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Hybrid cranks

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Road Cycling
Published
10 February 2005
Last activity
11 February 2005
Original author
Vaughn Hawk
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  1. Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.

    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?

    I guess it's considered a "compact road crank" after looking around...
    ideas on those? The selections I have seen were pretty limited, and I
    can't really see paying $300 for a crank, when my bike cost me $500...
    Stiff, light, 48t, to much to ask for under $200?

  2. "Vaughn Hawk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.
    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?
    I guess it's considered a "compact road crank" after looking around...
    ideas on those? The selections I have seen were pretty limited, and I
    can't really see paying $300 for a crank, when my bike cost me $500...
    Stiff, light, 48t, to much to ask for under $200?

    Well I am not sure about what it is you really are wanting to do.
    I don't see how putting in a $900 trick crankset would make you go faster.
    But it might garner oohs and auhhs when you are stopped and talking with
    other people.
    The Specialized Hybrid Sirrus comes with 48/38/28t chainrings and a 12-26t
    cassette. Which is a good choice for city riding.
    A road bike might typically have 52/42/30 tooth chainrings. So being
    optimistic you might want to have road bike chainrings installed
    to give you the higher top end speed. For practical purposes a 48/12 and a
    52/12 aren't all that different in speed, on a hybrid as you have the higher
    body position to cause a lot of drag.
    But you can do the same thing using a different cassette with a 11 tooth
    small sprocket as a 48/11 tooth gear combination ratio comes out about the
    same as a 52/12 ratio. I am quite partial to the wide ratio Shimano
    Megarange 11 to 36 tooth cassette myself. I like both the granny gear and
    the downhill gear.

  3. Earl Bollinger said:

    "Vaughn Hawk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.
    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?
    I guess it's considered a "compact road crank" after looking around...
    ideas on those? The selections I have seen were pretty limited, and I
    can't really see paying $300 for a crank, when my bike cost me $500...
    Stiff, light, 48t, to much to ask for under $200?

    Well I am not sure about what it is you really are wanting to do.
    I don't see how putting in a $900 trick crankset would make you go faster.
    But it might garner oohs and auhhs when you are stopped and talking with
    other people.
    The Specialized Hybrid Sirrus comes with 48/38/28t chainrings and a 12-26t
    cassette. Which is a good choice for city riding.
    A road bike might typically have 52/42/30 tooth chainrings. So being
    optimistic you might want to have road bike chainrings installed
    to give you the higher top end speed. For practical purposes a 48/12 and a
    52/12 aren't all that different in speed, on a hybrid as you have the higher
    body position to cause a lot of drag.
    But you can do the same thing using a different cassette with a 11 tooth
    small sprocket as a 48/11 tooth gear combination ratio comes out about the
    same as a 52/12 ratio. I am quite partial to the wide ratio Shimano
    Megarange 11 to 36 tooth cassette myself. I like both the granny gear and
    the downhill gear.


    Personally, I have a Shugino(sp?) front crank set with 42/32/20 up front
    and that 42 can go up to a 46 (48?) on that bolt pattern. I have seen
    the 46 tooth on Ebay a number of times, but I don't know if there really
    is a 48. My rear goes from 11-32 so my top is 42/11 and my granny is
    20/32, (a real granny). The 42/11 is about as much as I want to push on
    the level so the reason for a 46/11 or 48/11 would be down hill blasts
    at 30-40+ MPH. The 48/32/20 might be too much for the front derailuer
    and cause me to lose the 20 tooth and go to a 24. I don't know which is
    worth it, since downhill high speed runs are rare, and the super granny
    helps me when I hit a big hill after 70 miles of riding.
    I bought the Sugino for the real reason that all 3 chainrings can be
    changed to make any compibation I want. I also have a Shimano on my
    other MTB the can go down to a 26 and up to a 58. The 58 is overkill
    even with a 14-34 on the back but again all the chainrings are changable
    to fit you needs. Both cranks are 5 bolt patterns but you may find this
    in a 4 bolt crank.
    Happy shopping.
    BTW, Ebay is not that bad and you sometimes find a real jewel.
    Bill Baka

  4. Vaughn Hawk said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.

    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?

    You're looking in the wrong place for speed, if you concentrate
    solely on the crank.

    The pedal is where it all starts, and from the pedal to the crank.

