Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 1st impression - Omnium Crankset a.k.a. I got stung on the top of my head by a bee...

http://www.uglypads.com/Omniums.jpg

My ride: 54cm Motobecane Messenger (nothing left is stock except for the seat post clamp and headset)

Today's Excursion: 26 miles; average speed (with stops, starts, slow downs, and climbs) 17MPH, top speed 30 MPH, 4 climbs, 48/16 gear ratio, fastest sprint 25 MPH from a stop.

Installation: Having experienced a hollow crankset install on my road bike, I already knew how to put this on. I had to spend $35 for both my bikes to have the BB casing faced, but it's better than ruining a nice BB. Full installation only took 30 min. and that included taking off my old, stock Touro cranks.

Impression: I wasn't sure if dropping the two bills for this crankset was going to be worth it. It was a toss up between the FSA carbon cranks or the Paul Pure Royal cranks - but I read the reviews of the Omniums and they were good. I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but I was pleasantly surprised at how nice they felt. The 4130 steel frame already flexes (which makes for a great ride) but I don't like flex in my cranks - and that's what the Omniums accomplished: no flex. I'm a real stickler for dialing in my bikes, so I paid real close attention to the flex factor on these and the subtle change was great. As far as weight is concerned, I only dropped 1/2 lb. but I'm not really a weight weenie. I guess that was cool - but no big deal.

If you're a track rider or into big performance, I would recommend these. However, if you're more casual, then going with a mid range Sugino (or similar) crankset would suit you fine.

*On my ride today, a stupid bee flew into one of my helmet vents and stung the top of my shaved head. B@st@rd!

that's pretty cool, it's nice to see thread about experience with a product for a change.

how you liking those eggbeaters?

that's pretty cool, it's nice to see thread about experience with a product for a change.

how you liking those eggbeaters?
Thanks! Glad you liked it.

I've gone from straps to LOOK style road pedals and shoes, to these with a MTN bike shoe. My brother, the cycling guru and racer, uses these on all his bikes (except his bling Calfee road bike) - but he told me he has a racer friend who is SUPER Fast who uses eggbeaters with a reccessed-cleat road shoe. I like them because when I do charity rides or sponsored events I can walk around normally. They retain my foot very well and they are as easy to get into and out of as any strapped system. The retention is better than any strapped systen could offer. The real test is climbing and utilizing an upstroke (more efficient use of glutes and hamstrings) and they pull very nicely.

I don't see myself going back to regular road pedals. Having used them before, eggbeaters are just as efficient.

I <3 my Omniums. and at $145 shipped, you can't beat it.

would like to see a picture of the whole bike too if ya don't mind :)

Here it is without the new cranks:

http://www.uglypads.com/Messenger2009.JPG

I installed my Omniums today on my Felt TK2 replacing the stock Sugino 75s that came with it. I made almost a 100 dollar profit by doing this and I don't think it's a downgrade at all. From the short ride I did on them I couldn't really tell a noticeable difference stiffness wise, but I did notice that they were smoother than the SG75s. Also I finally have an almost silent drivetrain which I was never able to achieve with teh SG75s, but that doesn't really matter.

I'll be doing a longer ride tomorrow and I'll see how they feel. From what I read they get smoother after a certain break in period but so far I am pleased on how they feel.

I installed my Omniums today on my Felt TK2 replacing the stock Sugino 75s that came with it. I made almost a 100 dollar profit by doing this and I don't think it's a downgrade at all. From the short ride I did on them I couldn't really tell a noticeable difference stiffness wise, but I did notice that they were smoother than the SG75s. Also I finally have an almost silent drivetrain which I was never able to achieve with teh SG75s, but that doesn't really matter.

I'll be doing a longer ride tomorrow and I'll see how they feel. From what I read they get smoother after a certain break in period but so far I am pleased on how they feel.

it's not a downgrade at all. Omniums are a stiffer, lighter crank than the 75's. the 75's are outdated, heavy and are nothing in comparison to the Omniums.

may i ask where you guys ordered yours from? there are sets going for $199 shipped on ebay, just trying to see if there's any better deals.

SUV merged a right into the bike lane on me last night and bent my left crankarm so i gotta pull the trigger on a new crankset soon. was definitely going to get a set of omniums, but was hoping to have to do it later rather than sooner. oh well.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3724057131_840eea6485.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3502/3724056583_715bd418b3.jpg

I bought mine from bikeisland. They shipped them the 10th and they arrived today.

Here it is without the new cranks:

http://www.uglypads.com/Messenger2009.JPG

nice. i like that frame as well, have had it for over 3 years now and it takes a beating. wish they used threadless back then, but whatareyagonnado?

what fork is that?

I bought mine from bikeisland. They shipped them the 10th and they arrived today.

thanks! good deal on BI.

nice. i like that frame as well, have had it for over 3 years now and it takes a beating. wish they used threadless back then, but whatareyagonnado?

what fork is that?

i would guess a forte.

