Shimano FC-R700

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Space Mountain

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR composite, 105 shifters, ultegra drivetrain.

Summary:
Though the R700 crank has a more or less great track record and is known to be the workhorse of Shimano's line of cranks, my experience has not been a good one.

My first R700 came stock on a Felt I purchased new and developed a loud creaking noise after about 400 miles, that worsened with each ride. In a full-blown noise finding conquest, the bottom bracked was replaced, the crank taken apart, splines re-greased, crank arm bolts replaced and greased, etc, etc, etc. Each time the crank was taken off the noise would disappear for a ride or so and then return just the same. Finally the crank was sent back on warranty, a new one arriving the following week, no problems.

I have since purchased a new Giant TCR equipped with the same R700 crankset and am having the same noise arise from the new one. This crank made it about 1000 miles without the problem, but it came on nonetheless.

I am now faced with the decision of whether to warranty this crank, or buy a different crankset and move on. I've just had bad luck with this product I suppose, because I know that it's reputation is a good one. I however cannot recommend this crankset.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, and very smooth. Shifts perfectly and quietly.

Weaknesses:
Clicking and creaking drives me absolutely nuts!

Price Paid:  $175.00 at Bike Maui

Favorite Ride:
Colorado National Monument

Bike Setup:
Kestral Talon frame
Ultegra components, front & rear.

Summary:
My new Kestrel Talon came stock with the FSA Gossamer compact crank. The crank didn't work. It would spit and grind, and misshift, and would grind at the high and low gears. I had the bike tuned by a veteran mechanic, and it still didn't work.

I replaced it with the Shimano R700. WHAT A DIFFERENCE A CRANK MAKES. This crank shifts flawlessly. In fact, it is the smoothest thing I've ever ridden. The jump from 34 to 52 is almost fast and precise. There's no drag.

Strengths:
Smooth shift.
Quick 'n Easy installation.
Relatively lightweight.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano 105 8-speed
FSA Gossamer 10-speed compact

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Specialised S-Works Tarmac

Mavic Ksyriums

Dura-Ace

Carbon bars

Summary:
Best upgrade I have made to my bike. I am a light weight guy and have always been a reasonable climber. This makes me even better allowing me to keep the cadence higher (and reduce lactic acid build up).



This crank shifts flawlessly (just as well as the dura-ace 53/39) it replaced. I am using 10 speed Dura-Ace cassette and chain.



In the intermediat gears I now enjoy having the gears spaced closer together. Sometimes with the old 53/39 I felt I needed a cassette gear somewhere in between the two choices available.



A year down the road and no reliability issues whatsover.



External BB bearings have more drag/friction than old internal setup.



Now that I am getting fitter/stronger I am thinking about changing my cassette as I am on the verge of running out of gears downhill with the 12-25 cassette.

Strengths:
Shifts flawlessly.

Very good value for money.

Reasonably light weight

100% reliable.

Weaknesses:
Not a great looker - but it's grown on me.

Similar Products Used:
Dura-Ace 53/39

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Livermore Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Livermore countryside

Bike Setup:
Giant OCR C3 w/Shimano 105/Ultegra mix

Summary:
Swapped out the heavy, creaky TruVativ Elita GXP triple chainring for the R700 compact and WOW, what a difference in the hills...quieter, smoother, and lighter, everything I wanted...

Strengths:
As mentioned above, quiet, smooth, and lightweight, but still has the gears/speeds necessary for the terrain I spent most time on...

Weaknesses:
It's not all that pretty to look at...

Similar Products Used:
TruVativ Elita GXP triple
TruVativ Touro

Price Paid:  $175.00 at eBay

Bike Setup:
Trek Pilot 5.0 with Ultegra drive train.

Summary:
Replaced the Bontrager Race Lite Triple on my Trek Pilot. Installation was a breeze. I had planned to replace the triple deraileur with the ultegra double, but the brazeons were too high. I tried the original triple deraileur, and it worked perfectly. Didn't mind saving a few $$.

Strengths:
Shifts perfectly and I enjoy having the extra couple of low gears without needing the granny ring.

Weaknesses:
Not a work of art, but I can't see it when riding, so who cares?