question of DA cranks
 

ok so I am new to track racing but not bikes or racing for that matter. i have been doing my research on building my track bike so that i get it set up just the way i want. when it comes to cranks im trying to figure something out. I would like to use DA track spec cranks(165mm) with the 109.5 octalink BB or i was thinking to get a set of DA 7700 9speed cranks(165mm) and then use the sugino messanger rings that work off of a 130 BCD and are 1/2"x1/8" also using an 109.5mm octalink BB.

so is there really going to be a difference there in stiffness and shouldnt my chain line be the same either way? also is it that the sugino messenger rings are that bad? I understand that i wont be able to use other peoples rings and so on.

Your chainline will probably be off if you tried to use a road double/triple crankset. Theres a reason why they make track specific components. Sugino messenger rings arent bad, I use them on the street. But some may say that they dont go high enough in tooth count. Though you can probably try to get away with 44 x 14 or something like that for race gearing.

Since youre new to track riding, you probably wouldnt notice any difference or loss of stiffness anyway with messenger rings, its not like theyre bottom of the barrel no-name brand junk.

As for using other peoples chainrings. Most people at the track use 144bcd cranksets and chainrings. If you have 130bcd cranks, you obviously cant use 144bcd chainrings.

All in all, youll just be better off with a proper set of 144bcd track cranks (Dura-Ace, Sugino 75 etc) for the long run if you decide to stick with/be serious with track riding.

chainring on the inside of a DA-7700 will give you a 42ish chailine +/-, and they will be plenty stiff.

Sugino makes Messenger chainrings up to 48t, which, with the right cogs, can give you enough gear for track racing. The chainline will likely be off, and I'm pretty sure you can't get a spindle shorter than 109.5, so there's not a lot of room to work with there.

ok so its not ideal to use them. well then i guess its penny saving time so that i can get DA track cranks. and yes i know i could get a less expensive crank but i have this problem, i like the nice stuff :D

Why not check out a set of Omniums if you don't want to drop the cash on DA track spec stuff?

They are actually stiffer.....

The Sugino 75s are just as well finished and high quality as the Dura Ace.

Get the best track crank you can afford. This is not a slapped together fixie, so do it up right.

Sugino 75s cost more that DA do, now. I think they're capitalizing on their hipster cachet.

It depends. The standard Sugino 75 with plain satin silver finish are still less than DA, however, the ones with fancy anodized bling and the upscale Grand Mighty with engraving are more. Still, I agree that they now cost more than before. The Sugino 75 came standard on my track racing bike, and I bought much cheaper Sugino RD for my road fixie. I am definitely NOT hip.