180 Compact

[Bittersweet]

Does anyone have a good source for modestly priced 180mm compact cranks. I'm thinking of going 50/34 or 48/34. I converting a mid-90s steel frame for this ride:

http://newhorizonsbikes.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=347

[PeterW]

in Madison, WI. They used to have some Suntour 110s in 180. Maybe Andy might have some more, or at least know where to get them.

[The Spider]

Bittersweet,

It seems that the companies think that if your that big to ride 180's your not going to want compact (I cannot imagine Magnus on compact however...although I'm sure he'd love a set in the hills).

Down here when I purchased my Dura-ace cranks they are only imported with a 53/42, when I asked why I was told "Shimano believe that anyone with legs long enough is going to ride the most powerful combination".

Good luck and enjoy those monster legs of yours!

I've had NO luck trying to find a pair.

[ols]

I have 180 cranks set-up as a compact using Davinci 180mm crankarms and their compact spider (actually they call it a Standard, but it has a 110mm BCD which is what you need for a 34) along with FSA chainrings and a Shimano rear derailleur. (It's on my Serotta CXII in the gallery if you were curious to see pics.) It works well, shifts smoothly, etc. Hope that helps.

http://www.davincitandems.com/comp.html#cranks

[Bittersweet]

Stronglight makes a 180mm Z'Light and the old TA Zephyr is a possibility but both are quite dear. My hope was to hear divine inspiration from one of our supposed "yodas" of this forum.

Andy at Yellow Jersey is a definite must call it seems.

[Jeremy]

Does anyone have a good source for modestly priced 180mm compact cranks. I'm thinking of going 50/34 or 48/34. I converting a mid-90s steel frame for this ride:

http://newhorizonsbikes.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=347

Hi Bittersweet,

It depends what you mean by modest. With the demise of the Zephyr, no one will be blowing those out cheap, but TA makes the Vega crankset that is reasonable. They cost about $200.00 set up as a double, and they are available up to 180mm.

If you are looking for really modest, I would try to find a set of used Suntour XC-Pro 74/110 MTB cranks. These were very high quality cold forged cranks. You could replace the rings and not use the inner and it would work fine. Likewise for the original XTR mtb cranks (pre octalink). These were very nice cold forged square taper cranks with a 74/110 format.

Another very modest option is the Sugino XD-600 cranks. These are nice and cheap, but I believe that they are only available up to 175mm.

Jeremy