Dunno if it was the c/s or the ring, assumed it was the ring since they are spindly and thinner than the chainset. Maybe it was the cranks or BB. The Sugino+Zen Messenger feels stiffer. I assumed the larger PCD made the difference, more metal. I was using a 44. Maybe it was the chainset with it being quite old. My Sugino GLP is old too so perhaps it'll feel flexy too.