Andel crankset
 

I recently purchased a Surly CC complete and I'm really happy with it. I know that the components aren't top tier, so I'm looking at where I can make the most bang for my buck. Enter the Andel crankset. I have a couple questions and I hope you guys might have some insight:

1. Where does it fall in comparison to Shimano/SRAM cranks?
2. If you were replacing it - would you go with MB or road-specific crank options? I'm riding a lot of commuter and fitness training miles (100-150 a week).

No idea what an Andel crankset is, but the most bang for your buck is to properly maintain what you have and ride it until it wears out.

never have truer words been spoken and so often ignored. :)

Yea Its One of the Competing suppliers that QBP got the best Price Bid on, so your Bike was affordable ..

Just ride It .. chain rings and the BB are OK too Until they wear out.

A mountain bike crank for the 22 32 44 rings


a 24-40-50 was My choice when the top cog was a 13t - low a 34.

+1 on using what you have. Are there any problems that an replacement crank is expected to solve? Top tier is both expensive and a minor improvement over mid range.

+1 and amen.

Saw one recently on a LHT. Personally, I thought it looked nice. Square taper, not that this is a bad thing.

Perfectly fine crankset. Believe it's cold forged. Surly has been spec'ing them because they're good quality and at a reasonable price. I'd not replace it unless you have a compelling reason to do so.

Awesome. I appreciate the feedback and will just maintain and ride it to see how long I can keep it around. I have no grudges or issues with any of the components spec'd on my CC; however, I also know that they cut a few corners to get the price point they want - and I'm a large rider at 250 lbs. (6'), so I want to make certain I'm able to get my mileage on the bike without breaking parts that might be way, way too inferior for legitimate riding.

Thanks again!

Actually lower price point components are as strong or stronger than top tier ones. The use less expensive alloys and manufacturing processes that trade higher weight for lower price but maintain strength.

You can believe this if you like but an awful lot of the price premium is in the Surly decal and bike store markup. Bikes Direct sells a similar rig with Apex or 105 shifting for $800.

We sell quite a few Surlys at our shop, and a few years ago when Andel cranks replaced Suginos as the stock crank on some of the Surly models, I thought, "that's a shame." The reality, after a few years experience with the Andel cranks, is that they seem perfectly fine and perform no better or worse than the more classic brand Sugino. Were they specced on Surlys because they are less expensive? I'm sure that's the case. But it's a good quality square taper crankset that serves the purpose of those bikes, just like the Sugino cranks did.

I went out on a 50 mile ride this morning which was really the baptism by fire for her - and the crank performed no better or worse than Ultrega or 105-equipped bikes I have ridden - so I can agree. As far as the value of lack there of by going through bikes direct - this was my gift to myself for graduating with my master's degree in December. I wanted a Surly Cross Check, so I got one. Call it brand loyalty, buying the hype, whatever trope fits, but there is something to be found in my All-City Nature Boy, Handsome Devil and, now, Surly Cross Check that I just don't think I would get from BD. My son has an HT model from them and it just always looks subpar next to my stable of bikes. I know that's subjective - but isn't everything?

Edit: I also am loyal to the bike shop here so I would feel like I was punching my friend in the face every time I rode with him if I showed up on a BD bike. Running a bike shop in America, in this day and age, appears to be challenging enough because the average consumer thinks $200 is "high-end" for a bike these days.

I had a CC and a track bike with Andel cranks. I think both cranksets were very good for the money. If I was to upgrade a stock CC I would start by adding brifters

+1. No point unless some dimension/s of your existing cranks is/are unsatisfactory, or you've upgraded just about everything else first.

i make it a point to never bike tour with someone that owns a company i might want to buy something from, it can be difficult. try contracting at Chrysler and telling everyone at work that you just bought a nice Nissan ZX 300. they will not be happy campers. :)

and just so this post is not completely OT, i agree that middle of the road or even inexpensive cranks, as far a longevity and strength are concerned compare favorably to the most expensive ones. rest assured, i've got a couple of boat-anchor shimano LX and Sakae square tapered triples that are going to make "good clean fill" after my demise. :)