Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - inexpensive crankset recomendation?

I finally got a 1st ride on the trek... love it other then I need a little lower gearing... my strength to weight ratio doesn't like the 42 small ring up front haha

right now i'm running a 11-28 8spd cassette and a 52/42 sq/taper crank... seems a compact crankset would do the trick for me...

anyone have any recommendations for one for around $100?...

thanks
mark

At that price you'd probably be looking at an FSA Omega compact crank. For a little bit more, JensonUSA has the Shimano R600 compact which I believe is Tiagra-level...

I think the FSA comes with the bottom bracket, but you may have to buy one for the Shimano. I'm not an expert mechanic so you'd want to check this out.

The FSA Vero is cheaper still ($70) and sounds like it would work with your existing BB (?).

Edit: I typed all this without realizing you're running 8 speed. I think you can use a 10-speed crank but again hopefully you'll get some better advice from real mechanics.

I assume that you can't change the inner chainring to something smaller. Nashbar has a Shimano 105 crank (39/50) for $70, and FSA Gossamer Compact (34/50) for $80 and a Nashbar Compact (34/50) for $80. They also have a 10% off offer good today only. I'm not sure about bottom bracket compatability. Good luck.

thanks... looks like i've got a few OK options... i'm asking around the club to see if anyone has anything used...

I considered the chainring option but it doesn't look like I can get a ring as small as i'd like and with how much they cost I may as well spend a little more and get the full crank... i've got a few square taper BB's in the parts bin (as well as a phill wood in the MTB that's bound to be replaced with an external type BB eventualy)

hmm... looking on ebay I found an older '06 campy Mirage sq/taper crankset that looks like it meets my needs... would it hold up to a 300# guy?

I put Shimano 105 of the 5600 variety on my rain bike (late 90's steel Schwinn Tempo). It shifts like butter and is stiff as a brick. Had a square taper 105 set and could make the chain rub any time I was on the big ring. Now it just doesn't do that. External bearings are the ****e.

Good price if this is your size (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_212345_-1___11003)

been on a MTB for years and even at 300# I haven't had an issue with sq/taper

looking at ebay... and thinking out loud... maybe I should go with a triple... unsure if my front D would handle it... but I have friction shifter.. I could run a narrower cassette which I'd prefer and I could swap to one of my old MTB rear D's if I need a longer cage for more chain take-up... hmmm

hmm... looking on ebay I found an older '06 campy Mirage sq/taper crankset that looks like it meets my needs... would it hold up to a 300# guy?

The Mirage crank is pretty flexy. I have one on a bike and plan to replace it with something stiffer. And I only weigh in at 146!

Incidentally, Campy cranks require a Campy BB. The spindle taper is different from everyone else's.

lol... thanks... tells me all I need to know.

Here's a good price on a compact (R600).

R600 Compact (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CR309B03-Shimano+R600+Compact+Road+Cranksets.aspx)

Just make sure if you get anything new, it's a square taper crank. I had a friend recently find quite the deal on a new crank and never check the BB type and it was an external bb type. However, that is an option to go with a Hollotech II, super easy to install, just make sure the frame is faced to make for a smooth fit.

You really need a compact;

Competitive cyclist has this Sram Rival crank for $99, including the BB. Order the 175mm with a 34/50t chainring: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-components/2008-sram-rival-crankset-wgxp-bb-3388.1737.0.html

Try this crank, can't be beat for versatility and setup options. $95.

http://www.velo-orange.com/suxddocr48.html

Just make sure if you get anything new, it's a square taper crank. I had a friend recently find quite the deal on a new crank and never check the BB type and it was an external bb type. However, that is an option to go with a Hollotech II, super easy to install, just make sure the frame is faced to make for a smooth fit.

I would very highly recommend moving away from old school square taper. The new big spindled, external bearing cranks are super stiff (aka clyde friendly), especially when compared to square taper. There are a number of prior threads attesting to this.

I've converted two bikes and have not had to have them faced. Many riding buds have as well. Doesn't mean you won't need to, but most don't require it.

PS -- I ran one of mine with 8 speed for about a year (Shimano 5600 with Sora) -- worked fine, recently upgraded to 10.. nice upgrade path.

I just converted my FSA Vero triple to a Tiagra compact a few weeks ago. The external BB makes a huge difference over the square taper BB. Cost me about $120 with tax at my LBS. After 100 miles I love the new setup!!

If you don't mind the 52 big ring, you can always change the inner ring to a 39. 53/39 is a very common combination. That's what's on both my road bikes. Probably more functional at this point to go with the compact set up and keep the other till you are stronger.

Go for a Sugino with a good-level Shimano (XT or Ultegra) bottom bracket. My LHT has the Sugino XD and a XT BB, both have been bulletproof for the past 5k-ish HARD miles, and I usually shred BB's.

I would very highly recommend moving away from old school square taper. The new big spindled, external bearing cranks are super stiff (aka clyde friendly), especially when compared to square taper. There are a number of prior threads attesting to this.

I've converted two bikes and have not had to have them faced. Many riding buds have as well. Doesn't mean you won't need to, but most don't require it.

PS -- I ran one of mine with 8 speed for about a year (Shimano 5600 with Sora) -- worked fine, recently upgraded to 10.. nice upgrade path.

Yep, I replaced my square taper with an external LX on my Trek about 2 months ago. I did have to have my faced though, which is the only reason I mentioned.

Re the mirage crank. I am 275 and spin like mad for two years on a compact Mirage - no problems at all - I would recommend it

won an Ultegra triple on ebay... bid on a few different cranks, mostly compact... lost on them and bid on the ultegra... I figure the triple will also allow me to go with a narrower cassette... the q-factor shouldn't bother me coming from a MTB... my biggest concern is shifting quality with the old school suntour blaze front derailer... we'll see what happens :)

I assume that you can't change the inner chainring to something smaller. Nashbar has a Shimano 105 crank (39/50) for $70, and FSA Gossamer Compact (34/50) for $80 and a Nashbar Compact (34/50) for $80. They also have a 10% off offer good today only. I'm not sure about bottom bracket compatability. Good luck.

The Gossamer is a good solid crankset. You can probably pick up the bottom bracket on ebay for about $25- maybe less. The compact gearing would do you good.