Compact Crankset Recommendation

[JonathanB]

I would like to change my crankset to a compact. I have a 9 speed system. What cranksets do people recommend? I am currently using ultegra, happy with it, but my knees and age are calling for easier gearing. Jonathan

[sg8357]

If you are using STI shifters, the Ultegra Compact.
If you have bar-cons or Campy, TA Carmina, and you get to pick your rings.
On the Carmina you can pick BCD too, if you want a sub-compact crank.
D/T shifters, TA Pro 5 vis 60th Anniversary, it planes*

Scott G.
*rings bigger than 46/48 tend to go out of plane.

[JonathanB]

I have ultegra sti shifters.

[dave thompson]

I've used the Ultegra compact crank as well as the CarbonLord compact crank. They both work very well though I really like the look of the CarbonLord crankset.

[Ken Robb]

FSA carbon compact w/mega exo bb worked perfectly w/DA 10 spd group that was DA 53-39 before the swap. I have Ritchey compact shifting fine with Campy 9 spd Chorus group.

[jthurow]

Check out this thread (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=28052&page=1&pp=15). Lots of good recommendations there. Personally, I'm running an old Suntour XC Pro with SRAM Force w/out any issues. I've seen the Sugino Cospea's and they're real nice. I'm a sucker for a cold forged crank.

jimi

[davids]

I put a Ritchey Pro 50-34 on my Ultegra 9-equipped Axiom (12-25 cassette). It works fine but, after living with it for a summer, I think I might change it to a 50-36, and put a 12-27 on the back.

I got a great price on the crankset. It's worked flawlessly, and compatibility was not an issue at all.

[paczki]

Has anyone tried the aluminum IRD? It looks nice, and I like the IRD stuff I own.

[Pete Serotta]

I have been been using an FSA compact with no problems. THe TA is nice also, as is the Shimano... I do not think you can go wrong with any of them.

PETE

[J.Greene]

I put a sugino on my wife's bike. It looks nice. It's well made. If it's not campagnolo you can't ask for anything more.

JG

[Bittersweet]

I've had no problems with either stronglight or TA rings on DA10 or Ultegra 9. Choose what you like the looks and price of. They're all fine.

[wwtsui]

If you are using STI shifters, the Ultegra Compact.


x2 -- have been very happy with the Shimano FC-R700 50/34 (if I'm not mistaken, Ultegra compact is new for '08, but I'd assume functionality is similar.) Ran it for a while with 9 speed brifters and cassette without any issues (used 10-speed chain; shifting with standard front derailleur was flawless), then switched to 10-speed. I believe with '08 Ultegra launch, many places have FC-R700 on sale now. Good luck!