Any question answered...

I'm looking for a crankset with the following criteria:

• Good value - durable but not too expensive
  
• Fixed/SS use
  
• External BB
  
• Silver
  
  

Edit: I'd be running a 135mm (mtb) rear hub with a 53.5mm chainline (Surly's fixed/disc "Ultra New" hub). I suppose I should start looking at MTB chainsets? Maybe some CX?

No idea what this is like... but here it is http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CSOOTC/on-one-external-bearing-track-crankset

Shimano Alfine?

Yeah. BUT I'M NOT ON A BIKE.
:(

@villa-ru - pin the fire on the dragon. Birthday party game.

Sounds like a rock and roll 40th

Enjoy

@dom Shimano FC-S500, limited to 39T or 45T but can be bought for cheap.

Thanks @RankinJ @andy_k @Lolo... I forgot to take into consideration I'd be running a 135mm (mtb) rear hub with a 53.5mm chainline (Surly's fixed/disc "Ultra New" hub).

I suppose I should start looking at MTB chainsets? Maybe some CX?

What's going on here with the fraying cable outer sticking out too far, and how do I prevent it from happening again?

1 Attachment

Dunno, but is that a crack in your downtube?

Thankfully no. My bike just has Morgellans.

Install Di2!

This is lfgss, throw money at the problem.

As was already suggested, Alfine meets this requirement (130 BCD) although with the chain guard you'll find you're probably not going to fit a 1/8" chain.
I upgraded to Ultegra 6601 SL when my Alfine began to wear and Wiggle had it on offer. It's gunmetal grey rather than silver and I used the Alfine chainguard to pad out the chainring bolts for fixed use. 130BCD is a bit of a pain for track chainrings but TA do them and Cycle Surgery carry stock

1x11 wireless is the only logical solution!

Alfine meets this requirement (130 BCD) although with the chain guard you'll find you're probably not going to fit a 1/8" chain.

Even with a ⅛" chainring mounted where the chainguard usually goes, the FC-S500 Alfine only gives a 46.5mm chainline. There's just about enough room to pad it out to 53.5mm and still have the DS crank miss the chain, but on a bike with a 135mm rear end it's quite possible that either the crank or the spider will hit the chainstay.

Lasco from velosolo?

All else being equal, which wheel-set would you choose:

Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLS or Shimano RS81 C50?

Wheel-set will be used for posing on club runs and very occasional times I chose to race on my road bike. Front will also do dual duty as a stand in for my H3 on long distance TTs and Tris where I'd prefer to run clinchers.

There probably isn't much difference in terms of aeros, I think the Mavics are a touch lighter (and shamefully I think I prefer the graphics) but I think I'm leaning towards the reliability of shimano. Also happy to consider any alternatives that are the same price or cheaper but these would already stretch the budget.

Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLS or Shimano RS81 C50?

RS81. Wider rim, better bracing angle as the spokes actually end at the inner diameter of the rim, 2:1 laced rear.

bend the cables to desired position, then cut

Thanks for all the responses regarding the crankset.

I'm giving up on finding silver components so black is fine and opens up a lot more options.

Perhaps I should go for something MTB specific, like so:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-zee-m640-10-speed-chainset/rp-prod82416

I'll need to do some research to ensure it'll play nice with a 53.5mm chainline on 135mm fixed hub, but is there any reason not to go for something like this with a fixed setup?

Nope

Nope

No reason not to? Great.

Turns out that M640 crankset has a 50.4mm chainline. Is it as simple as spacing the drive-side BB cup by 3mm to achieve (almost) the desired 53.5mm chainline?

No reason not to. On a 68mm BB you'll be able to take the single 2.5mm spacer from the NDS and add it to the two on the DS, should get your chainline pretty close.

Perfect, thanks dude!

Leave the BB where it is and mount the chainring in the outer position instead.