    Your best bet is to obtain some pedals that are attached to Lance
    Armstrong's feet and then install these pedals on your cranks.

    Your bike will really *fly* .

    Quoted message said:

    I guess it's considered a "compact road crank" after looking around...
    ideas on those? The selections I have seen were pretty limited, and I
    can't really see paying $300 for a crank, when my bike cost me $500...
    Stiff, light, 48t, to much to ask for under $200?

    [email hidden]

  5. nobody said:
    Vaughn Hawk said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.

    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?

    You're looking in the wrong place for speed, if you concentrate
    solely on the crank.

    The pedal is where it all starts, and from the pedal to the crank.

    I thought that the reason they sell lighter cranks (or wheels), imo, is b/c
    this is 'rotating' weight. Anything that is rotating on the bike imparts a
    larger penalty on speed, iirc. So lighter wheels, cranks, I dunno, chain??,
    would be where to cut weight first is what I've heard.

    jj

  6. Vaughn Hawk said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.

    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?

    Would you put mag wheels on an '87 Subaru stationwagon?

    Buy an expensive lens for one of those giveaway 35-mm cameras?

    Install solid wood floors in a double-wide trailer?

    Ride your bike.

  7. Bill Sornson said:
    Vaughn Hawk said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.

    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?

    Would you put mag wheels on an '87 Subaru stationwagon?

    Buy an expensive lens for one of those giveaway 35-mm cameras?

    Install solid wood floors in a double-wide trailer?

    Ride your bike.


    I ride it every. single. day.
    period.

  8. Earl Bollinger said:

    "Vaughn Hawk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.
    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?
    I guess it's considered a "compact road crank" after looking around...
    ideas on those? The selections I have seen were pretty limited, and I
    can't really see paying $300 for a crank, when my bike cost me $500...
    Stiff, light, 48t, to much to ask for under $200?

    Well I am not sure about what it is you really are wanting to do.
    I don't see how putting in a $900 trick crankset would make you go faster.
    But it might garner oohs and auhhs when you are stopped and talking with
    other people.
    The Specialized Hybrid Sirrus comes with 48/38/28t chainrings and a 12-26t
    cassette. Which is a good choice for city riding.
    A road bike might typically have 52/42/30 tooth chainrings. So being
    optimistic you might want to have road bike chainrings installed
    to give you the higher top end speed. For practical purposes a 48/12 and a
    52/12 aren't all that different in speed, on a hybrid as you have the higher
    body position to cause a lot of drag.
    But you can do the same thing using a different cassette with a 11 tooth
    small sprocket as a 48/11 tooth gear combination ratio comes out about the
    same as a 52/12 ratio. I am quite partial to the wide ratio Shimano
    Megarange 11 to 36 tooth cassette myself. I like both the granny gear and
    the downhill gear.


    Actually, the flex of cranks, and the loss of rotational weight can
    make a big difference in the speed and responsiveness of a bike,
    particularly in acceleration. I am not out to 'ohh and ahh' jack,
    believe me. The reason why I am asking about cranks, is because I
    already KNOW all of the other parts. Pedals are basically pedals.
    Brakes (at least V brakes) are breaks. Etc... Just wasn't sure on the
    cranks. And I have no idea where to find a $900 set of cranks,
    wouldn't want em' if I did. I was looking more for brands, not really
    gear ratios, but thanks for the advise.

  9. nobody said:
    Vaughn Hawk said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.

    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?

    You're looking in the wrong place for speed, if you concentrate
    solely on the crank.

    The pedal is where it all starts, and from the pedal to the crank.

    Your best bet is to obtain some pedals that are attached to Lance
    Armstrong's feet and then install these pedals on your cranks.

    Your bike will really *fly* .

    Quoted message said:

    I guess it's considered a "compact road crank" after looking around...
    ideas on those? The selections I have seen were pretty limited, and I
    can't really see paying $300 for a crank, when my bike cost me $500...
    Stiff, light, 48t, to much to ask for under $200?

    [email hidden]

    I know which pedals I would like, but I'd like to go ahead and swap
    the drivetrain while I'm at it. I know all of the other components I
    am look for, except for the crank. Hense the question. But thanks for
    the advise.

  10. Vaughn Hawk said:
    Quoted message said:
    Vaughn Hawk said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.

