mrblue

I have a Shimano 105 5750 crankset (50/34). I've been thinking of experimenting with mid-compact rings (52/36). Unfortunately, Shimano does not make 52/36 rings in 110 BCD. However, FSA does, and they claim their chainrings are compatible with all 10 speed cranksets.

Has anyone used the FSA Super Type Chainrings? With a Shimano crankset and derailleur? What is your opinion of these rings? How is the weight and shifting?

Thanks.

joejack951

Can't help on the fitment other than suggesting just purchasing a complete 52/36 crankset rather than trying to swap rings. It will likely be cheaper especially if you order from the UK.

However, I am wondering what you expect to gain from the change.

mrblue

I think replacing just the chainrings would be considerably cheaper (and easier) than swapping out the entire crankset. However, I was reading something, somewhere, about how some people claim that hill climbing is a bit easier with the 36T inner ring, because they have a higher cadence than with a 39T, but with more resistance than a 34T.

Anyway, in the long run it may not make much difference, but who knows? It might be a fun experiment.

joejack951

For $79 from Ribble you can get a 175mm 105 5800 52/36 crankset: Shimano 105 5800 Black Chainset - 11 Speed - Chainsets - Ribble Cycles

A Shimano crankset can honestly be swapped faster than a pair of chainrings. And the FSA 52T 110 bcd ring will cost you at least $56 alone. Add in another ~$40 for the 36T.

As far as climbing being easier with a 36T vs. 34T, what a bunch of horse excrement. Just shift up a gear on the cassette if you want to push a little harder.

mrblue

That does sound like a good price for a crankset. However, the rest of my groupset is 10 speed (5700), and I'm not really ready to upgrade the entire group to 11 yet. When that time comes I'll probably be looking to upgrade not only from 10 speed but from 105 all together.

However, moving right along (in an attempt to stay on topic), is there anyone who can answer my original question?

Thanks.

joejack951

The 5800 series crank should work fine with your otherwise 10 speed group. Or you could go with this even cheaper Tiagra crank which is intended for 10 speeds: Shimano Tiagra FC-4700 Bicycle Chainset Sports & Leisure | ProBikeKit.com

mrblue

Thank you. Though your advice isn't necessarily what I was looking for (I'm quite content with my current crank), it is appreciated and duly noted in the event that I one day decided to switch out my crankset.

Once again, for the sake of staying on topic, can anyone answer my original question? Thank you.

alcjphil

You could probably use the rings you are thinking about but they would cost just as much as one of the complete cranks you were referred to and take longer to change than changing a complete crank which is why people answered they way they did

joejack951

I'd contact FSA to be sure but it appears as though there is a very good chance they'll fit. Unlike some Shimano cranksets, the chainrings on the 5700/5750 cranks appear to be fairly flat with the teeth centered on the ring's thickness, which matches the FSA Super Ring's design in the 110 BCD style.

You could also look into Stronglight chainrings as I know they make 110 BCD rings in all sizes. I have a 52/42/30 triple with a 110/74mm BCD from them (Stronglight Fission).

ClydeTim

FSA Super Pro Compact N10-11 Chainring | Chain Reaction Cycles

A quick search shows they have some decent reviews.

I did swap rings once out of experiment. I had a 39 swapped with a 42 and liked it more on flat rides as it allowed me to stay in the center of my rear cassette. With the 28, I preferred the 14 and that put me toward the outside so I had to worry about chain rub on the front derailleur.

Of course I could fix the chain rub by adjusting my front derailleur a bit but another think I liked was that I could spin the 42 on the entire ride without ever hitting the big chain ring on a flat 60 mile ride.

So yeah, swapping the rings can make a difference as far as what you like and prefer! I ride to make myself happy so I set up my bikes the way I like them.

My climbing bike is a 53/39 -12/25 because I like the 39 for climbing and the 53 for the long descents.

joejack951

That's why I always have liked 52/42/30 triples. Basically a no compromise crankset. A 42T ring and a decent range cassette can be used for anything from flat to rolling hills, while the 52 and 30T rings take care of the steep ups and downs.

Banzai

The posters who have advised a new crankset are spot on.

It's easier.
It's about the same price.
11 speed cranks will work just fine with your 10 speed group, and otherwise those new Tiagra cranks are very nice.
The FSA chainrings will not be a good cosmetic match, for a number of reasons.
Shimano chainrings and front shifting are still the best, and WAY smoother than anything put out by FSA or SRAM. I'd put Shimano chainrings on my Force crank if it didn't look so very out of place.

ClydeTim

Exactly! I bought a bike a few years back with a triple that came with that setup. I had planned to do double centuries after having done 'climbing' centuries on a standard crank, I figured the triple would come in handy with the 'climbing' double centuries.

Turned out that I loved that 42, an almost do it all ring and the crank was a great set up.

Elvo

Why not purchase a new crank from the UK? It will be the same price or cheaper than sourcing chain rings

caloso

These TA chainrings are excellent and will fit your crankset. wiggle.com | TA 110 PCD Zephyr Outer Road Chainring 50-56T | Chainrings

However they'll be more expensive and a bigger hassle to install than just buying a new 105 crankset. Did anyone mention that yet?

joejack951

Thanks for the tip, Caloso! I always assumed chainrings must be cheaper than a whole new crankset but you've really opened my eyes

ClydeTim

Am I missing something here? Replacing chain rings is a breeze on a double crank.

joejack951

Swapping a Shimano Hollowtech II crankset is even breezier (fewer fasteners). And it's guaranteed to have the correct chainline for both rings and shift better than anything aftermarket between those two rings. Has it been mentioned that it will probably cost less, too?

fietsbob

standard 5 arm 110 bcd should make aftermarket chainring swaps work.
that is why you standardize, interchangable spare parts

chainrings wear you get, so new ones .

Campag went off on their own 4 of 5 are 110 5th one is like 112 or 114

but someone wants a slice of the replacement chainring market for those, too,
so expect alternatives to be on the market.




...

Wilfred Laurier

Compared to Shimano rings, FSA rings are garbage, IME. It doesn't really matter for the inner ring, but the big ring would be much better as a Shimano than FSA.

HAMMER MAN

I put a 10 speed 130 BCD 50 tooth FSA chain ring on my Sram Force crank and works great. I was running a Sram 53 tooth and didn't want to buy a new crank to go to a smaller chain ring. Shifting is flawless with the FSA chain ring. They are comparable with Sram, Shimano and Campy.

topflightpro

OP, IIRC, the 5700 was still a standard, 5-arm set up. As such, those FSA rings will work, and they will probably work just as well as your 105 rings.

You may also need a larger chain and new FD cable.

ClydeTim

I see the logic of a new crank as far as price. But the difficulty of swapping rings is not a big deal.

Fewer fasteners? 5 fasteners on the rings.

Crank, slip it through, screw on the thick ring NDS (1), 2 bolts in the crank arm (2 & 3) then two pedals (4 &5).

Neither one is hard but neither one is a hassle really.

Carbonfiberboy 

I swapped out the FSA rings on my FSA crankset for Shimano rings. Much better shifting and durability.

joejack951

I forgot about the pedals! You got me