FSA Gossamer Compact

Price Paid:  $160.00 at CyclePath Portland

Favorite Ride:
Skyline in Portland, OR

Bike Setup:
Currently: Huffy with full Campy Record and full ceramic bearing upgrades. Mavic R-SYS.

Summary:
I bought these as my conversion from a triple to a compact. These are great cranks to start with. I have been happy with these for a while but of course am looking to upgrade as I have become the fat, almost middle-aged, Armstrong wannabe/weight weenie. The only problem that I have had is the crankset working loose twice over 3+ years. The last time I put a torque wrench to it and haven't had any issues since.

Strengths:
Good value and great starter crank for someone wanting to try compact without a lot of $$. CyclePath in Portland, OR rocks.

Weaknesses:
Worked loose but resolved with Torque Wrench.

Similar Products Used:
Otasco Flying-O/Costco Huffy Roadmaster.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Competitive Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Montebello

Bike Setup:
LiteSpeed Teramo, Ultegra groupo

Summary:
One day during my ride, the whole crank came off. I have only put a few hundred miles on the bike. This came really shocking to me.
I managed to get a replacement crank arm fixing bolt which came off and can't be found.

I have been riding mt. bike for a long time with Shimano XT and XTR cranks. I have never experienced and expected a crank arm would come off.

I agree with other posts shere.
The design of Gossamer is flawed.

I am thinking of getting Shimano Ultegra crank and BB to match the rest of the bike.

More complaints about the same problem -
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.bicycles.tech/2006-06/msg01335.html

Strengths:
It came stocked with the bike.

Weaknesses:
crank arm fixing bolt came loose and the whole crank came off after only a few hundred miles on the bike

Similar Products Used:
None. This is my first road bike.
For mt. bike - Shimano XT and XTR.

Price Paid:  $100.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Sha-Sha

Bike Setup:
Salsa La Raza with Ultegra 9-speed shifters/RD/brakes, FSA compact FD/Gossamer bars, Thomson seatpost/stem, Specialized Avatar 143 saddle, Cane Creek Aerohead SG wheelset, Quattro SLs

Summary:
I have the OEM silver version with a 50-36. Once I figured out how to set the left crank arm I've never had a problem. I run 9-speed Ultregra with an FSA compact FD and shifting has always been flawless. The BB still spins smoothly after two years and 2000+ km.

Strengths:
Looks good, easy to set up, spins smoothly.

Weaknesses:
Hard to clean between the BB and the spider.

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR Comp 1.

Summary:
A lot of negative reviews here. I switched out my 53/39, kept my Ultegra front dérailleur, and am totally happy with the FSA Gossamer Compact.
Shifts smoothly and flawlessly.

Strengths:
No complaints!

Weaknesses:
Not carbon.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
every day

Bike Setup:
guru flite
ultegra shifters
mixed components

Summary:
I have this crank on my guru flite. i use ultegra shifters and a 105 front derailluer. i use 53/39 chainrings (i never used anything but the 39)... maybe that's why i never miss a shift? i never really had creaking. jester, ladera norte don't make it creak either.

Strengths:
it has been a solid piece for me. you may want to use a 39 though.

Weaknesses:
heavy?