crank or wheels... which upgrade would be more noticible?
04-27-12, 11:23 AM
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crank or wheels... which upgrade would be more noticible?
I am considering upgrading my Felt Z85, and ultimately I would like to replace the crank and the wheels, but can only choose to do one at this time. My question is, what would be a more noticible difference between the two? The stock crank is an FSA vera compact and the stock wheels are Mavic CXP22s. I was looking at an Ultegra compact crank and some soul aluminum clinchers. Any opinions?
04-27-12, 11:25 AM
#2
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Wheels!
I upgraded my FSA Gossamer with a Cannondale Hollowgram SL.
Then I upgraded my RS10 with XR-300 Rims 24f/28r black Sapim CX-Ray bladed Spokes black White Industries H2 front, H3 rear hub (Shimano).
I noticed the ride difference a lot more on the new set of wheels!
I upgraded my FSA Gossamer with a Cannondale Hollowgram SL.
Then I upgraded my RS10 with XR-300 Rims 24f/28r black Sapim CX-Ray bladed Spokes black White Industries H2 front, H3 rear hub (Shimano).
I noticed the ride difference a lot more on the new set of wheels!
Last edited by ARPRINCE; 04-27-12 at 11:30 AM.
04-27-12, 11:33 AM
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Has anyone tried the Bicycle Wheel Warehouse Blackset Race or Podium wheels? They are attractive because you can custom order with whatever spokes, hubs and nipples you want.
04-27-12, 11:49 AM
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Wheels are the most noticeable upgrade you can do.
I am not familar with the wheels set you mention but the Cxp22 are good sturdy rims. My LBS mechanic laced them up a on a hand built for me and it it a nice wheel. The guy is a master wheel builder and used to run training classes for rim building. I let him pick out the hoop based on my riding. I have no complaints
I am riding the Krysinum SL after blowing up my rear rim and got a deal on them. Very noticeable upgrade felt like a different bike.
I would not swap a crank unless it had issues personally. Upgrading a bike on piece at a time is expensive.
I am not familar with the wheels set you mention but the Cxp22 are good sturdy rims. My LBS mechanic laced them up a on a hand built for me and it it a nice wheel. The guy is a master wheel builder and used to run training classes for rim building. I let him pick out the hoop based on my riding. I have no complaints
I am riding the Krysinum SL after blowing up my rear rim and got a deal on them. Very noticeable upgrade felt like a different bike.
I would not swap a crank unless it had issues personally. Upgrading a bike on piece at a time is expensive.
04-27-12, 12:28 PM
#11
SuperGimp
Crank! Oh wait, that's for me.
No really, what's your current crank? If it's also a compact and there aren't any hills near you, then wheels.
No really, what's your current crank? If it's also a compact and there aren't any hills near you, then wheels.
04-27-12, 12:50 PM
#13
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wheels
However, I'm always surprised at the number of people who dismiss cranks as a leading way to drop weight and improve a bike. Folks, they're rotating weight and as such, a much more noticable place to make improvements. They're also "heavy", so a place to make "considerable" weight savings for not much of an investment.
However, I'm always surprised at the number of people who dismiss cranks as a leading way to drop weight and improve a bike. Folks, they're rotating weight and as such, a much more noticable place to make improvements. They're also "heavy", so a place to make "considerable" weight savings for not much of an investment.
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04-27-12, 01:12 PM
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Unless you change the chainrings, you'll never notice a crank upgrade. You might notice it when you lift the bike up with your hand, but never on the bike.
and I'll 2nd the tires recommendation.
and I'll 2nd the tires recommendation.
04-27-12, 01:18 PM
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I upgraded a gossamer crank to a shimano was like night and day, but normally wheels are better. The gossamer would not shift small to big ring smoothly.
04-27-12, 01:24 PM
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However, I'm always surprised at the number of people who dismiss cranks as a leading way to drop weight and improve a bike. Folks, they're rotating weight and as such, a much more noticable place to make improvements. They're also "heavy", so a place to make "considerable" weight savings for not much of an investment.
04-27-12, 01:35 PM
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Change rings...why? Everytime I've changed a crank, I just buy the arms and reuse the old rings. 
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Last edited by dtrain; 04-27-12 at 01:57 PM.
04-27-12, 02:23 PM
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I can never get my old FSA gossamer crank to shift well. Shimano, S-works and sram red (2012) are noticeable improvements over the cheap FSA that I've had
04-27-12, 02:35 PM
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There was a Boo-FSA thread a while back. I have never had an issue with FSA cranks, or Shimano for that matter. Rocking a Sora crank on my 9-speed cross now and I cannot tell the difference between it and 5600 105.