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Reviews 1 - 9 (9 Reviews Total)
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User Reviews
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Submitted by
Da Chetster
a Cross Country Rider
from Buena Vista CO USADate Reviewed: June 17, 2010
Strengths: Capacity, compression straps, fit, Source reservoir - plus the reservoir expands into the pack and doesn't cause the back of the pack to bulge, therefore it fits better than many others.Weaknesses: May be a bit heavy. Zipper pulls on main compartment, tool compartment, and a couple of others could be more robust and tactile.Bottom Line: I am very impressed with the TNF Crank 25 as an all-mountain, all-day epic mountain biking pack. I was a bit apprehensive about buying a TNF mountain biking pack because TNF isn't well-known in the category. After seeing and using some of this season's all-mountain MTB clothing from their "Cryptic" line, I decided it was worth a shot.
The Crank 25 just works. I don't know if the name comes from the compression straps (you can "crank" down on them to make the pack remarkably small and stable when it isn't full), or because it's a mountain biking pack, or a bit of double entendre, but the compression straps are a great feature.
The compression straps and their cinch-down capability make the Crank 25 a great "one pack" arsenal. Short ride with little stuff? Crank it down and it stays stable and close to the back. All-day epic on bomber terrain with iffy weather? Open 'em up and carry what you need.
That said, this pack is built with the all-day, all-mountain epic in mind. The outer pouch will hold a full-face helmet on the outside during transit to the more challenging terrain and your cross-country or mountain helmet inside for your descent or time in the trail center.
The tool compartment holds all your the stuff for trailside repairs very nicely. A Topeak Mountain Morph pump is the longest pump that will fit.
You'll be tempted to carry too much stuff because the main compartment will hold an ample supply of everything else - snacks, lunch, rain jacket, armor. Larger hard armor can be strapped on the outside using the compression straps.
The hydration reservoir is the heart of any hydration pack and the Source Widepac reservoir is very nice. It has a very wide mouth ziplock opening & closure system so you can clean it easily and thoroughly, pop in a few ice cubes, and the hanger engages easily. The material is fairly rigid so the reservoir is the easiest I've seen (with the exception of the new Osprey reservoirs) to install when filled. The magnetic tube clip is convenient - I just drop my bite valve from my mouth and within a couple of seconds the magnet and clip "find each other" and latch up. The bite valve is also made in such a way that even if it is open and you sit the pack on top of it, it probably isn't going to leak.
Bottom line - the North Face Crank 25 is a great mountain biking pack and worth every penny. The North Face may not be a "bro" brand, but if you want something that works so you can keep your mind on the ride, this is it.
Favorite Trail: Colorado Trail, various segments
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At: The Trailhead/Trailh
Similar Products Used: CamelBak MULE, HAWG, place a North Face Angstrom 25 technical daypack into service a couple of times in a pinch.
Bike Setup: 2010 Remedy 9.9
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Toomy Boy
a Weekend Warrior
from MexicoDate Reviewed: April 28, 2005
Strengths: Lots of room to carry stuffWeaknesses: Leaks like hell, red cap for refill breaks after 3 or 4 refills.Bottom Line: French brand with good looks but the water container sucks, you can not drink without stopping or checking if it leaks. After several refills you have to repair the red cap or you will have you back real wet.
Try buying a Camlback instead.
Favorite Trail: Xinte Trails
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At: Local bke store
Bike Setup: 2004 Trek 8000 all stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Carlo
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Pinas, PhilippinesDate Reviewed: November 5, 2002
Strengths: Lots of pockets to organize your tools
Has a rain cover to keep mud off the packWeaknesses: The mouthpiece leaks and bladder compartment can only hold less than two liters.Bottom Line: What do you expect from a US$23 hydration system? Overall, the pack isn't bad at all. Its just the mouthpiece that really bugs. You have to hold it to be able to drink (no hands-free). It also leaks like a free-running fountain. Best thing to do is replace the mouthpiece with that of a Camelbak's.