    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone


    over

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and


    what's

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid


    bikes,

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike


    are...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for


    a

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    hybrid bike?


    I ride it every. single. day.
    period.

    I suppose the real question here is whether you are looking for
    lighter/racing parts, parts to add pizzazz, or are you just looking for
    higher gearing? If you just need greater gear-inches, then change your
    chainrings and/or cassette (a relatively inexpensive proposal). You
    won't need to change your cranks. Just be careful that you stay within
    the limits of your front derailler. You can go a few teeth bigger on
    the big ring and be fine. Go too big and you will have to swap out all
    three gears.

    -Buck

  11. Buck said:
    Vaughn Hawk said:
    Quoted message said:

    Vaughn Hawk wrote:
    > Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.
    >
    > I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone


    over

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    > work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and


    what's

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid


    bikes,

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike


    are...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for


    a

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > hybrid bike?


    I ride it every. single. day.
    period.

    I suppose the real question here is whether you are looking for
    lighter/racing parts, parts to add pizzazz, or are you just looking for
    higher gearing? If you just need greater gear-inches, then change your
    chainrings and/or cassette (a relatively inexpensive proposal). You
    won't need to change your cranks. Just be careful that you stay within
    the limits of your front derailler. You can go a few teeth bigger on
    the big ring and be fine. Go too big and you will have to swap out all
    three gears.

    -Buck


    No, I'm ok with the gear ratios, although I guess I could go as big as
    50 for sure, but I really like the gear spread as it is. Don't care
    about pizzaz. Just looking for a good deal in a stiff, light crank for
    a hybrid.

  12. "Vaughn Hawk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Earl Bollinger said:

    "Vaughn Hawk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Hey all, new to the group, long time cyclist.
    I used to ride mountain bikes almost exclusively, and have gone over
    to a hybrid bike (namely the Specialized Sirrus) for commuting to
    work. I'm familiar with mountain bike parts, what's good and what's
    not, and the same for road components. But on cranks for hybrid bikes,
    what should I be looking for? The one's that came on my bike are...
    functional, but not go fast stuff. What's a good go fast crank for a
    hybrid bike?
    I guess it's considered a "compact road crank" after looking around...
    ideas on those? The selections I have seen were pretty limited, and I
    can't really see paying $300 for a crank, when my bike cost me $500...
    Stiff, light, 48t, to much to ask for under $200?

    Well I am not sure about what it is you really are wanting to do.
    I don't see how putting in a $900 trick crankset would make you go faster.
    But it might garner oohs and auhhs when you are stopped and talking with
    other people.
    The Specialized Hybrid Sirrus comes with 48/38/28t chainrings and a
    12-26t
    cassette. Which is a good choice for city riding.
    A road bike might typically have 52/42/30 tooth chainrings. So being
    optimistic you might want to have road bike chainrings installed
    to give you the higher top end speed. For practical purposes a 48/12 and a
    52/12 aren't all that different in speed, on a hybrid as you have the
    higher
    body position to cause a lot of drag.
    But you can do the same thing using a different cassette with a 11 tooth
    small sprocket as a 48/11 tooth gear combination ratio comes out about the
    same as a 52/12 ratio. I am quite partial to the wide ratio Shimano
    Megarange 11 to 36 tooth cassette myself. I like both the granny gear and
    the downhill gear.


    Actually, the flex of cranks, and the loss of rotational weight can
    make a big difference in the speed and responsiveness of a bike,
    particularly in acceleration. I am not out to 'ohh and ahh' jack,
    believe me. The reason why I am asking about cranks, is because I
    already KNOW all of the other parts. Pedals are basically pedals.
    Brakes (at least V brakes) are breaks. Etc... Just wasn't sure on the
    cranks. And I have no idea where to find a $900 set of cranks,
    wouldn't want em' if I did. I was looking more for brands, not really
    gear ratios, but thanks for the advise.

    Well then you are probably looking for something like this, light, strong,
    and stiff MTB crankset.
    http://www.geehinchan.com/fsa/xc_mountainbike.htm
    or maybe a lighter even road crankset like this
    http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=13366&siteid=zoQVN.o8yT0-mjDohfgFJe9VrqiEDxitkw
    or maybe this road crankset
    http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=13565&siteid=zoQVN.o8yT0-tXctTw6uFj0o6GgXRuKEjA

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