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Submitted by
Saddlesore
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | skogan pass | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Strengths: | looks nice
shifts nice | | Weaknesses: | delicate teeth
hard to set up derailleurs these days
not exactly 8 speed compatible.
| | Similar Products Used: | older 8 and 9 speed raceface chainrings | | Bike Setup: | santacruz blur with an 8speed XT/XTR setup XTR (8 speed cassette, connex 908 chain, these rings, 9speed XT derailleurs) | | Bottom Line: | I have the silver ones that came with my 2005 Deus Crankset.
They look good and shift well in all conditions when set up properly. I am a Cross country kinda guy, so I am not too hard on stuff.Setting them up properly was difficult for me. with the new style chainline that comes with external bearings, it is hard to get the Front mech ajusted perfectly. this leads to slow shifting and if you are really torquing the pedals: missing teeth. my middle ring is missing a couple teeth, which is expected for an aluminum middle ring, they are delicate. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Madison, WI, US
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | light, looks good | | Weaknesses: | The chain breaks loose from the middle ring on climbs or when you torque the crank. It's a new shimano chain and my derailleur is properly adjusted, so that's not the problem | | Bike Setup: | '04 stumpy hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I have to try something else, unless I want to crack my knees every 5 minutes. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Strengths: | Look great (but beauty is only skin deep) | | Weaknesses: | They might be 15% lighter than the old design, but they seem 50% weaker - the teeth on the middle ring keep snapping off! | | Similar Products Used: | The older black canadian made Racerings (work fine), Raceface Prodigy (taiwanese)rings (very average), 04 XT rings (reluctantly I must admit they work best)
| | Bike Setup: | 04 Enduro | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the newer design silver Racerings which came on mu Deus crankset. These rings look great, but the middle ring sucks. The teeth above the shift ramps keep breaking off. After the first warranty claim the local distributor checked chainline, chain wear, lubrication, and everything else, and gave me a new ring. One ride later I was making another call. It seems as if the Raceface designers have taken too much metal away from under the teeth immediately above the shift ramps. S.H.I.F.T technology? - get rid of the 'F' I recon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Moreno Valley, CA.
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | 24 hour course-Hurkey Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | I just bought the X-type Diabolous Crankset for my new Intense 5.5 (i am a welder there) and the middle chainring throws the chain under a load. it looked ovalized. I returned it yesterday. We'll see how they deal with it. | | Weaknesses: | The chainring. | | Similar Products Used: | RaceFace Prodigy DH | | Bike Setup: | Intense 5.5 EVP, Red front, Ball burnish rear (you can do that when you work there :) XT Shifters & front d/r,XTR rear d/r, Azonic WF 1.5' risers, RaceFace Diabolous stem, Minute 2 130mm fork, 4 way swinger shock,Sun singletrack rims, avid mech disc 7',Specialized Roller Pro 2.3's, Chris King headset. | | Bottom Line: | Ilove RaceFace cuz i can't break them. Hopefully they send me a new chainring. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Dundas, Waterdown, Kelso | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Rigid, durable, great shifting, nice black finish, Canadian!! | | Weaknesses: | Not cheap | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Truvativ | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz Superlight loaded | | Bottom Line: | Seems like a very good product, been using these chainrings going on 3 seasons now.Approx 3500km with some racing but not a lot. I'm 210 and ride a lot of steep hills. Middle chaingring is very spikey looking now and needs to be replaced, small ring is stll good and large ring also although it has some teeth missing(I ride over logs a lot).
I clean the drivetrain regularily and change the chain 2x a season. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | www.wrenchscience.com | | Strengths: | good shifting, durable | | Similar Products Used: | '99 LX rings, '94 and '98 STX rings | | Bike Setup: | '01 Titus Racer-X, SRAM PC-68 chain, XT 8-speed front derailleur | | Bottom Line: | I've had zero problems with these chainrings. I'm even bucking Shimano's advice and running a 20/32/44 set, which they say is too much for the derailleur, but no problems so far. I'm fastidious about keeping my drivetrain clean and happy, so maybe that helps. I've put about 3,000 miles on my bike and I've gone through a cassette (8-speed XTR and close to a dozen chains, but I'm still on my original rings. I think that replacing your chain before it stretches 1/8-inch is the key to keeping these rings happy. And even though I asked for 8-speed rings, the guys installed 9-speed, but it hasn't been a problem. I expect to get another thousand miles out of these before they need replacing.
Also, I'm 190-210 lbs. (depending on time of year) and ride a lot of hills, so I'm not exactly easy on these things. I would recommend them to anyone who'd rather replace chains than chainrings and cassettes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gnarly | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop in Huntsville | | Strengths: | wear well, light, look great and shift very smoothly | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Sugino and Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Vertex - Atom 80's, ST/XTR drive, RF turbine cranks, Cross Ride wheels | | Bottom Line: | I raced and trained for a almost a full riding season on these rings, without any problems. By the looks of them, I'll likely get another couple of months out of them (training at least 5 days a week).
They have always shifted well and have stood up to collisions with the odd rock.
I will definately buy these rings again since they have served me so well...but I do know how to clean and lube a drive train....somthing I'm not so sure some of the other reviewers do.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle.wa
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very durable crank arms nice smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | I usually ride 4X a week and after three weeks of riding with these chain rings, the middle chain ring lost two teeth and the small chainring was so bad with misaligned teeth that chain suck left me stranded on a lot of uphills. I was in such denial and disbelief that this type of problem would and can occur so early on in the purchase. Very dissatisfied with the product and the condescending warranty department. | | Similar Products Used: | None ever | | Bike Setup: | If you are a weekend warrior and ride maybe once a week then this is the product for you. If you are a frequent and serious rider who is accustomed to the rates at which equipment wares down, then you will be dissatisfied and surprised | | Bottom Line: | Shifts nice and fast for a short while but I was truly unhappy with this product | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aarre Laakso
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mission Gorge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Solved my problem. | | Weaknesses: | Don't know. | | Similar Products Used: | Factory chainring on Iron Horse. | | Bottom Line: | I bought the Race Face granny ring only because I had read online that replacing the granny ring would solve my problem. It worked! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy Wood
a Cross Country Rider
from Nr. Liverpool, England
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain reaction cycles, Ireland | | Strengths: | Great looks, great shifting | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Very early XT cranks and rings, also PACE 7075 rings | | Bike Setup: | Custom 'Dave Yates' cro-mo frame MTB. Rigid forks (eek!!). 2002 XT back wheel, cassette, derailleurs and shifter/brakelevers, SRAM PC-99 chain and Raceface Prodigy XC cranks and rings. Rest a mixture of X-lite, Hope, Shimano and Titec. | | Bottom Line: | I've put about 350 miles on the bike in the month I've had them, mainly on the roads for training (including some really horrible granny ring climbs) and I haven't had any problems at all so far. Maybe this is because I have new Raceface rings? Maybe the earlier rings from the days of 21 and 24 speed transmissions are a bit thicker and do cause chainsuck with modern 27 speed narrower chains - who knows ???
