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Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:46 am
by Amy
Any ideas how I can get hold of one of these? It's all my bike needs to be finished!!

Went to Pearson's yesterday to finalise the spec and when he phoned Trek, the importer for Bontrager in this country, he was told that the 165mm version was not imported :cry:

I decided to go for 165mm has I already have one bike with 165mm and the other 167mm and thought changing between them to a 170mm might be a little bit too much for my knees - especially in the summer when I might be out on the new bike and then off on holiday on the tourer with the 165mm cranks :?

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:33 am
by Grahame
I can't seem to find them anywhere online.

[url=http://rbikes.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=14090&affiliate=2]these people[/url] claim to have them, but won't sell them on the t'interweb.

Perhaps it's time to get Steve Dennis (our man in New York) on the case? Or perhaps, David D our (temporary) man in Texas to check the shops there?

Otherwise, those lovely producers of precision bicycle parts (Shimano) have plenty of options in the 165mm crank length, compact chainset range.

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:00 pm
by Amy
Thanks for looking - Bontrager says they won't allow dealers to sell over the internet so that you don't have any problems with your purchase :?

I may have to go down the Shimano route but had hoped to avoid it - especially has it'll be the one Shimano bit on the bike and would be 'working' with Campag block. I've managed to maintain some sort of ??? (brain's gone, can't think of word) but anyway, I have Enigma frame with Enigma forks and seat post and Bontrager handlebars and stem and what would've been the crank set :evil:

I already owe the other Steve Dennis for the clothing order I did last year so maybe I'll just consolidate my debt with him. Steve, if you're reading this - would that be alright? I will definite pay you for postage this time and last, come hell or high water. Can't think who David D is.

A small thought - I bet they inport them into mainland Europe :?

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:09 pm
by Marky Mark
I did look on the Web for you also. People lie when it's turns up on their search engine, but when you are actually in the site nothing is there. Good luck Amy in your quest for the Golden Crank!!

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:46 pm
by Amy
Thanks, Marky Mark. I've asked Bontrager directly - you never know. Unfortunately, it's also not straightforward as I also want to change the 50 to a 48....

I think I might wait awhile before trying to ask the Other Steve Dennis - from his post tonight I take it that the Other Steve Dennis household is going to have to get used to a new arrival :wink:

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:50 pm
by Sylv
[quote="Amy"]Thanks, Marky Mark. I've asked Bontrager directly

Let us know what Keith says!

If it's, "strong, light, cheap - pick any two" just tell him we've heard that one before.

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:53 pm
by Amy
Pardon?

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:57 pm
by Sylv
Excusez moi

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id= ... /bontrager

[quote]CN: You once said, "Cheap, light, strong; choose two." But we're now seeing plenty of surprisingly inexpensive frames and parts at weights that would have cost the earth ten years ago. What gives?

KB: "Strong, light, cheap. pick two" describes the situation an engineer faces in product design or what a consumer faces when selecting a product in a very accurate way - if you don't consider world economics. If fairly complex things can be made properly in a place where very inexpensive, skilled labor is available the simple rule can unravel a bit. The important part of that last line is "can be made properly" of course.

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:04 pm
by Amy
Ah, thanks for the clarification.

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:12 pm
by Grahame
David D is one of the "more mature" gentlemen usually to be found in the 17mph groups on Saturday mornings.

He is currently visiting his son in Texas. All is explained in [url=http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6452]this thread[/url] from the general forum

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:49 pm
by Elliot M
The Bontrager GXP appears to be a rebadged (SRAM) Truvativ Rouleur Carbon GXP, so you could see if you can get hold of one of those in a 165?

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:54 pm
by Amy
thanks - am now looking at other options. My mechanical friend has located some other cranksets in 165mm and preferably in 48/34 (I think I forgot to mention that I want to change the outer from a standard 50 to a 48...) The problem is that although they might make 165 cranks, they ain't necessarily available in the UK... :evil:

I'm also trying to avoid square taper bottom brackets...

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:09 pm
by Grahame
[quote="Amy"]I'm also trying to avoid square taper bottom brackets...

May I ask why?

The square taper bottom bracket lasts longer than either an Octalink or (especially) an ISIS equivalent, largely due to using larger ball bearings which are better able to withstand the loads. They also have less friction than any of the outboard bearing designs.

OK, they may be a bit less stiff, but (honestly) I've never noticed the difference to be significant, and (paron me if this seems a little off) I'm probably a lttle stronger than you in the leg department, and I know I'm significantly heavier.

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:20 am
by Amy
On the advice of my mechanic - cos otherwise I aint got a clue :|

Re: Wanted: Bontrager GXP RaceLite Compact Crank Set 165mm 50/34

PostPosted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:39 am
by Mike I
You might also have a chat with this mob...

[url]http://www.highpath.co.uk/cycles/index.html[/url]

I can't remember exactly what I was trying to do, but they once offered to engineer me a chainring from scratch - at a price :shock: . They might not have what you want, but it might be worth picking their brains.