Favorite Trail: San Mateo, Rizal
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$23.00
Purchased At: Cartimar, Pasay
Bike Setup: Aluminum FS frame with Hayes mechanical discs and Shimano clipless pedals
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Glen
a Cross Country Rider
from BelgiumDate Reviewed: December 2, 2001
Strengths: Lots of space to carry your stuffWeaknesses: It leaks like hell, and the bladder sucks.
Mine died on me yesterday.
Bottom Line: Don't buy this thing. Give a bit more for the real thing.
I'm going to buy myself a camelbak tomorrow.
Favorite Trail: Hertenberg
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$60.00
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Specialized stumpjumper FSR XC
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn XC country
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada (the real outback)Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000
Strengths: makes a godo napsack when you remove the leaking bladderWeaknesses: The Bladder fill port will tear after abotu 10 uses. A tube of Goop works well to fix this. Ideally do this when you first get it and before the plastic tears from the red fill spot.
Also expect the shoulder sraps to tear away from the sack an d need to the resew.Bottom Line: This product should be discontinued or not used outside the living room.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$50.00
Bike Setup: Fisher X0 with various upgrades
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Kay
a Weekend Warrior
from ThessalonDate Reviewed: April 30, 2000
Strengths: Small,comfy good for short to moderate ridesWeaknesses: Leaks like tenBottom Line: Its not bad but the things leaks so much my arm has gotten a better drink then I got. Dont buy it if you ride realy far but its ok for 1-5 hours rides.
Favorite Trail: Killer loop
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: Rocky mountain fuision with LX at the back
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dixon
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000
Strengths: Product WHAT?!?Weaknesses: The valve is of such poor design that you have to REALLY concentrate on what you're doing just to get a sip (this cannot be done hands- free, by the way...) For a couple of months I was bringing it along on rides just to use to refill my water bottle(which, ofcourse required me to stop) The system's most annoying trait? THE VALVE LEAKS-which was no fun in January- By the time I got home the whole right side of my body was covered in a sheet of ice. The elastic tire pump strap ripped off after three rides.
Bottom Line: WHATEVER YOU DO- DON'T BUY THIS STUPID @$%^&*! BAG!
If you are unlucky enough to already own this piece of junk, here's what you can do to help yourself out:
Get a camelback replacement mouthpiece. Remove old mouthpiece and cut the ribbed part off the end of the drinking tube. The new mouthpiece will fit right on there, and presto! It functions! (The bag itself still stinks, though.)
I can't go lower than one otherwise I would.
P.S. Those aren't chilis- They're Zefal water carriers which I've set ablaze.
Favorite Trail: Stilwell!
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: Regular water bottles (at least you know they'll actually work).
Bike Setup: Trek 6500/ Judy C/ Titec barends/ Adam O suspension seat post/ kool stop pads
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Desmond
a Weekend Warrior
from SingaporeDate Reviewed: January 1, 2000
Strengths:
Water does not taste bad
No leakage
Maintains looks after many washes in the machine.
Comfortable
French quality
HardyWeaknesses:
Not for long distances.Bottom Line: Good value for money. A great alternative for the non conformist who detests Camelbak. WILL NOT FAIL TO FULFIL YOUR AIMS.
Favorite Trail:
Bkt Timah
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Similar Products Used:
Nil
Bike Setup:
S-works cro-moly frame
SX Mach 5 Fork
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hal Burns
a Weekend Warrior
from British ColumbiaDate Reviewed: October 25, 1999
Strengths:
Good pack, stores enough for day long trail rides, comfy back padWeaknesses:
Straps too short (I'm 6'), bladder design sucksBottom Line: Good bag, if you're under 6' tall and not burly, bladder design causes pinching of water flow when it's half full, tube and valve seem good.I am buying replacement bladder. Fill cap has sepaarated and leaks like a sieve. Only about 12 mellow rides on this baby, so bladder bites!
Favorite Trail:
The Abyss, Nanaimo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Fat Chance Wicked, RS Indys
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Reviews 1 - 9 (9 Reviews Total)
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