Anyhow, I'll review again when I've a few more hundred miles on them. Btw, the shifting from the middle to big is superb, granny ring to middle is a fair bit slower. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Stephens
a Weekend Warrior
from South Bend, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | House | | Strengths: | These are some awesome rings. They are the fastest frontedn shifting rings I have ever had. They are worth more than I paid. Not only are they great in everyway, they are the longest lasting i have ever had. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing can compare to these rings. | | Bike Setup: | I built my own useing the following: K2 3000, all Noleen Suspension, 3inch travel in rear, 5 inch travel in frontw/ double triple clamp. SRAM 9.0 shfiting, LX front derailer, Avid arch supreme v-brakes w/ boosters, raceface headset, Panaracer Fire XC Pro, Mavic D-521 rims, limited Kucamonga cranks. | | Bottom Line: | Kickballs bike, with only kickballs components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CO
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | rocky and steep | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Great shifting
High durability
Excellent warranty support | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Instinct | | Bottom Line: | My '99 Rocky Mountain Instinct had a lot of trouble with the chain popping off the front when hammering technical sections in the granny when I first got the bike. Then a job change and move across the country caused me to not ride for more than a year. When I returned to riding, I didn't ride technical for a while. I finally got back to hammering this past summer and the chain started popping off. I tried the NGear inner chain guard (which helped) but still had the problem. Then I read MTBReviews of my bike where others reported the problem way back in 99 and said Race Face replaced their rings and the problem disappeared. Apparently the rings weren't quite right for the 9 speed setup. So I called Race Face and explained the situation. They had me ship the rings back. The package got stuck at the border, so the Race Face warranty guy sent new rings to me before mine got to him. Over 2 years after the fact! Outstanding service, eh?!!? And the best news of all - problem solved and I can hammer till my lungs explode! Great customer service seems so rare these day - THANKS, RACE FACE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hakan
a Cross Country Rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Stock on bike | | Strengths: | Nice shifting, looks sharp | | Weaknesses: | None so far but I have heard that the rings are a bit soft | | Similar Products Used: | Coda (worst crap ever), XT cranks | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Vertex, Raceface cranks, seatpost,hanldebars,Atom 80 shocks, XTR f/r der. XT shifters with SRAM brakes, King headset | | Bottom Line: | Great so far. Flawless shifting with the XTR front derailleur. Heard the rings are a bit soft and not sure how long tehy will last | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Trottier
a Racer
from lewisville n.c usa
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came w/ my nextlp's | | Strengths: | where do i start. these things are awesome! they are so strong and hold up to anything you can dish out. | | Weaknesses: | there is not enough teeth on my ring only 44 but that is what it came w/ so i am not compliaining. | | Similar Products Used: | none, my xtr ones just bended and broke apart. | | Bike Setup: | frame wheels tires and brakes 21 pounds | | Bottom Line: | these are awesome! today when i was out riding i hit the teeth on the cement and hurt the cement and it looked liek it cleaned the grime away from them! (2 inch deep line in cement!) these are strong and they mite not be the litest but if you can use them for such a long time then it is worth it. i love my rings and youi should buy theem if you are riding period. had xtr's but there was no teeth on tem after a few months of riding.they get a 5! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | It was nice while it lasted...No complaints there | | Weaknesses: | Didn't last nearly as long as I thought it should. Almost hurt me a few times. | | Bottom Line: | Sad to say, I really love my RF Turbine LP crankset, but the middle ring is TOAST after LESS than 500 weekend warrior type miles.. I rode this crankset on average 3 hours a week last year, and much less since the weather got colder, only weekends occasionally.. Today, on a recreational ride with my 65 year old Dad, the middle ring completely let go of the chain under torque load.
WTF!! I thought it was a blown rear hub at first as it felt like I had freewheeled and blown the pawl assembly in my rear wheel! After several more times of this, I popped into the granny, and the problem goes away? My Dad watched the cassette while I stepped down on the crank, middle ring front, Big ring rear.... BZZZZZZ!!!! Cassette stayed put, but I nearly fell off the bike when the crankarm DROPPED like as if the chain had broken. Apparently, the middle ring is WORN OUT. The teeth are ALMOST not halfway engaging the chain. They are quite round and eliptical between teeth. This must have been wearing for some time but I didn't realize it until todays failure. I had to finish the ride in Granny gear, every small hill would make the middle ring let go of the chain.. Wow, what a pitiful ring, it really didn't get abused at all, just used. I lube the chain every other ride too. It is just really hard to believe. The small ring looks fine, the teeth are almost twice the height of the middle ring. I am most definitely getting another brand ring. 1 chili for value, cause they are expensive to replace ($30!!!), and 2 because it was good all the way until death, but with a crummy lifespan.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trey
a Racer
from Pullman, Washington
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Prodigy cranks...rings suck | | Weaknesses: | They bend, I have bent and broke the teeth off the middle and large chainring in a few months. The set-up cam stock on a rocky mountain hammer race, with the race face seatpost and chain rings bending immediately. I finally received a response from the canucks telling me they are for X-country only...well thats all I ride. I would be petrified to use their (race face) drive train on a big downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Hammer race | | Bottom Line: | Buy other components...not RF if you want them to last | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ernest
a Cross Country Rider
from south Carolina
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$44.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Strength, weight | | Weaknesses: | Customer support | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Element race | | Bottom Line: | My bike came with Prodigy cranks and a cheap set of Race face rings They were destroyed in no time. I bought a new set of Race face rings that are of a much higher quality and finish. They are much more durable. However I did have a couple of teeth fracture on the big rig after a weekend in the NC mountains, not sure how or why. I called Race face got a return author. number and sent them back under warrenty. That was almost six weeks ago. Sent them an email, left them a message, no return and no rings as of yet. I filed and beat my old ring enough to ride. As a blanket statement I have been very dissapointed in several warrenty claims I have been involved in over the last year or two. Nite Rider, Trek, Rolf. Bottom line to me... I would not use the warrenty as a reason to buy a part most of them suck, if they take months to turn it around what good is it. I think they stall on purpose, I mean really how long does it take to throw a new ring in an envelope and mail it!! I give it a few chilis because i was very happy with the shifting, but I am anal about tuning and lubing and I really dont use the little ring much here in SC so I cant comment on the chain suck people complain about, I do not get it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from New Mexico
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Signal Peak Race Course | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Twin Sisters Cyclery & Fitness | | Strengths: | Lightweight, clean looking, stiff | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | da Vinci FS, Dean Ti, Action Tec Ti, IRD, DT Hugi, da Vinci, Avid, SRAM | | Bottom Line: | Replaced old crankset with smaller setup. Mainly looking for weight reduction and for bigger rings. I like the setup 46/34/24. So much improved over old setup in all areas. The large ring is a little too big for my old derailleur, but as soon as my new derailleur arrives, should be awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan
a Racer
from Denver
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Crested Butte | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 123bikes.com | | Strengths: | Race Face makes great products | | Weaknesses: | weak teeth | | Similar Products Used: | RF 8 speed Chain rings, shimano | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed, King hubs, Turbine LP ISIS cranks | | Bottom Line: | I put on a new set of ISIS cranks and had a hard time shifting from middle to granny gear. Then I noticed one of the teeth was gone off of the middle ring. I couldn't have ridden more than about 1/4 mile. The nine speed rings have one tooth that is cut away for ramps and doesn't have much support. I have used 8 speed RF rings on XT cranks for about a year with no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Apex | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Nice looks
Light
| | Weaknesses: |
Aluminum is way too soft
Does not last long
Shifting is marginal
| | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bottom Line: | Not bad if you don't mind replacing the small chain ring every few months.
I would not recommend this product for a rider who spends a lot of time on big climbs. These chainrings are way too soft and deform easily.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol,UK
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Lightweight,strong,flawless shifting, oh and looks. | | Weaknesses: | None found yet,bit pricey maybe. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | RF LP cranks STD drive and rings(46,34,24),XT front and back derailleur,XTR shifters,XT 8 speed cassette IG 90 chain. | | Bottom Line: | Opinion seems really divided on this message boards over these rings but I have to say I love em.Maybe its luck but they shift as well as or maybe even smoother than my original LX crankset.
Even though Im still 8 speed I fitted 9 speed rings as suggested by my mate in the bike shop, less chance of chain suck he reckons. I havent changed the chain yet but will be soon as it is a bit old. My mate again advising me to go for a 9 speed Sram chain.
My front chain line is at about 48mm at present but im also going to be fitting a RF taperlock bb which should bring it down closer to the 45mm that Leonard Zinn recommends in his excellent "Zinn and the Art of mountain biking" book, its OK but I do get a bit of rubbing in top gear( think im stretching the XT mech a bit for the 46 top ring).
All in all I think a wicked product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christian Long
a Cross Country Rider
from Montréal, now living in Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bycicle Village, Lakewood, CO | | Strengths: | - Light
- No flex
- Looks | | Weaknesses: | - Price
- Durability
- Chain suck | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized FSR XC Pro with Next-LP crank set | | Bottom Line: | Solid and stiff. Feel great but I get some chain suck when downshifting from middle to small ring. The two smaller rings lasted me about 1700 miles before it started skiping. I have a new set on order. Aluminum doesn't last...
