Originally Posted by
BlackPowder
Im sorry if this sounds a bit noobish, but im kinda new to it, so.. whats the difference between single speed and track cranks? I mean apart from the fact that the track crank is probably lighter and stiffer..
Weight on track bikes isnt very important outside of the rims, and even there most people will ignore weight some one for stiffness. A track crank need a few things to be a good crank, most of which Paul doesnt have. A 144bcd, to be able to use the nicest track rings, easily swapped chainrings, because most people will switch gearing between races, and a very stiff overall profile.
Why do you think the Paul cranks will flex all over the place? According to the manufacturer they are machined from pretty think, strong aluminium so they shouldnt be too flexy?
And why the dropped chain? Any experiences with them?
It is impossible to get a chainring to be stiff than the crank arm. A chainring is one thick sheet of metal, where as a crank arm/ spider has multiple surfaces to "work" against eachother to provide stiffness. Since the chainring is such a large surface area its flexing will move around more, compared to flexing a more traditional chainring.
If Id say Campagnolo Record track crankset vs dura ace track crankset, which one would you get?
Dura ace, its almost always cheaper, and even ignoring price the better crank. The dura ace crank that comes with the octalink BB is much better than the NJS stamped ones with the square taper BB.