Hi everyone,

 I am looking at upgrading/changing my crankset and seriously considering the K-Force light.  Actually, the 3 Finalist would be K-Force Light, Fulrcrum Torq RS or Campy Chorus.  I like the K-Force Light with the 52/38 Chainring option.  I am just curious if anyone is running the FSA crank and some feedback/impression on it.  I am also open to suggestion.  I am running Sram Force and not too fussy about committing the sin of mixing components. 

Thanks

I have been running the FSA K Force Light on my R3 SL for about a year (2000+ miles) with no issues. Other drive components are SRAM Red Shifters, SRAM Force FD and RD, SRAM RED 12-23 Cassette and PC1090 chain . This combination works superbly... shifting is quick smooth, and positive. Hope this helps

Voye:

Hi everyone,

 I am looking at upgrading/changing my crankset and seriously considering the K-Force light.  Actually, the 3 Finalist would be K-Force Light, Fulrcrum Torq RS or Campy Chorus.  I like the K-Force Light with the 52/38 Chainring option.  I am just curious if anyone is running the FSA crank and some feedback/impression on it.  I am also open to suggestion.  I am running Sram Force and not too fussy about committing the sin of mixing components. 

Thanks

I don't know what group you are riding but I have tested the following: Sram Red, DA 7900, FSA K-Force Light, Zipp Vuma Quad, DA 7800, Campy Record UT.

The FSA K-Force light has the following disadvantages: High cost for its weight, Proprietory rings that cannot be replaced with other ring sizes, average crank arm stiffness. Good Ceramic bearings. Average build quality. Stiff chainrings 3rd stiffest behind the DA and Red chain rings. High cost is the problem with these cranks for their average performance and weight. I did not like the 52/38 chainring combo, always felt like I was .5 mph behind other riders for same effort.

The Campy Record UT and Fulcrum Torque RS are the same cranks and are very good. Stiffness is above average for crank arms. Excellent steel bearings, easy maintenance and install, looks good on bike and build quality is above average. 4th Stiffest Chainrings behind FSA.

Zipp Vuma Quad, stay away. Worst chain rings I have ever seen, chipped one tooth on the first ride and bent the second ring after replacement. Rings when bolted on look bent and wobble side to side out of the box. Crank arms are very stiff so is the External BB30, Build quality is poor so is their R&D, several people on the net reported spacing problems with certain frames in the BB. Light but stupid light not functional light. Cost is ridiculous for the quality. These should be sold in the 500 dollar range. Proprietory rings from Zipp can be a problem later. Customer service sucks.

Shimano 7800: Cheap, Strong, Bomb proof, reliable, durable, Benchmark of all cranks for last 4 years for crank arm stiffness. Cons are: heavy, restrictive bearings in the BB. Can't go wrong with this crank.

Shimano 7900: Stronger than 7800 for crank arm stiffness, Little heavy still, Easy install, Shimano Quality and reliability, Stiffest Chain rings of any crankset I have ever seen. Restrictive BB bearings. Can't go wrong with this one either.

Sram Red: Stronger than 7800 crank arms marginally, 2nd stiffest chainrings of all cranks tied with 7800. Reliable, Durable, Excellent ceramic bearings in BB. Might look funny if you dont ride Red group.

Fulcrum RS would work and look good with any grouppo. Supposedly the Campy Chorus crank arms are stronger due to having foam in the cavities at the expense of added weight, Chorus chainrings are not coated with nickle for durability.

If you are looking for strength and reliability you can't go wrong with the three component makers like Shimano, Campy, Sram. If you go looking for weight savings you start giving up strength and reliability with added costs. The only crank I have my eye on is the new Easton EC90 but after testing all the cranks I am happy with OEM cranks for now. 

Thanks Redcorn.  I truly appreciate your detailed feedback.  Really doesn't make my decision any easier however.  I was leaning towards FSA because the 38 would give me a little lower gearing.  I think the 52 would work for me.  In reality, I feel a 52/36 would be the perfect gearing for me on a 11/25 in the back.  But that is another issue all together.  I do really like the Troq RS.  Price wise, they are pretty much at par with FSA, maybe a little more expensie.  Chorus, probably 200$ cheaper.  I understand the Shimano cranks are outstanding quality, just not a big fan of the look.  Back to the drawing board.....if only I could buy them all!

Voye:

Thanks Redcorn.  I truly appreciate your detailed feedback.  Really doesn't make my decision any easier however.  I was leaning towards FSA because the 38 would give me a little lower gearing.  I think the 52 would work for me.  In reality, I feel a 52/36 would be the perfect gearing for me on a 11/25 in the back.  But that is another issue all together.  I do really like the Troq RS.  Price wise, they are pretty much at par with FSA, maybe a little more expensie.  Chorus, probably 200$ cheaper.  I understand the Shimano cranks are outstanding quality, just not a big fan of the look.  Back to the drawing board.....if only I could buy them all!

Between the Torque RS and FSA I would buy the Torque RS, but it sounds to me you are looking for a compact ring set up so FSA is the best choice there.

Redcorn, Do you know if it would work to run a sram crankset with chorus shifters? Thinking of ditching my compact for 53-39. Thanks.

wwwc9:

Redcorn, Do you know if it would work to run a sram crankset with chorus shifters? Thinking of ditching my compact for 53-39. Thanks.

To be honest I have not tried it. It should work since the spacing is so close that it should not matter. I know the Dura Ace 7800 worked with my Record shifters and Sram works with all Shimano drivetrain. why not go with Chorus Crankset they really are good and would match your drivetrain better.

+1 on the Campy Ultra Torque

I do love my FSA K-Force light set up, have ridden 1,000 miles on it.

However I just had a issue with the left crank arm pedal insert. The whole insert was loose ~ my shop and FSA handled it all quite smoothly and I now have a replacement crank arm.

 I am only 125 pounds, and 1,000 miles isn't much so just be aware of this.