I'll try those Black Spire next time, they get great reviews! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bennito
a Cross Country Rider
from C-Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Hulls in Boise | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Surplus from Friend | | Strengths: | Nice ramps make shifting under pressure better than the old XT setup. | | Weaknesses: | Though I haven't seen it, durability. They are thin teeth and I'm curious how well they will hold up | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Horrid mix of XT, LX and now RF. | | Bottom Line: | I think people have hit it on the head about dialing it in. I went with a new XT BB, Sachs chain, and RF chainrings. Did take a while to get the front DE dialed in. Now that I do, I have no fears popping down a ring while putting out torque.
Nice thing is that you can get these at unreal prices from cambria, CC or even pricepoint.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a
from bay area
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | they go round and round? | | Weaknesses: | alloy wears faster than steel | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | heckler | | Bottom Line: | I put a little over 1,000 miles (no road) on these rings and started to get chainsuck really bad in my small ring. A couple of teeth were slightly out of whack, but the real problem is just that the small ring was wore out and sloppy. I ride in northern calif and do lot's of granny ring climbing.
I replaced my small ring with the steel version made by RF, although you could easily use shimano steel rings as well. The middle and big ring are still RF alloy and no problems, but I think my middle is getting ready to be replaced as it's looking a little ragged.
Check your chainline, keep your drivetrain lubed and clean it once in a while and replace worn out rings and you shouldn't have any problems. Alloy wears faster than steel, so don't be surprised if they need to be replaced faster than shimano stuff. The RF rings shift fast like shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Ox
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Radical - Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | shifts fast, durable, shifts fast, looks, made by Race Face.
uhh, oh yeah, shifts fast | | Weaknesses: | Sorry, what? | | Similar Products Used: | Lx, whatever comes with a Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Element Race - ATAC carbon pedals, race face cranks, rings, seat post, aircarbon bar coming, 535 wheel set, and XT | | Bottom Line: | These rings rock the house. I don't know what everybody's problem is. You guys should listen to the guy talking about chain line, because I've had no chain suck, far superior shifting performance to the LX rings. Sure some of the colour is scratched off, but the rings are WAY less scared than I am. Hey isht happens man, welcome to mountain biking. Bottom line, for the best performance, just put on your RACE FACE and hit the trail, it's that simple. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wally snell
a Cross Country Rider
from redding,calif,usa
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the chimney | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | chain gang | | Strengths: | shifted good for awhile | | Weaknesses: | broke tooth off middle ring, some chainsuck | | Similar Products Used: | shimano LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS XTC 2000 | | Bottom Line: | i cant believe it i thought race face was tough, maybe i will try some REAL rings
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Racer
from Visalia, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Tri-sport Bicycles | | Strengths: | durability, shifting, weight | | Weaknesses: | after 2 years and 2500 miles of commuting, training, and racing, I am missing 1 tooth off of my middle ring. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, XT | | Bike Setup: | 98 Klein XTR 9spd, RE-1 pedals, XT/217 wheels, race face turbine lp | | Bottom Line: | For everyone who thinks they have chainsuck with these, check to see if you have any hooked teeth and straighten them out and use lube!!!! They shift just as good as the shimano stuff and are less expensive. If you don't think so, you might learn how to tune. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from north wales england
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | fantastic shift and strengh | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | LX Xt | | Bike Setup: | Full 00 XT Sram Pc99 chain, Bomber 01 Z4's hardtail, crossrides | | Bottom Line: | i ride a lot in rainy grity weather and they are showing very little sign of wear just some anodising from the teeth but shark toothing yet. also flex has been reduced on the craks since fitting. great rings | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob's Your Uncle
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | Price. Looks. | | Weaknesses: | Chainsucks like like a hoover. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Cross-Country Hardtade | | Bottom Line: | Replace my middle XT shimano ring with one of RF products. Immediately started having chain-suck problems. I thought it might be the chain so I went out and replaced the chain (the cassette was new as well.) Did not help one bit. The only reason I've had this ring so long is that I moved to a city with no car, and switched to road biking. Now that I have a car and can go to the country, I've brought out my trusty bike and still have the problems.
Bottom line is that the RF ring consitently fails when shifting from middle to granny. I'm planning to shell out the $$$$$ for a shimano ring. My only question is whether this problem happens with Sachs chain? Could it be that the RF ramps don't get along with Shimano chains? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Chiva Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Arizona Bicycle Experts | | Strengths: | Looks, weight, performance. | | Weaknesses: | Gets scratched up too easily. Chain has a tendency to to remove the anodized color off. A bit pricey unless you're getting a discount/bargain. | | Similar Products Used: | STX RC, LC, XT, AceraX | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, XT hubs, RF cranks, Marzocchi Z-3 light, xtr front der, xt rear der | | Bottom Line: | I read most of the reviews on here slamming these rings. Out of about 35 people, I only know one person that has a problem with these rings, and I believe it has something to do with the frame geometry (which can't be fixed). I noticed nobody really mentioned they checked their chainline on their bikes. Chain suck is caused by 3 things: 1)Bent chain. 2)Chain line. 3)Worn rings.
It is CRITICAL to have a properly dialed in chainline to get good shifting. Just because other rings have no problems when out of proper alignment doesn't mean anything except you'll settle for mediocre performance.
As for my experience, I ride pretty hard and aggressive. I've smacked my rings on rocks several times and they're still not bent. I do an entire drivetrain cleaning AT LEAST every 2 months therefore my rings don't get worn down like everybody else due to leaving mud/grime caked on their drivetrain. I'm a west coast rider, so granted, the terrain is different than east (rockier instead of muddier). My buddy from Delaware says he had no problems with his RF set when out there though, and he's just as dilligent in keeping his bike clean so I can only surmise this is why.
Bottom line: If you don't keep your bike clean and dialed in properly, don't get these. If you're avid about maintaining your bike on at least a monthly basis, you'll probably never have a problem with them. Also, if you do experience problems with your bike, get the advice of a bike mechanic instead of trying to work it out on your own like others here have tried. Sometimes the simplest solution is not always the best one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Cross Country Rider
from vancouver,wa,usa
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | larch mtn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | none---all false hype | | Weaknesses: | worst chainsuck I've ever had especially from middle chainring to granny. Chain hangs up on shift ramps even when on workstand shifting without pressure. Shifting is also much slower than shimano | | Similar Products Used: | shimano lx | | Bike Setup: | rocky mountain element race '00 | | Bottom Line: | horrible rings. Wouldn't recommend them to anyone.Zero flamin' chilis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from tennessee
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | unsure | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Shift very well, very stiff. | | Weaknesses: | weak arse teeth, soft aluminum | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dragon....oh baby | | Bottom Line: | This is a followup to my earlier review, which you can see was not long ago. I've put less than a dozen rides on these rings and they are starting to look like crap. The aluminum is very soft and since the teeth are so narrow to begin with, they are wearing rather fast. Keep in mind that I keep my drivechain very clean and well lubed too. The shifting ramps CNCd into the sides of the rings are looking shoddy too because the chain is actually gouging it as it goes from granny to middle to big ring.
I loved the way these things shifted though. They were so fast and smooth, but I guess Ill have to buy another set of rings (something more durable) about halfway through the offseason.
Racer X guys need these rings. Guys who want a part that will last a very very long time need to find a different company. 5 stars for performance, 2 for durability and price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | gear.com | | Similar Products Used: | Coda, Shimano LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | C'Dale SuperV with Lefty | | Bottom Line: | I have had no problems with these rings. I purchased the '98 8 speed rings closeout on gear.com for less than $50 US. Liked them so much I purchased another set, this time '99 8 speed from pricepoint for the same cost. (98s ramped, no pins, 99s pinned).
After installing the rings I couldn't shift into granny, moving from a 110 to 113 bb solved this problem.
I have never had chain suck with these rings, but that's probably because I set the derailleur up correctly. You have to expect to readjust your shifting after putting on new rings, especially when switching brands. Spacing is always slightly different, that half millimeter can make all the difference.
These rings don't bend, the tooth will break off. I am missing two teeth of the big ring from impacts.
Overall rating 4, value rating 5 as I did not pay full price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from TN
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | unsure | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | STIFF!!! Shift VERY well
| | Weaknesses: | Pricey if you pay retail. Durability issues. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, sugino, crux, real, kooka | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dragon. steel is real. | | Bottom Line: | I was genuinely scared at putting these on my bike after I read some of the reviews in here. After biting the bullet and installing these puppies I went out for my first ride. I was worried about them for about 3 minutes and forgot about them for the rest of the ride. All I have to say is that these chainrings ROCK!
