I'm looking at either a Roubaix comp or elite double. Having a 53, I think for me, is way too much gear. I usually, unfortunately, ride alone so I don't think I'll need that much gear.
Has anyone swapped cranksets? I think a 50/34 would be ideal. What are your thoughts?

Thanks.
Lou.

I just bought an '04 Roubaix Pro (picked up last weekend) and switched out the Dura Ace 10 speed double 53/39 crankset with an FSA Carbon Pro Elite Compact 50/34. I also switched out the Dura Ace 12/25 cassette with a 12/27. I need the lower gearing for hill climbing and I also have a bad back. I also had to get a new bottom bracket because the FSA crank uses the ISIS standard, so I got an FSA Platimun Pro Ti bottom bracket. The front derailler needed to be lowered and I think the chain had to be shortened. This was all done by the LBS prior me getting the bike new.

I've ridden the bike once and the dura-ace shifts just as smooth and precisely as the original setup. The benefits of a compact double vs. going to a triple are that the compact is lighter weight, and the shifting is more precise. I am happy with the compact :D
I can take some photos of my setup if you are interested.

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/fly.aspx?layout=product&taxid=21&pid=51
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/fly.aspx?layout=product&taxid=29&pid=72

I am happy with the compact :D
I can take some photos of my setup if you are interested.

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/fly.aspx?layout=product&taxid=21&pid=51
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/fly.aspx?layout=product&taxid=29&pid=72

I don't want you to go out of your way BUT I would love to see some pics. :)
I was under the impression that the front der. would have to be changed also, but, if not, all the better.

Thanks.
Lou.

I haven't done it but I thought seriously about it and did the gear calculations-they seem to work out nicely. Just make sure your rear derailleur can handle the extra chain slack.

Lou,
The frint derailler does not need to be replaced, just adjusted.
I will try to take and post some photos this weekend. I need to take some photos anyway for insurance purposes if my baby is ever stolen :(
BTW, this forum is really slow accessing. I hope I can get these photos imported. I sometimes can't even log onto this site. They need to upgrade their servers.

I'm looking at either a Roubaix comp or elite double. Having a 53, I think for me, is way too much gear. I usually, unfortunately, ride alone so I don't think I'll need that much gear.
Has anyone swapped cranksets? I think a 50/34 would be ideal. What are your thoughts?

Thanks.
Lou.

and like it so far... but I've only had about 5 rides on it. I find that I'm using the big chainring quite a bit, and I find myself in the 50/23, sometimes wanting the 50/25 more than I like... naturally it's easier to stay in the 50 when you would have shifted down from the 53. Also, the 34 is a big jump down from the 42 I had in my previous crankset. This is a roundabout way of saying that I haven't found the transition from the 50 to the 34 yet. Too early to tell, but I think I saw that Campy is making a 50/36, and that might be the next iteration in compacts to watch out for...

A few other points... doing intervals I've been quite happy with the 50/12... don't spin it out, and don't notice much difference from the 52/12...also, the 34/25 seems more than adequate for most hills.

Oh yeah, I really like the look of my FSA Carbon double crankset.... sweet!