SRAM Rival Crankset

Price Paid:  $159.00 at internet

Favorite Ride:
A1A

Bike Setup:
C'dale synapse alu 1 105grp

Summary:
Not really anything special to say about the crank, it does the job without fuss. What I am concerned with is ALL the negative comments about the GXP BB! I have consulted many people and LBS about this along with my personal experience which includes the same BB thats for 2 of my MTBs. I will have to say that 95% of the people complaining about this BB never installed it correctly, and either overtorqued or undertorqued the self extracting bolt. More likely didnt even use a torque wrench altogether! Granted it is an aluminum bolt (admit not the best choice of materials) but it works fine when done properly. My SC Blur has had the Stylo 3.3 GXP team (GXP BB) I weigh 180...no not 220 lb. but still I ride hard, and have not even had the bolt come loose once. Really when reviewing this product and if the BB is your concern because of all the negative reviews ask yourself a question to determine if you want a SRAM Crank/BB. Do you plan on following the instructions? Do you have a Torque Wrench or are having a shop install it? If you answer "NO" to any of those questions, don't buy this, you will just be another idiot that can't follow instructions and writes a dumb review because of his/her own failure.

Strengths:
Stout, well made, precise, when installed correctly will provide years of flawless reliability. Lightweight for level grade component.

Weaknesses:
Aluminum self extracting bolt could be made of a more durable material to "dummy-proof" installation. Paint on crank arm can rub off if in constant contact with shoe..but that is purely cosmetic.

Similar Products Used:
105, plan on going to force eventually, I am sold on SRAM drivetrains! For road and mountain. They are probably the most innovative company for bike components today, but that will probably happen with my habanero when I get it.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Cycle Solution

Bike Setup:
2007 Orbea Onix Rival
Shimano RS80 wheels

Summary:
I like SRAM Rival a lot but the crank was disappointment from the start. SRAM replaced BB on warranty after maybe 500 miles. It did not stop a rubbing noise while climbing. Chainrings very flexible and bent easily. Never had a smooth feeling I get now riding Ultegra 6750.

Strengths:
Shifting was OK when the crank was new.Was relatively light for a 2007 product. Cheap.

Weaknesses:
Rubbing noise during out of saddle climbs, flexing chainrings . Recently (8000 miles) I started dropping chain very often shifting to the small ring. FD adjustments did not help. BB is very fragile.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano 6750 Ultegra compact, Truvativ Elita

Price Paid:  $139.00 at Performance Bike

Favorite Ride:
Up and over the Pali

Bike Setup:
Giant Carbon with thomson stuff, FSA bars, Fizik seat, and wheels from Mike Garcia at oddsandendos

Summary:
Had the 50/34 SRAM Rival compact crank on my bike for 4 months. Maybe 1500 miles during that time. Was working on jumps from a near standing start to build power for sprinting. The outer chainring snapped and then bent all to heck. I'm a strong rider, but ain't putting out that much wattage. I'm sure the pros are destroying these weekly.

I am replacing this crank with a Shimano one. Never, ever had a problem with my Ultegra cranks. And so ends my testing of the SRAM road component group!!

Strengths:
On Sale
Easy to install
PerformanceBike has a great return policy

Weaknesses:
Drags
Fragile
A former racer now weekend warrior destroyed it

Similar Products Used:
Shimano Durace
Shimano Ultegra
Ritchey Compact

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS with new bike

Favorite Ride:
The next one..

Bike Setup:
Serotta, full Rival groupset.

Summary:
Satisfactory crank but nothing special.

Strengths:
- Cost
- Easy to install & uninstall, does not require any special tools other then an 8mm allen wrench for the crank fixing bolt and two others (forget the sizes) for the chainrings

- Looks good when new

Weaknesses:
- Has to be torqued very carefully with plenty of grease or it will tend to loosen

- Chainring bolts also seem to have a tendency to work loose, after the 2nd try at removing, cleaning, loc-titing, and carefully re-torquing they seem to hold and run quiet.

- Finish is fragile, scratches exceptionally easy.

Similar Products Used:
105, DA, Ultegra, FSA Gossamer

Price Paid:  $158.00 at Speegoat

Favorite Ride:
Back Country Roads

Bike Setup:
Trek 2100, fizik saddle, Easton Ergo Bar

Summary:
I bought a Rival Compact Crankset to replace the Stock Bontrager Crankset on my Trek 2100. Both of these cranks use the Travativ GXP bottom bracket. Upon disassembly of the stock crank I noticed the plastic spacer between the bearing cups had a nice big crank in it. Also one of the in bearing races on the non-drive side was pressed onto the spindle preventing the drive-side bearing cup from being remved from the spindle. My guess was the shop that put the bike together didn't really grease stuff up before assembling.

after removing the old crank and botom bracket, with everything lubed up the install was a breeze. I tightened all bolts and cups to the top end of their torque range. My initial test ride indicated I needed to adjust my front derailler a bit, but afterwards shifts were crisp and smooth.

Overall I'm happy with this crankset. Climbing with the extra gear range definitely helps. On a side note, make sure you check the torque on the crank bolt every so often. My bontrager crank loosened after a while.

Strengths:
Very stiff, crisp/smooth shifts, Cheap, Bottom bracket compatible with a number of cranksets, Durable, easy install.

Weaknesses:
On the heavy side, possible problem with plastic cup spacer, Might not match people's color scheme

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race Lite GXP, Shimano LX, RaceFace Evolve DH.