I am using the 00' 9 speed models with a Dura Ace chain, with all XTR except a XT front Der (went with a compact crankset). The shifting in the front is simply exceptional. I can literally stand on the cranks, and as long as im spinning, the chain will shift up and down from practically any combo. I don't know what the matter with other peoples rings are, mabey their cranks? If you read the reviews about the turbines or the next LPs, all of them say the shifting is great.
There is a noticeable improvment in my front shifting that I really diddn't think could come from just a chainring. If you are pretty sure that your frame/BB/chainline is correct, get these things.
The shifting is night and day better over most stock stuff.
My only problem is that the ring bodies are THICK and massive, and have very effective CNCd shift ramps and pins, but the actual teeth are very very tiny, and I wonder how long they will last. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle,WA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, package deal with Race Face next LP cranks | | Weaknesses: | wear out fast | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2 XT, Raceface, Sid 100, monkey Lite riser bar | | Bottom Line: | Under moderate pressure during shifting the middle chainring bent. I had to straighten it out since it was kicking my chain off, and when I tried to straighten it out the tooth broke right off. A couple of other teeth are still bent but it shifts ok now so I am leaving them. I have only used product about three months and already they look worn and teeth have been filed down a little. Overall I like Raceface products but these seem to be a little weak. Occasional chain suck when muddy. If you bike a lot in muddy conditions don't get these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason D
a Cross Country Rider
from VA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Looks
Weight
| | Weaknesses: | Wear out fast
Chainsuck | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Avitar, Kooka | | Bike Setup: | Tazmon, Atom 80, XT, Race Face | | Bottom Line: | If your a serious rider, don't buy these chainrings. If you ride long enough in nasty conditions to get some lube off your chain and a little grime in its place, they suck the chain right now. I put Kooka rings on my Race Face cranks and haven't had a problem with chainsuck yet....and its spring in VA....nasty sand/mud stuff.
The middle ring wore out quickly and after 600 miles was popping the chain constansly. Replaced with Kooka.
The Kooka rings now have 1500 miles on them and show none of the problems that the Race Face had after 600......
Bottom line....If your a mountain biker, don't buy....If you ride a mountain bike, go ahead and buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from NH
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Sweet lookin
Smooth shiftin | | Weaknesses: | Steel inner | | Similar Products Used: | ramped & pinned | | Bike Setup: | Freeride | | Bottom Line: | Nice set o rings and shift great if set up right. Look great and are strong. I got mine for 50 very worth it!! Get some!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from urbana
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Excellent shifting, 50 bucks for 8 speed at Pricepoint
Look cool, last a long time | | Weaknesses: | None really | | Similar Products Used: | LX, STX | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F1000, XTR shifters, XTR rear der, XTR brakes and levers, Race Face crank w/ rings, XT BB, | | Bottom Line: | Really good, get the crank and the rings, they are awesome. Just as good as Shimano at a fraction of the cost. I never, ever have any problems shifting. Ever. I have an LX front der, and shifts like butta. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | they're black | | Weaknesses: | non stop chainsuck | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, XT | | Bike Setup: | It's a nice bike | | Bottom Line: | They shift horribly, with chainsuck every other time I shifted from the middle to the granny. Yes I had a RF b/b and crankarms with a brand new chain, and the rings didn't work. I could get the chain to suck on my work stand by holding the wheel with my hand and pedaling with my other hand. I watched what was happening and the chain was actually getting hung up on the machined ramps and getting pulled around into my frame. I adjusted the b/b every possible direction with no luck. Then I put my old XT cranks on and instantly I had perfect shifting almost regardless of b/b adjustment. I contacted RF and they told me I was the only person in the world to ever complain of chronic chainsuck with their ring. It's ashame that they couldn't be honest. When I look here on this site and so many have similar compaints. I sent them back to Canada and they claimed to not experiance any chainsuck. They did replace all my rings with new ones and I sold them as soon as I got them back. I will never buy rings other than Shimano, and I will never buy another RF product. BUYER BEWARE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Piloo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blainville
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
MOC in Prevost, Qc | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Fast shifting | | Weaknesses: |
Wear incredibly fast | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano Deore XT, 9speed | | Bike Setup: |
GF procaliber, SID | | Bottom Line: | Do not use the manufacturer's advice to add a special spacer between the middle and big ring for a 9 speed system. This will make your chain to get stuck between those rings while shifting. put a 7,1mm spacer between small and middle ring. Those changes will make an uneven space between rings but it finally works ok with a SRAM shifter. It will not work properly with Rapidfire.
Finally, when it is all set properly for decent shifting the rings are weared! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wellington
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Durability, Shifting | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano, Sugino | | Bike Setup: |
Marin East Peak, Girven FS, XT/XTR, Maguras. | | Bottom Line: | I've had these chainrings for over a year now. They are the older ones without the pins. I've changed the chain once. They still shift great. The important thing with shifting is to have the front derailleur adjusted correctly but that applies equally to shimano and others. So far I've never had chain suck with these rings touch wood. My riding style tends to be to use my strength ie grunt in a higher gear rather than use granny gear and spin so I would expect the rings and cassette to wear out faster but if they have it hasn't affected the shifting quality.I'll be replacing the rings, cluster and chain very soon and I'll be sticking with the same stuff - Raceface chainrings, XT 11-30 8sp cluster and IG90 chain. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chaz rivers
a Cross-Country Rider
from santa ana, ca
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Car Wreck | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
STRONG, DURABLE, | | Weaknesses: |
IF NOT SET UP RIGHT, WILL SHIFT SLOW. | | Similar Products Used: |
AVITAR | | Bike Setup: |
SANTA CRUZ HARDTAIL | | Bottom Line: | YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS IF YOU DON'T CHANGE YOUR CHAIN TWICE A YEAR. I HAD 98 RINGS ON XT CRANKS WITH IG 90 CHAIN. NO PROBLEMS. CHAIN HASN'T BROKEN ONCE. IF YOU DON'T SETUP YOUR FRONT DERAILUER RIGHT, YOU'LL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ANY CRANK SET. SO, STOP CRYING ABOUT CHAIN SUCK AND TUNE YOUR BIKE UP. IT YOU DON'T HAVE A SCRATCH ON YOUR BIKE, YOUR NOT RIDING HARD ENOUGH 5 CHILLI PEPPERS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam K.
a Cross-Country Rider
from C. Springs
Date Reviewed: November 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
hell | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
relatively strong, decent shifting | | Weaknesses: |
Canadian/American piece of crap. Unfortuately not up to Shimano par. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shitmano, everything american is very similar | | Bike Setup: |
Expensive things that you don't want | | Bottom Line: | Can't compare to (S)Crapmano, once again. I can't wait for the day that I love a North American component! The day has not yet come. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vince
a Cross-Country Rider
from singapore
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
1) Looks
2) weight
3) Colours | | Weaknesses: |
1) Price
2) durability
3) Performance | | Similar Products Used: |
XTR
XT
LX | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed tellico
Marzocchi Bomber
XTR deralier
XTR shifters
Mavic Crossmax
Chris King hubs
Sdg Ti Saddle
Chris King Ti BB
Chris King Ti GripNut | | Bottom Line: | My advice is to stay clear of these chain rings it sucks! It does not shift as well as the XTR and the teeth breaks easily. After only six months I had to throw it away, at first I was a weight freak but later I realized that it's quality that really matters, just like my Chris King Components! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TIM
a Cross-Country Rider
from KEATING
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
ERWIN PARK | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
LOOKS STRENGTH SHIFTING DURABILITY | | Weaknesses: |
NO 36T 9SPD RING! | | Similar Products Used: |
SHIMANO XT,STX-RC,ALIVIO | | Bike Setup: |
SCHWINN MOAB RF CRANKS, BB, RINGS XT REAR DER.,XT FRONT DER., XT CASSETTE | | Bottom Line: | THESE ARE THE BEST RINGS I HAVE EVER RIDDEN ON. I HAVE RIDDEN ON A FRIENDS XTR RINGS AND THEY ARE GOOD TOO, BUT MY RF RINGS SHIFT FASTER LOOK BETTER AND HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. I THINK HAVING THE RF BB HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW WELL THE RINGS WORK. MAYBE? MAYBE NOT. ANYWAY I LIKE THEM AND WILL CONTINUE TO BUY RF STUFF. IT ROCKS! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross-Country Rider
from Decatur, GA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bull Mtn | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Looks | | Weaknesses: |
Chain suck | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano Lx, XT | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Hot--XTR front and rear derailer, XT cassette | | Bottom Line: | I was warned about getting these rings, but didn't listen. I was getting off chain suck going from the big ring to the middle ring. The ramps on the big ring would grab the chain and not let it drop causing it to be sucked inbetween the big and middle ring. I and the mechanics (Thanks Nato, Matt, Wes, and Rob) who helped me with this problem were perplexed. We tried everything (spacers, filing on the rings,and different chain lengths) to fix this problem nothing worked. On a lark we threw an eight speed chain on their and it fixed the problem. Weird. It still shifts slow and as soon as I wear them out I am going back to the good reliable Japan Giant. Praise be to Shimano. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirty Dave
a Cross-Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Shifting! | | Weaknesses: |
Price | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano XT, XTR, and OLD-RaceFace rings | | Bike Setup: |
Hardtail with RaceFace cranks | | Bottom Line: | You people must be using the old rings. I have used the old rings too and they are shit!, but the new rings that are out this year shift really well, probably as good as my old XTR's. So stop your whining and get the new ones (don't let the store sell you there old shitty stock). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dean
a Weekend Warrior
from wittenberg,wi.
