Bicycle Mechanics - SRAM Red cranks compatibility with lesser SRAM Rival Bottom Bracket

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531phile
10-23-10, 03:33 PM
Are SRAM Red cranks compatible with SRAM GXP Team bottom brackets? I currently have a SRAM Rival and a GXP Team bottom bracket which is the BB that come standard with SRAM Rival. I am asking this because SRAM Red is the top of the line and I am afraid it might require a special type of bottom bracket.

nwbikeman
10-23-10, 04:17 PM
They should interchange, but the red has a ceramic bottom bracket. Most manufactures say about 80 percent less drag than a standard bottom bracket and that is very noticeable. If you want to compare find a shop that caries ceramic bearings and spin one to compare, it's like not having any grease in it at all and very fast. You can feel the difference.
andrewluke
10-23-10, 04:18 PM
you're fine. I use the force level BB because I'm getting a Chris King later and didn't want to shell out for the ceramic Red BB

531phile
10-23-10, 04:29 PM
OK thanks. yeah I hear good things about the Red ceramic bb, but I also hear that they require frequent maintenance so I think I'm going to just keep my current GXP Team bottom bracket. I'm considering the RED because I need shorter cranks so I figure I'll upgrade if the price is right.
wanton007
11-02-12, 12:40 AM
OK thanks. yeah I hear good things about the Red ceramic bb, but I also hear that they require frequent maintenance so I think I'm going to just keep my current GXP Team bottom bracket. I'm considering the RED because I need shorter cranks so I figure I'll upgrade if the price is right.

Man..I'm digging this 2 year old up....

Noticed you had done the same thing that I am wanting to do.

I currently have SRAM Rival crank w/ GXP bottom bracket on my Madone. I too need shorter crank arms and can find a great deal on SRAM Red crank that is GXP compatible. Were you able to use your existing GXP bottom bracket and did you have any other compatibility issues?
reddog3
11-02-12, 08:42 AM
By shorter I assume you want 165s (my preference as well). Rivals are available in 165 length in a compact crank. Slightly heavier than Reds but $200 less.
Looigi
11-02-12, 09:00 AM
I had poor life out of SRAM ceramic BB bearings. Steel have been much better. No advantage whatsoever to ceramic in this application IMO.
wanton007
11-05-12, 02:50 AM
I can get SRAM Red 165mm at about $300..so not much more than the Rival cranks...at least right now. Was just wondering if I should get the BB at the same time...except mine are still brand new so figure I should ride those until they pack it in, and get something else. From the sounds of it, the ceramic ones aren't much better so not really going to worry about it for now.