itri-45

Currently my bike is equipped with all Ultegra 10 components, except for the FSA compact crankset. After riding about 3k miles, I’ve learned that I need to replace my chain, cassette and the large chainring. I use the large chainring 90 percent of the time and it may explains the wear and tear. Will I get 'improved' performance, i.e. shifting, stiffness, and durability by going with the R700? I’m not too concerned about its weight.

Thanks in advance for your inputs.

Dubbayoo

Enough to justify the cost? probably not but it's your wallet.

merlinextraligh

Do you clean and lube your chain? Trashing the large chain ring on a road bike is not a usual occurrence.
Riding with a chain that's stretched will trash your cassette, and eventually will cup the teeth on a chainring, but in my experience it takes a ton of miles to wear out a large chainring on a road bike.

briscoelab

I've seen that my large rings show a lot of wear on my compact cranksets. I think this is due to riding in the big ring nearly the entire time, as the OP stated as well.

To the OP:
That FSA crankset is a really nice one. I'd just get a new chainring for it.

Coyote2

No, you should not change the crankset unless you have a specific complaint with the FSA model and believe that the Shimano model will rectify that issue.

The much bigger question is: are you sure that you need to replace all of these items? Even with minimal cleaning and lubing, I would expect your chain to last 3,000 miles rather easily and your cassette and chainring to last much longer -- e.g., I have been on the same cheap cassette for >11,000 miles and it still works fine. What makes you think that these items need replacement?

itri-45

My only complaint is that the chainring wears out excessively fast. I'm stumped as to why it's so. I cleaned and lubed regularly after the first 1k miles when I began learning about bike maintenance. I ride with a fast group but don't race nor ride in the rain. Thus I'm speculating that it must be from overuse and/or due to FSA quality.

Although I didn't experience any chain drops or shifting problems, I had my lbs inspected the bike to make sure it's in good shape for the Seagull Century next week. My lbs confirmed the stretched chain with a measuring device. Some of the teeth on the cassette and chainring are clearly worn from just visual inspection and need to be replaced.

DrPete 

My chainrings and cassette show visual signs of wear too, and they're working fine. I hate to doubt your LBS, but they might be trying to sell some parts.

Replace the chain and see what happens-I'm willing to bet you'll be happy with the result.

NFields

Are you speaking of the "worn" teeth that look smaller than others. These are by design on FSA chainrings and assist in shifting from 50-34 and back. Mine look rather rough in that aspect too, but still work perfectly well.

NFields

itri-45

You're right, I don't think my chainring is worn at all. The erratic tooth shapes deceived me into thinking they are worn but they are not. Lennard Zinn did caution about it in his maintenance book.

And Dr. Pete is also right. I think my lbs is trying to sell me parts I don't yet need.

Thanks everyone.

MacMan

Good advice. They do this on their 53-39 rings too. It is exactly as you describe - it is for chain pick-up when shifting.