Replace chainrings? Or buy completely new Crankset?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 900
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Bikes: BMC SLC01, Trek Checkpoint ALR5
Replace chainrings? Or buy completely new Crankset?
Hello,
I have a Dura Ace 7800 crankset, and I would like to replace the chainrings, as they are getting a bit worn. (and its a mismatched S-works chainring)
Now, the FC7800 chainrings, 53t and 39t together cost about $126.
A new Ultegra 6800 crankset including chainrings costs only $150. Is it smarter to just get a totally new Ultegra crankset, and sell the Dura Ace crankset on Ebay perhaps? The price of just the chainrings separately just seems ridiculous.
Thanks for the advice!
I have a Dura Ace 7800 crankset, and I would like to replace the chainrings, as they are getting a bit worn. (and its a mismatched S-works chainring)
Now, the FC7800 chainrings, 53t and 39t together cost about $126.
A new Ultegra 6800 crankset including chainrings costs only $150. Is it smarter to just get a totally new Ultegra crankset, and sell the Dura Ace crankset on Ebay perhaps? The price of just the chainrings separately just seems ridiculous.
Thanks for the advice!
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,239
Likes: 8
From: Bay Area, Calif.
Given that choice I'd opt for the new crankset. OTOH, the last time I wore out a chain ring it was only the large one that had problems and someone was selling a new Ultegra 53t in original sealed packaging at a swap meet for $15. So I still have the old, rather worn looking, cranks but with a new ring.
#6
Jedi Master
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Lake Forest, IL
Bikes: https://stinkston.blogspot.com/p/my-bikes.html
#7
#8
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2015
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Bikes: BMC SLC01, Trek Checkpoint ALR5
I would go with Sram Force cranks if I didn't just buy a new Dura Ace bottom bracket 2 months ago.
Now I'm sticking to Shimano for the crankset. I can't really find the new 7800 chainrings cheaper than that anywhere. Any hints?
I dont want to buy a used crankset with chainrings on Ebay, becaus its hard to tell the wear on just photos? I dont want to buy something thats worn out already.
How does the Dura Ace 7800 compare to Ultegra 6800? The ultregra is a lot newer I think, but maybe the Dura Ace is lighter still?
Thanks
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Apopka, Florida
Bikes: Santa Cruz Stigmata
Jenson has the DA 7800 chainrings for $103.98 delivered. They have 53T, 52T, and 39T available. Cart | Jenson USA
#12
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
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From: Toronto, Canada
Bikes: 1989 Miele road bike 2x6
Replace chainrings or crankset
Replace chainrings or crankset
Need some advice as per my title. I have a vintage (late 80's) road bike with Sugino steel 52-40t 110BCD rings and cranks. BB is JIS square taper. I am 65 and want to lower the gearing. Running 6-sp 14-28 freewheel in the rear and prefer to keep it. Pondering if it makes good sense to buy a new, lighter crankset (possibly HT2) or replace the chainrings - Gebhardt 44-33t for $78 all in. Most JIS sq taper cranksets today are designated as 10/11 speed with short spindle lengths (107-110) compared to mine (est.116mm) which raises chain compatibility and chainline concerns. Any thoughts?
Need some advice as per my title. I have a vintage (late 80's) road bike with Sugino steel 52-40t 110BCD rings and cranks. BB is JIS square taper. I am 65 and want to lower the gearing. Running 6-sp 14-28 freewheel in the rear and prefer to keep it. Pondering if it makes good sense to buy a new, lighter crankset (possibly HT2) or replace the chainrings - Gebhardt 44-33t for $78 all in. Most JIS sq taper cranksets today are designated as 10/11 speed with short spindle lengths (107-110) compared to mine (est.116mm) which raises chain compatibility and chainline concerns. Any thoughts?
#13
Sunshine
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 18,744
Likes: 10,298
From: Des Moines, IA
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Replace chainrings or crankset
Need some advice as per my title. I have a vintage (late 80's) road bike with Sugino steel 52-40t 110BCD rings and cranks. BB is JIS square taper. I am 65 and want to lower the gearing. Running 6-sp 14-28 freewheel in the rear and prefer to keep it. Pondering if it makes good sense to buy a new, lighter crankset (possibly HT2) or replace the chainrings - Gebhardt 44-33t for $78 all in. Most JIS sq taper cranksets today are designated as 10/11 speed with short spindle lengths (107-110) compared to mine (est.116mm) which raises chain compatibility and chainline concerns. Any thoughts?
Need some advice as per my title. I have a vintage (late 80's) road bike with Sugino steel 52-40t 110BCD rings and cranks. BB is JIS square taper. I am 65 and want to lower the gearing. Running 6-sp 14-28 freewheel in the rear and prefer to keep it. Pondering if it makes good sense to buy a new, lighter crankset (possibly HT2) or replace the chainrings - Gebhardt 44-33t for $78 all in. Most JIS sq taper cranksets today are designated as 10/11 speed with short spindle lengths (107-110) compared to mine (est.116mm) which raises chain compatibility and chainline concerns. Any thoughts?
just get some new rings and call it a day. A new crankset is fine,, but if you like the look of what you have and it works well, there is no benefit in changing to HT2.
#16
On Your Left
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Long Island, New York, USA
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
#17
Should Be More Popular




Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
I lean towards new crank, but either approach is reasonable. Comes down to cost and aesthetics.
One reason I suggest consider new crank is that crankarms can wear/break over time. Our dearly departed patentcad broke a crank once, you may recall. It’s rare for a crank to fail like that, but maybe a minor issue that breaks the tie.
One reason I suggest consider new crank is that crankarms can wear/break over time. Our dearly departed patentcad broke a crank once, you may recall. It’s rare for a crank to fail like that, but maybe a minor issue that breaks the tie.
#18
Based on your description of your bike, if you want smaller gears, I think you are best off buying a complete new bike. The replacement options for your set up are limited, given the age and set up. Gebhardt may still make replacements, but it is unlikely you can go smaller up front. You might be able to find a larger cassette. I haven't shopped for 6-spd cassettes in awhile.
And trying to put a modern drivetrain on that bike would be very expensive - would need to replace drivetrain and wheels, and maybe widen the rear spacing on the frame.
And trying to put a modern drivetrain on that bike would be very expensive - would need to replace drivetrain and wheels, and maybe widen the rear spacing on the frame.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Chapel Hill NC
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Hello,
I have a Dura Ace 7800 crankset, and I would like to replace the chainrings, as they are getting a bit worn. (and its a mismatched S-works chainring)
Now, the FC7800 chainrings, 53t and 39t together cost about $126.
A new Ultegra 6800 crankset including chainrings costs only $150. Is it smarter to just get a totally new Ultegra crankset, and sell the Dura Ace crankset on Ebay perhaps? The price of just the chainrings separately just seems ridiculous.
Thanks for the advice!
I have a Dura Ace 7800 crankset, and I would like to replace the chainrings, as they are getting a bit worn. (and its a mismatched S-works chainring)
Now, the FC7800 chainrings, 53t and 39t together cost about $126.
A new Ultegra 6800 crankset including chainrings costs only $150. Is it smarter to just get a totally new Ultegra crankset, and sell the Dura Ace crankset on Ebay perhaps? The price of just the chainrings separately just seems ridiculous.
Thanks for the advice!





