Bike Forums - Crankset or Ring(s)

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Crankset or Ring(s)

Bought a new 2012 CAAD 10 a couple months ago and have been making some purchases and changes. The bike is still at the dealership (although paid for and then some) because it's too cold to ride and anything I purchase with the bike is 10% off and anything I purchase or bring in they will install for free.... Pretty damn sweet if you ask me. Don't even have to purchase it from them (but of course most of it has been).

My question is regarding the crankset. 1st is a compact and I am use to a standard, but since this will be my everyday bike, it doesn't have to have the gearing my Klein does. My question is should I upgrade to a Shimano cranksest or just replace the chainring (or rings) with Shimano ones?

I don't want to start a FSA vs Shimano thing so PLEASE don't go there. I PERSONALLY prefer the way the Shimano rings glide the chain onto the ring to the way the FSA's throw it on. It shifts fine, I just don't care for the "feel". It's my bike and my preference, not saying anything is wrong with FSA. In fact I prefer the looks of the FSA cranks to just about anyone and Shimano are my least favorite looking. Just my opinion YMMV.

I could put Ultregra or 105 rings on this crankset or get an adapter and replace the crankset with a Shimano. If I switch the crankset, I can go with standard gearing but of course the cost is more.

I'm also aware that there are 52 tooth compact chainrings available so here are my questions...

Anyone using a 34/52? Have any problems shifting or dropping your chain? What ring did you go with and how does it "feel" when shifting?

Given the same scenario, what would you do?

Thanks in advance and PLEASE let's not debate over which one shifts better, is the better crank... I'm looking for some help not a troll-fest.

Frank

34/52 is an 18 tooth jump.. do any FD's support that?

In my experience, I have owned: FSA 50/34, SRAM S500 53/39, Stronglight (Sugino clone) 50/36, 105 50/34, and Campagnolo Centaur 53/39, and a single cog 46. With all of those, usually a 12-25 or 11-25 cassette. My personal favorite gearing is 50/36 for the following reasons:

14 tooth jump is less impact on gearing than 16. When you switch rings, you don't have to adjust the cassette cog by as much to keep cadence in a narrow band.

50 tooth big ring allows you to stay on the big ring longer, so a larger % of riding involves no front shift.

36 tooth small ring has never left me wanting for gearing vs the 34, and it is 8% easier than the 39.

The subjective part: I think a 14 tooth jump shifts crisper than a 16 tooth. I know everything is designed to handle the 16, but 14 feels like a more positive shift in going from the small to big ring. 16 tooth always felt more iffy.

I didn't answer your question specifically, but I would probably, in your situation, find matched 110 bcd 50/36 rings and put them on whatever crank looks nice to you.

34/52 is an 18 tooth jump.. do any FD's support that? - That was what I was wondering. Never thought about a 36. I guess I didn't know they were available. I've mainly been looking at how large I can go on the big ring. The 36-52 would be in range. Thanks!

My problem is I spin out with a 53-12 downhill around here and don't want to go above that ratio. I'll be switching to a 53-11 on my Klein soon and can't imaging riding that an then going to a 50-12 (or even 11). We are lucky around here to have some nice rolling hills you can really make time on. When I was younger I could spin nearly 50mph with a 53-12, now I'm doing good to do 40mph before my legs simply wont go any faster. I have plenty of gearing with the 39-28 uphill so that's not a concern.

Thanks for the input!

52/34 is sometimes done but is not recommended. I'd do a 52/36 instead.

You can fit Shimano rings but their color may not match. You could try Praxis rings. They have a reputation for shifting very well, and they come in black.

52-11 is taller gearing than 53-12.

I have a 52x36 on my bike and if you're not tackling mountains, it's a nice compromise. Low enough for sustained climbing and high enough for sustained fun on the downhill.

The main drawback of a mid-compact and a broad cassette in the back and a 52 up front is that you may end up in the 17-19 tooth range and it's a bigger jump between gears up there. If you had a 50 you'd be a little further towards the small end. Of course, if you're doing 24-26 mph on the flats then never mind, it won't be an issue. :D

I like Shimano rings on my FSA crankset. I think they're more durable and also like how they shift.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99Klein (Post 15236000)

Bought a new 2012 CAAD 10 a couple months ago and have been making some purchases and changes. The bike is still at the dealership (although paid for and then some) because it's too cold to ride...

Wut? It's only 28F in Lincoln Nebraska right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99Klein (Post 15236291)

You must have much larger hills in Lincoln than in the Omaha area. I have yet to spin out a 50-11 here... :) Heck, it didn't pose a problem in all of 2012 when I was in Seattle.

Or you're able to spin faster than I am. At nearly 50 I have lost some leg speed but the strength is still there. If you ever take Hwy 77 from Roca into town with the wind at your back, it's quite easy to run out of gear. The hills will allow 50 MPH with my younger legs (probably more for some) and my old legs will only do about 40. I can't think of anywhere around here that is hillier than Omaha so I'm sure I'd run out there as well.