On my conversion I have some old crappy road cranks/crankarms, etc w/ a 3/32" chain. My chainline isn't perfectly straight, and there's a slight grinding noise that I'm assuming is coming from that. (I guess it could be the chain being too tight as well, but I'm pretty sure that's ok.)

So, my question is, what would be the most straightforward way to upgrade my whole drivetrain?

I don't have a ton of money, so I can't go all out on some bling bling cranks, etc...

Something like Sugino RD's (what's the diff. between RD's and XD's?)or the IRO cranks are in my range.

Are those not too bad? Decent? Ok? How do the two compare?
Or are there any other cranksets that around that price range and of better or comparable quality?

Oh, and right now I'm running 42x16, which isn't too bad, but I could probably handle something a little higher than that. Any suggestions?

thanks!

steer clear of the iro crankset, unless you want to replace the chainring and still have a good deal of chain tension variation.

sugino 75 are 208 with chain ring

i got my 75's with a 49t chainring for $183 shipped

Sugino 75 are well thought of on these boards: stiff and well cheaper than DA or Campy Pista.

Specialites TA make a beautiful track crank that's about the same price, available at Peter White

and at Bicycle Specialities

I'd say go with the TA crankset, simply because it's gorgeous, uncommonly seen, and because TA only makes really nice parts and has been doing so forever. Also, TA is known for making really nice chain rings. I'm sure the 75s are great, but just aren't as nice. And for 2 bills, I couldn't live with an okay looking crankset.

Another option, at that price, would be an old DA (square taper, not octalink) track crank, supposedly very stiff. Harder to find NOS, and I would hesitate to spend real money on used cranks.

As for mechanical problems, you should be fine if you've got a decent chainline, clean chain, well adjusted BB, and properly torqued chainring bolts.

the RDs use a 130mm chainring, the XDs use 110. i have the XDs, and they are okay? im no crank expert. one of the spider arms is behind the crank arm, im not sure why. maybe this is what makes it a 'compact' crankset. go with whichever is cheaper/matches your bike better/if you prefer X over R

Ah, cool. Thanks.

That TA set is nice, but yikes! I know it's not that much, but a bit steep for me, which is why I was eyeing the Sugino RD/XD.

For the price, are they alright? $50 from aebikes for a set.

Would it be better to stick it out for a while until I could afford something nicer?

er, so, anyone got any other advice? Spring break is this week and I wanna do something with my bike!

yeah, stick it out. perhaps start with a new bb to sort out the chainline problem and go from there when you have enough money.

Bulletproof! Come on people!