Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Sram s100

I'm looking to upgrade the stock POS crank that came on my bike but probably can't afford a sweet omnium crank.

Has anyone tried the S100?

The S-100 is essentially the same crank as the Truvativ Touro (with a slightly different look) that comes stock on the Kilo TT. It's a decent entry level crankset.

I have it, crank is decent, the bottom bracket is where my issues lie. the first one went to **** like 4 months after the install. Replaced it and the new one has been flawless since. The bb is also a lil on the heavy side too. If I could go back I'd go S300 for a lighter and probably more reliable bb design.

What are you not liking about your current crank?
What crank is it?
Are you able to spend more than the $80 you can get an S100 for?

I'm looking to upgrade the stock POS crank that came on my bike but probably can't afford a sweet omnium?

Cranks are pretty much cranks. As long as the length is ok, the chainline isn't jacked, and there's nothing defective about your stock crankset, you aren't going to see a significant improvement going from one cheap crank to another. Stick with what you've got until you can affort something substantially better.

Cranks are pretty much cranks. As long as the length is ok, the chainline isn't jacked, and there's nothing defective about your stock crankset, you aren't going to see a significant improvement going from one cheap crank to another. Stick with what you've got until you can affort something substantially better.

What would be considered a good start for an upgrade?

What would be considered a good start for an upgrade?

Something better than what you have now.

S100s are nice cranks. Some people have BB issues, but I've had mine a couple years with no problem. They are better than sugino messengers, IMO.

What are you not liking about your current crank?
What crank is it?
Are you able to spend more than the $80 you can get an S100 for?

My current crank is a no name, Made in China special. It just doesn't feel solid, and the bottom bracket sounds and feels horrible also.

I would spend more than $80 if there was a good reason to. I mainly want something that feels solid and will last. My current set up is far from it.

The more money I can save, the more parts I can upgrade. :)

Buy nice or buy twice. Save a little more and get a substantial upgrade if the cranks really bother you. I use the S300s, and am highly satisfied with them.

i have no experience with the s100 but i am having no problems with my s300's i paid 115 + shipping for them. They feel solid i havent had any issues with the BB that came with them. I am happy i spent the extra money for them.

I liked my S300's too. If I were building a bike and wanted black cranks that weren't higher end, I'd go with them.

My current crank is a no name, Made in China special. It just doesn't feel solid, and the bottom bracket sounds and feels horrible also.

If the crank doesn't spin smoothly, then you need a new bottom bracket, not a new crank.

As for not feeling solid...how do you know it has anything to do with your cranks? What you could be describing could be related to a loose cog, poorly tensioned chain, poorly tensioned spokes, a flexy frame, flexy fork, among other things. Crank flex is generally minor compared to other areas in a bicycle that flex.

Furthermore, cheap cranks are cheap because they have a cruder finish and are made of more material, and are thus heavier than expensive cranks. You aren't likely to add stiffness by buying a lighter crankset.

Cheep steel frames can flex in the bottom bracket area under load, and cheap chain rings will feel, for a lack of a better word, sloppy. Those two are much more likely to be your issue. Chainring is something that is an easy upgrade, that will feel much better right away. And if you combine that with a new BB you will feel great.

+1 on the S300's. I got them for around $86 new just through a little googling.

Cheep steel frames can flex in the bottom bracket area under load, and cheap chain rings will feel, for a lack of a better word, sloppy. Those two are much more likely to be your issue. Chainring is something that is an easy upgrade, that will feel much better right away. And if you combine that with a new BB you will feel great.

Thanks. I think the main issue is probably the BB. Any recommendations for a good BB?

If the crank doesn't spin smoothly, then you need a new bottom bracket, not a new crank.

As for not feeling solid...how do you know it has anything to do with your cranks? What you could be describing could be related to a loose cog, poorly tensioned chain, poorly tensioned spokes, a flexy frame, flexy fork, among other things. Crank flex is generally minor compared to other areas in a bicycle that flex.

Furthermore, cheap cranks are cheap because they have a cruder finish and are made of more material, and are thus heavier than expensive cranks. You aren't likely to add stiffness by buying a lighter crankset.

The bottom bracket is the biggest problem. I would like a decent crank to to go with a new BB, and am searching for one at a good price point.

As in solid, I am speaking more to the quality than the flex. They seem very cheap. By cheap I mean they feel brittle compared to higher quality cranks.

The bike is about a month old. I started noticing problems around the crank/BB area about a week after I got it. Everything else feels fine elsewhere on the bike.

Assuming you have JIS tapered cranks.

http://www.retro-gression.com/product/shimano-un54-bottom-bracket

...The bike is about a month old. I started noticing problems around the crank/BB area about a week after I got it. Everything else feels fine elsewhere on the bike.

since it is only a month old...why haven't you already taken your bike back to where you bought it & have them check any problems?

btw...what kind of bike?

For those saying "save up and buy once" "wait and buy a better model and not an entry level"...What would you suggest then? We have already heard about the 300, but besides that model what do others suggest besides the regular omniums that everybody has?

For those saying "save up and buy once" "wait and buy a better model and not an entry level"...What would you suggest then? We have already heard about the 300, but besides that model what do others suggest besides the regular omniums that everybody has?

