Originally Posted by
fixieTA
My current crank is a no name, Made in China special. It just doesn't feel solid, and the bottom bracket sounds and feels horrible also.
If the crank doesn't spin smoothly, then you need a new bottom bracket, not a new crank.
As for not feeling solid...how do you know it has anything to do with your cranks? What you could be describing could be related to a loose cog, poorly tensioned chain, poorly tensioned spokes, a flexy frame, flexy fork, among other things. Crank flex is generally minor compared to other areas in a bicycle that flex.
Furthermore, cheap cranks are cheap because they have a cruder finish and are made of more material, and are thus heavier than expensive cranks. You aren't likely to add stiffness by buying a lighter crankset.