sram omniums = best track cranks to choose?
06-13-12, 01:35 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If you're having longevity issues with your external cup bottom brackets (regardless of the brand), check out your frame. You probably need to have your bottom bracket shell faced. Of the bikes I ride that have external cup bottom brackets there are 2 mountain bikes (both shimano), 1 road bike (Sram), one cyclocross race bike (Sram), one gravel endurance bike (Shimano), one track bike (with Omniums and stock bottom bracket). No longevity or durability issues, but all have had proper frame prep done before being built up.
Sram and Shimano external cup bottom brackets have a fair amount of bearing seal drag when new, but you can't really feel it unless you're spinning the cranks while the bike is on the work stand. The bearing seals break in and the cranks spin very smoothly after that. It's a pretty well-designed and reliable setup, IMO. That being said, I've got a couple of bikes with square taper cranks, one with Octalink, and one with a PF30. No complaints with any of those systems either.
Sram and Shimano external cup bottom brackets have a fair amount of bearing seal drag when new, but you can't really feel it unless you're spinning the cranks while the bike is on the work stand. The bearing seals break in and the cranks spin very smoothly after that. It's a pretty well-designed and reliable setup, IMO. That being said, I've got a couple of bikes with square taper cranks, one with Octalink, and one with a PF30. No complaints with any of those systems either.
06-13-12, 01:40 PM
#28
Senior Member
i got my omniums used from a buddy and the bb creeks like a mother ****er 
06-13-12, 04:08 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: St Louis
Posts: 1,846
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Getting your BB faced is a good idea, but it will not solve most people's issues with the GPX. Sram has a long history of putting out stuff before it is ready. I would bet with one more update the GPX will be a very nice set up. But Sram is really good at being the first to do something, and then playing catch up with quality.
06-13-12, 04:22 PM
#30
hamcycles.com
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,705
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
are they even updating it on new omniums anymore? seems like the 2012 changes include some paint on a chainring and the 11 crossed out and a 12 put in its place
06-13-12, 05:31 PM
#31
A little North of Hell
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,892
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 71 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
06-13-12, 05:39 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 111
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Ya, good point. Forgot about those. I wonder how the SRAM Red model stacks up against these two, as far as I know the PW and CK don't use ceramic bearings (not that they need to).
06-14-12, 03:56 AM
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 62
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sorry about my late reply. Anyways, here we go:
I am a competitive rower. We train 10 - 12 times per week. As you might know, most of the power moving the boat (single scull in my case) is coming from the legs, which is why we include 3 - 4 strength sessions per week. Right now my squat is at 153 kilos, which is well over 1.5 times my body weight (87 kilos). I did my last 2k erg test in 6 minutes and 13 seconds, which equals an average power output of about 550 watts. I usually ride my bike to every training session (morning, evening), but now Id like to add in a couple hours of track cyclying per week, as an addition to our regular program and for a bit more variety.
Too many times Ive bought ****ty equipment which failed on me, which is why I am going for quality from the beginning this time. And yeah I can afford it.
Plus, rowers haven broken oars and snapped ergo chains. Why shouldnt we be able to flex crank sets?
But, back to one of my questions, whats up with the Rotor 3D track cranks? Like i wrote they are even more expensive than campy and dura ace. Do they back up their price with quality and performance?
Will you answer these?:
Explain "handling"?
Why are you preoccupied with stiffness? Again, if you aren't strong enough to flex a lesser crankset, then you won't feel the difference of a strong crankset.
This seems like a "I want the best because it's the best" thread. I'm going to move this to SSFG.
Explain "handling"?
Why are you preoccupied with stiffness? Again, if you aren't strong enough to flex a lesser crankset, then you won't feel the difference of a strong crankset.
This seems like a "I want the best because it's the best" thread. I'm going to move this to SSFG.
Too many times Ive bought ****ty equipment which failed on me, which is why I am going for quality from the beginning this time. And yeah I can afford it.
Plus, rowers haven broken oars and snapped ergo chains. Why shouldnt we be able to flex crank sets?
