Chainset for BB30

[ChrisMCoupe]

Was in the 'lets spend money on my bike' frame of mind this weekend and thought that my 105 groupset could do with a change. Not really interested in Di2 but thought a mechanical DA group would be lovely.

Turns out that Shimano don't make chainsets for BB30, and from looking online, they don't plan to either? This seems a pretty big market they are missing out on to me as many manufacturers are going down the over-sized BB route.

Can anyone recommend a decent upgrade from the current FSA Gossamer that I have now. The FSA K-Light/K-Force seem expensive, are they worth the money?

I see Cannondale make their own chainsets that seem well regarded but can't see anyone in the UK that sells them?

[IroningMan]

I suspect that using BB30 would involve Shimano in paying licence fees to Cannondale and whoever else shares the patent - could be wrong, though.

You can get adaptors that allow you to fit Shimano HT2 bottom brackets to BB30 frames, though: have a look at Rotor - come to that, what about one of their chainsets?

[ChrisMCoupe]

Thanks, looked at the Rotor adapter and does look like a possible solution, although not sure if this is just complicating the issue

[Raven Flyer]

I am using SRAM Force 2013 on BB30. This was Red in 2012 so you get the lovely carbon cranks and skeleton chainrings.

I am using Di2 on these rings.

This set up is just over 200g lighter than the equivalent Ultegra and is mega stiff.

[itsnotarace]

http://wheelsmfg.com/bb-30-shims-shimano.html

Or just buy a Rotor 3D+ which is designed for BB30

[Matt_N]

Yep I have SRAM Force 2012 on my Tarmac, really annoys me actually as I have Ultegra and then SRAM cranks!

Only real upgrade for me from there that isn't SRAM is the S-Works crankset.

[paulmon]

If you have money to spend it would be better spent on other parts of the bike (unless you have already maxed out the upgrades). I looked into changing the chainset a while ago as there were a few Cannondale branded chainsets on ebay for not much money. However a bit of research uncovered possible issues with mixing it with the rest of the 105 gear. The difference in weight between the two was so small it didn't stack up.

Wheels, tyres, bars, seat, seatpost all offer bigger gains from a weight perspective and can change the look of the bike quite dramatically.

Edited by paulmon on Monday 12th August 15:02

[Bobley]

I bought 2 SLK chainsets from this chap

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FSA-SLK-Light-Cr-39-...

We run a double with a Sora mech and a Triple with an ultegra mech (both with 105 5600 rear using 4600 or 6500 casettes). Both work very well and dont weigh much at all. Should save you 209g. It saved 357g compared to my sons Omega crank.

Edited by Bobley on Monday 12th August 15:34

[ChrisMCoupe]

itsnotarace, From Googling these I've read people saying that the shims you linked can cause creaks, which I wouldn't really want to risk. I think something like the Rotor adapter seems like a better option.

Paul, I've upgraded most things now apart from the cockpit. I'm not really doing it to save weight specifically, or to get the most bang for my buck. Mainly just because I want to upgrade my 105, which is getting a bit tired anyway, plus despite me setting up my front mech on many occasions, I think the existing chainset I have is a bit knackered.

Have seen some of the Cannondale SISL ones no Ebay. Very nice but very pricey, and I wouldn't buy something like that from ebay if I can help it.

Would love to go full DA setup if I can guarantee the adaptors work faultlessly.

[d8mok]

Ive fitted a Sram Red Black compact to my supersix 105. Feels lots stiffer and is lighter too.

[BadgerBenji]

IroningMan said:

I suspect that using BB30 would involve Shimano in paying licence fees to Cannondale and whoever else shares the patent - could be wrong, though.

It was done in a similar manner to open source software, here's a standard the industry can hang it's hat on, please use it. No money to Cannondale, what it did spawn was a load of people all trying to out do the design hence the PF30, BB386 et al.

[ChrisMCoupe]

Bobley, thanks for that ebay link, he does seem very reasonably priced!

The more I heard Sram mentioned the more I'm looking at jumping ship to Sram Red. Does anyone here run a full Sram Red 2013 setup, or even the new Red 22? The double tap shift looks like it wouldn't take too much getting used to, I will have to see if I can try out the hoods to see how they compare to Shimano.

Anyone else made the jump from Shimano to Sram?

[ChrisMCoupe]

Well I appear to have bought an SRAM Red groupset! Worked out it saves around a kilo over my 105 and looking forward to trying something different to shimano. Had a little play with a friends force setup and double tap seems like it will be fine.

An early happy birthday present to myself

[paulmon]

ChrisMCoupe said:

Well I appear to have bought an SRAM Red groupset! Worked out it saves around a kilo over my 105 and looking forward to trying something different to shimano. Had a little play with a friends force setup and double tap seems like it will be fine.

An early happy birthday present to myself

Very interested to see how u get own with these. Are u fitting them yourself? Would u mind sharing how much it cost (PM if u prefer).

Cheers
Paul

[ChrisMCoupe]

Good question and I haven't fully decided yet. I'm happy adjusting/indexing my gears up till now, but never fully cable routed or swapped a BB. So will possibly do a bit of a half job then get the cabling done at the LBS.

Bought from Merlin Cycles so I'm sure you can find out

[BadgerBenji]

Excellent purchasing, don't know why don't mind setting up the rear shifting on the sram, but the front I always seem to take longer on. Take time, cups of tea and biscuits and just get it all wired in. Don't forget the fun of bar taping as well.