Hi,
I am upgrading an '04 Trek 5200 with new ultegra10 and getting new cranks. What is everyones advice? I live in a very hilly place with pavement that can be pretty rough in areas. Considering compact cranks, but looking for more opinions on DuraAce-FSA-Ultegra cranks in terms of stiffness, weight and reliability…and anything else people want to add. I am 5-11, 155 and ride a 56cm frame. Hills are my strength. If I lived in the states, I think I might be a Cat 3/4 rider.
Thanks
I just went through the same process and have a set of DA cranks in a box at home waiting to be installed. I’m upgrading from ultegra-9 and don’t really expect to notice any difference but we’ll see. I’ll tell you in a week or two.
(oh, the old ultegra is going to be going on a cross bike later this summer/fall)
Dura-Ace cranks are very nice, but only available in a double. Ultegra cranks are almost as nice and cheaper. Both the new DA and Ultegra have the integrated bottom bracket.
The FSA depends on which one you get – FSA MegaExo (which has integrated BB) lacks the same quality of BB integration as the DA. A friend of mine who works as a designer told me he would not ride the FSA cranks because they lack a taper on the non-drive side of the axle, meaning that it is merely the fixing bolt holding them in place. For NON MegaExo (w/o integrated BB), I think the technology is inferior to an integrated BB solution, so why get it? Outboard bearings are better. I have an FSA compact crank (original style with an ISIS BB), and I have been disappointed in the quality, especially with the chainrings. I bent one big ring, and flex the new one, causing chain drops on a regular basis. I am saving to replace it with a Shimano one, which I have on my other bike. FSA has been ridden to numerous stage wins, race wins, etc. In my own experience, it just doesn’t measure up. That is only my experience and opinion, so everyone here who loves your FSA stuff, good for you. I’m glad you like it.
So to summarize – Ultegra is the best bang for buck. DA is the Ferrari – not necessarily worth the money, but of higher quality than Ultegra (albeit marginal). FSA is not as well built or engineered, IMHO.
I just replaced my DA 9 cranks with Ritchey WCS compact cranks. Lighter, stiffer, and less expensive. The local roadies are having fits because no one around here carries them. That being said, I rode for years on a set of Ultegra cranks and never really felt any difference between them and the DA’s.
Max
We’re close to the same build,and I too love the hills.
I swear by the stiffness and durability of Ultegra 9 speed cranksets.
I use DA for everything else.
My bike tech(ex-pro team wrench) says that he has never seen an Ultegra crank go bad.
The one change I did is go from 175 to 170’s(54/39) w/ 11-23.Works great on the hills .
I’ve heard the same about FSA’s, BUT- I will try an FSA sometime next year to see for myself.
“Dura-Ace cranks are very nice, but only available in a double.”
Dura Ace Triples are not only available, they’re in stock at most places:
http://aebike.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=30&SKU=CR0656
I agree that Ultegra is hard to beat for the money, though the new 105 will probably be an even better value when it comes out later this year (hopefully in the old matte XTR’ish black).
Sorry, meant to refer specifically to da10, which is only a double. New da and ultegra are nicer, asthey have an integrated bb. The 9 speed stuff is old tech now.
Actually, I’m an idiot… And DA 7800 (10spd) IS now available in a triple… That AEbike link didn’t come up for me…
Anyone seen any studies showing the stiffness of the new DA/Ultegra, FSA, or Ritchey Cranks? Would a significant number of us even notice this difference?
Max,
The DA is nice and Shimano is coming out with a Compact set of DA and Ultegra in December if that is your thing. I strongly recommend the Shimano stuff over any FSA stuff (quality is low, price is high). The DA crank is exceptional stiff and the external bearings are extremely nice. I will hold off on stating that the outbound BB is a better system for durability but I do like the load transfer that if offers better.
The DA finish is nicer and beside you will make your friends jealous with the DA - while no one envies the Ultegra 
For a really good brake upgrade check out the www.blackwellresearch.com brakes - they are the DA 7700 series with ti bolts for $129 a pair.
FWIW - I have the new DA cranks on my summer road bike and tri rig and love them.
Despite what everyone has said so far about FSA MegaExo
I’m using their Gossamer MegaExo compact cranks on my kuota right now - Im 245lbs and a masher and they have been doing great - no noises, no flexing that I can detect - definitely stiffer than several shimano MTB cranks that I’ve had (I’m from a dirt background)
I went with a campy centaur group but wanted compact without paying for the campy carbon compact cranks…the FSA’s were a great low(er) pricetag alternative…
I’ve had them for under a month and thus far no complaints
Okay, so I’ve put in about 150 miles on my new DA cranks and here are my findings/thoughts about them (Note, I upgraded from Ultegra 9 sp.):
Are they lighter?: Yes, by 100+gr, but I can’t tell any difference on the road.
Are they stiffer?: Probably, but I can’t really tell unless I look down and see that the big chainring doesn’t flex at all when pushing hard. Does that mean the crank is stiffer or the chainring is stiffer? Don’t know. Maybe a little of both.
Are they smooth?: Yes, very smooth BB bearings. Are they smoother than any other new BB? Don’t know…everything feels pretty tight and smooth when brand new.
Are the crank arms tapered?: Yes, and enough so that I could ride normally without rubbing my ankle bones on them.
Do they shift better?: Not yet…I still need to get new front DA derailleur. I am expecting this to change for the better.
Do they make you any faster?: No, not that I can tell ; )
All in all I’m very happy with them. Easy to install, smooth, light, stiff and look good. I didn’t like how they looked when they first came out but the medieval battle-axe look has grown on me. IMO, I’m think the biggest difference between the new Ultegra and DA cranks is probably the semi-solid big ring on the DA.
Keith