But, back to one of my questions, whats up with the Rotor 3D track cranks? Like i wrote they are even more expensive than campy and dura ace. Do they back up their price with quality and performance?
Last edited by BlackPowder; 06-14-12 at 04:38 AM.
06-14-12, 07:55 AM
#34
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
Sorry about my late reply. Anyways, here we go:
I am a competitive rower. We train 10 - 12 times per week. As you might know, most of the power moving the boat (single scull in my case) is coming from the legs, which is why we include 3 - 4 strength sessions per week. Right now my squat is at 153 kilos, which is well over 1.5 times my body weight (87 kilos). I did my last 2k erg test in 6 minutes and 13 seconds, which equals an average power output of about 550 watts. I usually ride my bike to every training session (morning, evening), but now Id like to add in a couple hours of track cyclying per week, as an addition to our regular program and for a bit more variety.
Too many times Ive bought ****ty equipment which failed on me, which is why I am going for quality from the beginning this time. And yeah I can afford it.
Plus, rowers haven broken oars and snapped ergo chains. Why shouldnt we be able to flex crank sets?
But, back to one of my questions, whats up with the Rotor 3D track cranks? Like i wrote they are even more expensive than campy and dura ace. Do they back up their price with quality and performance?
I am a competitive rower. We train 10 - 12 times per week. As you might know, most of the power moving the boat (single scull in my case) is coming from the legs, which is why we include 3 - 4 strength sessions per week. Right now my squat is at 153 kilos, which is well over 1.5 times my body weight (87 kilos). I did my last 2k erg test in 6 minutes and 13 seconds, which equals an average power output of about 550 watts. I usually ride my bike to every training session (morning, evening), but now Id like to add in a couple hours of track cyclying per week, as an addition to our regular program and for a bit more variety.
Too many times Ive bought ****ty equipment which failed on me, which is why I am going for quality from the beginning this time. And yeah I can afford it.
Plus, rowers haven broken oars and snapped ergo chains. Why shouldnt we be able to flex crank sets?
But, back to one of my questions, whats up with the Rotor 3D track cranks? Like i wrote they are even more expensive than campy and dura ace. Do they back up their price with quality and performance?
I know what you mean about breaking stuff all the time.Go for Dura-Ace.
The verdict is still out on Rotor. I only know one sprinter who uses them. I think they are expensive simply because of the manufacturing process. I don't think they are better than the current offerings. The Q-factor may be wider than most.
06-14-12, 02:46 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,059
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Buy:
- 1 set of steel single chainring bolts with knurled backs (the female part)
- 1 set of steel DOUBLE chainring bolts (MTB guys use these)
- strong super glue. I used Gorilla Glue but any would work I guess.
Use the backs from the singles set and the bolts from the doubles set. The bolts will poke through, but they won't harm anything. Test first though to make sure. I used longer bolts than singles to make sure I got enough purchase on the threads as the crank spider is so thick.
If the knurled backs don't set (probably won't) then glue them in.
That's what I did. Worked fine after that.
- 1 set of steel single chainring bolts with knurled backs (the female part)
- 1 set of steel DOUBLE chainring bolts (MTB guys use these)
- strong super glue. I used Gorilla Glue but any would work I guess.
Use the backs from the singles set and the bolts from the doubles set. The bolts will poke through, but they won't harm anything. Test first though to make sure. I used longer bolts than singles to make sure I got enough purchase on the threads as the crank spider is so thick.
If the knurled backs don't set (probably won't) then glue them in.
That's what I did. Worked fine after that.
06-14-12, 05:27 PM
#39
A little North of Hell
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,892
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 71 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
06-15-12, 09:10 AM
#40
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 62
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, you are strong enough to flex normal cranks I know what you mean about breaking stuff all the time.
Go for Dura-Ace.
The verdict is still out on Rotor. I only know one sprinter who uses them. I think they are expensive simply because of the manufacturing process. I don't think they are better than the current offerings. The Q-factor may be wider than most.
I know what you mean about breaking stuff all the time.Go for Dura-Ace.
