Reddit mentions: The best bike cranksets

Alright, so I have a few questions, mostly about gear replacement for a new bike of mine (aesthetic mostly), painting it, and getting some new pedals on it. My bike is a Fuji Track 2016 (brand new but I can tell I'll really like biking) and it's a fixed gear. My daily ride would be mostly flat but I would love to go biking on the weekends on hilly areas. So I begin.

Firstly the pedals. Are the crank brothers doubleshots good? They look longer than some of their others and they're clip pedals so I mean I'm curious, but amazon yields few results.

Can I pretty much get whatever cycling shoes? I'm looking at EU size 43.5 (since I'm 9.5ft US to 10FT US) in yellow, of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Giro-Trans-Shoes-Matte-White/dp/B00NDIF5MO/ref=sr_1_6?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1480396956&sr=1-6&nodeID=679272011&keywords=bike%2Bcleats&refinements=p_n_size_browse-vebin%3A1285069011&th=1&psc=1
Anyone know if these are any good? Any reccomendations on yellow shoes? I'd like bright reflective ones for nighttime riding.

I'd like to paint my bike blue-yellow as well, will spray painting it and clear coating it be good enough? I can always strip it down to the metal, but since it has ED I didnt know if that would reduce durability. Has anyone done this? My dad does have a paint sprayer (I think) so if need be I can even use that.

Lastly, is this crankset and chain combo I have chosen any good?
https://www.amazon.com/Retrospec-Bicycles-Fixed-Gear-Single-Speed-Crankset/dp/B006A9ZIQQ/ref=pd_sbs_468_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=FE6DQ83P5S69X695PVKH&th=1&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/KMC-Z410-Bicycle-1-Speed-112L/dp/B0017I0DEM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478039074&sr=8-1&keywords=1%2F2%2Bx%2B1%2F8%2Blink&th=1
Reviews say they are but does anyone here have personal experience?

Any and all help is appreciated, thanks r/bicycling! I'll also post on the other bicycling subreddits to get a wide variety of standpoints.

You have a loose crank arm there, and what looks like probably a loose bottom bracket too (the part at the bottom of the bike that the crank arms attach to, it spins).

It's very possible that that bottom bracket doesn't need replaced, and just needs taken apart, cleaned out re-lubed and tightened. Then you would clean up those rusty crank bolts with barkeeper's friend to make them shiny again, and put them back on pretty tight.

It depends how expensive the bike is. If it's a $300 or less bike I would bet relubing and tightening the bottom bracket and then just tightening the crank arms would put it back to working like new.

You'd need a bottom bracket wrench to remove the bottom bracket, and a crank puller. For both those tools that's gonna be about $23. These are cheaper ones but you will only use them once so it's fine.

Then you need some marine grease at Walmart for about $4, and some bar keepers friend (at Walmart or grocery store for about $3).

This is a total of about $30 to fix your bike on your own.

You could follow a video on removing the crank arms
And removing and relubing your bottom bracket.

You would take the bolts off your crank arms, pull both crank arms off with the crank puller, and then remove the bottom bracket. You'd clean it out real good with rubbing alcohol or brake cleaner, and then relube it with marine grease, and then tighten everything down. Then you would clean up those rusty crank arm bolts with bar keepers friend and an old tooth brush, and then tighten the crank arms back on. Bike would be good as new for $30. So long as you're patient, careful, and follow the videos. Look around online for things if your not sure.

If you have access to a torque wrench that would be great to follow torque specifications, but you can do without if you follow a video. I mean, your bike will be much safer afterwards than it is now. Fixing it well (instead of perfect) is better than not fixing it at all.

If you are not a d.i.y. fix-it kind of guy, you can go to a bike shop. Not sure how much they will charge. I wouldn't know, I rarely go unless I'm buying a bike. I only wrench at home 🔧

wow, I just saw amazon lets you select square taper as a filter! Awesome. This makes it alot easier.

Is the SRAM s600 alright weight/durability wise? Seems like it might be a good option. Also Origin 8 and Sinz seem viable. Any opinions on these??

If that's the case (assuming you have a multispeed bike) you can remove the casette and derailleur from your rear wheel and get a fixed cog similar to this cheapo one on amazon I found. With that you would most likely have to get a crankset (here's another cheap one)that can take a 1/8" chain or a 3/32" chain (dependent on what size cog you get) and after that your bike would pretty much be "fixed"

Sheldon Brown has a great article on conversions that could be of some help to you. I know you just want to try the whole thing out but for 50 bones, I don't think it'll be very easy or reliable. If you have any friends who ride fixed ask if you can use their bike. Or go to your LBS and let them know you want to ride fixed and they'll probably let you try one out

I truly don't know much about conversions so hopefully someone else can correct me on any mistakes or help you with your question

I was worried it would be off between each bolt, but the spacing is the same, so it should be able to fit any 5 bolt 94mm bcd ring. Found this rock ring on amazon. Doesn't look like it will fit and it doesn't say anything about bcd. All the tooth fairy guards I saw were 36 tooth or less. I'll keep looking for rock ring. Thanks
Edit: Ordered a never used rock ring. Should work. Wish me luck!

