Sincitycycler

Anybody here use carbon crank arms (FSA, Truvativ, Campy)? Are they durable and stiff?

my58vw

Searchie...

Yes Yes and Yes...

I personally do not use them (too much bling) but they seem to be very stiff and reliable. Funny thing is that I find the DA cranks a bit stiffer...

sunninho

I think you already know the answer, but Yes to all three questions (Campy), but I agree with my58vw about the DA cranks. They are my favorite.

kubla khan

No they will rapidly disintegrate anytime you push hard and/or get off the saddle.

They will also melt in the rain and tend to shatter into millions of pieces during crashes.

Don't take my word for it just look at the hundreds of thousands being sold right now by dozens of different companies, they couldn't possibly have made sure they were stiff, light, AND reliable...

sunninho

and, as long as you don't run them into any hedges.

Patriot

I honestly can't tell much of a differance, other than carbon cranks tend to be a bit lighter. DA is a great setup though, but my FSA superlights w/Ti BB are even lighter, and when I had a chance to ride a DA bike, I honestly couldn't feel a differance if there even really is any. But then, I only weigh 175#, so my weight and push on them is less than say someone well over 200#.
For the average rider, they are great, but unless you want a weight weenie bike, or just a some nice bling, you really don't need them. I personally like them, but that's just me, and my prefernce. Everyone has differant taste, and differant needs.

my58vw

I do not understand what the whole "cf revolution" in component groups is about. They sure look nice (ala record shifters, etc), but I still like the feel of metal parts...

I do not like when I push on a part that I think it is going to break!

But if the pros use them I am sure they are great!

gmason

Perhaps if enough people ..... Naaahhhhhhhh.....

merlinextraligh

I have FSA K force with the Mega Exo bottom bracket. The set up is much stiffer than the 9 speed D/A it replaced. I cannot make the front derailleur rub hammering out of the saddle, which happened rather easily with the D/A. I pretty sure most of the difference is the external bearing bb, which you'd get on the 10 speed D/A crank also.
But it's plenty stiff.

26mi235

I am light, so I do not bother with the outboard bearings. The FSA on my Fuji Pro seem fine and do not flex on me. They are also cheaper than the DAs.

Fox Farm

My experience has only been with Campy. I love them! Very stiff and positive feeling. Campy says that they are much stronger than the aluminum crank arms. The big difference with Campy carbon cranks is that they are solid carbon fiber, both multi directional and uni-directional. That marbelized look that you see is the multi-directional outter layer that covers the uni-directional weave below. They are not carbon wrapped aluminum like many others.

gcasillo

I have ridden Campagnolo's carbon and alloy cranks. Couldn't tell a difference one way or the other. Unless you're looking to shave grams for uphill time trials or gain an extra watt or two for bunch sprints, you will not notice a difference in lightness or stiffness. As I've said here a lot lately, Petacchi and Boonen both use the Record alloy crank. Petacchi just wrapped up his fifth stage win at this year's Vuelta. Think the alloy crank slows him down any?

At $200, the Record alloy crank is a steal compared to most carbon cranks, especially Campy's.

DocRay

Yes they are stiff
yes they are reliable
No, they are not worth the extra $.

daytonian

Carbon cranks on a steel Sarthe?? Hmmmmm - not feelin it.

TCR

After 578,345,987.2 revolutions they will splinter and fall apart.