Will FSA chainrings fit a SRAM chainset?

adodsk

Managed to bugger up the drive side of my FSA compact chainset and it looks expensive to replace like with like. Found a good deal on an SRAM compact chainset (same BCD with 46/38T) and it would give me the option of using lower gears if required, so i'm seriously considering it...

But will the FSA chainrings fit?

Greyspoke

If the chainrings have the same number of bolts, usually four or five, and the BCD is the same as you said it was then there shouldn't be any problem.
What exactly did you do to the original FSA chainset and why wouldn't you just use the SRAM one as it is, rather than mess around swapping chainrings?

blorg

46/38 sounds like a cyclocross chainset. It only gives you marginally lower gears than a standard double, not as low as a normal compact which has a 34. You also lose out on the high end with only 46 rather than 50. To be honest, unless it is for cyclocross it sounds like a very bad combo.

Greyspoke

blorg wrote: »

46/38 sounds like a cyclocross chainset. .

Good point!

adodsk

Thanks Greyspoke - I may give it a go.

It's for a Focus Mares cyclocross bike. It came with the 50/34 which is perfect for my usage at the moment but the deal is on the 46/38. It just gives me the option for different gearing but it's the crank i'm after really.

I stripped the thread for the pedal.:(:(:( I've read elsewhere this can be repaired with a Helicoil but I doubt this is available locally.

niceonetom

From your thread title I thought you just wanted to swap the chainrings on your crank - no problem. Now it seems you want to use you original rings on a new set of cranks. Am I reading you correctly?

maybe the question you should really be asking is:
will a new SRAM chainset work with my bottom bracket?

unless of course you're replacing the the BB as well as the cranks?

blorg

Fair enough, so you would transfer your existing rings. I wouldn't use those rings unless you are actually using that bike for cyclocross. It is a terrible ratio for the road.

I presume you stripped the thread on the drive side? You can get left-hand cranks reasonably cheaply usually.

blorg

niceonetom wrote: »

maybe the question you should really be asking is:
will a new SRAM chainset work with my bottom bracket?

Good point, and it won't, SRAM needs a GXP BB while FSA uses MegaExo. I believe FSA _may_ be compatible with Shimano in certain circumstances but SRAM/Truvativ/Bontrager are definitely different, they have different size openings left/right while the others have the same size.

adodsk

Yeah that 's why I have to replacing the whole thing. Both the FSA and SRAM come complete with BB. Just wondered if I could salvage the chainrings.

I've just found out that the SRAM cyclocross chainset has a 130BCD so that's no-go anyway. At this stage i'm resigned to that fact i'll have to get the FSA Gossamer compact or the SRAM Rival compact - both in a similar price range. (Don't have the FSA in my size left in the Planet X sale unfortunately). Any preferences between the two?

S'pose if I get the FSA I already have spare chainrings/BB/left crank....

Chips Lovell

I have an FSA Omega Carbon Pro compact chainset and Omega Mega Exo bottom bracket lying around. The pinch bolts on the non-driveside crank arm need to be replaced as the the heads are worn. It's well used, so I'd be willing to sell it on for a small enough sum. And despite the name, it isn't really carbon, rather alloy with a carbon wrapping.

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

I wouldn't use those rings unless you are actually using that bike for cyclocross. It is a terrible ratio for the road.

I like it very much (well, 36/46, which is near enough).

I don't understand how you can be such a keen fixie-palper but turn your nose up at a nice close-ratio combo like this.

blorg

If you are going to have gears in the first place you may as well have a suitable range. Fixed has other advantages other than "I don't have any gears."

I generally believe in using gears appropriate to the environment you will use the bike in.

46/38 is suitable for cross, insofar as that takes place on generally flattish courses where you won't see the top end speed you see in road racing.

It could be suitable for flattish commuting fine too. Not so great for up the mountains or for an all around road bike.

cdaly_

Adodsk wrote:

I stripped the thread for the pedal. I've read elsewhere this can be repaired with a Helicoil but I doubt this is available locally.

You need to look for an engineering shop (of the type who do engine head skimming and such). They're likely to have helicoil stuff. It's not that hard of a job, just a tap and the helicoil (a small spiral replacement thread) screws in. Biggest issue is using a type that won't screw through and out the other side...

Greyspoke

Here's something that might sort your problem if you haven't already fixed it. I spotted this in an advert in the latest Cycling Weekly: www.gbcycles.co.uk had an offer on an FSA Omega Compact chainset. 172.5 or 175mm cranks, 50/34 chainrings, BB included. Down from £79.99 to £49.99 No idea of p&p costs. Might be worth a look.

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

If you are going to have gears in the first place you may as well have a suitable range. Fixed has other advantages other than "I don't have any gears."

I generally believe in using gears appropriate to the environment you will use the bike in.

46/38 is suitable for cross, insofar as that takes place on generally flattish courses where you won't see the top end speed you see in road racing.

It could be suitable for flattish commuting fine too. Not so great for up the mountains or for an all around road bike.

I used my cross bike with a 36/46 on yesterday's memorial cycle. It was a bit like the Tour of Louth minus a little bit (the last half hour was at 37.5kph rather than the 39kph for the last hour of the Louth one).

I didn't spin out, and never felt inappropriately geared. The closeness of the front ratios (78%) was better than a compact (68%) or standard double (74%) which meant I could use a front shift for short hills rather than swapping a few cogs at the back.

At the risk of being unduly argumentative, I still maintain that a cyclocross chainset is an interesting and valid alternative for non-Alpine non-racing use (the OP in this case has a Focus Mares so is unlikely to be using it for road racing).

blorg

That was run over a flat course which indeed could suit that sort of ratio. When doing that course I would probably have remained in the big ring for the entire thing, certainly on a compact (50T). This is not to say that I would generally recommend to someone buying a road bike that they get one with only 1 chainring up front. I don't think it is a versatile all-around ratio for road use (and I think you are being contrary.) If you are only ever going to ride around Meath however by all means...

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

If you are only ever going to ride around Meath however by all means...

Hey, don't diss the Meath.

The extent of the effects of six thousand years of heritage astounds. Theatre sparkles, gardens are more colourful, celebrations are livelier and music vibrates with a rhythm that demands a toe tapping response. As for the people...

Maybe it's the water of the Boyne Valley, or some unknown blessing from an ancient god. Regardless of the source of Meath's specialness, it's worth experiencing.