I want to go with a compact double and move away from the triples I have been riding since getting into road cycling. I simply ride for fitness and throw in some charity rides like the MS 150 and the like. Which are the good compact cranks models. Which should I avoid. I am looking for reasonable price with good quality.

Thanks

Mud

What bits are in the driveline now?

New build winter project. Going with 105 or better level driveline components. Most likely 9 speed.

I have the Shimano compact double- R600 (or maybe R700, can't remember) (it's the ultegra level) and have been quite happy with it. For a small upgrade cost, I had the shop swap it in (before actually picking up the bike) from Truvativ, FSA, or some other non-Shimano system that was included with the bike based on many recommendations I received (including here). I've been happy with my setup.

I have had the Truvativ (50/36) and a Shimano R700 (50/34). IMO, the shifting is crisper with the R700 and it can be had at very reasonable prices. Plus, the gearing of the R700's 50/34 chainrings is closer to what you're accustomed to.

Get the Shimano R-700.

The tiagra-level compact crankset (R-4550?) is pretty darn cheap on ebay and comes with chainrings that are designed for 9-speed set-ups (though I don't think that makes much difference). I run an R-700 with 9-speed 105 parts and it's been great so far.

FSA makes an excellent compact double crankset.

The R700 is tough to beat. I have one on one of my bikes.

+1

I have the R700 on both of my bikes and love it!

I have the Nsahbar one, and although not the lightest on the market, it's a great value and works fine. I think it's currently on sale again packaged with a bottom bracket for $99

Forgot to mention . . . I run Dura Ace now (so I don't have a compact crank) but, if I needed a compact, I would have no hesitation mixing an R700 with my Dura Ace components. Quality piece. (And looks exactly like a Dura Ace from ten feet away.)

No complaints with my FSA Gossamer compact.

FSA K-force. Works well. Now that They have an K-force "Light"... you can get the original cheaper now. My has been perfect for two years.

No complaints with my FSA Gossamer front derailleur either. Several bike people said I couldn't use it with Sram Force/Rival's proprietary integrated shifter cable pull and expect good shifting in the front - BS, on my bike it works better than the Sram Force front derailleur did.

If you do go with FSA, please remember to periodically check the fixing bolt as some of them do have a tendency to come loose even when torqued to spec. I liked my FSA SLK. But wanted to go back to Campy. Now I have a Record UT compact. I really like it.

you can get the R700 on ebay with the bottom bracket on ebay for $200. I got 2 of them from a guy/ebay shop from China. Don't hesiate. I got each one on less than a week.

I had a FSA SLK, loved it but wanted more gear, moved to the FSA standard double

^Mine took a while to ship, but once I got it I was happy.

r700 for the win.

That Shimano R700 shifts a bit more nicely at 50-34 that my FAS did. The FSA at 50-36 was about the same.

My R-700 shifts noticeably better than the FSA compact it replaced.....I really think it's the SGX chainrings you get from Shimano....the ramps & pins on the 50t seem much more substantial....and more importantly, effective.
I swapped my 34 for a 36 and run it with an 11-28 cassette and couldn't be happier...

My Two Cents worth....

That Tiagra crank seems like a good value; by all accounts, the new Tiagra group is much improved.

FSA SLK, strong and fast. I love mine

Are you using Shimano cassette? I thought Shimano only makes as low as 12-27T (Dura Ace).

I have three compacts, all external bearing:

-Truvativ Elita
-Shimano R700
-FSA Energy Mega EXO

The lightest and most durable in my experience is the FSA Energy Mega EXO (787g w/BB weighed on my scale). Truvativ rings (at least the Elita) are just crap; I broke a tooth after a few hundred miles. Shimano R700 rings are too soft and show far more wear than the FSA Energy and it's not even a year old. The R700 has far less miles on it.

FSA Energy Mega EXO gets my vote....$198 from Reporto Corse. I got mine when they were $126