Last night I installed my first non-square taper crankset -- a splined FSA with outboard bearings. It was the easiest installation of any component I've ever put on a bicycle. Changing pedals takes more work. And the bottom bracket weighs next to nothing.

Easier doesn't necessarily mean better, but color me impressed.

Keep in mind the new stuff has been designed to improve on the old designs. It's the way it works.

There's probably a whole lot of stuff I'd really like, if I could just get over the modern styling of stuff.

I wish someone would design a classic looking crankset designed for the modern bottom bracket.

I have installed Campy threaded outboard bottom brackets on three bikes now, two modern bikes and an early '90s Basso. Incredibly easy installation and so far have had no issues with them whatsoever. Arguably they're not very pretty, but if the modern alternative is press fit, I'll stick with not pretty.

I am not repulsed by carbon fiber bicycles... but I have negligible attraction to the material and the products it's used to make.

But with CF set aside.... I like the looks and functional improvements of modern bicycles. My own personal favorite bike is made of aluminum and has brifters and everything. However, I still have a special heart-warming feeling when working with and/or riding vintage (or classic) steel bicycles. To me... if there is a dark-side to bicycle design/style... it is carbon fiber... or plastic by any name.

I don't know about the rest of you, but a 5-bolt spider (or maybe a 3-to-6 bolt) looks a lot better to me than a modern 4-bolt.

The crankset in question. I wouldn't call it pretty, but I've seen uglier.

Faster to install on the assembly line putting components on a bike frame, destined for the market, is one of the design criteria..

My knees hurt just looking at that low seat position.

My newest stuff is still square taper. I had no desire to upgrade, but good to hear about the OPs experience. I sure don't have any desire to go in the OTHER direction. I hope to never again deal with cotter pins, even though some claim that it is no big deal with the proper tools.

Did you need to get the bb faced? Was this install on a new frame? Just curious.

Im sure new bikes ride great. I wouldn't know because I have never ridden one, and have no interest in doing so. I just look at them and for me it's like looking at a refrigerator: no reaction at all. Show me an old frame with faded decals, tubulars and ratty cloth tape and that's another story. Whatever floats your boat, in the end. There's nothing morally superior about old bikes, I just like them better.

I don't object to carbon fiber, splined BB, or anything like it. What I hate is every component being powder coated and covered in tasteless and over the top graphics. Newer components could be designed tastefully in some sort of aesthetically pleasing way, but instead they seem to be all done by fresh out of design class 23 years olds with no taste.

I went with a splined ISIS (not a terrorist) cartridge style BB unit on my Cannondale. Really enjoyed the simplicity of plug-n-play and very cheap. This is the final outcome:


I would NOT go with anything BB30.

I actually love many of the innovations in modern bikes. Carbon frames for instance are amazing feats of engineering to me. What I dislike though - and as has been mentioned above - are all the graphics on everything - everything. The cranks, the seat/seat post, the stem, the rims - literally every part is now covered with a garrish graphic. It seems like this started to really take root in the late 80's and just got worse and worse as the years went by to the point we are at now, where bikes are incredibly loud billboards for manufacturers.

I feel the same about the goofy looking jerseys covered in names and bright colors too, that you see all the time. The few cycling jerseys and shorts I own all have solid colors and dont look like 'bike racer' clothing. I've never thought clothing like that did a lot for the images of cyclists.

My 1933 Frejus has "Frejus" branded on both the BB cups, the BB spindle, crank arms, pedals, pedal dust caps, front and rear hubs, all 4 hub wing nuts, front and rear brake calipers, headset spacer, frame pump, head tube decal, 2 downtube decals and seat tube decal. In all, my bike says "Frejus" 27 times. Graphics on everything. Even things you can't see.

And high-contrast graphics on bikes is out. For several years now. "Black on black" - type, low contrast graphics are all the rage.

Sugino OX601D Cranks Arms w/BB Cups

^ Doesn't look bad. And only $625 or so, such a deal

As I always mention in these threads, Athena looks great.

I kinda ride it all, except the last few years innovations = no electronic shift or roadie discs yet, or hidden in seattube motor assist. Friction 5/6 to 10sp cassettes; Racer to touring; R531, SL/SLX, Oria, Ishiwata, Tange, carbon & titanium, currently no Al; even some off trail, non-technical.

Dark side? It will all become vintage soon enough.

I, personally, hate the bulbous look of new components. IMO- Ultegra 6600 and Dura Ace 7800 are the last sort of 'normal' looking components to me. I'd love to build up a nice group of Dura Ace 7700 cranks with the rest of 7800- IMO those are the last 'normal' looking cranks.

As this is my 2nd post in this thread- most of all my objection to new stuff is all about aesthetics.

Athena looks great, if you can find it in stock in silver at UK / euro prices.

I prefer the pre-2005 (or was it 07) Veloce, Centaur groups with multiple shifts up and down and a more graduated feel on the FD with chainline trim ability (esp on a triple). Record & Chorus always the standard, eh? The new Ergos are comfortable but with large hands the old ones fit me well.

Wireless electronic and 10 pound production bikes are almost here. That makes me feel like my 15yo 10sp bikes are almost vintage. Maybe Dark, too.

I almost went with Athena/Veloce for my upgrade, but the powertorque crankset needing a special tool was a big drawback. Ultimately I went with polished Veloce ergos but going to mate to DA7800 RD and crank, hopefully (haven't done it yet).

Can confirm: Have the proper tool, if I shot video showing how fast I can have arms on/off with it, everyone that's ever spent time to pound, drill or clamp one out would probably smack their own face. Probably not faster than what the OP installed here, but I have no doubt I can have a pair of cotters out and in again faster than most people remove a single tapered crankarm. Best part about using the right tool, I've never had to face/file a cotter unless someone else banged it - the right tool pops it out undamaged.

I went the outboard bearing route when I upgraded or modernized or what ever, my Cyclops. I, too, have great appreciation for the spline bottom bracket style and overall appearance, not to mention performance of this...

Not a new frame, but the threads were in good shape, so no need to face.

If you know where to look you can get them for far less. Groups even, such as Athena.