Road Cycling - Compact crank advice

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coastalrider
08-11-04, 10:16 PM
Hi there,

I am contemplating a compact crank for my new bike.

I have seen FSA and Ritchey cranks. Are these the only brands and does anyone have feedback on either?

I would be looking at the aluminum FSA NOT the carbon.

Thanks!
Marc

Tarantula
08-11-04, 11:31 PM
I believe that either Nasbar or Performance have a compact that is on sale ($90.00?). Might be a cheap way to see if you like the device. That is unless you have to buy a bottom bracket to make it work.
My 2 cents is to try one of these. My next bike is going to have a compact and a (rear cassette) 11-25. I would guess that would cover flats and climbing. Good luck.
Cipo
08-11-04, 11:55 PM
I just ditched a triple for the FSA carbon compact, and it's absolutely the best upgrade I've ever acquired for a bike. Shifting is more precise than the triple, the gear range, coupled to an 11-25 cassette, is perfect, and the carbon is way bling. I expect it's only a matter of time before the big boys jump on the bandwagon (I think Campy does do a compact)

Eurastus
08-26-04, 04:16 PM
I recently swapped out my 53-39 crankset for one of those Ritchey WCS 110V compact cranksets you mentioned. Love it. The smaller chainring allows me to spin up all but the most steep grades (like over 20%), and I don't miss the loss of top end at all. I'll never go back to the "traditional" gearing...of course I remember when traditional meant 52-42 as well...
tourist
08-26-04, 04:31 PM
The FSA stuff I've gotten has been great. Get the Ti bottom bracket it's awesome. As a side note the carbon ones are sweeeet!!
Retro Grouch
08-26-04, 05:15 PM
I have an FSA Energy aluminum compact crank. It's clearly one of the better moves that I've ever made. It doesn't really make sense for a guy like me to have Lance Armstrong gearing because I don't have a Lance Armstrong motor. For me, the compact simply eliminated the upper gears that I never used and replaced them with some lower ones that I need. What's more, the only thing that I had to buy was the crankset. Bottom bracket, derailleurs, slightly shortened chain, and cassette are all the same as what I had before. I love it.
Steelrider
08-27-04, 06:53 PM
Campy's won't be out until late in the year, and Shimano isn't talking (but don't think they'll be too far behind).

My Eisentraut looks classic/retro and I think the FSA would look odd, don't want to go Campy and change out whole groupo, so I'll likely wait for Shimano to catch up - hopefully soon! Knees don't fail me now...