SRAM Force Crankset

Price Paid:  $150.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
anything

Bike Setup:
Bottecchia carbon frame, Dura Ace groupo except crankset which was a big mistake. Should have gone Dura Ace or Ultegra all the way.

Summary:
The problem is not the crankset but the bottom bracket. The GXP bracket is terrible. If you use the spacers you get lots of friction, if you don't use spacers you have to tighten the crankset together really tight. Anyway the bottom bracket will fall apart after about 500 miles at most no matter how you install it. I could not find a bottom bracket that spins well and is reliable with this crankset which is a shame because the crankset looks great. i would avoid any cranks that use GXP BB.

Strengths:
Looks good by itself but that's about it. maybe you want to display it in your living room.

Weaknesses:
Disgusting bottom bracket, and there is no way around it.

Similar Products Used:
Ultegra is the Shimano alternative.

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Price Paid:  $400.00 at Wrench Science

Favorite Ride:
Anything

Bike Setup:
2009 Moots Vamoots 57.5, Full SRAM Force gruppo, DA/Open Pro Wheels.

Summary:
Overall I'm happy with the gruppo, but I've had some problems with it. I've narrowed them down to the crankset (after eliminating the issue coming from my frame, shifters, and f derailleur). The crank just isn't very straight. Wobbles back and forth with 7 - 8 mm between extremes. Causes chain rub on my derailleur. Also eliminates ability to be in small ring with my 2 smallest cogs. Wobble tends to make it want to shift up to large ring despite the f derailleur not contacting the chain. Seems like poor QC from SRAM.

Strengths:
Looks nice. Not very expensive.

Weaknesses:
Poor Quality Control

Similar Products Used:
Ultegra Crankset, DA cranks

Price Paid:  $0.00 at EP

Favorite Ride:
When legs are feeling good!

Bike Setup:
Sick wit it Moots

Summary:
SRAM's road groups are excellent, but the cranks so far are the weak link of the groups.

Strengths:
Carbon bling, Powerglide chainrings shift very well.

Weaknesses:
Much more flexible compared to a forged crank like a Dura-Ace. Standard GXP bottom brackets are garbage - lots of friction. Ran crank with ceramic GXP and was smooth but the flex was too much for me.

Similar Products Used:
Dura-Ace 7800, Race Face Cadence, TruVativ Rouleur Carbon

Price Paid:  $350.00 at Countrysidecycling.c

Favorite Ride:
Presque Isle State Park

Bike Setup:
Fuji SL-1, Sram Force, Mavic Ksyrium Elites, FSA Bar stem, Easton post, Zipps 404, Fizik Arione

Summary:
Got a great deal from the shop, Countrysidecycling.com, and couldn't be happier. Great looking crank, very stiff, and kind of light, not as light as new 2008 carbon cranks, but still light enough. The GXP Bottom Bracket is a hell of a lot better to work on and install, compared to FSA mega-exo. Anyone looking to upgrade I would recommend this crank.

Strengths:
Lightish, stiff, and great looking.
Easy to install, and disassemble.
Great Value.

Weaknesses:
Not as light as new Carbon crank that are coming on the market.
Not as pretty as the Sram Red crank.

Similar Products Used:
Ultegra 6500, FSA SL-K, Race Face Deus, Truvativ stylo, Shimano XT

Price Paid:  $300.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Chicago lakefront

Bike Setup:
OCLV with an Alpha Q Sub 3 fork, Sestrieres, Chris King headset, DA gruppo, DEDA Newton stem and bars, and TIME Impact titanium pedals.

Summary:
Replaced my 9 speed Dura Ace crankset with a SRAM Force carbon compact (50/34) crankset. Also replaced my old Dura Ace cassette with a new DA cassette and replaced my old SRAM PC 89R chain with a SRAM PC 991 Holow Pin chain. To lower my front dérailleur so that it is 1/16 inch above the large chainring I lengthened the vertical adjustment slot on my bike's front screwed on dérailleur hanger about 1/8 inch using an electric drill with a 5/16 inch drill bit. After adjusting the front dérailleur cable the system shifted flawlessly and ran utterly quietly. The GXP Team bottom bracket is very easy to install, does not need to be adjusted like the DA does, and works superbly. I have put 560 miles on my new crankset and i could not be more impressed.

Strengths:
Light, easy to install, work flawlessly, competitively priced.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Dura Ace