Looks like a Forte Axis.

Yes, Forte Axis.

VERY IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU BUY/INSTALL THESE: Take your frame/bike to the shop and have them face the BB casing. Some frames already have this done and some don't... you can see this if there's paint on the rim of the BB casing; if there's no paint, then it came faced from the factory. I was suprised to find my Surly was not.

The external BB's rely on the BB casing to be parallel, If they are off, even a 10th of a mm, you will destroy your BB over time (one guy I knew only lasted 2 weeks). Get it done. It costs around $20-$35 depending on your shop.

You can do it yourself with a sanding block or a dremel in 15 minutes.

You can do it yourself with a sanding block or a dremel in 15 minutes.

no you can't— the facing tool inserts guides into the BB shell to ensure the shell faces are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the spindle axis.

You can do it yourself with a sanding block or a dremel in 15 minutes.

Eh, the point is to have the BB shell faces parallel. Without the proper tool to do this, I just don't see being able to "eyeball" it. One thing I've learned over many years of messing with bikes and motorcycles, is to spend the money to get it done right.

http://www.parktool.com/images_inc/repair_help/bbtap_13.jpg

agreed. im very into homemade mechanic solutions, but i wouldnt "face" my head tube or bottom bracket with a sanding block. there are very specific (and very expensive!!) tools for a reason.

no you can't— the facing tool inserts guides into the BB shell to ensure the shell faces are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the spindle axis.

If a BB shell has a tight 68mm clearance, most bb's will tell you how much material too remove, and in many cases, a facing tool will take off too much and cause crank fitment issues. I only use facing tools when I'm prepping a 73mm shell or wider. All of my 68mm shells have been faced with sandpaper/dremel without issue.

I also don't think every average joe has a shell facing tool.

For example, the directions for the niner bioentric BB on a 68mm shell calls for a greaseless system, and to face the outside of the shell with a sanding block.

they dont, but they do have shaky hands.

one thing the average joe doesnt have? percision eyeballs. you dont go ripping a whole lot of metal off of a bbshell when you face it, you just slightly even it out, you probably wont even take more than 1/100 of a mm off of half the circle if you're doing it correctly.

sandpaper is still a bad idea, sorry. but good luck!

yeah, in this case i'd recommend against doing it yourself, since the facing has a different purpose when you're dealing with an external bb. it's not just paint removal, it's precise shaping of the metal to tolerances that are impossible to achieve by hand (unless you're bionic).

There is little talk about chasing and facing on this forum but almost every new frame today will not come chased or faced. Even high high end stuff. Really the only time it happens from what I know is when you buy a custom made frame or when you ask for it to be done at a LBS. It was the first thing I got done to my bareknuckle when I got it, along with getting frame saver applied.

there may be little talk about it, but leave it to BFSSFG. As soon as it's brought up, someone breaks out the huge old bag of misinformation.

Awesome article, I've been looking into these cranks, thanks so much for the info!

I was thinking about replacing my Ritchie spd's, the don't clip in all the time and are a pain in the ass. How is the float on the eggbeaters? Is it substantial, or can you unclip fairly easily?

Thanks again!

Awesome article, I've been looking into these cranks, thanks so much for the info!

I was thinking about replacing my Ritchie spd's, the don't clip in all the time and are a pain in the ass. How is the float on the eggbeaters? Is it substantial, or can you unclip fairly easily?

Thanks again!

Your very welcome!

The SS/FG forum get's a little clouded with a lot of "jackass" and "brakeless" stuff, so it's great to have a real "tech" discussion.

The float is excellent with the eggbeaters. My first experience with them was on dirt, and being able to get out of them easily on a trail is the whole point. I really like the ability to go in on any of the 4 sides. I was tired of flipping the road pedals on every start - now I can clip in no matter what the poistion of the pedal is which helps on a FG. I have these on my 29'er, FG and road bike.

Nice, looks like I'll be picking up a set!

I've got some speedplays for the road and they have quite a bit of float, I don't really like having to rotate my knee super far to get out of the pedals.

There is little talk about chasing and facing on this forum but almost every new frame today will not come chased or faced. Even high high end stuff. Really the only time it happens from what I know is when you buy a custom made frame or when you ask for it to be done at a LBS. It was the first thing I got done to my bareknuckle when I got it, along with getting frame saver applied.

exactly.
new frame = chase/face, framesaver, bb shell drain hole.

i <3 frame saver use that **** on both my steel hoopties.

also people use to sell these cranks on ebay for $155 with a best offer option, that's how i picked mine up for $145 shipped. Now they can't be found for less than $199

Eh, the point is to have the BB shell faces parallel.

those are shell thread chasers in the photo, not face cutters.

those are shell thread chasers in the photo, not face cutters.

Which proves my point - leave it to the pros.