deacon mark

I decide to upgrade my FSA compact on my 2nd bike to a Shimano 105 HollowtechII. The FSA shifted but sometimes it would not go smooth to big ring from the small. It would drop down fine but hung up on the upshift at times. I had the FD to correct specs so I was pretty sure it was the crank. Anyone have this issue with FSA? I don't know the exact reason but the shimano does it better for sure. Seems the small ring teeth are shorter and some more defined grooves in the ring, maybe for the upshifting? The FSA was not worn at all I only had 4500 miles on it.

I found a brand new 105 on ebay for $94 with the BB in black/gray and what a good move. Now it makes the shift with no problem or hesitation every time. I was going to go to the Ultegra but this was just so much cheaper and still looks like a nice upgraded crank. Funny how just a little problem can make the bike riding so much better. I almost never go to the small ring but I just hate it when the bike does not respond as it should or can with the proper set up and components. It was the first time I have replaced and crank and BB and it was easy.

Now of course the weather is ugly for the midwest this Thanksgiving so may not get to really put it to the test for a long ride.

Menel

You really shouldn't post things like this.

You're gonna twist my arm into scratching my itch I've been resisting to replace my stock FSA crank w/ a black 105.

deacon mark

This seller on e bay bikewagon has tremendous deals, he had a Ultegra 6600 double new of $129 with BB. I was going to buy that since I prefer a standard double but the compact works fine with an 11-23 I run on the rear.

CNY James

This is likely to be my first upgrade on my F5 when the time comes... It has a non-series Shimano crank from the factory and it's fine but undoubtedly heavier than a 105 or Ultegra... needless to say though, since I just purchased the bike it will be some time before I have cash to throw at a part to replace something that doesn't "need" replacing.

Drew Eckhardt 

Some FSA chain rings like those on my FSA Carbon Pro Compact have much less substantial pins and ramps than every machined Campagnolo or Shimano chain ring I've seen. My crankset doesn't upshift as fast as my previous 8-9 year old Campagnolo crankset, presumably for the obvious reason.

I also have a FSA SLK triple with more pronounced features, but have yet to see how it works let alone compare it to a contemporary Campagnolo or Shimano crank with their ever increasing upshift and downshift sector counts.

Chris_W

Agreed, Shimano cranks tend to shift better than FSA. However, if you wish to upgrade from FSA then all you need to do is replace the outer chainring (and middle if it is a triple). The chainrings are what make most of the difference to shifting effectiveness, and the inner chainring doesn't matter at all IME.

DinoShepherd

I'm gonna back out of this thread before I start a sentence with, "Back in the day..."

thehammerdog

I am also the owner of a FSA crank . the gossamer. I also have been debating the upgrade but The thing works fine....The 105 stuff looks great and price is good but for the $100 plus I can get other stuff I really need.

2ndGen

Ultegra SL Crankset $99. F T W!

https://taylorsbikeshop.com/product/s...-g-43272-1.htm



I went from an OEM FSA Vero double crankset to my Ultegra SL crankset with Dura Ace 7800 BB...W O W! What a huge difference. It shifts so smoothly that I used to have to look down to see if it actually went into gear. It was seamless.

I haven't ridden any other manufacturer crankset/fr der combos (outside of MTBing), but Shimano's shifting is butthah!

2ndGen

BTW, Cannondale's Hollowgram crankset for their Dura Ace 7900 equipped
bike has FSA chainrings specifically made for the Dura Ace 7900 drivetrain.

Does anybody reading have any experience riding one of CDale's HiMODs with this set up?

M_FactorX19

I'm planing to upgrade my FSA Gossamer compact double (bb30) crank soon. Not because it doesn't shift like it should because it does but partially because of the recall and partially to save some weight. I plan to get a SRAM Force crank as well as upgrade the rest of the group to SRAM. Like said I've had zero performance issues with my FSA crank and Shimano group but I want the weight savings and service ability of SRAM. Plus the looks can't be beat in my eyes

valleycyclist

An Ultegra 6600 crankset weighs about 100 grams less than a Shimano R600 crankset that was stock on many Felt models. A 100 gram savings on a crankset will not make you go faster. I weigh 145lbs and cannot notice a crankarm stiffness difference either. My reason to swap cranksets was to switch from compact to standard. I also have a SRAM Force crankset on my other bike, and I like that one too.