Opinions: Shimano FC-R700 Compact Crank

[jmeloy]

Want to replace a Truvativ crank on an Ultegra equipped road bike. What does the gang think about the Shimano FC-R700 Compact?
Thanks!

[ahumblecycler]

I love mine. I run it on my Ti, and it took me through Colorado Springs with no problems (I am from the KC, MO area). I have never dropped a chain (knock on wood). I use DA shifters, FD, RD, Ultegra BB, and mavic chain. I use 11-23 cassette here, and I had switched out to a 12-25 for CS, CO.

Why do I love it? Because I use it for all conditions. The range of 11-23 allows me to run pretty fast (I do spin out on descents, but I do not spin out going up :D ). I like the options for gravel roads, down pours, and heavy winds (I can spin into 30 plus and make head way and not feel exhausted or frustrated).

[konstantkarma]

I have been using one on my concours for the past 2 seasons. No problems. Reliable shifting with a 12-25, or 12-27 Ultegra cassette, and 9 speed DA front and rear D's. The outbboard bearings are OK too. I am not really enthralled with the way it looks, but it matches the other DA and Ultegra cranks...I prefer the open chainrings of the prior Shimano cranks.

[jmeloy]

I'm with you kk on the looks but it would be better than the black Truvativ I have on with all silver ultegra!

humble one see pm I sent you

[Joe Cyclist]

They work for Andy.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-andy-hampstens-cycles-strada-bianca-ti-16577

[mgm777]

I like mine. It's on a DA 7800 equipped bike and I ride exclusively in mountains around Boulder. Getting the front der setup correctly was a bit of a challenge, but once done, by a competent wrench, it has been problem free.

[14max]

*****

[rnhood]

The R700 is a great crankset. I use one on a 7800 equipped bike and its been a real pleasure to use - as is about all Shimano drive train components.

[dogdriver]

+ all of the above. My bike guru recommends it as the only crank to use if you want to run a compact crank on a standard drive train, the only compact crank specifically designed to function well with a "standard" front derr. My wife runs one on her Fierte (bought the bike with a standard crank, installed the R700 to get some lower gearing without re-doing the entire DT)and I haven't heard one complaint, which means that its working perfectly.

[sg8357]

The crank is fine, I'm not a fan of the ring combo, too big a gap.

TA Carmina, you get to pick the rings, you can even spec the spider
if you want a 94 bcd instead.

Scott G.

[socalspeedsk8r]

The R-700 is really the same as the Ultegra model with the Ultegra name on the crank arms. Shimano came out with this compact crank set before they made an Ultegra compact but they simply kept the unit in their line-up.

I just changed my Truvativ to the R-700 and it works great and is certainly much stiffer and smoother running with the Shimano drivetrain. My riding partner runs the Ultegra compact and the only difference between my R-700 and his Ultegra is the Ultegra name. Wholesale price on both cranksets are exactly the same.

Scott

[NRRider]

with the group that loves this crank. Not the lightest (not a boat anchor either), but love the way it shifts and seems pretty stiff and durable.