mrblue

Ok, I realize I'm probably preaching to the choir, but I just wanted to share with you my latest "WOW" moment.

I've been using a Miche Advanced Primato crankset, on my Cinelli Vigorelli, for quite a while. It's fine, but for whatever reason the chainring is horribly off-center. For as long as I can remember I've been reading how much the majority of riders praise SRAM OMniums for their stiffness and "centeredness," I guess you could say, for lack of a better word. By the way, the only reason I originally went with the Miches was because I found a good price on them (and wasn't really thinking otherwise, at the time).

Well, I recently decided to fork out the $$$ and buy a SRAM Omnium crankset. I like the concept of the external bearings along with the axle attached to the crank, much like my Shimano 105's, on my road bike, so I figured, worse case scenario: I can at least say I gave the Omniums a try, and now I know what they're like.

Wow! I typically don't get too excited about components, but I have say the difference, to me, between the Omniums and the Miches is like night and day! The Omniums are almost perfectly centered, they spin like butter, super stiff, the chainline is spot on, and the amount of crank arm/spider clearance relative to the chainstays is more than optimal (I was having issues with the Miche non-drive crank arm being way too close for comfort, to the chainstay).

Anyway, my point is I just wanted to say I love my SRAM Omniums, and I have no idea why I waited so long to give them a try. Well, yeah, I do know why: $$$$$$$$$. But at least in this scenario, I really did get what I paid for.

Scrodzilla

The Miche Primato BB is adjustable from side to side to fix the "problem" you're describing. You most likely just didn't have it installed/adjusted correctly.

mrblue

Thanks. Yes, I did consider that, and I even have a Miche 107mm ISO bottom bracket. However, the Miche cranks actually have JIS printed on them, and, after consulting the Miche website, discovered Miche recommends using a JIS BB. So, I used an IRD, 107mm JIS BB, which has the flange on the drive-side cup, not allowing for lateral adjustment. I should note, however, the chainline with the JIS BB was really good with the Miches.



In hindsight, it could very well have been a bottom bracket issue, however, at least now I can die happy knowing the difference between Miches and Omniums.

Dixie Gentleman

omniums meh.

Scrodzilla

That's ****ed up. Every set of Miche cranks I've ever seen ever have been ISO.

Omniums are good cranks but I'm sure you'll soon learn how much the included stock BB sucks.

mrblue

Thanks for the forewarning regarding the stock BB. Hopefully I won't find out too soon However, when that day does arrive, do you have any recommendations for a replacement BB for the Omniums?

veganbikes

I have heard that the Chris King GXP is a nice upgrade for the Omnomnoms. I might also check out Phil Wood, they have outboard stuff and SRAM adaptors.

However it is still not a good ole' square taper. All this new stuff is all well and good now we are building plastic bikes left and right and need oversized shiz because we had to put extra plastics so it don't be crakin' but give me good ole' square taper Sugino 75s on a nice steel frame and I would be happy as a priest at a boys choir competition ; )

mrblue

Indeed, I concur, that IS ****ed up. I dunno, maybe Miche is shaking stuff up, changing things...

Soil_Sampler

I have a set of the ISO cranks.

Much easier to find a quality inexpensive 107mm JIS BB, than an ISO.

Surly2698

Origen8 makes a gxp ceramic bearing bottom bracket for the omnium crank set
It is kind of expensive but works much better than the original

Scrodzilla

The Origin8 'TorqLite' GXP BB isn't much better than the stock one and it retails for around the same price ($35-40).

In my opinion, The Phil Wood Outboard bearing BB w/ GXP adapter is the best replacement. It's expensive but will literally last forever.

Soil_Sampler

Throw some new bearings in it, when it explodes.

GXP BOTTOM BRACKET BEARINGS FROM REAL WORLD CYCLING