How important is the crank?
 

I'm downsizing my Madone's 9spd triple to a 9spd compact double this weekend, but have some elementary questions.

How important is the crank in the overall scheme of components? In other words, do I need to stress over the quailty of the crank?

The bike shop has options for me from Ritchey and FSA Gossamer because "Shimano doesn't offer a compact double." I'm not familiar with the models in question for Ritchey or FSA Gossamer, but will hit the web this afternoon for some generic research. Is one brand unacceptable or preferred over the other? What model(s) would be comprable to Ultregra?

Despite my LBS, I recall seeing a DA compact. What about Ultegra? Does Shimano offer a 9spd compact?!

If a crank is important and Shimano offers one in DA, is it worth the upgrade $?

Thanks and pray for the weather to break!

Shimano has a Compact double now. It isn't Ultegra or DA but they say it is Ultegra level of quality. I have seen it...pretty nice. I have used the Ritchey WCS compact on my Salsa all summer. Also very nice. Either wil work for a 9 spd system though the Shimano is asthetically like the newer 10 spd lines.

http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycl...=1134072911096

The Shimano Compact double is NOT out yet, perhaps by the end of January or February. FSA is your best choice as far stiffness and quality. I'd buy the FSA Carbon Pro Elite comapct ISIS if you'd ask me.

Corsaire :)

Um...dude...I held one (the Shimano compact) in my hands at my LBS a week and a half ago.

Oh and just for reference the Shimano compact is lighter than the FSA SLK compact, they had both there and we were comparing them side by side.

Edit: And the Ritchey is stiffer than the FSA...not sure about how they compare to the new Shimano designs but they were stiffer than the 6500/7700 designs.

How much???

Didn't ask because I wasn't that interested. I have heard they will be the same price as the Ultegra cranks though. I am a Campy guy so I wasn't buying it no matter how nice it was. :D

...then let me have the LBS name and phone # to contact them and order one....I highly doubt they had the Shimano compact. I spoke to the owner of certain bike shop, who told me he had seen the prototype in some Bike Show, but they weren't out yet.

You won't provide thename and # 'cause you'll be caught in your lie...

Corsaire

The Bicycle Shop (that is the name of the shop...pretty original huh?) 814-238-9422 I know for sure Grant, Jerry and the head mechanic have seen it as that is who was there the day I saw them. Feel free to give them a call.

Here is their very out of date web site if you need their address for directions http://www.thebicycleshopinc.com/

I did find this...... crank click It does show them as in stock in the 172.5

You'll get a lot of debate on the whole crankset stiffness issue. (there's a whole thread) Personally I buy into the external bb idea, and would pay a little more for a crankset/ bb combo with it like the FSA K force compact.

Corsaire - you call them yet? :rolleyes: Or are you affraid to appologize for calling an honest guy a liar?

I'd just say your information wasn't accurate. The guy said is not out yet officially. The one he "thinks" he has (called it Ultegra, but we all know it's not) came with a certain bike model 2006, but his customer didn't want it.

Corsaire :)

That crankset is from a shop in the UK. January seems to be the date for the US.

Corsaire

Who did you talk to? I saw them take it out of the box, It wasn't off a bike at all.

OK, sounds like a strong "maybe" on Shimano.

OK, sounds like both Ritchey and FSA are fine choices.

...but, how important is the crank in the overall scheme of things in terms of components? Is a lightweight carbon crank worth it or should I just get a basic crank? I hate to settle, but if it's not worth it...

My personal opinion. If I had a carbon Madone, I would go with a carbon compact, not alloy. That's just me. I would probably go with an FSA SLK MEga-Exo compact or similar. 55/Rad has one on his 5500, and I really like the match. Ritchey compacts are very nice, but to me, it just doesn't seem right on a Madone. But hey, to each their own.

Good luck. :)

Why are these your only two choices? and how did you end up with a madone with 9 speed?

My Madone was a odd-ball XS size that became a leftover. Took it home for a nice deal. As I understand, the early Madone 5.2's were 9spd.

so why fsa or ritchey/ is that all your lbs has in stock?

No I wouldn't stress over the quality of the cranks. All the ones you have mentioned are high quality. I would make sure you have the right length to suit your inseam and cyling style before I woried about quality of the crank arms. Truvativ Elita and Rouler have some nice compact double cranks as well in their ranges.

I used to race on some cheap cranks and never had any problems with them other than problems I had with the square taper BB because I used to take them on and off reguarly. I must say that I like ISIS spline over the old square taper.

Regards, Anthony

I've got the FSA Gossamer Compact and no complaints so far ~600 miles.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=46628

^^^review...

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...ff&oi=froogler

^^^price....seems like FSA has this price point stuff down...

Yes, the LBS was offering a direct swap for a Ritchey WCS Compact or FSA Gossamer Compact.

I went with a FSA Pro Carbon Elite for a few bucks on a trade differential, as I recall.