Submitted by
natestar
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, NE
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2008
Strengths: Stiff, responsive and very low maintence
Weaknesses: No major issues
Bottom Line:
I am very pleased with the crank. Once installed it is very low maintence. I bent the second chain ring right after I purchased it. I'm not sure how this happened, but it was bent bad in two places. Easy repair but hassle none the less.
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from earth
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2008
Strengths: light, shifting,value
Weaknesses: press in BB would be heavenly
Bottom Line:
I just purchased a 2nd one the 2005 model at a great price, really debated about buying the new xt as it is a very good crank too however I have had such good luck with the FSA and at 40 buck less a good deal, chainrings are more durable than shimano.
Bike Setup: will have on both bikes an Ibex hardtail and a Heckler.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, CO
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007
Strengths: stiff, light, good rings, look good. bought because of the reviews (topped shimano's by far) off of MTBR.
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
the reviews are right. i had to get something b/c the race face evolves that came with the bike were coming apart...just as all the reviewers on here were talking about. good price for a great product!
this is the only crank I have ever owned that will downshift under load, did not realize what crap shimano and raceface were until I bought this crank, I know how to tune a drivetrain....real good lookin too.great value because they are heavily discounted especially the 2005 model.race face better than shimano only because the rings last alot longer.
Submitted by
Mr Earwig
a Cross Country Rider
from United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2006
Strengths: Stiff cranks, tough chain rings, no chain suck, rings last a long time with good shifting. Paid about 100 UK pounds
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket bearings, alloy cups. The cups are very easy to damage with the tool at the high torques required for fitting. The bearings last about 500-600 miles before they start creaking and developing play. After 1000+ miles they are finished.
Bottom Line:
A very nice stiff crank, lovely chain rings but the bearing quality is absolute gash. Wades told me straight out that there was no way in hell that I would get the product sorted under warranty (as I installed myself) and I didn't want to be without my bike for weeks while trying. Windwave (UK distributor) said they probaly would have. In the end I bought 2 new cartridge bearings of superior quality for £20 from Binson Bearings Leeds and put it all back together. Since then no worries. Would not bother with any FSA bb again. OK for headsets but bearings in bb not up to job. Avoid unless you like a creak like a speed freak in a very old wooden rocking chair! P.S for those who think any home mechs are idiots, I am trained in light engineering and work on my own car, bike and scuba gear no problems.
Strengths: Customer Service. Not too heavy. Strong arms.
Weaknesses: Can't seem to take a beating like others.
Bottom Line:
I want to state first that customer service was the best. I emailed and then a day later phoned just in case. Brian returned my call and email asking for my address to handle the bottom bracket issue. You can't beat that! I would buy FSA again just for that reason. Regarding the product...the (crankset) hasn't held up like a previous one. In all fairness I race and, at the moment, train on the same trail bike so the bike and its parts take some hits. First, the big ring bent when connecting with a log and my mechanic straightened it out, and since have had no problems. Second, the bearings have worn prematurely. Maybe you could say water from the trail or washing the bike entered and that was the result but I'm very conscious about taking care of my ride. The last crankset, although heavier, took a great deal longer for the bearings to wear. Hopefully, the new bracket will last longer.
Bike Setup: '04 Specialized Epic. Higher end SRAM componentry, Mavic Crossland wheels.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Gonzalo
a Cross Country Rider
from Buenos Aires
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2006
Strengths: Never let me down
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I´ve been using them since I got my last bike, and I got to say, it´s nice. The bottom Bracket is so good, but I think I´ll try the new Ceramic one for a change...
Strengths: Stiff, external bottom bracket, extreemly well made chain rings, they shift great, look cool...
Weaknesses: finish scratches of kind of easy... pretty common with cranks. This is not so much a product weakness as it is a need for revision of the instructions.. the instructions say use grease on the threads of the crank adjustment bolt, when infact they reccomend loctite. If grease is used the bolt will losen.
Bottom Line:
These cranks are very strong, and very good quality for the money.. the chainrings are better made than much more expensive cranks. the bottom bracket is also very well made as well. Top notch product, and I am very happy with them. 5 chillies for value, and quality
Strengths: These carnks are in fact stiff. They are my first external bearing cranks.
Weaknesses: Weight,1 season out of my bottom bracket(1000 miles or so)End cap stripped(fsa replaced for free)
Bottom Line:
They are a great stiff outboard bearing crank. 1000 miles and the rings look great but the bottom bracket did not hold up. Price point is great at $149 compared to $300 for others. Alittle heavy for a xc race bike.
