Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Sugino Messengers

Hey guys, I've been looking at the Sugino Messengers as a new crankset for my Motobecane Track.

After some research, it seems like the 103mm BB that comes stock on my Motobecane Track will lead to a 45mm chainline with the Sugino Messenger crankset. Would this be a problem? I was under the impression that a perfect chainline would be 42mm. What would result from an off chainline?

Thanks for the help!

I would assume that an off chainline won't cause any problems save for some power loss and some noise. Maybe some premature wear on your cog.

You won't have any problems at all with a chainline that is 3mm off. I've been using Sugino RD2s for well over a year now and am quite happy with them. In all honesty, my chainline looks perfectly straight and my bike is wonderfully silent.

Look at a ruler - 3mm is barely anything.

You won't have any problems at all with a chainline that is 3mm off. I've been using Sugino RD2s for well over a year now and am quite happy with them. In all honesty, my chainline looks perfectly straight and my bike is wonderfully silent.

Scrod, what bottom bracket do you use? 103mm?

Thanks for the help, guys.

Yup. Sugino 103mm.

So many people give RD2s/Messengers such a bad rap for having a 45mm chainline but in all actuality, it's nothing you'll ever notice. Besides, my chainline measures 43.

I'm pretty sure he's using the Sugino 103mm.

calv - how are those RD2s...are you using them yet?

Didn't even notice I had this thread open from a while back, and thought I answered it right when this thread was new, lol.

I haven't used them yet, but I'm going to install them very soon! I found a "Scrod has a POSSE" sticker in the box too, ha!

After some research, I'm starting to have some second thoughts about the Sugino Messenger. It seems to me that SRAM Omniums are super popular around here. Is the difference between a set of Omniums and Sugino Messengers that big? Is it worth the extra cash?

I'm aware that Omniums would be overkill for my entry-level Motobecane Track, but I figured if the difference is that substantial I could fork over the extra cash and if I ever upgrade my frame I could switch the cranksets.

Thanks for the help!

I haven't spent any substantial time with Messenger cranks, but I will say that I do love my Omniums. I got mine for less than the price of a set of Messengers would cost and am extremely happy with them.

A quick Google search shows that a Messenger crankset is about $150? And that doesn't include the BB? You can get SRAM Omniums in silver or black for $165 shipped from BikeIsland, and they come with an external BB.

@Yummygooey: The decision would be a lot easier if I was getting Sugino Messengers for retail. My friend is selling a 46t set of Sugino Messengers for $80, in good condition. And I think my BB that came stock on my Motobecane Track should work fine with the Messengers.

Plus, to be honest, Omniums look kinda funny compared to Sugino cranks, haha.

This (http://cgi.ebay.com/SRAM-S300-CRANKSET-GXP-bb-39-x-53-alloy-170mm-bike-NEW-/400195274495?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d2d7f46ff) and a sturdy 130BCD chainring is all you need.

That's always a great deal but I'm really not sure what kind of chainline you're looking at (inside or outside) by using the double version, though.

It might be the same as the Courier version, but nice set of cranks nonetheless.

For the price of the S300s (non-Courier) + a good chainring, you might as well get the S300 Couriers. Here they are for less than $90 + shipping:

http://thebikesmiths.com/product/sram-s300-track--fixed-170mm-crankset-and-bb/

They're also available for about $95 shipped on eBay.

@ OP: I used to think Omniums were so hideous, and then I saw them in real life. Now I think they look awesome. But definitely to each his own.

If it were up to me, I'd take new S300s over used Messengers for that price. Either way, it should be a solid buy.

@yummygooey: Any chance those crankarms come in silver?

Thanks for the help, guys. Looks like I'll need to do some more research, haha.

S300 Couriers only come in black. If you can find out the chainlines for the normal S300 (non-Courier), maybe you can use that instead.

I was able to get my sugino RD2s with bottom bracket for 100.. Great deal.
eBay has good deals, you just have to find them.

You can get SRAM Omniums in silver or black for $165 shipped from BikeIsland, and they come with an external BB.
Thanks for the tip, I was avoiding Omniums at $225 but at that price they're going on my list. I have the same external BB on my road bike, I like the design and I've never had a problem with it.

I was able to get my sugino RD2s with bottom bracket for 100.. Great deal.
eBay has good deals, you just have to find them.

Brand new? Damn good deal! I got mines for 105, the cranks being used but good condition.

Brand new? Damn good deal! I got mines for 105, the cranks being used but good condition.

Yeah, everything was brand new.. And it's silver with the blue chainring.

on my second RD2's.

works great, less filling

A friend of mine snapped his Messenger the other day.

http://mranthonywong.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/20110209-013010.jpg

And by the other day, I mean a month or something close.

Jeez! That's intense. Is he a bigger guy or? Never heard of someone snapping cranks in half before.