Nashbar compact double

[eddief]

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=81&subcategory=1034&brand=&sku=11459&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Above is the link to the Nashbar compact double crank. Do any of you know if this is a rebadge of someone else's crank? Good price, simple good (black) looks. Considering getting rid of DA triple and moving one more bike to compact. Think I would prefer the announced Ritchey, but where the hell is it?

[dave thompson]

=eddief
.....Considering getting rid of DA triple and moving one more bike to compact....
Eddie: If you decide to divest yourself of the D/A triple stiff, give me a shout. I've got a couple of new projects.

[Kevan]

replacing rings?

[eddief]

Whether or not one can replace rings on this crank? I think 110 and 74 bcd rings are interchangeble regardless of manufacturer.

[Smiley]

Eddie , the wifes bugging me for the Ritchey compact cranks too. They were supposed to be here by now. If you learn anything please advise.

[Keith A]

A friend of mine e-mailed Ritchey last week with this question. Ritchey's response was by the end of April for the compact cranks.

[eddief]

http://www.yellowjersey.org/CRSUGXD6.JPG

I've been wanting to replace the DA triple on my TST. I have a Yellow Jersey Sugino customized in a 48/34 combo running on my Steve Rex. With DA double shifters and rear derailleur and 105 double front derailleur, this setup is the best shifting one so far. So rather than waiting for FSA or Ritchey or whomever, I went for another Yellow Jersey custom compact double. With the ring change from their standard 48/36 to 48/34, a Tange tapered bb, and shipping, the entire setup comes to my house for about $150...and it looks good and shifts flawlessly. I considered TA or FSA carbon, but just can't justify it at this time.

[Keith A]

The Nashbar cranks just dropped $20 -- only $79 for these cranks.

[Bruce K]

Read the description carefully.

1. These are aluminum cranks (not the same as FSA)
2. These are Isis only. they will require a new bottom bracket if you are using Shimano.

Frankly, for a bargain compact I would look at the FSA Gossamer compact. At least I would know who was making it and/or standing behind it.

BK

[eddief]

Not that the Nashbar is any great shakes, but it is 110 bcd crank allowing the inner to be as small as a 33. I think the Gossamer is 130 bcd, which limits how low you can go on the inner.

[Johny]

"Save 10% On All Purchases Over $50 at Nashbar. When checking out, simply use coupon code: APR52. This coupon expires Monday, April 19th."

I received this email from Nashbar yesterday. BTW, this is not a commercial: I do not work for Nashbar (maybe they should pay me anyway...). :)

[Bruce K]

Eddie;

Sorry about that. The Gossamer can only handle a 38t (48/38 for cross).

They make the Energy Road in a compact version that comes 50/34.

BK

[Keith A]

Hey Bruce,

I didn't see any Gossamer compact cranks on FSA's website -- only the "Energy" compact in the budget catagory. BTW, the Energy cranks are also aluminum cranks as are Nashbar's. If you look closely at the two cranks, I wouldn't be surprised if Nashbar's cranks aren't made by FSA.

FWIW, I suggested to my friend (who is looking into the compact cranks) to wait on the Ritchey's since he didn't want to spend the $$ on the carbon FSA's.

[Johny]

Keith,

They actually look different. However, I would not be surprised if they are both made in the same Taiwanese Factory.

[Keith A]

Johny -- I think the biggest difference you are seeing is the look of the chainrings. Check out the quick photo edit I made of the Nashbar cranks with the FSA chainrings. The crank arm lined up exactly on the image editor.

[Birddog]

The copy says they are 8/9 speed compatible, they'll still work with Campy 10 wont they? At this price that is hard to pass up. I could just run a pine cone when I go to the mountains, I already have an Isis BB. I'd have to find a way to get rid of that Nashbar "N" swoosh though, it'd clash with the other Record bits.

Birddog

[eddief]

If you have to have a logo, that N swoosh is about as unoffensive as any in the bike bus. Too bad it comes from "Nashbar". That is one weird name for a company.

[Keith A]

You might try using a permanent black marker/pen and just color in the Nashbar logo. I would think that you could hide it pretty good with this technique.

[JohnS]

I have no experience with this crank but remember the old saying "you get what you pay for".

[eddief]

If there is any place where I have seen "get what you pay for" to be untrue, it is in the bike business. More often than not, in the bike business what you pay for is hype, a few grams, and being a part of a trend. My latest experiement has been with 105 vs DA calipers. In performance, no difference. So, maybe each of us does get what we pay for. I stand corrected.

[Johny]

Keith,

I think the enegy cranks use a design of a two-piece spider-and-crank (based on the picture)...