RichardT

Hi Guys
I'm looking for a light, stiff carbon tandem crankset, dual.
Who has experience with Lightning cranks and FSA SL-K?
I prefer the outer bearings like with FSA.

Richard

akexpress 

We have the Lightning in a compact version dual that we are running with Ultegra electronic and they are great. They have outboard bearings of their own design. They can be converted to standard or even triple in the future if you want. Multiple crank lengths available, also spindle spacer for 145mm rear hubs for correct chainline. Light but not inexpensive.

Ritterview

"You can't tell the players without a program"

So too with cranks. Chris_W has helpfully compiled a table of triple two-piece cranks. Only some of these are available as tandem cranks. The Lightning, FSA, and Shimano, as indicated in the rubric.

Chris_W

Don't just look at material - Shimano make many alloy cranks that are just as light as the competitor's carbon models, and that also goes for their new tandem cranks.

If you're happy with the stock ring sizes, then I would buy the Shimanos. If you want to play around with ring sizes then i would go for FSA. If you want all-out lightweight at whatever cost then go with Lightning. If crank length is important to you then this may also affect your decision, see the table.

RichardT

thanks guys for your replies.
I want to create a nice tandem for me and my girlfriend with Di2. I'm visually impaired myself so I'm the stoker.
I need 170 cranks front, 172.5 cranks at the rear and prefer a dual with 130 BCD.
In the Netherlands, where I'm from, Ultegra cranks are impossible to get as well as Lightning
Perhaps any of you got suggestions for this? Who knows a good shop for the Ultegra, FSA or Lightning cranks in the USA?
The table in this topic I can't read, it's not clear enough for me and I can't zoom in. Can I download it somewhere as a PDF or so?
Hopefully some of you can help me out.
Right now I'm riding with the FSA Gossamer which is a great set as well but for once I would like to creat a light, affordable tandem.
(Have to spoil my girl a bit)

thanks
Richard

Ritterview

Go to the link here and click on the thumbnail.

Ritterview

Gee, that is tandem cranks in a nutshell. Pithy!

If you can't figure out what you want, and since none of the two-piece cranks are ideal, the easy thing is to get the ridiculously cheap but worthy Stronglights, which are more easily available in Europe than the in the US. Then, if the bees knees of tandem cranks is released, or with experience you can make a more informed decision, than you can trade up without having spent too much. And if you could review these, it would be appreciated. I see them on the website, and on the World Champion Cyfac, but I've never seen a review.

PMK

Another that may be worth adding to the list is Middleburn. Rumored to have a 130mm spider available in the near future, well that time has come and gone, so if available, they offer a nice setup also. Many teams ride these as off-road cranks.

https://www.middleburn.co.uk/cranks_tandem.php

https://www.middleburn.co.uk/spiders_road.php

PK

zonatandem

Richard:
Wij hebben FSA carbon fiber voor over 34,0000 miles (omtrent 45,000 KM) op onze tandem.

Thought it would be fun to try to remember some of my Dutch I learned 60+ years ago!
The makers of daVinci tandems in Colorado, USA make a very light crankset in a variety of cranklenghts.
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Chris_W

I believe that the Stronglight tandem cranks are the same as the Strongliht Impact single-bike cranks, just with the crank arms drilled differently to allow for the left-side timing chain. So, find a review of the regular Impact cranks, and you're all set.

If you want to buy the Ultegra cranks from the Netherlands, then I'd get them from ChainReactionCycles in the UK, see here and here.

RichardT

thanks guys for all the info
I'll check it out a bit.
Rudi, your Dutch is just fine, keep on writing it !!
about the cranks
I didn't know Chanin Reaction was selling them as well, thanks.
my problem is a bit the dual and spefici lenght. because of knee problems I need the 170 front, 172.5 rear.
Shimano only has 175 rear if I'm right.
But, can I also use a triple (for example Shimano ) as a dual?
I have been riding the FSA's without any problems as well, the Gossemars but if I want a dual I have to buy an extra set I guess.
The Lightning is great too but I'm not to grazy about the "connection", isn't this a weak point?
The Stronglight, just a old fashion crank but of course strong but I don't know if they use square axle because by me square gets round sometimes.....
Richard

ksisler

While I don't do any CF, I will note that there are a lot of FSA tandem cranks on ebay at the time...saw several new complete sets for $300-ish. Seeing that even a rear crankset alone is about $500 on Amazon, it would seem smart to pull the string on a full setup quickly if you want to do it with FSA brand...

For those agreeable to an adequately functional alloy or alloy with steel rings crankset, one can get a new full tandem crank set for almost nothing on ebay (under $100 with BB's). Most are square spindle but seem to be very stoutly build. I stocked up on a half dozen set for the more utilitarian/lesser budget needs.

akexpress 

The lightning crank connection is like a Hirth joint and I don't think people have been having problems with them. Campy uses something similar and S&S couplers for that matter.

Chris_W

Specialized even thought that the Lightning connection was so good that they paid Lightning a licensing fee to use the same design in their own carbon cranks.

However, I have a Lightning crank on my single bike and have had some issues with it, but that's been more to do with the BB30 system than the crank itself (BB shell tolerance not perfect). Even so, the crank bolt did come loose on one ride, and due to the recessed nature of the bolt I couldn't re-tighten it because you need a special tool (an extra-long 6mm allen key), which is one downside, but that is true for Lightning, Specialized, and Campagnolo.

RichardT

Thanks guys

what I don't understand yet. What's the difference between bootom bracket BB30, Mega Exo and I thought there was a other model
Richard

ksisler

R'T; There are several different and incompatable design cores (you mentioned most of them). Funny thing is that when installed correctly, they all go 'round when you push on the pedals. Big thing is to make sure that your cranks and your bottom brackets match each other and that they are compatable with your frame (bottom bracket threading, width, spindle length needed, etc). If you already have a frame for instance, post its specifics for more advice on what might be best for it.