dvdslw

I have a 2013 Caad10 that came with an FSA SL-K Light crank and it has been flawless for the last few years but the 53t ring is showing signs of wear so I'm going to buy some new rings. I seem to have several choices out there for the 130bcd standard size crank and would like some feedback from anyone who tried something different like Praxis, Stronglight, Rotor, TA, etc... I'm currently running 10 speed Ultegra 6770 Di2 and while I'd like to go 11 speed, its slightly out of reach right now.

I've found some leftover Dura Ace 7800 chainrings in either a 50/39, 52/39, or 53/39 on sale for $100 (for both rings) and were the last generation Dura Ace to be sold using the standard 130bcd pattern so they should fit my crank. I could just order some exact replacements from FSA but assume the DA rings would be superior and maybe there's more rings out there to consider?

My thinking right now is get the 52/39 DA rings for $100, DA 7900 Cassette for $100, and DA7900 chain for $30 which should give me some sweet shifting for $230.00 unless someone can convince me otherwise? I will probably go with the 52 vs the 53 because I rarely ride on the 12t cog out back, not sure if one tooth will make enough difference to end up with a more usable range or if I should just go with a 50t instead and get an 11-25/27 cassette?

noodle soup

for a flatlander bike, I would go 50/30 with a 12-23 cassette. I use this on a 10spd setup, and it works great.

rpenmanparker 

FSA has rings now marked 10/11. Sone inexoensive ones appear on Amazon and ebay.

Homebrew01

Compact for Florida ??
I would use 53/39 with 12-23. maybe 12-25

Heck, I have used 53/39 and 12-25 in hilly CT for decades.

PS, How do you wear out a 53 tooth ring ??

popeye

By running chains too long. Unless he has 30K miles or more I doubt it is shot. Chains skip on the big ring also.

noodle soup

Yes 50x12 is 30mph @90rpm. Unless you are in a final sprint, how often do you go faster than 30 on flatlands? Go with 11-23 if you need a little more.

Homebrew01

I was more concerned with the suggestion of a 30 tooth inner ring. That seems crazy.

noodle soup

Whoops. That would be crazy.

I miss typed 30. I meant to type 50x39. A 30t small chainring is unpossible on a 130bcd double crankset.

prathmann

By riding. Mine was a 52T big ring, but it started to give problems due to wear at 60000 miles. At that point I turned it over (no pins/ramps on this one) and used it for another 35000 miles. But based on what I've seen FSA rings may not be as durable as most, so the OP may have worn his out more quickly.

noodle soup

I question your wear rate because I go through big rings faster than that. I do 99% of my riding in the big ring, and after 30k-35k miles it's time to replace it. Inner rings last forever because I live in the flatlands.

Homebrew01

Maybe you should use a 53/52 crankset

noodle soup

I really hate living in the flatlands, but I know what works for other flatlanders now. A 1x with a 50t big ring, and 11-21 cassette would be my dream setup here. I use 50-36 and 12-25 11spd now, but never need the 36t ring.

When I lived in the mountains, I used 53-39 with a 12-27 10spd cassette, and struggled a little.

Many roadies just need to HTFU, and get stronger. FFS, I did all the big TdF climbs with a 52/42 and 13-23

BTW, GET OFF MY LAWN!

dvdslw

To be honest, I'm not sure I really need new chain rings but the 53t looks worn compared to a new one and my bike has a rough sound to it when pedaling under moderate power. I recently had the bottom bracket serviced, new Ultegra cassette, along with a new Ultegra Chain so I believe it to be a worn chain ring. I'm also curious how a smaller ring might change the characteristics of the bike as far as shifting goes. I was hoping to hear from someone who has tried different brands to attest to their quality compared to what I have or if there's some brands to steer clear of?

noodle soup

no rings shift better than Shimano, and I doubt you would notice any improvement by going to a 50t or 52t big ring.

How often do you actually find yourself dropping down to the little ring? I use a 50t big ring in a mostly flat area, and almost never need to shift off the big.

RoadGuy

I bought a couple of pairs of Raceface rings 53/39 on sale from Nashbar for about $7 a set/pair (regular price $25). Nashbar has had the same deal several times since around Xmas.

$100 for set/pair of Dura Ace rings? No thanks, I'll take 14 sets/pairs of Raceface rings for the same price.

rpenmanparker 

There is nothing wrong with upper level FSA rings.

dvdslw

That's the thing I think about while riding, I'm on the 53t ring 99% of my ride and only switch to the 39 on one or two hills but only if I'm tired that day. On the other end of the bike I only use the 12t cog going down those same few hills. Looking at the big picture, shifting once or twice a ride is no big deal really but if I'm buying new rings anyway, dropping one or three teeth just because I can given the choices available to me is something to consider. I also agree that Shimano has the best shifting and what's funny is the fact that I'm trying to end up with a gear combo that has me "not" shifting.

KonaRider125

Lower gears and higher cadence is the proven way to go. 50/34 and 11-28 or 11-32 at least if not larger cassette. I'm putting a 11-42 cassette on my road bike and I'm 30 and in very good shape.

Spin instead of grinding!

Joeyseven

Maybe test ride A bicycle with 50t ring and either A 11/25 or 28 cassette to see how you like the smaller rings.
I would go Ultegra or even 105 for bicycle components for average rider.DA cassettes use titanium for some of their cogs and it wears faster than steel if you ride a lot.
Also would save as much as your $ for new 11 speed bicycle or you could do A custom build if you are going with Ultegra or 105.Really nothing wrong with 10 if you are happy with your bicycle.

I went 11 speed for my new bike as my old road bike is A little to large for me.

jamesdak 

Ummm, my Wickwerks 53/34 (not a typo) shifts better than the Dura Ace 53/39 it replaced. I don't even get through moving the lever and it's there. Honestly surprised by how good it shifts up .

noodle soup

11-32 would suck for a flatlands cyclist.I spend the majority of the time in 16t-19t cogs, and enjoy the 1 tooth spacing that a12-25 11speed cassenter gives in that range.

Btw, you don't need to tell me anything about spinning. My average cadence on solo rides is consistently 92.