SRAM Red Crankset

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
very very flex in the big ring.when I use big ring and smallest cassette it rub the Front derailleur.I try to make more clearance but it make the chain get over the big ring.so I don't happy with it.

Strengths:
the rest of red groubpo is good.

Weaknesses:
very flexy in big ring.

Similar Products Used:
Dura-ace 7900 groubpo.

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Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Tam

Bike Setup:
Pedalforce frame, Red Group, Easton 90 hoops

Summary:
I had major problems with the front end of the RED drivetrain (chain would pop off under pressure, many bruises on thighs for it). Problems were entirely solved by swapping the big chainring out for the Shimano Ultegra compact. The bike rides like new. Major shortcoming and weakness of of the grouppo is the flexy chainring. I read good things about their service, but they half-assed it with me when I called them. Said they were not aware of any problem and that this year's ring is the same as last year (hmmm...I keep reading about an SPR version for pros?). anyhoo...

Strengths:
Weight, rear shifting

Weaknesses:
front shifting, big chainring

Price Paid:  $306.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Mt Tam

Bike Setup:
SRAM Rival, Force, Red Mix, - works well together.

Summary:
This is a review for the 50/34 compact version, I read previous reviews and was concerned about the flex reported and some other troubles with shifting. I have ridden the crank for about 300 miles and have not experienced any troubles so far. I swapped out my old Rival compact crank and had to raise the Front Der. by 1mm and adjust the trim for outer and inner limit (which is pain in the A**). One thing i have noticed while torquing the left arm that it needs way more torque than my previous Rival crank and you might mistake flex for some play if not appropriately set up (i guess a torque tool would be most useful here). I am able to flex most wheels while sprinting but so far the big ring does not show more flex than other crank sets i had. Shifting is very smooth although i don't feel a difference between the Rival crank. I got the Black Box BB and would say the drag is comparable to my old Ultegra BB, nothing magic but a huge improvement to the standard SRAM GXP BB that is simply crap. Value is a true 5, overall it is a 4, the new DA 7900 compact seems to be the new benchmark but it comes in almost at twice the price.

Strengths:
Good Price weight Ratio, comes with ceramic BB,

Weaknesses:
it is not the best compact crank out there, stiffness is average, could expect more from RED Gruppo,

Similar Products Used:
FSA, Truvativ, SRAM,

Price Paid:  $2220.00 at Bike Shop Phoenix

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere on Mt. Tamalpais

Bike Setup:
BMC Pro Machine w/full DA Groupo. Sram Red Crankset. DT Mon Chasseral WONDERFUL Wheelset 1450 Grams. Vittoria Open Corsa CX Tyres.

Summary:
SRAM Red Compact Crankset, 34-50.
I cannot see how anyone that has used this product could be happy with it. I read a few reviews stating that the Red Groupo made noise with the chain and the cassette but the noise is actually coming from the FLEX in the Big Ring. I was getting a lot of noise under load while riding in my small ring on the 4 upper cogs of the cassette. So much so that on quiet climbs, guys behind me would comment. The noise seemed to be coming from the front however. Thinking that it could be flex of the big ring, I backed out the stops on the front derailleur this way while riding, I could look down and try to "Trim" the Der. under load. I am not a monster in size being 6' and about 170 but the large ring FLEXED so much that it would still rub even while riding in the small ring. I had other problems with it as well with burring on the teeth. I replaced it with a Shimano Ultegra ring and it is beautiful. The small ring seems to be OK, perhaps the diameter is not big enough to flex too much. There is a point where weight savings comprimises function and safety and I think that this is a prime example.

Strengths:
Looks Really Cool. Spins nicely with the Ceramic Bottom Bracket bearings.

Weaknesses:
Might as well use a Potato Chip! Oh, BTW, I paid over $500 Bucks a few months ago and now the price is dropping like a rock. I've seen the set new on EBAY for as low as $250 and multiple $350 listings.

Similar Products Used:
Ritchey WCS 9 Speed Compact Crankset.
Campy Chorus Carbon Compact Set.
Shimano Standard Cranksets for years.

Price Paid:  $220.00 at eBay

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR with SRAM Force and Red.

Summary:
I swapped a DA crankset for this one and couldn't be happier. The crank arms and rings are just as stiff as DA. I know some hate the looks but I really dig the way they look. The shifts are also much smoother.

Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, shifting and looks.

Weaknesses:
The chain is a tad bit noisier than the DA set.

Similar Products Used:
Dura Ace, Ultegra, 105