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I am currently gathering parts for the Cove Hustler 27.5 frame I have purchased & the last item on the list is a groupset. As I am going to keep my Anthem as my XC steed, I am quite keen on trying a 1 X 11 setup for the Cove & Merlin are offering the following for £295.96. I notice the cranks are 175mm & I am obviuosly more accustomed with 170mm cranks on my other bikes.
Does 5mm in the cranks make a noticable difference? I was wondering if perhaps 175's dont sell well & bundling them with decent groupset offer gets rid of them. The spec is as follows, & to me it seems like a good deal. What do you think?
Specification:
Chainset Options: FCM7000 175mm / 32t chainring
Bottom Bracket: XT M800 BSA Threaded
Cassette: CSM7000 11-42 - 11 speed
Chain: CN-HG601 11 speed
Rear Derailleur: RDM7000 GS
Disc Brakes: BR-M7000 1000mm front hose, 1700mm rear hose. Post mount fitting front & rear (excludes rotors)
Gear levers: SLM7000 I-Spec 11, fits direct to the SLX disc brake lever. Gear cables included.
Looks good to me, it's hard to 'hate on' (see, I'm still young). Shimano stuff, yeah no doubt SRAM make a lighter this and someone will tell you about the nightmares they've had with older Shimano brakes but you know it'll all work.
I went from 175 to 170 a little while back, can't say it made anything come alive, you'll be fine and if it does kill many kittens then nowadays Shimano only sell the crank arms so you'd only need to buy the bit you need.
P.S. The arms will wear on the cranks in seconds, either helitape them before you use them or learn to live with it.
I'm fairly sure I've got 175mm cranks on my Vitus HT and they're fine.
I think shorter cranks are more popular on FS bikes because of pedal strikes but it's less of a problem on a hardtail.
I bought a Merlin XT groupset for my Patrol and that came with 175mm cranks. Had read loads about about how low the bottom bracket is on the Patrol and 175mm cranks would leave me with no end of pedal strikes....... In reality, I very rarely get any. Go for it I say, it's a good deal 🙂
Does 5mm in the cranks make a noticable difference?
For me its agony over a great day out....
I was wondering if perhaps 175's dont sell well
I never thought about it but you could be right.... at least people who go out and change cranks might be over-represented in buying 170's ??? (not that 175's don't sell but that perhaps more people who get a bike with 175's are changing to 170's ??)
I did one ride on my T-130 with the 175's....after that I was in agony for a week.... knees and hips (I'm a old fogey but that doesn't mean younger riders aren't doing damage, they just repair easier) ....
I switched the cranks for some 170's off my other bike and all was well.
I'd have considered 175mm to be standard. On 70s now as BBs have got lower, but the chances are you'll notice no difference.
[i][s]chances are[/s] you'll notice no difference.[/i] 🙂
Looks like a great price that. Wish I hadn't seen it..
Erm, Wiggle's is only £10 more and includes rotors (going by the pics)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-slx-m7000-groupset/
But then.. "Extra 20% off SLX Groupsets Save An Extra £58.00 at the checkout" on Merlin 😆
[annnd another edit] "Merlin are offering the following for £295.96" - the disc brake version is £369.95 on the website now...
175mm are normal aren't they?
My 11 year old manages with 170mm no problem, I'm sure any issue would be more noticeable there. I've used a mix, and can't say I really notice it.
CRC are cheaper after the 10% BC discount. £315 BUT that includes the x2 Ice Tech rotors in 180mm if you're happy with Centrelock.
175 is just a figure that was determined with no scientific basis... like 120mm was "normal for a stem" .Manufacturers stuck it on bikes and so Shimano and SRAM supply them.
It's become "normal" because that's what bike manufacturers put on.
The thing is though that there is no "normal person" - I have relatively short legs compared to my arms and back.... others are the opposite etc.
10mm (which is 5mm x2) can be a significant change to a stem or chainstay length. I find that 170mm t0 165mm on my Medium T-130 makes no difference I can feel... but 170mm-175mmm makes a HUGE difference. It might be on a small T-130 it makes no difference .... In the same way I can add 10mm to the stem on my current bike and feel no difference ... because 10mm on the stem wouldn't shift where I am on the saddle or balance wise (just different arm extension)
It does however push me into an uncomfortable position on crank length
Thanks guys. When it works out with discounts, Wiggle are 1p cheaper & there is an illustration (but no mention) of centre lock discs, that would no fit my wheels anyway. It's a shame their £40 off does not include cycle parts, but thats asking a bit much at this time of year methinks.
That is a good price but as others have noted, I found Wiggle to be the cheapest lately
When I went 1X11 a couple of weeks back I kept my existing Deore cranks and just added a Hope N/W ring. An XT rear mech, chain, shifters and cassette from Wiggle came in at around £210.
If you need the full groupset then that Merlin deal is decent but just for drivetrain bits then ask yourself if you really need the chainset if your current one will do.
Sometimes Merlin or crc do gear kit offers, normally just drivetrain excluding brakes and chainset. Might be worth a look then get chainset separately.
Nah it's a new frame I'm building up. I have seen a similar deal on ebay from China 😯 for £229.00. Buts thats without the calipers & stuff (which I dont actually need), but for £65 more with a pair of calipers/levers in the U.K. It's gotta be a no brainer.