Bike Setup: 2005 Specialized Allez, ultegra/dura ace/FSA train.
Summary: My bike was a triple...I wanted to go to double, but didn't want the hassle of switching everything over. I also didn't want to lose my hill climbing edge. Answer...get a compact! I researched the best compacts for the $$ and the FSA carbon elite was always a top choice. They're getting hard to find now and I picked mine up on eBay.
The crank is light and stiff...I combined it with a FSA platinum pro TI BB and SRAM hollow pin chain for a super-light, smooth combo and I couldnt be happier. It shifts and performs flawlessly and looks great too. Upon purchase, this crank was actually setup as a 52-36. I changed out the ring to a 50-36 and I changed my cassette to a dura-ace 11-23. This works very well for me and I am able to pedal at a higher more consistent cadence than I did with my triple. With compacts you might have to fine tune the shifting a bit more since its a bigger jump, but once you dial it in it shifts just as smooth as my triple did. Never drops off or hesitates. I am very pleased with this crankset and doubt I will ever consider a double or tripe crank again.
Strengths: Stiff, strong, lightweight, looks sleek, very well made. It's FSA! Replacement chain rings still easy to find.
Weaknesses: Getting hard to find the crankset new and even used.
Similar Products Used: FSA gossamer triple. Shimano ultegra double.
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Bike Setup: FSA Platinum Pro Ti BB, Look Keo Carbon pedals, IRD compact derailleur, SRAM 9-speed cassette (11-21 or 12-26), Dura-Ace chain and triple rear derailleur.
Summary: I installed this crankset on a project bike for randonneuring and ultracycling and have put close to 10,000 miles on them without incident. There is little appreciable wear of the chainrings, which is a surprise, and the setup shifts easily with IRD's compact front derailleur. I will eventually try another chainset with longer crank arms but this product has been very satisfactory.
Strengths: Reliability. Ease of installation.
Weaknesses: Slight lack of stiffness.
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Bike Setup: C-Dale CAAD5, full carbon fork, Ultegra
Summary: One of the best items I have ever added to a bike (the compact aspect)! The great looks, super light weight, and good performance of this FSA just top it all off.
Well after hiting some really hilly early season group rides, I realized that there was no need to be just on the limits of meltdown in a 39-23. I set my sights on a compact crank, and decided on the FSA Carbon Pro Elite for a couple reasons. Good prices out there, nice more classic looks, and combined with a Ti ISIS bottom bracket, lighter than any "MegaExo" or outboard type bearing crank I saw. I weighed crank at 533 grams and BB at 168 which droped some serious weight off my old Ultegra double and 105 BB.
I've only go about 200 miles on this crank now, and I haven't left the big ring on my big weekend rides except for testing. I dropped my FD a bit, and it shifts perfect between the rings. I now believe the compact setup will become the norm for all except Cat 1-3 racers. I haven't been back to the big hills yet where I will use the more forgiving 34 tooth, but the 50 allows you to maintain momentum and cruise over the rollers and more serious hills under a 1/2 mile long. The crank has in fact accelerated my form this year by encouraging a higher pace, a little more push to roll over the hills, and in turn my leg strength and endurance was boosted.
I can't find any problems with this thing.
Strengths: Compact! While any compact would do, this one give great looks, great weight, and great shifting.
Weaknesses: It doesn't use the latest trend of outboard bearings - but its lighter in the process.
Similar Products Used: Always used standard 53-39 double (well since they changed from the old standard of 52-42 a long time ago).
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Bike Setup: Seven Axiom with Full Record (with compact front derailleur)
Summary: The crank feels plenty stiff enough. I like to sprint uphill and have not notice any thing wrong with them...However, they do not shift as nice as my Record or Chorus cranks. there is something about those Campy cranks. FSA has a good product here, but i think the chain rings can be improve for better shifting.
Strengths: light, stiff and reasonable priced
Weaknesses: not as good shifting as Campy
Similar Products Used: Record and Chorus (alu)
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