The stiffest cranks on the market use the BB30 standard (bottom bracket axle 30mm wide, instead of 24mm). BB30 cranks have been around for a while, but saw their widespread application with the introduction of Cannondale's in-house Hollowgram crankset in 2002, and has since been adopted by Specialized for the Specialized FACT crank system. 

BB30 bottom brackets are bonded to the bottom bracket shell (not threaded into).  For the bonding to work, the bottom bracket shell needs to be perfectly round and a snug fit. This is not an easy thing to do with super-hard 6/4 titanium, but Lynskey has a new CNC machining tool for this purpose.  Since we are Cannondale dealers, a BB30 Cannondale SI (system integrated) crankset will be an option for any custom Lynskey.

Lightest cranks -- carbon rules, but you pay more to get less. 

Price -- aluminum rules if you're on a budget. The SRAM Rival is the best $200 compact you can get. 

Compatibility -- Manufacturers like Zipp, FSA, and Easton produce cranks that work well with all the established gruppos. Campy cranks can be integrated into a Shimano group, and vice versa, although Campy and Shimano both say that mixing another brand with their groups may void their warranties. This doesn't stop Cannondale and Specialized from selling bikes which use in-house cranks with Shimano and Campy groups. Two of our demo Lynskeys use Campy UltraTorque cranks with Dura-Ace groups.

Standard, compact, or triple? 

If you don't generate the watts a pro rider can, why use the same gears? Paired with SRAM's new 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-22-25-28 cassette, a 50-34 in front helps the ordinary rider navigate challenging climbs like Brandon, Middlebury, and Appalachian Gaps in good form. Compact cranks do not limit you to a 50-34 combination, either. 

The Gaps all have sections that approach and even exceed 15 percent for extended periods, so for some riders, the triple is still a valid choice. 

Chain

We have tested virtually every 10spd chain on the market and KMC comes out on top.  KMC specializes in chain manufacture and makes chains under contract for other companies, but they clearly save their best tech for their own brand name. KMC 10spd chains shift well under load and feature a reusable master link.

Cassettes

The new SRAM 10spd cassettes shift better under load than any other cassettes, so we recommend them for use with both SRAM and Shimano drive trains. For a Campy drive train, you have to stick with Campy. A 10spd Campy drive-train will accommodate a 29 in the back, with a special medium cage rear derailleur.

We have mixed feelings about the use of titanium for cassette cogs. While a titanium cog is usually lighter than a steel cog, it also wears faster. The new SRAM Red cassettes are among the lightest on the market, with the first eight cogs machined from a solid block of high-grade steel. It's more expensive than Dura-Ace, but less expensive than Record.

Derailleurs

Your rear derailleur should be the same brand as your shifters, but an after-market front derailleur may be worth considering if you're using a compact crank. The moderately priced FSA compact front derailleur enhances the shifting performance of Campy compact cranks used with Shimano drive trains. Two of our demo bikes use this derailleur.