Cyclocross - Worth it to put carbon crankset on the 'cross bike?

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thenomad
07-02-12, 09:02 PM
I'm currently using Bontrager race compact crank 170mm on my Redline Team.
Picked up a FSA SLK Carbon crank for peanuts but its 53-39 with 172.5mm (used that size for a long time)

Is it worth it to swap for the carbon crankset? An downsides? Just a little lighter and I'm not opposed to a little bling for fun. I'm riding my cross a my road bike now and migrated any of my lightest parts onto it.

I race recreationally, so am mostly on the road.

fietsbob
07-04-12, 09:27 AM
going to change the chainrings, too? to what sizes?
thenomad
07-04-12, 12:12 PM
I figured for now I'd leave it as is but look for a 38 and a 46 for cross season. I'm slow anyway. I never really shifted the front in a race, just the rear. It's mostly dry out here and the courses have few sections I could see myself getting into the big ring as opposed to just dropping to the rear 12-13-14 range.


I do like the 36-50 front I have now, so I d figure a 38 would only put me at a range equal to about one less "shift".

thirdgenbird
07-04-12, 12:34 PM
A 39/53 would be fine for road use and a 39 single ring would be suitable off road so the swap is worth considering.