pitchshifter
    pitchshifter Posts: 1,476
    notsoblue wrote:

    My crank cracked! http://i55.tinypic.com/2hedopf.jpg So its going back to FSA via PX for a warranty claim.

    Too much power? :wink:
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    pitchshifter wrote:
    notsoblue wrote:

    My crank cracked! http://i55.tinypic.com/2hedopf.jpg So its going back to FSA via PX for a warranty claim.

    Too much power? :wink:

    Yeah, clearly, but don't tell FSA, I'm sticking with the "manufacturing fault" line to make sure I get my money back :P
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    pitchshifter wrote:
    notsoblue wrote:

    My crank cracked! http://i55.tinypic.com/2hedopf.jpg So its going back to FSA via PX for a warranty claim.

    Too much power? :wink:

    Ahh, the old overdose of awesome. I had the same problem when my handlebar snapped. Nothng to do with it being over 20 years old.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!

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