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
shift really good | | Weaknesses: |
wear out FAST | | Bottom Line: | i wore mine out in 250 miles. i put a new chain on and it was skipping. took a close look at it and found that inbetween the teeth was worn and out of shape. i went back to 8-speed and got some REAL rings. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Briones Canyon, Martinez, CA | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
weight, looks | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
STX, LX, Son of Strongarm | | Bike Setup: |
Dean Oscar Custom, XT/XTR mix, SDG Seat, Race Face cranks, Answer Hyperlite/Hyperends, Ame grips, Time ATAC Carbon pedals, Dean Stem/post, Mavic 217/GT CNC wheels, Bontrager Revolt SS tire pair, Sachs PC-51 chain | | Bottom Line: | These seem to work fine right now. I use em with an XT front Derailleur and Race Face cranks. They shift great, but I'm sure that they won't last long. The price you pay for weight savings! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tick
a Racer
from Jax, FL
Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tsali, NC | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Look Good, durability (so-far) | | Weaknesses: |
Shifting learning curve | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano, Sungino | | Bike Setup: |
Jamis Dakar Team FS, Marzocci Superfly, XT, Gripshift | | Bottom Line: | Look great but took a while to figure out shifting since the ramps work but not as quick as shimano, etc. Using gripshifts can't just shift, must hold each shift for an added second and they will shift just fine. It was a minor pain in the *ss, but you quickly get use to it & don't even think about it after a while. Unfortunately, I do still have problems dropping into granny, but only when under high strain like climbing & if not on large cog in rear. Will get back if figure this one out. Otherwise, ok rings but could be better for the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross-Country Rider
from Marietta, GA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Chicopee Woods | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
None. Well, they upshift pretty nice. | | Weaknesses: |
CHAINSUCK!!!! Small ring shifts off under power | | Similar Products Used: |
Boone!!! Shimano | | Bike Setup: |
McMahon Moonshot, White SC90, XTR | | Bottom Line: | These rings SUCK!!! CHAINSUCK, CHAINSUCK, CHAINSUCK!!! Thanks to raceface, the chainstays on my beautiful new moonshot are shredded. These rings are brand new too, along with the chain. Also, I have to be baby pedaling to drop into the granny gear, otherwise, the chain jumps straight off into the bottom bracket. DO NOT EVER BUY THESE RINGS!!! THEY SUCK HEINOUSLY!!!! Hey MTBR. Fix your rating system so I can give these pieces of crap zero stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from NY
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Stiff
Good looking
Highly durable | | Similar Products Used: |
XT cranks
STX-RC cranks
Cook Bros E-series | | Bike Setup: |
Titus Quasimoto
Jr T
XTR/RaceFace
Hope Pros | | Bottom Line: | These cranks have held up great so far. They are very stiff and durable. I recommend these cranks to anyone looking for a high performance part that will last. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from atlanta,ga
Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
look good | | Weaknesses: |
chainsuck,shifting | | Similar Products Used: |
xt,real | | Bike Setup: |
two bikes. adriot,sworks m2 | | Bottom Line: | put a full set (22,32,42) on a new adriot with RF cranks,xt fr der, and the rest xtr. using the recomended small ring spacers, I can't find a happy medium between shifting to small and overshifting off small. Have to hold shifter to get it to shift to middle. And yes, the chainline is exactly where it's supposed to be. with a new sachs pc91 chain, the middle chainsucks bad. Installed some on my m-2 at the same time (32,44) with my old real small ring. m-2 has gripshift, tnt cranks, suntour xc pro fr der, sachs rear der, xtr cassett, sachs pc91 chain. the bike shifts ok. I expect it's the gripshift and that awesome suntour front der (I still have a stash). The middle ring has bad bad bad chainsuck. I've had this m-2 since 92 with a lot of different middle rings and never had chainsuck this bad. Unlike the other experts on this site, I don't know what the problem is. I do know that no middle ring is worth wasting an adriot and a m-2 frame. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Price
a Cross-Country Rider
from your Hellertown, PA.
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
South Mountain,Bethlehem | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
This products only strengh is that it lightened my wallet significantly | | Weaknesses: |
Where do I begin? I wore through first granny gear in under 2 weeks; it kept popping, basically not gripping at all.Race Face stroked my ego by claiming I was too strong for that ring.They replaced it with the next size up. It took me 3 entire weeks too wear this granny just about smooth, with some teeth completely missing. My bike shop felt so guilty they replaced it with another granny from ninja I said thanks after all it's not the shops fault. Well after a few more weeks I was suffering from the worst chian suck I have experienced in my 7 years of riding. The problem? My Race Face middle ring has rivets on it that grap your chain and destroy it and your granny gear. So I think I solve the Race Face problem with a Real granny only too discover the cause lies in my middle chain ring an that plain sucks!! in # months I have purchased 4 chainrings, had countless chian breaks, and aggravated rides which for the money I spent shouldn't have happened. | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano, ninja, real | | Bike Setup: |
when i changed my drive train I went with new Raceface cranks, chainrings and cogs, including new chain exactly as Race Face speced | | Bottom Line: | This product is the biggest crime being perpetrated in mounbiking that I have come accross in my 7 years of mountain biking. DO NOT BUY race face PRODUCTS!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY$$$$$$ 1 star is too many | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver,B.C.
Date Reviewed: July 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
North Shore | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
strong (no flex), hard anodized for long
life, look good | | Weaknesses: |
don't shift worth a damn from small to
middle ring. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano,Sugino,Syncros | | Bike Setup: |
'97 Klein Mantra Race 99 Z-1 BAM | | Bottom Line: | '98 Race Rings didn't work well at all using an XT front derailleur with 113mm spindle
XT bottom bracket. It does however shift OK on my hardtail using an XT bottom racket
with a 107mm spindle. I'm using Race Face LP cranks in both cases. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
look great
red anodized crank and red big & middlle ring | | Weaknesses: |
refuse to shift properly | | Similar Products Used: |
shimano | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn Mesa GSX
Judy XC STX Rapid Fire | | Bottom Line: | Install new crank arms,bb and rings all RaceFace, would not shift middle to small with any pressure at all, must baby it to maybe get a shift. Shifting small to middle, midlle to big was tough, must hold rapid fire shifter and sometimes overshift. Middle ring now skips when hammering down on the pedal, skips to small ring luckily. No damage to bike, but 1 hell of a shock to me! Contacted RaceFace want me to return crank arms and rings to them to test.. Will cost $20 to $45 to return NJ to Canada expensive. Will not have a bike to ride because it will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to get an answer. Cheaper and easier to just get new rings(somebody else) and be out riding and enjoying the summer season. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BIO
a Downhiller
from IDAHO
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
BALDY MTN. | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
EVEREYTHING | | Weaknesses: |
NONE | | Similar Products Used: |
GIRVIN | | Bike Setup: |
SCHWINN STRAIGHT-6 | | Bottom Line: | NOTICE HOW NONE OF THE OTHER REVIEWERS ARE DOWNHILLERS. THIS CHINRING IS TOTALLY AWESOME FOR YOUR AVERAGE 8-SPEED DH BIKE!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sébastien
a Cross-Country Rider
from Iberville, Québec, CANADA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Extra-légère at Bromont | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Very tough,
Shifting pin,
light | | Weaknesses: |
installation | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized crank with Sugino chainring.
