Lazyass

They just posted it on their FB. I'll be buying a silver one as soon as it's on their website, I don't even care what it costs. I've been looking for a silver Omnium forever but those were discontinued.

https://www.facebook.com/WabiCyclesUS/

Wabi, I know you read these threads. You rule.

mihlbach

What is a 1/8" crankset?
I would prefer it came without a chainring.

seau grateau

I mean, it's an Andel crank. You can buy one right now if you want.

Lazyass

I have the Andel my Wabi came with. I just looked it up and realized they have the "Deluxe" crankset with an outboard bottom bracket. I would have got it a long time ago if I knew haha. I'd rather have one with no logo, I'll see how much they end up costing.

veganbikes

Old Scrodzilla has had these in his web store for a while:
https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...-crankset-w-bb

I got excited for a second thinking maybe they had a new different crankset that would be nice but it is just another Andel, not a bad thing at all just nothing to write home about.

TejanoTrackie 

The "new" Wabi crankset is the Andel Racing model which is not the same as the Deluxe model, and appears to be better quality >>> ANDEL ENTERPRISE CO.,LTD.

wabi_damon

Yes, it is the Andel track/racing series crankset (while our standard one is the Andel R-series crankset). Wanted to offer up a good midrange option (esp with the Omnium gone) that can fit all of our frames (as that bottom bracket can have a spacer to clear the drive side chain stay). Biggest complaint we get is the crankset limitations on the Classic/Thunder given the clearance issues (which was an original design decision) so this solves that - plus a good all-silver crankset optiom.

Also, it will only be a $140 upgrade on builds so it is a pretty good deal.

And, yes, it is a little different than the 'Andel Deluxe'.

Lazyass

I'm about to order a silver one but have a question. It reads "This crankset is compatible with Classics and Thunders with the use of a 2.5mm spacer on the drive side."

Does a Special need a spacer? And I assume a spacer doesn't come with the cranks? Just want to know if I need to order one separately.

wabi_damon

I know we solved this via email, but for others interest. No, a spacer isn't needed for the Special (or Lightning). The Special has a different chain stay design (ovalized and curved) than the Classic and Thunder so it doesn't have clearance issues. That frame can take almost any crankset (that I know of). We just call out the Classic and Thunder as they both are limited to crankset options due to their design.

Lazyass

Got the new drivetrain installed today. The ring is almost perfectly round, just one slight tight spot that was hard to detect. A lot better than the ring on the standard cranks. Looks really good.

Lazyass

I took it on a ride and it's amazing what kind of difference a good chainring is. On my other bike I've had three different rings and then I had the standard one on the Wabi. All had bad tight spots and I could never get the proper tension with 1/2in of slack. I would have to have them looser or I would get bad chain noise coming from the freewheel when the tight spot hit.

With this one the chain is tight all around but it's totally silent, it even feels different. And I like the 1/8 chain, you can tell it's stronger than a 3/32. I wish I could buy this Andel ring individually but I don't see them for sale anywhere.

jay4usc

Nice upgrade. Wished they would sell just the chainrings

Lazyass

Yeah I searched for them and they don't seem to be sold separately. I finally have the proper 1/2in of slack all around and I can feel how more responsive it is but still very quiet. I like the beefier 1/8 chain also.

I screwed up and cut the chain one link too short and my 27mm tires wouldn't clear so I had to go back to 23mm But I'm probably ordering a tubular wheelset next month and planned on 23's anyway.

sdimattia

If they do sell them separately, I'll bite. My current Andel ring has a spot which has gotten noticeably tighter after 2k miles of riding . . . I know jay4usc had a thread about the ovalized chainrings. I also realize chainrings don't get more oval as they get ridden but I swear it wasn't that obvious when the ring was new.

On a separate note, how much clearance between the crankarms and chainstays does this new crankset give you (compared to the old model)? Both Omnoms and the classic Andel only give me about 1mm of clearance, hoping for something that'll get me at least 2-3mm.

Lazyass

The pic is my Special and I measured 4mm to the inside edge of the tooth. Plenty of clearance.

On their website it states that the Classic and Thunder require a 2.5mm spacer on the drive side. When I ordered the cranks I actually sent an email asking about it to make sure I didn't need one. I got a reply in about 2 minutes (like always) and was told I did not need one, the Special has a different chainstay design.

jay4usc

you should check out the Blackspire chainring. Pretty round compared to the Andel ring and I only paid $60.

wabi_damon

Glad you like it. No separate chainrings at this point, but we'll look into it as we get feedback on this crankset. It just opens up a bit of a Pandora's box on how many chainrings we then need to carry in different sizes and finishes.

jay4usc

If you can get the chainrings will you be getting them in 3/32?

wabi_damon

Good question. We'll have to look at it and see what makes sense to carry. Between 1/8" and 3/32", all the chainring sizes and the finishes, it can get out of hand. Plus, suppliers can have high minimum order quantities. We still sit on years of inventory for certain stock chainring sizes as we have to order so many at one time.

jay4usc

if these chainrings are rounder compared to the stock andel rings sold with the bikes, I’m confident you will sell them. Especially for 3/32 144bcd rings bc our options are very limited.

Lazyass

If they manage to sell the rings individually someday they'll be the only ones I buy. IMO the ring alone is enough reason to upgrade from the standard to the Pro if someone orders a bike. They do feel stiffer out of the saddle as well. I weighed each on my scale and the difference was negligible. With the BB and crank bolts included the Pro was 996g and the standard one my bike came with was 1005 but of course the Pro has a bigger 48T.

One minor complaint it took me a couple of days to see is the finish on the inside of the arms. The NDS is painted a flat silver and has a rough texture. The DS is a little more polished and feels smooth but it's not something that anybody checking out your bike would notice. The next time I have the cranks off I'll probably wet sand and polish the insides, that'll look pretty sharp.

IAmSam

I am all for more variety in 3/32 144bcd rings...

Lazyass

As much as I love the ring the 48T has been a hair too big and I decided to go back to a 46. I have an All City 3/32 on my other bike and it's okay but it does have a fairly bad tight spot like every other ring I've had. But I rolled the dice and got an All City 1/8 for the Wabi and it's just as good as the Pro ring. Only a very minuscule tight spot, the drivetrain is still dead quiet.

Now I'm wondering if 1/8 chains just have fewer issues with this than a smaller 3/32? Or maybe it's just the KMC K1SL Wide chain is better? I may switch to it on my other bike now. All my 3/32 chains and rings have an annoying noise because I can't get the perfect tension all the way around.

TejanoTrackie 

It’s the brand and model of chain that matters, not the width. I’ve had both 3/32” and 1/8” chains that were terrible and others that were great. The KMC K1SL chain falls into the great category, very smooth running and very long lasting. It’s also a real bargain. One caveat, however, once you’ve shortened this chain, it’s virtually impossible to add any of the links back, so make sure you don’t remove too many links. Your only option is to add links from a different chain or half links.

Lazyass

Already did that haha. This is my second K1SL. The first one I removed one too many links and when I switched from a 23mm to a 26mm tire I didn't have enough clearance at the seat tube. But that first chain will work now that I have a smaller chainring so I have it for a spare.