Crankset Replacement Advice
 

I'm looking to replace the crankset/chainring and bb on my single speed bike. I purchased the bike used and use it for pleasure as well as a physical fitness training tool. It's ridden hard. I plan on keeping this bike for quite awhile. As I replace different components I don't shy away from the more expensive if the extra money spent is on components that are as good as advertised. When it comes to cranksets/chainrings and bb I know very little. Campagnolo Record Pista, Dura Ace FC 7710, and Sugino 75 have all been suggested as top flight equipment. I'd appreciate input from the more experienced. Thanks.

you might also add to your list sram omnium crankset. i think for the price ($220) it is unbeatable. you're getting a high performance crank for much less than the rival options. In contrast, my Sugino 75 + ring + Phil Wood BB totalled over $400.

What frame are you working with here?

Those are all top notch cranks. Buy the one you think looks the best.

I don't know about the Campy, but the chain ring tabs line up very nicely between the Sugino 75 and the Dura Ace, so you can mix rings from Shimano and Sugino and it looks nice.

dura Ace is by far more expensive. You looking at $90 bb + $350 crank arms + $155 chainring..that is $600...
sugino $98 bb + $225 crank arms + $120 chainring.. = $450 aprox.
sram omnium crankset is $220. Very decent one for half price. You could later on replace bb for lets say Phil Wood. Will cost you $160. but you do not have to do it right away.

Don't be afraid to hit up craigslists, I've seen some crazy good deals.

I just picked up an almost brand new set of black 75's with Sugino bottom bracket (the $100 one) for $140 total. Everything was pristine with just a tiniest of scuff marks on one crank arm (that you'll end up doing with a day of riding).

The owner bought the 75's and then came across a killer deal on the DD75's...so I lucked out.

felt brougham

i was just at my LBJ and the mechanic suggested the same crankset. the crankset, chainring and bb for $270. he said he uses it on 2 of his bikes and loves it.

i use it on my bike and love it :) Not to mention the easier installation. I would get a new one from retrogression for $220. I am myself waiting for weather to be cold so I could take mine apart, clean it and grease it. When it comes to bottom bracket I would think twice before getting used one.

DA 7710 octalink cranks are <$300 from Japan. DA track BB is $62 but I read that the DA road BB is quieter and lasts longer - that is close to $90. The ring is <$100 depending on size. You could do the whole thing for about $450 + about $25 shipping + custom's fees. US customs charges import fees for anything over $200 so that could be minimized by splitting the order, cranks vs everything else. Only the cranks would be subject to the fees.

njs-export sometimes has used DA-7710 cranks for <$175 but you gotta act fast.

DA 7600 square taper cranks are $225 brand new. Shimano Dura Ace FC-7600 track crank set (NJS) 170mm - $225.00 : Track Supermarket - NJS/Keirin track/fixed gear bikes, frames, and parts from Japan

Then there are these bad boys... Super Sugino 75 S-Cubic Track Cranks BLACK 170mm - $639.00 : Track Supermarket - NJS/Keirin track/fixed gear bikes, frames, and parts from Japan

wow thank you.. there are a lot of valuable info...bookmarking these websites. thank you again

I've had good luck with Alex's.

http://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...s-dealers.html

Thank you to all for sharing your insights and personal experiences. These boards really are an excellent resource. I think the SRAM Omnium suits my needs best. Seems like it is a clear winner in the "bang for your buck" category. I'm going to give it a whirl. Thanks again.

You initially mentioned Campag Record Pista crankset among possibilities, but for some reason they always get shuffled aside in these discussions. I don't know if it is the mistaken assumption that they are overly expensive or that the only bottom bracket will work with them Campy?

I have many thousands of miles on mine and they look and perform like new, and there are several relatively inexpensive alternative BBs out there will work fine with them if you just google the right specs to find them.

Anyway, AFAIAC you can't beat this deal for Record Pista cranks and I think it stacks up extremely well against all your other usual suspects...

Campagnolo Record Pista Track Chainset | ProBikeKit.com

^^ If I had seen that deal when I was shopping, I would've gone for it. Now I'm stuck with these worthless Omniums.

"Requires a 111mm BB"

To me that means that you are limited to 111mm spindle. I think that is specific to Record Pista crankset. In contrast Sugino 75 is 109 mm spindle.

My point is that with Campag Record Pista crankset you are limited with bottom bracket selection.
I could be wrong. this would a good question to ask an expert like Scrod :)

Well yes and no. You can get an affordable Campy Veloce 111mm BB for less than a 109mm Tange-Seiki BB.

Campagnolo Veloce bottom bracket | Retrogression

Tange-Seiki 109mm ISO sealed-cartridge bottom bracket | Retrogression

Are you limited to what bb you can use with the omnium?

The Omnium uses a GXP external BB, so you must either use the SRAM product or a compatible equivalent such as a Phil Wood.

Do you know which Phil Wood is the correct replacement? Is there a huge difference in the quality of the two? If so, what is it that makes it a higher quality?

Yes, there is a huge difference in quality as well as price. The GXP is garbage and the Phil is top tier. The correct Phil BB is this:

http://www.retro-gression.com/produc...bottom-bracket

What is it that makes the one garbage and the other a top tier item?

The standard GXP bottom brackets are hit or miss with regard to their quality. Some of them start causing noise very quickly while others have almost no problems. I keep waiting for my GXP bb to fail so I can replace it with a cool Phil Wood one but it hasn't yet.

The noise that you hear, is that the bearings failing? Is it the quality of the bearings that is the difference maker with these components?

I'm not sure. I actually suspect it is something about the casing rather than the bearings because the casing seems a bit flimsy. Most of the reports I've read about problems have happened immediately after installation. Omniums come with the GXP bottom bracket, so that should be part of your consideration. If you are willing to risk it, this is a plus because the BB and Chainring together cost less than buying them separately but then you don't get to pick the best bottom bracket available off the back, so that is a minus.