rpeterson

I'm planning on upgrading my crankset in the next week or two and was wondering if there was any real reason to get something like a SRAM Red or Rotor 3D over something simple like a FSA Gossamer or Shimano 105.

I already have the rings I plan on using it with, so will the crank itself make any difference? or is it mostly cosmetic these days?

canam73

What type BB shell do you have?

Number400

I think I paid $58 for my last new FSA standard 53/39 GXP crank set. It has been fine for the last 2800 miles, no issues and no complaints. The left crank arm has never once loosened up on me as others have complained about. I do believe that the quality of the BB that came with it is not so hot and I have worn them out fairly quickly in the past. That and they never seem to spin quite as smoothly/freely as my other bikes bb86 but I don't really care.
I have a new and hopefully nicer SRAM BB waiting to go in whenever this one wears out or starts to vibrate.

clydeosaur

Actually, I have a 5600 105 and was told I should upgrade. Not looing to jack the thread, but I'm curious to know as well.....

dtrain

To what...and why? You're fine.

rpeterson

Everyday British thread.

dtrain

What is the rest of the group?

rpeterson

It's a Tiagra 10-speed groupset.

ls01

For more money you can get, lighter weight, better bb, stiffer material , and /or better shifting rings and A higher bling factor (carbon). So what to buy becomes a decision based on what you need verses what is available in the price range you want to spend. Only you can decide if it is worth it.
Tiagra is pretty stiff, not horribly heavy, looks ok (subjective) and if you already have rings, maybe an upgraded bb is money better spent. It depends on what the Tiagra is lacking, why you want to replace it.

HMF

Gossamer BB30 was an excellent crank, if a bit heavy.

Shifting quality was better than the DuraAce 7800 I upgraded to. I was surprised to see that it took more time to get the chain onto the big ring with the 7800. It's never a problem unless I'm in a fast group ride and have to shift into the big ring - when that happens I have to let some pressure off the pedal while shift is occurring. Not really a big deal, but something I never had to do with the Gossamer.

rpeterson

The question for me is though: will the differences in those be worth the money?

Nagrom_

And that's the question you have to answer yourself.

We can't tell you what your money is worth to you.

ls01

It really depends on what the problem is to begin with. Is it not shifting well? Is it to heavy? You dont like the way it looks? Tell us WHY you want to replace it or what is making you want to replace it. If it shifting poorly, you alraedy have the rings the arms wont do much for you. Etc.
Tell us why

dtrain

Is the current crankset Tiagra or something else/cheaper? I stick with Tiagra if you have that, and consider 105 if upgrading from Oval or FSA Omega. But, yeah, it's your money. Might not be 'worth' upgrading at all...to geez go for the Red or DA.

rpeterson

I'm swapping a 175mm 50/34 to a 170mm 53/39.

I guess I should have been a lot more specific in my question. Does anyone have any links or data to show real appreciable differences in performance between different cranksets?

dtrain

This group has a lot more advice than data...(guilty as charged).

ls01

Much of it would be tough to quantify. Weight is easy, look up manufacturers specs, taken with a grain of salt. Stiffness, is tough to puta figure on but you can get a good idea from folks on here. Looks are up to you.
But ok. your current crank isnt right for you. Nowis the time to upgrade. If you go sram you will need a new bottom bracket, pretty much any thing other than shimano I think will need a new BB. So how light do you want to go?105, ultegra, D/a???

ls01

Something else to check on. Will the front derailleur from a compact work with a full sized ring set?

rpeterson

This one I know, yeah it works fine, I'll just have to adjust it.

dtrain

Should just need to raise it up a touch.

ruindd

I've had bad experiences with FSA cranks & B/B. Shimano 105s are solid as a rock. Everything else is marginal gains of weight/stiffness.

rangerdavid

you get what you pay for.

rangerdavid

if you're lucky.

bianchi10

Because you get laughed at when you ride up to coffee shops with cheap ish!!!

BykOfALesserGod

And they'll mock your bike if you post it in the Hot or Not thread too!

But seriously, Upgrading from Tiagra to the next level up isn't much of an "upgrade" IMO. May as well go for Ultegra.