Sugino CSS3 chainring with my RF crank | | Bike Setup: |
'96 Rocky Mountain Blizzard
Rock Shox XC, XTR V-Brake
Avid Ultimate Lever, Grip Shift X-Ray
Michelin Wildgripper Comp S
Full Race Face component: Bar, Stem, Crank, Chainring AHeadSet and BB.
Ritchey wheelset, DT spoke & nipple | | Bottom Line: | What a beautiful piece of art ! I bought this chainring after 2 years because I don't understand why Rocky Mountain doesn't do it. It make a huge difference over the Sugino because it is machined and much more thickness and the have some slope. WARNING WARNING WARNINGFOR EVERYONE WHO HAD SOME SHIFTING PROBLEM WITH THE CHAINRING. MAKE SURE YOU REINSTALL THE CRANK PROPERLY. YOU HAVE TO TORQUE IT TO 26 FT/LBS IF YOU DON'T WANT CHAINSUCK OR IF YOUR CHAIN STAY IN THE MIDDLE RING. I HAD BOTH OF THESE PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT MY BIKE 3 YEARS AGO. For more info on installation all Race Face component, go to their web site. N.B. Go buy a torque-wrench !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rodel
a Racer
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Canmore World Cup Course | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Made in Canada
Look Great
Great Service | | Weaknesses: |
Spacing Issues with 9speed | | Similar Products Used: |
8speed rings with 8 speed csst and chain | | Bike Setup: |
Sunn Exact Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I am going back to 8sp. The 9sp experimant didn't work out soo well, the spacing on the 9sp RF rings never seems to work. the first set let the chain fall between the middle and the granny, the second set just let the chain ride between the middle and the granny, now with the third set I am getting horrible chainsuck as the chain gets caught during the shift from the middle to the granny. I liked the shifting of the old 8 speed set up and the extra 9th cogg is not worth the deterioration in front shifting. I should mention though that Shimano 9speed cranks and rings seem to be working fine for my riding buddies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
World B Free
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
not tellin | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Great looks
Good shifting
seem durable | | Weaknesses: |
price
overjump screw on 44 ring snaps easily | | Similar Products Used: |
Shamano | | Bike Setup: |
Klein HT | | Bottom Line: | I actually have the Sun/Ringle rings, which are identical to RF. If my sources are correct, they are both made by Black Spire in Canada. They shift almost as well as the stock rings that came on my 96 LX.. Gotta give those japanese engineers props for that. But as far as replacements go, these are a good option. I never thought flexy chainrings were a problem, but you can definitely notice the stiffness of these when you whomp on em. And they make my cheapo LX cranks look pretty stylie! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from hanover, ontario
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
they look really cool | | Weaknesses: |
unfortunatly, the race face name, let me down. They shift horribly, and are very laterally weak. | | Similar Products Used: |
sugino compact supershifter III | | Bike Setup: |
fsr comp, bomber Z1 full xtr | | Bottom Line: | OK. I know that most people think race face kicks ass, and they do. There made in canada which is awesome. But out of all of there good stuff, these rings do not make the cut. They are made of aluminum, which appears to be too soft, they have worn a LOT and ive had them for bout 3 months. Shifting has suffered over my sugino, through all deraller adjustment, i have ruled the drivetrain to be sound other than the rings. Today i was at a race, and on any hill when i needed to shift to the small chainring, if any pressure was on it at all, it would not leave the middle ring. I had to back pedal, and then slowly pedal to get it to shift. I lost at least 5 places due to this. Some of the time, i had to walk up the hill due to shifting problems. I was quite disapointed this being my first race, i did rather well i suppose for having the problems. I recomend getting some XT rings. Cheaper and better. GO RACE FACE!!! (they kick ass other than their rings)... one pepper due to fast wear, poor shifting, and extreme cost. email me if you think u have found a sweet cross country pair of chain rings seeing as how i am now in the market for some... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd G. (gee!)
a Cross-Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: May 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Castlewood | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
She's a looker....Damn fine stuff those Raceface folks are making, eh? | | Weaknesses: |
Nope, not a one.....yet....Maybe? | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano rings | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn with a Judy fork. | | Bottom Line: | Ok, so today is my first day on these rings (and RF crank...killer!!!) I am set-up with rapidfire shifters and I LOVED these rings on their virgin ride. I had none of the shifting problems that I have read about here, and you couldn't force me to go back to Shimano rings. RACEFACE KICKS ASS!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Hanover, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Well... they look really cool | | Weaknesses: |
too soft... dont get the aluminum ones anyway | | Similar Products Used: |
sugino | | Bike Setup: |
fsr comp bomber z1 xtr drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | look cool... but are very soft... i havent even used them 2 months, and they are already worn down to 3/4 of the tooths original, im gonna have to get new ones by the end of the summer (and they wont be raceface, i guarantee it)...
the race face crank however is VERY NICE... justif u get it, swap those rings, one pepper just for looks | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross-Country Rider
from West Springfield,MA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Look awesome | | Weaknesses: |
Performance still to be determined | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano | | Bike Setup: |
1999 Rocky Mountain Instinct | | Bottom Line: | My '99 Rocky Mountain Instinct came spec'd with Raceface 9sp chainrings. They do look great.After about 100 miles I began to experience two major problems; chain would drop off of the granny gear into the frame under power when climbing and the chain would skip when climbing on the middle ring. Bike setup was verified as correct by two shops.I called Raceface and explained my situation. They were pretty decent about it and offered to send me a replacement set of chainrings as they had made improvements to the design. They sent the rings direct to me ( I gave my credit card as collaterall and paid an extra $4 for overnight delivery as I wanted to ride within a few days).The rings came as promised and on a mild test ride seem to be OK. I'll know better after some real riding.The new rings were different than the originals. The originals had a small washer spacer to correct an apparent production problem and the new granny gear is steel vs. the aluminum of the original.5 chiles for the courteous service and anticipated good performance of the new rings(if they turn out to be dogs I'll review again). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Cambridge Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
shifting pins, strength, black finish | | Weaknesses: |
none yet | | Similar Products Used: |
98 race rings, shimano | | Bike Setup: |
rocky element, xtr, stratos, white bros | | Bottom Line: | A much improved versuon of last years rings. Worthy of use with their excellent cranks. I had the old non-pinned version and middle ring shifts were crap. These new rings work great after a little set-up and they can take more abuse than shimano. Great improvement on a previousy flawed product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MDK
a Weekend Warrior
from LA, CA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
The rings look superb. | | Weaknesses: |
I too have my share of headache w/ the middle ring. The shifting wasn't so bad, but like the post below, when I started to hammer on the cranks the middle failed to grab any of the chain and it either derailed to the granny ring or worse yet into the bottom bracket area (chainsuck)! I have replaced the middle ring w/ a Werx ring and it shifts about the same (pretty good but not as smooth as my other bike w/ real rings). But I can now put power down w/o fear. Great cranks but RF needs to do something about their rings. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano, Real, Werx. | | Bike Setup: |
Intense Uzzi SL. | | Bottom Line: | Buy the cranks but get some other rings. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene, OR
Date Reviewed: March 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Anything in Brianhead, UT | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
never have to think about them | | Weaknesses: |
None that I'm aware of | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Mountain Thin Air, Zoke Z2,
used the Race Face Cranks with the rings | | Bottom Line: | Good product. Seems to shift well. The best thing is that I never have to think about them. This drivetrain has been the best shifting system I've ever had (XT front derailleur, Race Face Race Rings). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffro
a Racer
from South Korea
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Aacha-san | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Bottom Line: | I've like these rings OK, but there is one problem. Ocassionally, the chain will catch an get jamme in one of the big ring's shifting pins. It's a real rue awakening, because then the chain slamms into the stay, stopping all motion. I've trie saning own the pin, which has helpe some, but not completely. Otherwise, they work well(better than this keyboar ..missing abc efg). Maybe RF will fix this in the future. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a cross-country rider
from NM
Date Reviewed: March 12, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've ridden these rings for a season now and they ROCK! I've never had a problem with them, shifting or otherwise. But, you do have to have at least half a brain to set up your drivetrain. If you're having problems with them, get somebody who knows how to work on a bike. 10 Flaming ones for Race Face | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G
a cross-country rider
from Denton, TX
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm back to change my tune. After posting the review that you can read below, one of the RF engineers actually e-mailed me to see if he could help trouble-shoot the situation. Long story short, I've been riding a set of the re-designed RF chainrings for the last 2 months (+300 miles). My chainsuck problem has gone away, and my chainring shifting has NEVER been better (even w/ XT rings on the same drivetrain). The new rings have steel pins that move the chain soooo well & don't wear down like aluminum ramps. I'm very pleased with these rings & I plan to get more just like them when they wear out. Five chilis for performance, and a thubms up for a company of people who actually care. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bert
a cross-country rider
from England
Date Reviewed: February 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I ride a Sunn revolt GP with RF cranks & chainrings.I have had the bike about a year now & it has been great. I must say that I haven't seen the shifting problems that others have written about here although I use the gripshift ESP9.0 setup & with 9 clicks for the front shifter I can compensate if the chain won't go on the middle ring (ie: move one extra click)...this seems to work fine & also when the chain is at the extremes of travel (say front granny to rear small ring) if the front changer scrapes the chain you can again compensate by twisting the gripshift one extra click.