The verdict is still out on Rotor. I only know one sprinter who uses them. I think they are expensive simply because of the manufacturing process. I don't think they are better than the current offerings. The Q-factor may be wider than most.
Thanks. Yes I will go for Dura-Ace. I think I will be happy with them.
Where do you row?
.. I row for the Lucerne Rowing club, my home town. --> https://rc-reuss.ch/
06-15-12, 12:15 PM
#41
Magnets, how do they work
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Buffalo
Posts: 1,299
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Sorry about my late reply. Anyways, here we go:
I am a competitive rower. We train 10 - 12 times per week. As you might know, most of the power moving the boat (single scull in my case) is coming from the legs, which is why we include 3 - 4 strength sessions per week. Right now my squat is at 153 kilos, which is well over 1.5 times my body weight (87 kilos). I did my last 2k erg test in 6 minutes and 13 seconds, which equals an average power output of about 550 watts. I usually ride my bike to every training session (morning, evening), but now Id like to add in a couple hours of track cyclying per week, as an addition to our regular program and for a bit more variety.
Too many times Ive bought ****ty equipment which failed on me, which is why I am going for quality from the beginning this time. And yeah I can afford it.
Plus, rowers haven broken oars and snapped ergo chains. Why shouldnt we be able to flex crank sets?
But, back to one of my questions, whats up with the Rotor 3D track cranks? Like i wrote they are even more expensive than campy and dura ace. Do they back up their price with quality and performance?
I am a competitive rower. We train 10 - 12 times per week. As you might know, most of the power moving the boat (single scull in my case) is coming from the legs, which is why we include 3 - 4 strength sessions per week. Right now my squat is at 153 kilos, which is well over 1.5 times my body weight (87 kilos). I did my last 2k erg test in 6 minutes and 13 seconds, which equals an average power output of about 550 watts. I usually ride my bike to every training session (morning, evening), but now Id like to add in a couple hours of track cyclying per week, as an addition to our regular program and for a bit more variety.
Too many times Ive bought ****ty equipment which failed on me, which is why I am going for quality from the beginning this time. And yeah I can afford it.
Plus, rowers haven broken oars and snapped ergo chains. Why shouldnt we be able to flex crank sets?
But, back to one of my questions, whats up with the Rotor 3D track cranks? Like i wrote they are even more expensive than campy and dura ace. Do they back up their price with quality and performance?
06-15-12, 12:17 PM
#42
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Further...
If you have the budget to afford Sugino Grand Mighty cranks, then you can also get Dura Ace cranks.
If you aren't racing get the ones that look best and match your build because you'll never have to do standing starts, high RPM work, or deal with multiple gear changes during a training session. Changing gears using the stock Omnium bolts is a pain in the butt. Plus knurled chainring bolts don't work on them either. Only superglue.
If you have the budget to afford Sugino Grand Mighty cranks, then you can also get Dura Ace cranks.
If you aren't racing get the ones that look best and match your build because you'll never have to do standing starts, high RPM work, or deal with multiple gear changes during a training session. Changing gears using the stock Omnium bolts is a pain in the butt. Plus knurled chainring bolts don't work on them either. Only superglue.
06-15-12, 12:18 PM
#43
Fixie Infamous
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SF
Posts: 10,474
Bikes: 2007 CAAD Optimo Track, 2012 Cannondale CAAD10, 1996 GT Force restomod, 2015 Cannondale CAADX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaad
06-15-12, 12:48 PM
#45
hamcycles.com
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,705
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
you are changing your main chainring on the fly? dizamn
I thought I had read in a thread that the octalink bb wasn't ideal for brakeless start/stop riding or something. did I imagine that? is it true?
I thought I had read in a thread that the octalink bb wasn't ideal for brakeless start/stop riding or something. did I imagine that? is it true?
06-16-12, 10:04 AM
#49
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 62
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah 2k erg test are the most painful thing Ive ever done. Ever. Nothing even comes close. Still, after youre all done and showered it feels great =)
06-16-12, 02:32 PM
#50
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 62
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
one last thing, anybody know how much the Grand Mighty Crankset weighs? .. google wouldnt answer it / I only found the shipping weight..