Dura Ace, Duh. What else is there?

I have no idea.

exactly my point.

For those saying "save up and buy once" "wait and buy a better model and not an entry level"...What would you suggest then? We have already heard about the 300, but besides that model what do others suggest besides the regular omniums that everybody has?

Andel and their many rebrandings would be a good choice. IRD makes a nice affordable crank as well. Miche is on the higher end of the price bracket but also a nice crankset.

For those saying "save up and buy once" "wait and buy a better model and not an entry level"...What would you suggest then? We have already heard about the 300, but besides that model what do others suggest besides the regular omniums that everybody has?

My All City cranks have treated me great.

For those saying "save up and buy once" "wait and buy a better model and not an entry level"...What would you suggest then? We have already heard about the 300, but besides that model what do others suggest besides the regular omniums that everybody has?

Sugino RD2/Messenger, All City, Andel, etc.

RD-2's are a real bang for the buck.

I like my RD2s as well, but they seem flexy. I don't know if it's the BB of my frame or the crank arms. I only notice it when stopped, standing on one pedal. It's never been an issue when riding.

I rode them on the track for a couple sessions, and didn't notice any flex from anything except standing starts.

I'm happy with them. I'd upgrade to some nice cranks if I had the funds, but I'm fine with them for now.

interesting. There was a recent thread where the OP listed the RD2 and one guy called "low quality and long". Thats what i had been planning to upgrade too. How noticible is a highend BB vs med/lower end BB? I see some BB go for 100 and some for 20. I assume some are 100000000000000000000000, not interested in those.

interesting. There was a recent thread where the OP listed the RD2 and one guy called "low quality and long". Thats what i had been planning to upgrade too. How noticible is a highend BB vs med/lower end BB? I see some BB go for 100 and some for 20. I assume some are 100000000000000000000000, not interested in those.
It's a decent quality, might not be as stiff as the Sugino 75, Dura Ace's or Omnium's but you won't notice that unless you're doing those stand starts on the track guys do.

The RD2/Messenger will use a run of the mill sealed bearing BB, which is good enough for what most if us do with our bikes. A Sugino 75 and Dura Ace 7600 for example, use a Hatta or Sugino cup and cone style bottom bracket. Super smooth and are easily able to be opened to be regreased.


Here's two examples of these types of BB.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUghmWk-ZTE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1wij-3vG5Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbA5dHEgYZg

Mind you, I guarantee these guys aren't proper grease. Probably lubed em with WD-40, haha.

Thick grease that you're supposed to use on BB's will slow it down regardless.

thanks Fuego and nagrom.

The quality of the RD2/Messenger seems lower than the S100. S100 BBs seem to be hit-or-miss. Either will work.

The quality of the RD2/Messenger seems lower than the S100.

I strongly disagree.

In my research I see 100x more people speaking highly of the RD-2 and this is actually the first time coming across the S100.

Robofunc-Isnt S100 the name of the crankset not the BB?

Couldnt you get an RD-2 with a decent BB or is there only 1 BB option for them? i was under the impression there was a range of BB that had the correct Spindle length to work.

In my research I see 100x more people speaking highly of the RD-2 and this is actually the first time coming across the S100.

Robofunc-Isnt S100 the name of the crankset not the BB?

Couldnt you get an RD-2 with a decent BB or is there only 1 BB option for them? i was under the impression there was a range of BB that had the correct Spindle length to work.


It's the style of BB, not the brand.
They use a GXP BB, the spindle is fixed to the drive side crank arm.

This doesn't prove durable with FG use.

It's the style of BB, not the brand.
They use a GXP BB, the spindle is fixed to the drive side crank arm.

Nope. The S300 uses GXP. The S100 (http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/s100-11-crankset) uses a traditional BB with a Power Spline (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=9463) spindle.

Nope. The S300 uses GXP. The S100 uses a traditional BB with a PowerSpline spindle.

Really? What do you know?
Mr. Bigbikeshopowner.
PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH


I officially have nothing to be said about s100's.

Couldnt you get an RD-2 with a decent BB or is there only 1 BB option for them? i was under the impression there was a range of BB that had the correct Spindle length to work.

Any BB with a 103mm JIS spindle will work. In my experience, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the one Sugino makes.

****.... i didnt even read the question right....

Nope. The S300 uses GXP. The S100 (http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/s100-11-crankset) uses a traditional BB with a Power Spline (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=9463) spindle.


Any BB with a 103mm JIS spindle will work. In my experience, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the one Sugino makes.

This brings up another point. When I was shopping around a while back I remember bumping into three BB for the RD2/Messenger. The Sugino, IRD and Phil Wood, whereas for the S100 you only have the Truvativ/SRAM Powerspline. I hate not having the option for a different manufacturer with my S100.

With an S300 though Sram has a ceramic BB besides their regular BB. Chris King and Phil Wood also make a GXP compatible BB. Options are a plus.

Any BB with a 103mm JIS spindle will work. In my experience, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the one Sugino makes.
Thanks guys, appreciate the help.

Sooo fuego also hit a good point. Options are valuable.