Who makes quality 30-39-50 10-speed cranksets?

[RPS]

I’m looking at Shimano-compatible triple crankset options and would like to know which manufacturers offer 30-39-50 ring combinations. Shimano offers Ultegra in 30-39-52 which should shift quite well but I’m not crazy about the looks, or the "triplelizer-like" design of the middle/inner ring with its 92 MM bolt pattern. Everything else being equal I’d also prefer to try a 50T big ring.

Shimano offers the “new” 105 triple in 30-39-50 in both silver and black; and it appears the inner ring is bolted directly to the crank arm using a 74 MM bolt pattern. It’s pretty much what I’m looking for except I was hoping for a little more upscale than 105. I’m also not sure how the 105 crankset’s finish would match with an Ultegra group – I haven’t compared at all.

Any suggestions or experiences with triple choices? If anyone is using the new Shimano FC-5703 105 triple I’d also like to hear what you think. Same for FSA triple, etc… My question is not very specific on purpose because I’m looking for a wide range of opinions.

(For what it’s worth and to save time, I’m not crazy about compacts for my type of riding ).

[CNY rider]

Have you looked at building off a TA Carmina?

[AngryScientist]

velo orange has a nice 48-36-28, you could get some nice chainrings to solve the gearing if you were so inclined...

[RPS]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

velo orange has a nice 48-36-28, you could get some nice chainrings to solve the gearing if you were so inclined...

I'd first try that gearing before changing it -- might work OK. It looks very nice but a little more retro than I'd prefer. Hard for me to tell from pictures.

[RPS]

Originally Posted by CNY rider

Have you looked at building off a TA Carmina?

Thanks, I'll put them on list.

In the past I've normally purchased complete Ultegra or Dura-Ace groups and haven't tried to use other components. Mixing components isn't something I do often at all; hence I haven't looked at any other options in years.

[Germany_chris]

VO is putting out some really sexy stuff nowadays!!

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

velo orange has a nice 48-36-28, you could get some nice chainrings to solve the gearing if you were so inclined...

[torquer]

I ride a Sugino Cospea (set up as a compact double) that I like a lot.
This crank also goes by the Alpina name, and is usually seen as a double but has bosses for a 74 BCD inner ring. I've never used it as a triple, so I'm not sure if a longer spindle is required for that. As a compact, it comes with either 50/34 or 50/36 rings, so you'd need to find a 130 BCD 39 tooth middle ring, too.

[eddief]

To me these look fine, work fine, but do come with a 52. My other bikes have Hollowtech 105 triples with a 50 large ring, but I got used to the 52 no prob.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-ULTEGRA-...item5d2cd3b7ac

[Ken C]

Originally Posted by RPS

Shimano offers the “new” 105 triple in 30-39-50 in both silver and black; and it appears the inner ring is bolted directly to the crank arm using a 74 MM bolt pattern. It’s pretty much what I’m looking for except I was hoping for a little more upscale than 105. I’m also not sure how the 105 crankset’s finish would match with an Ultegra group – I haven’t compared at all.

(For what it’s worth and to save time, I’m not crazy about compacts for my type of riding ).

I am considering the same thing, I miss having a 39 tooth ring and need the lower gearing with the Mountains here in CO. I currently have 6600 with the silver ultegra level compact Shimano released years ago. I bought 6603 shifters on closeout and have already swapped the RD to 6703. I am planning on using the 5703 crank in silver, I think it looks better in person that in some of the photos. Since it is Hollowtech, I really don't think it is much lower in quality than the compact I am currently using.

I think Smiley did a build with the 5700 double crank in silver and commented on the quality. I would not worry too much about it.

I was considering using a Da Vinci crank with silver TA rings and a Phil Wood BB, but that is too expensive for me. Plus it is hard to beat the shifting of shimano's matched rings so if 50-39-30 is what you want you should just go with the 105 crank.

[Frankwurst]

Originally Posted by RPS

Thanks, I'll put them on list.

In the past I've normally purchased complete Ultegra or Dura-Ace groups and haven't tried to use other components. Mixing components isn't something I do often at all; hence I haven't looked at any other options in years.

You might want to consider it. I've used TA w/DuraAce, Ultegra, 105, Suntour and had good results with all of the above. Carmina and Zephry don't seem quite as finicky Cyclo Tourist is a differnt animal, but that's just my experience. Disclaimer: Others results may vary.

[RPS]

Originally Posted by eddief

To me these look fine, work fine, but do come with a 52. My other bikes have Hollowtech 105 triples with a 50 large ring, but I got used to the 52 no prob.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-ULTEGRA-...item5d2cd3b7ac

Other than weight and surface-finish aesthetics, can you tell a significant difference in operation between your 105 and Ultegra? And are they of the same design series (i.e. -- usually same features with 105 introduced a year or two later)?

I expect the newer generation of Ultegra – the FC-6703 – to be an improvement over the previous generations (I know that’s not a given but presume Shimano wouldn’t go backwards in shift performance). Likewise, the new-for-2011 FC-5703 is supposed to be engineered similar to the latest Ultegra. I have not ridden 105 enough in the past to compare but when I compared Dura Ace versus Ultegra I found minimal differences beyond weight and finish. If the same applies for 105 versus Ultegra then 105 might be a good option that keeps everything Shimano.

[RPS]

Originally Posted by Ken C

Plus it is hard to beat the shifting of shimano's matched rings so if 50-39-30 is what you want you should just go with the 105 crank.

I agree. There is little risk going with proven performance.

[eddief]

I am not a racer, but have ridden a zillion.5 miles over the last 10 years. Cranks is cranks in my opinion. Hollowtech 105 on 3 bikes, Hollowtech Ultegra on the other. I could not detect an iota of difference even if you bribed me. I even have changed out the 30 for a 26 and that works pretty damn well too. You might be overthinking or over worrying the problem. I resemble that remark. On my latest build where the focus was on trying to lighten things up, I just assumed Ultegra would be lighter than 105...so bought that without even checking actual weight.

[Ken C]

He built up a sweet looking orange dirt road bike with 5703. You can get a much better idea of how the 5703 triple crank will look actually on a bike. I think it looks pretty nice.

Go to Mondy April 4, 2011 to see the orange Coconino bike

[RPS]

Thanks Ken. Looks good to me; I like it better than Ultegra, but would probably go with black. The cassette on the picture is a little too big for my taste but should give great climbing lows. I plan to stick with a road cassette.

The biggest problem I've found thus far is that 105 build kits are not as common as Ultegra. I need to get back to that as soon as I finish a few other projects. Thanks again.