Hybrid cranks

"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.

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

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]

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

"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