Swapping out FSA crank for Ultegra

[Becky]

Thanks, Dianne! That info and pics were really helpful!

[aicabsolut]

Why not get another BB30 crankset? There are several options now that aren't FSA, such as Cannondale's proprietary cranks, SRAM, Specialized, etc. Once you put the threaded insert in there, it is a real pain to remove if you ever decide to go back to BB30. I really like my Shimano cranksets, but I think if I got a BB30 frame (my Specialized framesets came threaded unlike their complete bikes), I think I'd stick with a BB30 crank.

[nscrbug]

Why not get another BB30 crankset? There are several options now that aren't FSA, such as Cannondale's proprietary cranks, SRAM, Specialized, etc. Once you put the threaded insert in there, it is a real pain to remove if you ever decide to go back to BB30. I really like my Shimano cranksets, but I think if I got a BB30 frame (my Specialized framesets came threaded unlike their complete bikes), I think I'd stick with a BB30 crank.

Yeah, in the back of my mind I worry a bit about that adapter insert having to be loctite'd into place. Is there any chance of that thing slipping or coming undone somehow? I'm probably over-thinking this...which is common for me.

Call it a strange "quirk" of mine, but I'm of the mindset where I believe that things just seem to work better when components are all the same. Hence, my reason for insisting on an Ultegra crankset...since the rest of my drivetrain is Ultegra. But I am a bit concerned over this whole BB30 thing....ACK!

[nscrbug]

I have another thought that was brought up by someone on another forum. Would it be possible to swap out only the chainrings (both big and small) on the FSA crank for Ultegra chainrings? I guess it would depend on if the bolt patterns are the same, right? Has anyone here ever done this with good results? My main gripe isn't with the actual crank itself, but rather the chainring...especially the big one. But I would think that if one were swapping out the big one, then they would likely do the small one as well, yes?

[aicabsolut]

I think that FSA and Shimano big rings aren't compatible anymore, though I think they used to be. The inner ring may still be compatible, provided you get the right BCD size (110 or 130).

The threaded bottom bracket insert won't slip out. If anything, it will become a permanent install, because even with a tool they make to remove it, it is very difficult to do so.

You really don't need any specific crank with your Shimano group, though Shimano milled rings would be best which includes FSA, Cannondale, Specialized, Fulcrum, Truvativ, etc. SRAM cranks should also work, but maybe don't use the newer narrow (7900, 6700 series) chains. I think all of those except maybe Fulcrum (?) has a BB30 option. My LBS is a big fan of Cannondale BB30 cranks with Shimano groups (disclosure: they are a big Cannondale dealer) because they think the rings are stiff but you don't pay the same $ as FSA. This LBS also really dislikes FSA cranksets in general.

Cranksets really aren't that finicky and are surprisingly cross-compatible among brands. A friend of mine uses a compact Campy crankset with his SRAM group.

[nscrbug]

I think that FSA and Shimano big rings aren't compatible anymore, though I think they used to be. The inner ring may still be compatible, provided you get the right BCD size (110 or 130).

The threaded bottom bracket insert won't slip out. If anything, it will become a permanent install, because even with a tool they make to remove it, it is very difficult to do so.

You really don't need any specific crank with your Shimano group, though Shimano milled rings would be best which includes FSA, Cannondale, Specialized, Fulcrum, Truvativ, etc. SRAM cranks should also work, but maybe don't use the newer narrow (7900, 6700 series) chains. I think all of those except maybe Fulcrum (?) has a BB30 option. My LBS is a big fan of Cannondale BB30 cranks with Shimano groups (disclosure: they are a big Cannondale dealer) because they think the rings are stiff but you don't pay the same $ as FSA. This LBS also really dislikes FSA cranksets in general.

Cranksets really aren't that finicky and are surprisingly cross-compatible among brands. A friend of mine uses a compact Campy crankset with his SRAM group.

Well...I spoke with my mechanic yesterday, and he thinks that as long as the BCD is 110mm on both the FSA and Ultegra big rings (which it is), then there should be no problems with compatibility. Another option would be to try a different, better-quality FSA ring, such as the Super Road N10. At any rate, my mechanic feels it would be best to wait and see how the replacement shifters (my Ultegra shifters are being replaced under warranty due to a mechanical failure) affect the shifting on the front ring. They are still waiting on the replacement shifters to arrive from CA...should be any day now. Once they are installed, if I still feel that there is an issue with the front ring...then we will try replacing the ring with either an Ultegra or higher quality FSA ring. Replacing the entire crank will be a "last resort" option.

Linda