I am having a new fixed frame built, and I would like to put a nice crankset on it. After looking at 5 choices (Record Pista; Miche Primato; Stronglight Track; Sugino 75; TA Alize), I'm stuck between the Record Pista and the Stronglight Track.

The Pista is beautiful, expensive (I can get it for $260); 144 BCD.
The Stronglight is very nice too; much cheaper ($124); 130 BCD. So it has some advantages.

Why is the Stronglight so much less expensive than the others? Are the others (and specifically Record Pista) that much better? Any comments?

TIA.

I am having a new fixed frame built, and I would like to put a nice crankset on it. After looking at 5 choices (Record Pista; Miche Primato; Stronglight Track; Sugino 75; TA Alize), I'm stuck between the Record Pista and the Stronglight Track.

The Pista is beautiful, expensive (I can get it for $260); 144 BCD.
The Stronglight is very nice too; much cheaper ($124); 130 BCD. So it has some advantages.

Why is the Stronglight so much less expensive than the others? Are the others (and specifically Record Pista) that much better? Any comments?

TIA.

Performance wise, there is very little difference.

It can be argued that a 144 BCD crank is stiffer but I have 144 BCD DA track cranks and cannot tell any difference between it and standard DA 130 BCD cranks.
If it were me, I'd go with the Record. The $136 difference spread over the life of the bike is minimal...and those pista cranks are so darn good looking....

Realizing the Stronglights are 130 BCD (rather than 144), I'm now considering them over the Sugino 75. That way, all three of my bikes - road, cx, and fixed - will have the same BCD, plus the range of available chainring sizes significantly opens up. I'm also curious why the Stronglights are priced more competetively. I'm w/Dave - that Campy crank is gorgeous! I'd go that route if it's a custom fixie or something extra 'shhpeshhial'. Otherwise the Stronglight will definitely suffice.

At 130 mm BCD, they have to compete with all the other standard road cranks, as well as the 130 track cranks. Much less competition at 144, and they're probably making sweeping generalizations about the money that people with 144's have.

I have only used the Sugino 75, but it is excellent, very high quality and the chainring is almost perfectly true and round so chain tension is consistent and easy to set...

Are you using the 49T stock chainring or something smaller? I'd like to run a 44T ring but don't see any options, besides RocketRing and maybe Specialties TA that make one, and in silver.

I'd go with the pista too.....:D

Are you using the 49T stock chainring or something smaller? I'd like to run a 44T ring but don't see any options, besides RocketRing and maybe Specialties TA that make one, and in silver.

I am indeed using the 49t...it might be worth contacting John at businesscycles.com to see what other rings are available, he would definitely know (he has an encyclopedic knowledge of track parts), and FWIW he sells the crankarms and chainrings seperately, got mine from him that way...I have no connection to businesscycles, am just a satisfied customer

Sugino introduced their Zen messenger line in 144 bcd in lower tooth count (42-45) to add to the usual track chainring line up. TA rings suck (almost never round) and Rocket rings are marginal quality.

If you keep an eye out you can usually pick up an older Campy road inner ring from when road cranks were offered with 144 bcd.