Here's some of the parts I used when I converted my Schwinn, I don't know the year or model of yours so there may be some slight differences, but but the way your frame is constructed I know they're close

Bottom bracket conversion: https://harriscyclery.net/product/truvativ-bottom-bracket-conversion-american-to-euro-adapter-1335.htm

Crank Parts:
https://www.amazon.com/Sugino-Single-Speed-165mm-130mm/dp/B0068S1YH6/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1510250991&sr=1-1&keywords=sugino+crankset&dpID=41uvhXCdn2L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002G37X5Y/ref=twister_B00RNFQ79I?th=1&psc=1

You'll also need a new rear wheel, you can buy a new wheelset but I kept the front to keep the budget down. If you choose to keep the front, look for a 27" rear wheel, just make sure it has a flip flop hub.

Also, consult your local bike shop! you mileage may vary, but my LBS is filled with fixie goons that are more than happy to help you find parts. They may have used parts that'll save you some money.

My crank set on my crappy Bigshot bike really worn out. The right arm will become loose after couple rides. So I am thinking to replace it.

I searched online for couple options.

1.Andel track crank set $104 plus $24 shipping plus import tax https://www.benscycle.com/andel-track-crankset---165mm---46t/crankset_andel_andeltrack_165/product

2.Origin8 $69 plus $14 shipping plus import tax https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Track-SS-Crankset/dp/B0041XC4NI?th=1&psc=1

3.SUGINO PISTA CRANKSET $49 plus $30 shipping plus import tax https://www.aventon.com/products/sugino-crankset

4.Retrospec $35 free shipping https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00FNT18WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_q340CbY6BS0JR

I am ok for buying a expensive crank set. Because I am thinking to build a new bike. My crappy BigShot bike is really not a good bike. So I am ok to invest money now, it will be used for the future bike build.

My question is because I live in Canada, I need to pay for shipping and tax for many good parts I found online. Are they still worth the price after the extra fee? Only few bike shops in my city carry fixed gear parts, so I don’t think they have a lot of good options too.

Or maybe I should just get a cheap crank set on Amazon, save the money for the future bike build.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Thanks

If I were you, I'd just stop now and save your money for a better bike. The Schwinn Varsity weighs 42 lbs, or about 12-18lbs over what even a generic chromoly framed 80s road bike would weigh, and given that you can pick those up pretty cheaply on craigslist, I'd trade it in and go that route.

But assuming you're already sentimentally attached to this one, despite the fact that it weighs about two full gallon milk jugs more than a bike needs to, you're going to need to start with a 1 piece to 3 piece adapter, like this American to Euro BMX adapter.

Then add a generic road double crankset in your desired length and the appropriately sized bottom bracket, and a fresh chain cut to the right size.

Other than that, it's basically a question of taking the old parts off and putting the new parts on and transferring the pedals over.

An alternative to these would be the S300 SRAM crankset that would fall closer that price range new but still has great build quality and the external BB. Super stiff. I've ridden both.

If you have a bike shop nearby ask them if they can try tapping out your crank threads, there might be enough metal to make the threads useable again.

I can't identify the crank for sure but I think it's a sunlite crank. This one on amazon looks like a pretty close match given the shape of the arms. Dunno if it matches your tooth count or not but I figure you can count the teeth yourself to make sure.

Just through Amazon. Get something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I7K5KS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fceBDb8Y9KDY0

Then something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073QHQHPB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4eeBDb2YYTRZJ

Then some spacers, how thick depending on where your chainline falls.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HOI6F8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NheBDb9NZ1JFR

You may also need longer bolts, depending. You can definitely find all manner of videos on YouTube, many of which were made by people that know what they’re doing a whole lot better than I do.

Just curious, how much should i worry about teeth count and MM measurements for a new crankset? Or does it not matter at all?

This 105 is a pretty good price

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-5800-Road-Bike-Crankset/dp/B00MOAAC5W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524684533&sr=8-2&keywords=shimano%2B105%2Bcrankset&dpID=413jhK9m4eL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1&psc=1

Would having more teeth have any bonuses or negatives?

Sunlite but it looks pretty good on this bike.

nice bike! for improvements, maybe a top-half chainguard? example on my bike here . or maybe one like this (just the guard not the whole crankset) . i only recommend a chainguard because if you're living in minneapolis (guessed from the skyline) i suspect you dont always wear shorts!