That said I have experienced a problem with the granny ring lately & a friend who has only recently purchased a similar bike has just had the same problem which is that the inner chainring bolts came loose & jammed against the chain stay wrecking the chainring in the process. I am not sure if this happened as a result of incorrectly tightened bolts or if they come loose under load or if they come loose after a crack develops at the weakest point (across the bolt hole to the base of the tooth!) anyway right now I have a new RF ring fitted & I'm on my way to Spain next week to do some real mountain climbing. Needless to say I shall be checking the bolts regularly & I will take a spare shimano ring just in case. So right now since it has happened to two of us & I notice several others have commented about a similar problem I have to give them 3 chilli's sorry RF (great cranks though!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Hirsch
a racer
from Itasca, IL
Date Reviewed: January 30, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I just like to say that the individual from Chandler, AZ obviousely does not have his rig set up or he is using these chainrings with something other than a RACE FACE crankset. I have been racing with RACE FACE components for over two years and they are stellar. I have never had a problem with them. I think you start to have problems when you mix and match. It just doesn't work. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan the Man
a racer
from Thornhill, Ontario
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Yo these rings do KICK SOME MAJOR ASS!
Ive rode 'em down to the polished stuff and they have never failed me once!
Its worth the money, unless you crash them, youll have no problems!
5 Burning Bodies! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
UNgasha
a racer
from College Station, Tx
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, I finally did it. I busted my big chainring while jumping like a maniac onto park benches and crap like that. I bent a tooth completely over, and I broke another one entirely off. Crap!!! Otherwise, the shifting's been great, and I'm going to replace that big ring so that I can see how long it would take for me to screw up another one!!!! It's been 4 months since it was brand brand new.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
maTT
a racer
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've race on these ringall year and they have work very well, they've chainsucked a few times but all rings do that now and then. The ramps help out the shifing a lot and make it super smooth whe you shift gears right. Half of shifting performance is based on the rider and if you know when to do it, these rings will always perform. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G.
a cross-country rider
from Denton TX
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got these rings along with my (MAGNIFICENT) Race Face cranks about 9 months ago. It's in a system w/ an XT rapid-fire shifter, Delta Cables, XT Front Derr, & a new chain every 2-3 mos (Sachs & KCS Supershuttle). I have to say that I've been fairly disappointed with their performance. The ramps wore down visibly within a month (more than cosmetic scratches), I recently had to replace the middle ring because it was throwing the chain whenever I hammered the cranks, and the small ring is starting to look worn out too. The shifting between the small-middle ring has always been mediocre--although that seems to be a pretty ubiquitous problem with chainrings. I've also had HORRIBLE problems with chainsuck that started when I got the bike & have followed me through chainline adjustments, derraileur adjustments, several chains, several (increasingly short) chainlengths. . . I can't definitively say it's the rings, but they are the only thing I haven't been able to adjust. With all the choices of rings out there, I wouldn't get these again. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a weekend warrior
from so cal
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i have had the rings for over a year now. they are holding up very well. i am sticking with my original review. they shift pretty well. shimano is still the best, but the race rings work well also. i haven't had any problems with them, but i have had 1 friend that couldn't get them to shift down to the small chainring, but that might not be the fault of the chainrings. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
UNgasha
a racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These rings rule!! I have an ESP 9.0sl shifing system, and I love these rings!!! I do chainring grinds all of the time, and I have ZERO shifting problems. I have noticed absolutely NO deformation of the teeth on the rings, and I've had these thing for about 3 months now. I'll keep reporting back to update my situation. So far, so awesome!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Macki
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: September 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Geez I feel like the bank of Canada trying to prop up the Candian dollar :->
Anyways, I was thinking that people should state the type of chain that they are using as that maybe the source of the problem. If I recall correctly there is a narrower chain made by Shimano (IG-50 ??). As I stated in a previous post that I have had no problem what so ever with the ring and I use Gripshift ERP 9.0 shifters (Sachs front der.) with a Sach PC-61 chain. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilligan
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I really have to admit that I was not sure if I had done the right thing by buying those rings after reading those reviews.
I got the whole crankset and installed myself together with RF BB ( 110 ) on my Vertex T.O.
At first it shifted pretty bad. I´m using XTR Rapidfire and a 95 XTR toppull derrailleur. But then I adjusted the chainline and moved the crank towards the frame about 2 or 3 mm and now the shifting is just perfect.
Under a lot of pressure the shifting quality decreases but who does that anyway. You have to bike smart and look ahead. If you can´t do that, go buy Shimano cranks with tons of shifting ramps that wear out real fast.
RF didn´t use these and added that way a lot of durability. Nice move. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a racer
from Mechanicsburg, PA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After reading the reviews posted here, I too got nervous about my decision to buy RF rings. Rightfully so! I have had nothing but shifting problems, both up and down between the rings, especially going to the small ring while under power (REAL STEEP climbs). Yes, I checked and rechecked the chainline, and even had my riding patner, who is also the LBS wrench, look it over, and all appeared fine but the problem continued. Like the gentleman below me, I too believe the spacing of the rings is not the most compatible with rapid fire shifters. And, too add insult to injury, when I contacted RF they balked and said it must not bee installed properly. When I informed them I had it professionally looked at, they proceeded to question the ability of the mechanic! EXCUSE ME!! Do yourself a favor, DON'T BUY THESE RINGS!!!!I'm now back with XT and doing fine!! Great cranks, crappy rings!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glen
a weekend warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Ihad ordered a set of RF cranks w/ rings before I read the reviews here. Since all the other components on my bike were XTR, including the rapid fire shifters, I was a little worried when I read these reviews.I must say most of these bad reviews are inaccurate. Ihave absolutely no problems whatsoever with shifting - even with the rapidfire shifters. it goes through all the chainrings up or down with as much ease as with my XT chainrings. The shifting ramps seem to be working perfectly in my case. As usual, the cranks are stiff and look great too.The only slight problem I encountered was, the rings are spaced just a tad bit wider than the XT rings. This causes the chainline to be too angled on the big/big combo - but, since i never use this gear anyway, no big deal.4 stars for now because I haven't really abused the rings for a long time yet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a racer
from MI
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These rings are not very good. It doesn't take but about 15 rides before you start to notice how bad the shifting is. It wont shift to the middle ring and chain suck is very apparent. Even with gripshift, where it is a little bit more forgiving than rapid fire, they still don't work very good. And yes, I do know how to properly set up the chain line and the spacing of the derailleur to the chain ring. Shimano rings are going on next. I can get more than a season of racing out of them, instead of a month. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Hewitt
a weekend warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My Race Face equipped Sunn Revolt GP was all very pretty until the granny
ring unscrewed itself and taco'd into the frame. Twenty miles from anywhere
and it's not funny - good job I carry tools !
