Originally Posted by
mtnbke
Lightning now offers tandem cranks, including up to 200mm. These have a 285lb weight limit. High zoot, featherweight tandem cranks. Curious to see the $/g saved ratio on these compared to other tandem upgrades.
The DaVinci's look like a good deal.
If you are comparing
external bearing tandem cranksets, then the comparison is with the FSA.
- The FSA SLK Carbon Mego Exo Tandem Crankset weighs 1820 grams and costs $805.
- The Lightning tandem crankset weighs 1300 grams, and costs $1680.
- The difference in cost is $875. The difference in grams is 520, about a pound.
- $/gram is $1.7.
That is low hanging fruit.
Another thing, is that you aren't giving up something, or making a trade-off. The FSA doesn't have any other advantages over the Lightning that I am aware. Not so with many other weight savings, e.g. wheels.
The savings are in one fell swoop. No piece-meal gram shavings. One pound. Gone. Just like that.
Unlike items like wheels, saddles, etc., cyclists don't so often change out cranks. They become married with the frame, and never part. If together the frame and cranks are heavy, this will discourage any other efforts to make the bike lighter. You could strive mightily to save 50 grams here and there, but the extra 500 grams you put in the BB shell will forever mock your efforts. So, you'll not try, and heaviness will be the bike's immutable destiny.