Shimano Dura-Ace FC-7700

Price Paid:  $50.00 at College Park Bicycle

Favorite Ride:
Any w/o bag on my back

Bike Setup:
Airborne Manhatten Project - a real stiff frame, probably
why I feel something is missing here

Summary:
Nice bike shop let me upgrade for $50 bucks from Ultegra to D/A
that had a few rides on them. Noticeably less clunky than ultegra -
less hesitation. Still, these cranks leave me satisfied, but not estatic.
I mean, it is a super crank, but I can see why Shimano redesigned them
to yield more power and lighter weight.

Strengths:
Looks nice, stiff, light, nice rings, shifts well, easy on/off

Weaknesses:
finish very marred after 16 months, feels like there is too
much fat on these babies

Similar Products Used:
Campy Chorus, two previous generations of Dura Ace
cranks, Campy Super Record, Record Track Cranks, Bontrager Select

Price Paid:  $169.00 at Nashbar

Favorite Ride:
the 101 Pacific Coast Hwy

Bike Setup:
2002 Lemond Tourmalet. I am in the process of upgrading the components and decided to first go with the Dura Ace double crankset. Now my Tiagra components are all, "uh, What are YOU doing here?" Eventually, my tiagras will be completely changed out to Ultegra pieces.

Summary:
Stiff light cranks with a beautiful design. Didn't care to get the new 7800s - still think they look silly. But these, oh boy, these look sweet.

Strengths:
Light with octalink design bottom bracket reduces creaking and increases rigidity. Love 'em.

Weaknesses:
Opted to go with the more user-friendly Ultegra bottom bracket. Also, though I've had no problems yet, I wonder how long my crank labels will last before rubbing off. The 39-53 jump in rings is pushing the differential limits my derailleur is capable of. I only gave them a 4 value rating because of the price. I could've gotten away with the Ultegras, or even 105s, but lightness was what I was going for.

Similar Products Used:
Tiagra triple. Heavy. Flimsy. Black.

Price Paid:  $178.00 at Excel Sports

Favorite Ride:
Waterford Loop

Bike Setup:
Cannondale CAAD4, all DA, Kestrel EMS Pro fork, Deda bars and stem - very very light

Summary:
I've been running DA components on my road bike for 3 years and have generally been pleased with the quality and performance. After 3 years, however, I decided to replace the scratched up and and oxidized 172.5 cranks with a new 175 mm set. I also went with a new DA BB. After carefully installing the BB, greasing the splines, and installing the cranks to the recommended 35 to 50 NM torque setting, I took the steed out for a test ride. Much to my surprise and annoyance, the cranks made an obnoxious clicking sound everytime I put any power to them. I've since pulled the cranks, cleaned them off and reinstalled them only to find the same grating noise. This really ticks me off, especially since my old set was smooth and quiet for over 4000 miles of hard use. Anyone else out there had this problem? Any ideas for a solution?

Strengths:
stiff, smooth power train. Beautifully finished out of the box.

Weaknesses:
unacceptable creaking clicking noise on every pedal stroke, finish easily marred, prone to corrosion, especially at chainring contact points and inside (unfinished) portion of spider. Shimano could take a lesson from Raceface and use a more durable finish to minimize corrosion.

Similar Products Used:
Campy Super Record circa 1985, raceface turbine lp.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
every ride

Bike Setup:
trek oclv with dura ace

Summary:
this crank is stiff and hasn't given me any problems after several thousand miles. Sure the logo wore off along with the nice finish but hey it looks like I actually ride my bike.

Strengths:
stiff, dependable

Weaknesses:
the finish stinks

Similar Products Used:
the usual

Price Paid:  $269.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Meyers Grade/Russian Gulch

Bike Setup:
Schwinn Fastback Factory, DA Triple gruppo, Easton carbon bars/post/Ritchey WCS stem, Mavic Cosmos. Bicycling Mag says "triple bikes are slow" Just try to keep up with me in the mountains!

Summary:
(Review is for Triple) I've never gotten too excited about Shimano products, or cranks in general, but these are jewelry. I wanted to keep them on the coffee table so I could just look at them longer.

Strengths:
Absolutely beautiful machining & finishing. Flawless function, sweet rings.

Weaknesses:
Mirror Al finish probably scratches easily (like my Ultegras), DA logo may be gone in weeks

Similar Products Used:
105, Ultegra, Truvativ Elita