I'll not bother with the warranty ! - and get some rings that work !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris welch
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i just replaced chainrings and cranks. i went from 98 XT cranks and chainrings
(42-32-22)98/54mm, XT derailler, to cooks bros. cranks and RaceFace 44-32-22.
results--
friggin kick ass!
i haven't had any problems at all, these chianrings are shifting just as well as any set of shimano rings. i dunno what these people who are having problems are whining about
i didn't know canadians could do anything but play hockeyshweeet! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren Tappe
a cross-country rider
from Cairo, Egypt
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Talk about getting scared. I set up my Santa Cruz Heckler for the sole job of lasting through a year of desert riding with no critical disasters. So far the Race Face rings and cranks are flawless and they've been hammered. Too early for a definitive review and, yes, I agree that the ESP 9.0 shifters might have something to do with my system's integrity. Oh, if I had gone XTR, I wouldn't have been able to afford the flight back! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DanK
a cross-country rider
from usa
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
RaceFace is a great company but I do not feel these chainrings are up to par. My friend's LX crankset with shimmy shimano rings shifts much much better.
I have to constantly look down to see if my chain went to the middle cog because the darn ramps aren't even worthwhile. And yes, my chainline and drivetrain are adjusted properly. These rings do shift but not as quickly or efficiently as Shimano rings. I feel they are on par with Real rings and not quite as good as Sugino rings. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a weekend warrior
from Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: August 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I replaced my Shimano cainrings with a set from RaceFace. What an idiot!! The RaceFace chainrings look great, but I need a chainring that works. If anyone wants these barely used chainrings for free, Email me. RaceFace engineers should go back to the drawing board on these chainrings. I really should have listened to the bike shop that sold me these rings, they told me they shifted like crap..They really do! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Disappointed
a weekend warrior
from Victoria,B.C. CANADA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have'nt had the bike for more then 24 hrs and the small ring has already come loose.The bolts came loose jamming on the bottom bracket and bending the chain ring,Ughhh. Not too nice when your BRAND NEW FRAME gets scratched up for a problem that should'nt occur!!!! It appears I'm not the only one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bikrdog
a cross-country rider
from Coloraod Springs
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been running a Race Face middle 32t and outer 44t for over 6months, and am very impressed. They shift extremely well, no suck, and no getting stuck in-between like some others have posted. I run ESP 9.0, and Middleburn Cranks. I am suspecting either some others are experiencing difficulties due to improper spacing of the rings themselves, or improper chain alignment. Anyway, for me , they rule! Our survey says----------------5 stenching turds. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
UNgasha
a racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These rings kick ass!!! They're light, very strong, and they shift as well ass Shimano's rings. I'm running an ESP 9.0sl shifter setup, so that might be why I have such great shifting, but I've bashed these rings on every hard surface you can imagine (doing trials riding), and they haven't bent AT ALL!!!! Get these. Now!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael C
a racer
from Houston TX
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Race Face makes awsome stuff don't get me wrong but these chainrings wear down way to fast. I have never needed to replace a chainring with in 5 months until i bought the race face chainrings with my LP cranks. The cranks are great never been disapointed look great perform great and stronger than anything else I have tried. BUT I WAS DISAPOINTED WITH THE CHAINRINGS MY 24TOOTH RACE FACE CHAINRING IS WORN DOWN TO NOTHING AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR UNDER 5 MONTHS. YES THE RACE FACE CHAINRINGS ARE RAMPED BUT THEY ARE NOT PINNED!! AND MY CHAIN WILL FREQUENTLY GET STUCK IN BETWEEN MY CHAINRINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PINNED!!! do not let this reveiw keep you from buying some of race face's other great products but DO NOT BUY THERE CHAINRINGS IF YOU DOU AT LEAST BUY YOUR SMALLEST ONE FROM SOMEONE WHO MAKES THEIR'S OUT OF STEEL BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO LAST!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd West
a cross-country rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Despite having read all the middle-ring tales of woe here, I decided to get a 32T RaceRing anyway, figuring I could trade it to my girlfriend's Gripshift equipped bike for her Shimano middle ring if I ran into shifting troubles with my RapidFire setup.I've done nothing of the sort. My 20-32-42 RaceRings are setup on 175mm compact Turbine LPs with a compact-throw, bottom-pull LX derailleur and an LX RF+ pod. The RaceRings work noticeably better than the Shimano LX and Sugino Impel rings I've used in the past (mated to LX cranks and Impel 700s, respectively), despite having the Turbines on my Mantra Race's stock 113mm LX bottom bracket. The difference isn't huge; shifts are a bit smoother and the lurch from 32T to 20T is more controlled than usual. Getting the chain up to the middle ring does require a bit more agressive throw on the shift lever than with Shimano or Sugino rings, but my thumb adjusted to suit after the first few miles with the rings.Maybe I've just found a lucky combination, but it's worked quite well for the couple dozen miles I've had it on so far. Four flaming dead horses for now; five if the rings are still going strong after a year and a muddy winter of riding, less if shifting trouble develops. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a cross-country rider
from Worcester MA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i second the last opinion. i'd been reading all the negative reviews
while waiting for my granny and middle ring to come in the mail and
nearly cancelled my order. but they came and i'm really glad they did.
shift better than ever.. good price and nice looks. 5 chilis.. and 4 more words. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Macki
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After reading the reviews I thought I need to give my comments on the rings.
I have had absolutely no problem with them whatsoever (I use the 9.0 gripshift shifters). I have used them for about 4 months now through rain and muddy conditions with no poor shifting at all. Maybe this is a quality control problem (i.e., they made a bad batch) or the rings do not work well with shimano shifters?? Anyways I really like Raceface products - they have well thought out
designs and there customer service is top notch. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor Hladik
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I too am a little surprised about some of the negative comments below about the middle ring. I have absolutely no shifting problems at all and I wonder like Dave below if it is not the combination of Shimano shifters to Race Face compared to grip shift. I use Sachs Extreme shifters and like I said no problems and have been very please with them and even though it is minor they look great as well. It would be interesting to know what type of shifters people are using as a reference point. Not everyone states what they are using but those that do and are having problems seem to have Shimano shifters.Enjoy the ride.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BobC
a weekend warrior
from RI
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Looks nice but shifting really is not good at all. Upgraded to XTR integ
shifters but still the small to middle would not shift well. Something to
do with the wierd long innerbolts/spacers? Shifting at others also.. you have
to hold the button down.. but that's not progress.. that's a step back from
Shimano. Rings look good but poor shifting. I'm waiting for these to wear out so I can go to Shimano rings now. Generally.. if a product has enough comments that you see the pattern.. believe it.. I keep reading posts every few weeks.. 'my RF does not shift well'. Read these posts and believe. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a racer
from Alberta
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It's difficult for me to give the rings only 2 chili's for Race Face, but I'm going to have to. ALthough I've had no problems associated with shifting to the middle ring, I've been getting major chain-suck (even on pavement!). After swapping my granny gear for a Shimano, the problem is toast. Race Face, drop this product before you shoot yourself in the foot with them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walt
a cross-country rider
from Palmer, Alaska U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased these chainrings after running the Shimano rings (which I personally don't care for) on my Race Face crankset, although I haven't had these chainrings on for as long as some of the other riders who have had negative comments about them, I have not had the shift problems that they are encountering. I will give these a 5 for now, we will just have to see what time will tell. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mac
a cross-country rider
from San Jose, Ca
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Race Face chainrings are beautiful to look at but are worthless as far as function is concerned. I'm really sorry I have to say this because I'm very happy with their bottom bracket and their cranks...in fact, I would go so far as to say that they make the best set of cranks I've ever come across. When I compare the RF chainrings to a set of Shimanos, it's clear that the technology is just not there with the RF set. I give them the lowest possible rating. | | Overall Rating: |
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