Bike Setup: TDF BH Global G3 Astana-Wurth team bike. (Vino rode the exact same model to his stage win before getting booted from the TDF)
Summary: The K-Force carbon crankset came with my bike. It is a BH Global G3 with full Campy Ultra Record 10spd, except the crank. TDF backup bike, but since FSA was a sponsor, they used this crankset. TOTAL PIECE OF GARBAGE !! FSA has battled me with warranty repairs for almost a year now. The crankset should have been recalled, but that never happened. I would NEVER recommend FSA again to anyone, at any cycling level.
Strengths: It worked for about 500 miles before the persistant creaking set in.
Weaknesses: - creaking started at 500 miles. Called FSA and they said to use loctite on the left crank arm. Started creaking again after another 500 miles.
- Then, the left crank arm bolt would start coming lose, no matter what the LBS could do. It has to be tightened after every long ride.
- THEN, the bonding of the left crank arm and the aluminum thread separated !! Now there is so much slip, it is dangerous to use.
- Called FSA many times, and they fought an RMA and warranty return repeatedly.
- Poor design of crank, and even the FSA staff ADMITTED IT...yet, they still won't provide me a replacement and it is from a TDF backup bike !!
- Poor customer service and very poor product design, that FSA admitted to, on a recorded phone conversation and they knew this should have been a recall.
Summary: Constant creaking, slipping, loss of power. The finish lasts maybe 6 months under normal usage and sunny socal weather. The bottom bracket and crank system is trash. I've never heard so many complaints from one BB/Crankset at all my local bikeshops. Please save your money and mental energy and go with a tried and true Shimano.
Summary: I'm submitting this review because some of these cranks, amazingly, are still on the market at closeout prices. Don't bother. Very disappointing. I have the K-Force Light on another bike, and it works great (the front shifting is spectacular). This one didn't shift great, but more importantly, the crankbolt would not stay tight. The revised installation instructions now call for two different types of Loctite to secure the left arm and crankbolt (and it may actually work), but who needs the uncertainty and aggravation, particularly if this happens mid-ride? I guarantee that you will not be able to get the crankbolt tight enough with just a small multi-tool.
Strengths: None, in light of the design issues.
Weaknesses: No reliability. No recall, either, which is what should have happened.
Similar Products Used: K-Force Light (great crank).
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Summary: I had the same problem with the left crank arm described in many of these reviews very early after purchasing my bike. This was sorted under warranty by my LBS.
Recently the drive side crank arm pedal thread became loose and I have had to replace the entire crankset - I think this problem is referred to in the very first post for this product.
I won't be using or recommending FSA products in the future. I am currently working through a warranty claim for a set of FSA MTB wheels I purchased about 12 months back.
While I am sure the local distributor will help me out, there are simply too many good competitor products to continue wasting my time with warranty claims - not to mention time off the bike!
Strengths: Offset by weaknesses!
Weaknesses: Poor quality
Similar Products Used: Ultegra
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