Switch crank with new bike?

Hi all,

I'm planning to buy a Carbonda 505 frame, and since it's no longer BSA like I have now, I have to buy a new BB to convert from 386EVO to GXP. Because I've read bad things about GXP as a design (Hambini anyone?), and a BB isn't really cheap, I was thinking if I maybe couldn't go for a new crank?

So Right now I've got a 1x11 Apex 1 groupset on my bike with a single 42T chainring on front. Works fine apart from some creaking recently. But because I might want to experiment with chainring sizes (maybe go 40T or 44T depending on my area), and since my Apex 1 crank is the one with the proprietary chainring I can't really buy anything of the shelf.

So my question is, can I just buy something else and would that work with my current chain, cassette (11-42) and Apex 1 rear derailleur? For example I've been looking at the Shimano GRX 600 and 810 crank which are kinda affordable, and use the pretty standard 24mm spindle I believe. So that also gives me some options for in the future, right? But I'm not sure if that will work, and if they align with my cassette.

Also, I might go for an Eagle XX1 rear derailleur and 12 speed XD  cassette on the new bike when my Apex 1 groupset is all worn. Can I still use the same crank and/or chainring? I'm not sure how that works.

So here are the cases that I'm wondering if they work:

• 11 speed 11-42 SRAM cassette with Apex 1 rear derailleur with Shimano GRX 600 or 810 crank and chainring
• 12 speed 10-50 (for example) SRAM cassette  with Eagle X01 or XX1 AXS rear derailleur with the Apex 1 crank and chainring (so keep the current crank and chainring)
• 12 speed 10-50 (for example) SRAM cassette  with Eagle X01 or XX1 AXS rear derailleur with Shimano GRX 600 or 810 crank and chainring

Thanks in advance!

No one with any advice? 🙁

Gerben321 wrote:No one with any advice?

 
You're not really getting any advice because you are looking to setup a mismatched drivetrain.  Most people don't do this, so they can't really comment on it.  For best shifting performance you would be best off getting a matching drivetrain.  With that said, here are some comments on what you have listed.

From what I understand Shimano GRX uses a different chainline.  How the GRX crank would play with SRAM components is a big unknown.  

Many people, including me, use an Eagle chain on their 11 speed systems.  So using the Apex 1 11 speed crankset on a 12 speed SRAM system should work.

There is nothing wrong with the GXP system.  I and many others have been using it for many years with no issues.  I've been running SRAM GXP cranks for road, mountain and gravel bikes for over 10 years and I have never had an issue, so I don't really care about what Hambini thinks about it.  I prefer to judge parts based on how they actually work then what some dude on Youtube thinks about them.

That makes no sense, I'm obviously not looking for a mismatched setup. What exactly is mismatched? I've read that you don't need to same brand for a drivetrain, so the question isn't too weird I guessed.

I agree that GXP can work fine, mine did for a few years as well, but there's certainly plenty wrong with it. My biggest problem is that I will need a different crank because I can't really switch chainring. And I don't want to invest is a little flawed 'standard'. For example a DUB crank can also be an option.

How exactly is the chainline from a GRX different than the one from Apex 1? Like the alignment compared to the cassette? That way I can look at what would and wouldn't match.

Gerben321 wrote:That makes no sense, I'm obviously not looking for a mismatched setup. What exactly is mismatched? I've read that you don't need to same brand for a drivetrain, so the question isn't too weird.

Running a Shimano crank on an SRAM drivetrain is mismatched, I’m sorry you don’t get that.  I’ve seen a small block Chevy in a Porsche, it may work but it ruins the weight distribution of the car because it is a mismatch.  As I said the GRX group uses a different chain line so IT IS A MISMATCH to an SRAM system which does not use the same chain line.  I’m just trying to help you out, if you don’t want the help just go buy whatever you want and cobble it together.

It's nonsense that that's a mismatch, I'm sorry you don't get that. Sure, you can't match any type of crank, but you can perfectly fine match things. I've been racing with Shimano drivetrains and SRAM cassettes for years, and SRAM with Race Face cranks on my MTB.

I genuinely ask why it doesn't work. I want to listen to your advice, but I am wondering what's different so that I can search for a crank that isn't mismatched. There's so much more to it like the chainline of the cassette as well, so how can you directly say it's a mismatch? Maybe the wider chainline will even be better on the diferent frame?

I would just get this BB: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32837459671.html (Color: BB386 Black GXP).
It is actually for Shimano, but with the included Adapter it'll fit GXP cranks as well. This will allow you to run your Apex Crank as long as you like and then switch to a Shimano crank if you wish- just take the adapter out and you're good.
The difference is mostly personal preference anyway. I am running Shimano, GXP and FSA cranks/BBs on different bikes for many years - all without issue.
If you ever want to switch to the GRX cranks be aware that their chainline is moved 2.5mm to the right with improves clearance for bigger rings/tires, but also makes your chain run more diagonal in the lower gears.