I bought a new crank set the other week, and i just noticed that its technically a 9-speed set, But i have a 7-speed bike. Is this going to work or should i send it back for a different set. Also would it be more advantageous to just convert my bike to a 9 speed set up?


This is the crankset i bought : Shimano Deore m591


Thank you for your help!

perhaps this:

https://www.amazon.com/Sugino-Single-Speed-165mm-130mm/dp/B0068S1YH6/

but square taper, you can put anything you like on there. why do you want a 130mm BCD? you wanna change rings, you can probably get whatever ring you want for a 110bcd just fine.

It would be preferred if you got a chainring designed for the same speed as the rest of your drivetrain.

But, considering replacement FC-M361 full cranksets are super cheap on Amazon, I wouldn't bother with just the ring if you could find the right one.

http://amzn.com/B00288JWH4

Is there any way it wouldn't work with my bike? I got a Big Block, will it be just fine?

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-165mm-Black-Courier-Crankset/dp/B00554174Y

This looks pretty tempting.. I just want to make sure they would be fine with each other

Thanks! The SRAM 300 comes with a BB:
http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-CR32402-Parent-S300-Courier-Crankset/dp/B00GZJ504G

Looks like the Andel setup is about $25 cheaper overall.

You just replace the whole crankset. Take the chainrings off to keep as spares and put the rest of the cranks in the recycle. Get another square taper 104mm BCD chainset like this. It's a potentially expensive mistake but one a lot of beginners to bicycle maintenance make. Just in case you weren't aware, one of the pedals is reverse threaded.

You can replace it yourself but you might need to buy a tool or two.

Are you sure your pedal is damaged? Normally it is just the crank arm that strips as the pedal thread is much harder steel. You might need to use a wire brush to clean out the threads.

I wouldnt go with the Sugino Messenger. The S300 is much better and will be about the same price if not cheaper (the bb is included on the s300).

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-S300-Courier-Crankset-165mm/dp/B00FA5PPIC

If you do happen to get the messenger the bb that you selected will not work. This is what you will need

http://www.citygrounds.com/sugino/sugino-cbbf103-bottom-bracket-3041/color/BLACK

SRAM S300 singlespeed, or Omnium, and you'll be good to go.

http://www.citygrounds.com/aventon/aventon-cordoba-track-frame-3532?color=MATTE_BLACK

http://www.retro-gression.com/product/alpina-f04-track-fork

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-S300-Courier-Crankset-165mm/dp/B00FA5PPIC

http://www.amazon.com/Charge-Spoon-Saddle-Black-Cromo/dp/B00GJPJ7PO/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1404634859&sr=1-1&keywords=charge+spoon

http://www.amazon.com/FSA-Omega-Compact-Round-Black/dp/B001GSODAS/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1404634799&sr=1-4&keywords=compact+drops

http://www.amazon.com/KMC-K710SL-SuperLite-Bicycle-1-Speed/dp/B001CNC2VY/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1404634840&sr=1-1&keywords=kmc+710sl



This would be solid for 600

You have a BSA / ISO / English threaded 68mm wide bottom bracket shell.

You currently have a square taper bottom bracket. They come with various lengths of spindles. If you look on the manufacturer's page for any given square taper crankset a little digging should tell you what spindle length is needed to get proper chainline with that crankset.

If you go with an external bearing crankset like the SRAM S-300 Courier (the less expensive 130 BCD version of the SRAM Omnium 144 BCD) the spindle is part of the crankset and not part of the bottom bracket and so there's no need to worry about the bottom bracket dimension (though you do need to watch for English vs Italian vs French threading.)

Mind that S300 is $125-150 with bottom bracket but you'll need to budget for two tools to remove the old crankset and bottom bracket and one tool to install the new bottom bracket.

Most sub $100 cranksets are going to be some variant of the Origin 8 track crankset which is nothing fancy. A bike that inexpensive probably has a crap bottom bracket and would benefit from a Shimano one IF ANYTHING. Possible not, for if it isn't broke there's nothing to fix.

Damn I honestly don't know. Still kinda noobish when it gets down to all the measurements on my bike.

Here's all the info about the stock components on my bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm

And here's the crankset and bb: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00554174Y

I believe this crankset has removable chainrings. You could just buy that and use the BB you have and buy a 1x chainring. https://www.amazon.com/SRAM-S600-Crankset-8-speed-42-32-22T/dp/B003UW9R68/ref=sr_1_8?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1468890053&sr=1-8&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2765692011

How about Sugino?

http://www.amazon.com/Sugino-Single-Speed-165mm-130mm/dp/B0068S1YH6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1415203910&sr=8-7&keywords=sugino+crankset

Non-mobile: this

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

so this would work i plan on ordering tonight.
http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-165mm-Black-Courier-Crankset/dp/B00554174Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371339953&sr=8-1&keywords=sram+fixed