There are a bunch of good sales on both of these right now…I’m considering upgrading from Ultegra.
I am not a Shimano-hater
The 25g of weight savings with the FSA won’t make me much faster
…any significant performance difference between the two? Any technical advantage besides carbon being cool?
I’m certainly no expert (as many posters have been quick to point out) but I’d say the ‘noticeable’ difference between high end cranks is slim at best. Not many of us put out the kind of wattage that a Cippolini does so we’re not likely to notice how much flex one crank has over another. Same can be said for the aero advantage. I am sure some cranks are more aero than others and to some miniscule degree it might make a difference. If lower weight is important (and who among us can’t say we’d like to be lighter…be it bike or rider) then a few grams here and there is important as well. Being that it is a rotational weight (kinda) the lower the better. Are you likely to notice the difference blindfolded on identical bikes with separate cranks? Only when you crash and have go out and spend a ton on the new DA cranks…or a half ton on the FSAs. I can’t even say I think one would be more durable than the other since both are so new to the scene (yes FSA has been around a while and are Tour proven…sheesh). I’ll get flamed for this one since there will invariably be generals from both camps who will want to tout one or the other but at this level…go with style. Whichever style that may be.
This probably will not help but FSA will be releasing a ‘K-Force’ carbon crank sometime after May that will be something like 45-grams lighter than the Superlight!
Now for your question, we (wife and I) have both DA and FSA Team Issue cranks and unless you decide to up the budget and splurge on FSA Superlights or the K-Force cranks when they are available, then the only differences you have already pointed our are weight, stiffness (slight difference in both weight and stiffness according to a test Tom D. did last year), and the coolness factor of having FSA carbon cranks. In the long run it is your bank account and trust me when I say it does no good to buy one over the other if the one you settle on will not make you happy over the long run - which is probably why we will be getting some FSA Superlights next month.
Michael
If you want stiffer…go with Magic Motorcycle or Sweet wings (both are good for weight as well)
If you want carbon and light…go with the previous mentions or Storck (SP)
Maybe Ax-lightness has a crank now too http://www.ax-lightness.de/englisch/products.htm and if not their saddles are so insanely light the weight of your crank will seem pointless
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Which DA are you talking about? If I could have any crankset, it would be the new ugly DA 10 speed. Ugly as it is, it works extremely well. But the DA9, FSA, and even your Ultegra cranks are all great, and it is doubtful you would notice any performance or weight difference in any of them.
Personally I use Ultegra. Note that Shimano cranks are available in more lengths (165mm - 180mm) than Campy or FSA (170mm - 175mm).
VeloNews did a comparison about two months ago comparing the new 10 speed DA Crank against both carbon Campy cranks, FSA carbon, and a few others. I believe the Dura Ace was as light when you factor in the BB and was by far the stiffest. Of course, I would like to meet the person who can flex a carbon crank!
Dave from VA