Bratwurstschnecke wrote:I would just get this BB: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32837459671.html (Color: BB386 Black GXP).
It is actually for Shimano, but with the included Adapter it'll fit GXP cranks as well. This will allow you to run your Apex Crank as long as you like and then switch to a Shimano crank if you wish- just take the adapter out and you're good.
The difference is mostly personal preference anyway. I am running Shimano, GXP and FSA cranks/BBs on different bikes for many years - all without issue.
If you ever want to switch to the GRX cranks be aware that their chainline is moved 2.5mm to the right with improves clearance for bigger rings/tires, but also makes your chain run more diagonal in the lower gears.

Thanks a lot! That's a BB I didn't see before! That would be a great solution, even if it were for a shorter while. I've read somewhere the bearings aren't that great, but that's logical with that price.

I was also looking at the Shimano XT FC-M8000-1 crank. I believe that's the normal road crank, right? That has a slightly more narrow chainline, but I can fit plenty of different rings on it I think. I'm not sure about clearance though, haven't got the frame yet, but since I don't plan on running super wide tires I think I should be good.

Did you go for the ceramic version or not? If I also buy the tool in the link, do I have everything I need, or do I still need to press the BB slightly?

Gerben321 wrote:
Thanks a lot! That's a BB I didn't see before! That would be a great solution, even if it were for a shorter while. I've read somewhere the bearings aren't that great, but that's logical with that price.

If you are concerned with bearing quality you can also get the equivalent BB from Wheels Manufacturing and buy a GXP Adapter separately. Of course at a different price point, but the bearings should be better.

I have the BB and tool from Aliexpress on route to me, so cannot provide first hand experience yet.

FC-M8000-1 is a MTB crank, not a road crank. Which means that chainline is going to be even wider than with the GRX crank and also the axle will be wider, which means you will need spacers to use it with a road BB. Doable, but not something I would do if you're buying new anyway. Shimano road cranks all start like FC-R, but except for GRX there is no 1x crank in Shimano's lineup.

Looking forward to your findings! I am not sure how 'bad' the bearings are, so not idea if it's 'worth' it to buy the expensive ones directly. Can't hurt in trying the cheap one first I guess.

You sure about the MTB crank? According to Shimano the chainline is 50.4mm, so less than the GRX one. But it might not fit bigger chainrings because it's not made for that!

Just checked and you are right, chainline between the GRX and the MTB 1x crank almost the same (49.7 vs 50.4mm) but Q-Factor on the MTB crank is much wider (151 vs 176mm) which could be due to wider axle or and/or cranks flaring our further. In any case, it can probably be made to fit somehow, but I don't see any benefit at the moment (ok, probably bigger selection of chainrings).

Gerben321 wrote:Looking forward to your findings! I am not sure how 'bad' the bearings are, so not idea if it's 'worth' it to buy the expensive ones directly. Can't hurt in trying the cheap one first I guess.

The BB arrived today - one bearing is very nice and smoth, the other one very stiff and rough - you can feel indents as you are turning it. So, a case for the bin (or a bearing replacement). I have asked them to send me a new one - let's see what they say.

That's unfortunate! I guess it takes a while for a replacement to arrive? Are they regular bearings you can change, or are they stuck in the BB?

Shipping time is always a gamble, but the first BB took about two weeks to arrive. First they have to agree to send me a replacement, though.
It is a standard bearing yes (6805RS), so replacing it should theoretically also be possible - if I can remove the plastic bearing cover without destroying it.

Sounds good, let me know how that fares!

I still think the GRX 810 crank is a good looking option, still haven't found a proper other 1x crank yet. Seems like Wolftooth already is making some other rings, and AbsoluteBlack is planning to do some ovals as well.

Gerben321 wrote:Sounds good, let me know how that fares!

I still think the GRX 810 crank is a good looking option, still haven't found a proper other 1x crank yet. Seems like Wolftooth already is making some other rings, and AbsoluteBlack is planning to do some ovals as well.

Any Sram crank except Apex can be run 1x with lot’s of options for chainrings.
You can choose from both mountain and road

Yeah I'm aware of that, however I'm not the biggest fan of the GXP system, and not sure if DUB is that great either. I've had better experiences with the 24mm spindle from Shimano in the past, so I'd like to give that a try, unless Shimano still lives in the stone age and doesn't make a lot single chainring cranks 😃