Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Sunlit cranksets

Hello all,

I am building a fixed gear on the cheap. What do people think of sunlit cranks? Specifically what do you think of the following.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003VFFOLG/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1353993966&sr=8-24&pi=SL75

Any other cheap crank suggestions are welcome

I didn't actually know you could get a crankset that cheap.

I'd steer clear.

No es bueno

No es bueno

+1 just like anything sunlite makes is

How many times do you want to ride the bike?

I would say crank sets in the $70 range are what your looking for if you want to be serious about this build. At $25, I think the price pretty much speaks for itself for what you can expect out of them. Not going to say some things that are cheap aren't made good but there are certain things where spending some cash counts.

If you guys knew the dealer cost of those Sunlite cranks, you'd laugh your asses off.

So entertain us.

probably 10bux

IDK if they're those specific ones but our low-end dealer has a similar set in the catalog for $5.79 with a quantity break down to $4.99.

;/

$10 isn't that funny. I was picturing it being something where the dealers spend way more money just getting them delivered than on the cranks themselves, like at the cost of a gallon of gas. I wonder what they actually cost to produce. Even factoring in Leuky's slave labor children to do the metal mining and smelting, you still have to feed them don't you?

i have a sunlite front rack that was 5.99 RETAIL

my 29er toobs cost more

$10 isn't that funny. I was picturing it being something where the dealers spend way more money just getting them delivered than on the cranks themselves, like at the cost of a gallon of gas. I wonder what they actually cost to produce. Even factoring in Leuky's slave labor children to do the metal mining and smelting, you still have to feed them don't you?

A few pieces of corn goes a long way. Kids do not need to eat that much.

If you guys knew the dealer cost of those Sunlite cranks, you'd laugh your asses off.

This.

We have those at the co-op just as a last resort - need it to get home - change out as soon as you can - crank. eventually the chainring works loose and becomes useless

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to be using the bike to commute with. I I have a Tomasso road bike for the weekend rides. I need something decently reliable to work with. I'm on a budget though. Any other wallet friendly cranks I should look at?

Also, what is the issue specifically with these cranks? I saw them at a local bike shop for 70 bucks. The mechanics said they have installed a few with no complaints. Does anyone have any issues after riding these cranks?

75% of the reviews say the pedal threads strip.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Alloy-Single-Speed-Crankset/product-reviews/B003VFFOLG/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

I was actually just looking at the reviews on amazon as well. I'll definitely star clear. There seem to be some shimano Altus cranks for reasonable prices as well. I have used them in the past on my older mountain bike and they worked pretty well.

This brings up a new issue. I am planning on only using one of the chain rings on the Fixie. I would like to mess with the gear ratios a bit though. I so I was thinking of buying a triple crank set and just taking he gears I am not using off of the crank spider. I have many chains to use with the different chaining sizes, so that isn't an issue . any thoughts on this idea?

It provides a better natural light than fluorescent light would, which i really prefer for my photos. Also, depending on the finish, you might get a nice lens flare during the golden hour, providing an even better photo. Just make sure you pick the right filter when uploading to instagram for maximum likes.


;)

It provides a better natural light than fluorescent light would, which i really prefer for my photos. Also, depending on the finish, you might get a nice lens flare during the golden hour, providing an even better photo. Just make sure you pick the right filter when uploading to instagram for maximum likes.


;)

wat

Just noticed the chainring and crank arm are one solid piece.

You won't have to deal with any confusing chainring bolts.

Just noticed the chainring and crank arm are one solid piece.

You won't have to deal with any confusing chainring bolts.

Are you referring to the sunlit cranks? Or the shimano Altus I mentioned.

Just noticed the chainring and crank arm are one solid piece.

You won't have to deal with any confusing chainring bolts.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5130/5245109810_a2ac934a2c.jpg

What I'd use those cranks for:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwZe_pFm-nw

About as crappy as you can get man. STEER CLEAR.

Even factoring in Leuky's slave labor children to do the metal mining and smelting, you still have to feed them don't you?

:lol:


OP, with the shimano altus crank in mind, I would just save up/ allocate more money for a decent proper crankset.

Noone is really getting at the heart of the issue.

What is mechanically wrong with these cranks that makes them bad? Clearly some of the models have been threaded badly, but that is most likely due to the tap that was being used by the manufacturer of that specific model. The other models have not had the same issue.

To extrapolate, what mechanical features or designs should one expect to have in a good crank set?

Cheap soft aluminium, large manufacturing tolerances on threads (pedal threads, puller threads) and the square taper interface. This would be my quess.

So in a good crankset you'd expect to find good materials and good workmanship.

The chainring and arm are not a solid piece of metal and I have see the ring come loose from its interface. That's no fun

That's a really good point. The tolerance level of threads would be based on what tap and dies they use. So basically it would depend on the reputation of the manufacturer. Are there any articles on the reputation of specific component manufacturers?

Probably not, considering that many component brands outsource their manufacturing to the same places. Almost anything you can buy, however, will be better than those Sunlites.

I just built up my first bike, and I bought a crummy Origin8 crank for $65, and even at that level I'm worried about the quality. So cranks for $25? No way.

I just built up my first bike, and I bought a crummy Origin8 crank for $65, and even at that level I'm worried about the quality. So cranks for $25? No way.

What about the cranks seems crummy? I know a lot of people who use origin eight components and many of them have good things to say. I was considering origin 8 as an alternative.

The people that are willing to use Origin 8 products are not the kind of people you want to be taking advice on bike component quality from.

I mean, the origin 8 cranks are just re-branded lasco's. For most casual riders that'll do just fine.

I've had Origin 8 cranks for about three years now and have no complaints about the quality. I do believe I got lucky with my chainring though, as mine seems to be nice and round, while complaints from others state the opposite.

Yeah, now that I've actually used it, I have few complaints. There's a tiny bit of run out on the chainwheel (which could be BB related maybe), but the arms seem solid enough for the few times I've taken it out. I just had a bit of trepidation ordering a brand known for its color options. Check out my sweet fixie brah, barspinz for days.

If you guys knew the dealer cost of those Sunlite cranks, you'd laugh your asses off.

$8?

If I remember correctly, J&B sourced some models for 7.99


J&B sucking isn't something I've forgotten though.

I win?

If I remember correctly, J&B sourced some models for 7.99


J&B sucking isn't something I've forgotten though.

I just looked online, and it's $13.99@ J&B

Not to resurrect an old thread, but but I decided to buy those sunlit Cranks and I have been riding them all winter. (1000± commuter miles). They're being used on a single speed (freewheel) ill so they're not being used to brake the bike. They have held up through one crash, many potholes and a few drops. No stripped pedals, no mechanical issues at all actually.