I've been eyeing a compact crank on backcountryoutlet.com Shimano r700....70% off....why am I waiting?

Because compact cranks are for wussy?

you must be a youngster...

No. Kidding. Can't really beat 70% discount though. Never used them, but have heard good things about back country.

Do it. I double dog dare ya...

I kept waiting for it to show up on Bonktown and finally said **** it and bought a 6650 crank on Ebay. I'm not as patient as you apparently.

Incorrect.

Compact cranks are for old wussy.

I'd bet you don't have the cojones to buy it.

Your going to hate yourself when that 70 percent disappears the next day. I just switched to a compact myself a few days ago. Absolutely love it. I run a 12-27 in the rear and it helps specially when I do 80 percent hills when I ride.

$78 for a crank and your thinking about it....they will be out of stock soooooon!

Buy it.............. Great Value and can be the most influential addition to your ride. I ride a 50/34 compact with 11-23 cassette. This gives me the total range of a 12-27 on a 53/39 std crankset,
BUT............................. It's much more efficient because your gear ratios all the way through are much, much closer. It's more like having an Italian 6-speed in a Ferrari vs. a 4-speed. By managing your front derailleur properly, you can be in the right gear all the time.

It's fun to ride with friends and have the selection of 3 gears that are close enough together that any one of them will work. This aids accelleration and when climbing gives you the choice of more than a single cog. It will make you faster by giving you more options.

Also, ignore the comments about age, strength, etc. There are a few pros that run compacts in differing stages of the tour.(Bradley Wiggins for one) One size does't fit all

What are you waiting on? Single best upgrade I've ever done.

+1. Best change I ever made.

I love mine, and I don't care who knows it!

This interests me. Two quick questions:

1) What BB is required?
2) Will this crank work with a 9-speed Shimano Ultegra drivetrain?

Thanks

Do it...

It's Nike time.......

Only the 172.5 was on sale. I did pick up the 175mm version a few weeks back when it was on sale, just in case I ever wanted to try a compact -- looks high quality for the price (better than my 105 double now).

I weighed them both: 105 and R700 are identical within 5 grams or so, if you were wondering.

1) Hollowtech II (you can find them for $25 on ebay).

2) Yes, the 105 version ran fine with 9 speed for a week until I put the 10 speed chain and cassette on. The R700 looks almost the same as the 105, except the R700 chainrings are machined (and he small ring is 34 tooth instead of 39).

Thanks. I just ordered one.

Because they are an awesome seller with a lifetime return policy: any condition/reason, full refund.

Not that you'll have to use it but it's there.

Wow. I bought the r700 new, when it first came out. That's a good deal.

just watched an r700 go for 92.00 (incl shipping) on EBAY...promptly headed over to backcountryoutlet.com and purchased it for 86.74 (including shipping)....

Bought mine about three months ago from BCO for $99, and I love it. Took about 30 minutes to switch out the bottom bracket, install the crank, and lower the front derailleur. As Donegal said, it allows me to keep the cassette ratios much closer while still having the low gear for hills.

But yes, I'm old, and wussy.

I picked up an ultegra double front derailler today from Beyondbikes.com for practically nothing...so all I need to do is wait for it all to arrive and do the switch.