Bike Setup: 04 Specialized epic comp with upgrades.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Victor Komma
a Weekend Warrior
from Tokyo
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2006
Strengths: Very stiff, good power transfer great workmanship overall.
Weaknesses: So far none.
Bottom Line:
I wanted to give FSA a go after being a Shimano crankset rider for 10 years. Dropped the XT 2004 Hollowtech II crankset out, put in the FSA and bingo, initial impression feels stiffer and smoother, same frame and bike spec. Cranking up hills I can really feel the difference. I suspect the bearings are better quality. Identical bearing design to XT. Cannot comment on the chainrings, I use my own but they look very well made. Overall, using XT 2004 cranks as the benchmark, a notch above and the Hollowtechs will now be put in storage.
Similar Products Used: Shimano XT Hollowtech II, Hollowtech I, Truvative Stylo GXP.
Bike Setup: Giant MCM Team carbon, Sram X-7 shifters / der, rigid fork, 1.00 slicks, urban assault spec, XT discs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Oviedo
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2006
Strengths: Stiff isn't a strong enough word to describe these cranks. No flex whatsoever, and that is from a 200lb rider. You can feel the quality of the bearings and cups in your hands, and so much more on the bike. Spins freely unlike the Bontrager garbage that cane with the bike. I wish Trek would have opted to put these on as original equipment. No more traditional bottom bracket and cranks for me.
Weaknesses: Too soon to say. Aluminum inner chain ring might be a concern.
Bottom Line:
Get these cheap from eBay. Came very quick from bikemech13. For $150 with shipping, this is a much better crank and botttom bracket than the new Shimano offerings at $200+. Make sure you have the Shimano or Park tool for the Shimano outboard bearings or you will be making a visit to the bike shop in the middle of the install. Would recommend this crank to everyone.
Bike Setup: Fuel 98, RS Sid, XT/XTR, Easton CF handlebars (what can I say, I love crbon fiber).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Clevenger
a Weekend Warrior
from Pensacola Fl. USA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2005
Strengths: Silky smooth, good looks, easy install, solid
Weaknesses: Replacement bearing cups dont seem to be as readily available as some other brands.
Bottom Line:
Had to change spacer configuration a couple of times to get chainline straight but no big deal. The outboard bearing design seems to be the best for durability and strength.
Bike Setup: Mongoose wing,Avid mech disc and cheap stuff that came with it.Next upgrade will probably be Marzocchi marathon forks.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Fehman
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Wayne, In.
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2005
Strengths: Very easy to install and un-install. Smooth as butter and very very rigid
Weaknesses: none detected yet
Bottom Line:
This new BB design rocks! It is a snap to install and they spin like nobodys business. The bearings are huge and with the increased span in-between the bearings the crankset becomes incredably rigid. This BB and crank design really gets the power to the ground when you stand on the pedals. With out a doubt I will go with the externial BB design for my road bike next spring.
Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Forest, CA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005
Strengths: Stiff, lightweight, tough and looks good too... but about the price!
Weaknesses: None, just be sure to install it right, many parts.
Bottom Line:
Even though I could of bought something more expensive, I ended up getting this crankset for my build and it made one of the biggest differences ever on this bike. Great stiffness while pedaling and feels very durable. Huge outer bearings, very lightweight, no BB cartidge. I believe this will outlast any XT or Race Face Deus in the long haul. Defenately buying this crankset again for my new Titus frameset. Solid product and very affordable.
Just took it apart and it was lubed so I have my answer. Noticed the o-rings were trashed. Not too happy with this bb set-up already needs a bearing according to LBS less than 2 mo Read More »
I was wondering if anyone knows if I can put a small chainring on this crankset with the middle chainring still on. On the picture it looks like it may have the spot to bolt them Read More »
I just bought a Cannondale Rush 4 less than a week ago and christened it yesterday. It got a little bit muddy (splatters here and there), but nothing too serious. It comes with t Read More »
Hi,
I'm building up a Nomad and my LBS offered me this crankset .
I think it's the 2006 model - it's like the one in the pic.
I read it has a 48 mm chainline while 50 is recomme Read More »
Does anyone have any experience with these cranks? I getting away from my Stylo's & ran across the FSA Bikeman's web site. I assume they're a better choice than the Truvativ, but Read More »
