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Submitted by
UWSPHD
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA, USADate Reviewed: June 11, 2009
Strengths: The crank and external bearings provide very efficient power transfer.Weaknesses: The middle chain ring breaks.Bottom Line: Everything will break it is simply a matter of when. The middle ring broke a tooth due to the free-hub seizing and sending the chain pushing through the front derailleur and bending the rear derailleur cage. Granted it took 4000 miles for this to happen. If you want to save money in the long-run buy yourself a set of those ridiculous bike tools and avoid letting the kid mechanic at the LBS touch your rig.
middle ring-$35
front derailleur-$30
cassette-$80
free-hub-$30
chain-$30
total drivetrain replacement-$205
not bad for 4000 miles
if you can afford to beat on your bike then suck it up
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
schneidie
a Downhiller
from south windsor, ct, usaDate Reviewed: October 5, 2008
Strengths: lightWeaknesses: bendyBottom Line: bendy as all hell, not good for anything where you're gonna be in muddy conditions or with rocks
Favorite Trail: killington
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: truvativ chanirings
Bike Setup: 07 fisher marlin, FSA bashring, FSA moto-x bb+ crankset, maxxis 2.5 inch tires, SRAM x-5
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Al "correction" Osorio
a Cross Country Rider
from ZurichDate Reviewed: November 16, 2005
Strengths: Cheaper than XTWeaknesses: I am correcting my last report. After 6 mths a tooth riped off. I noticed sloppy shifting soon after the shop had installed and I thought it was dirty cables. Now I think it was just quicker than average wear and tear for LX level.Bottom Line: I have had good riding in the past saving some buck when needing a new drivetain by using LX rings. Those days are over. It's an ugly sound when climbing a technical singletrack and a tooth goes! Don't save on the drivetrain of you do anything near heavy duty biking.
Favorite Trail: Engadin, Switzerland
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: Local bike shop
Similar Products Used: Sugoi Stiff, better investment
Bike Setup: XT/XTRbrakes/hartail/rockshx Duke adjustable/
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington D.C.Date Reviewed: November 15, 2005
Strengths: Its light, shifts perfectly with the right deraileur and shimano 9sp chain.steel ramping is good stuffWeaknesses: rather soft on the compound,not very longlastingBottom Line: a nice chainring for light-weigh, low toque/high rpm type riders, shifting is exellent when chainline is good,and the right chain is used + 9 speed der.For the 10 bucks that this chainring costs, it is a decent buy. but if you are fat/hehehe, just kidding/ or a heavy rider, get something steel if you are looking for durability
and strengt
p.s I bought the whole crank for 64 bucks, not just the chainring
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$64.00
Purchased At: jensonusa
Similar Products Used: siguno, shimano steel, raceface, truvativ and some cheap stuff...
Bike Setup: Trek 4500/02/, custom DT spokes/xt m756/DT FR 6.1 wheels, lx crank/04 edition/xt chain and cassete, durt jumper 3 and other stuff...
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Albert Osorio
a Cross Country Rider
from Zurich, SwitzerlandDate Reviewed: September 23, 2005
Strengths: No where near as expensive as XT and only about 30 grams heavier. (worth it)Weaknesses: Lasts Tops 1 and 1/2 season before total collapse.Bottom Line: All the other reviews shocked me. I was wondering how to get my drivetrain to last longer than 2000 KM before a total replace of cassette/chainrings/chain. But after all the other reviews I guess I am doing alright. I was going to change out my chain sooner to try and get the rings to last longer-the question is how much longer.
And now I ask myslef if spending a little sooner than later is better to have a sharper drivetrain?? Does anyone really know of XT/XTR or other chainrings lasst a whole lot longer?
Favorite Trail: Engadin, Switz-Val d'Uina
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At: With bike-replace at bikeshop
Similar Products Used: Shimano XT
Bike Setup: German Alu Hartail (Red Bull) XT/LX/ XTR v brakes/Conti explorers/Rockshox Duke 63-115 soon to be Marzochi
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from PhillyDate Reviewed: May 31, 2005
Strengths: They shifted well at first.Weaknesses: didn't hold upBottom Line: I've hit a couple logs with these and they've already gone to hell. I replaced a worn out lx crank with the new, and well by all means worn, those four year old rings look better than the large chainring on my new crankset. I like the crank, but I need to get myself a new large chainring. That or start trying to jump smaller logs.
Favorite Trail: south mountain
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Similar Products Used: older lx cranks
Bike Setup: khs hardtail frame, set up for cross country racing
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Rooke
a Cross Country Rider
from PickeringDate Reviewed: September 21, 2004
Strengths: Light.
Shifts well.
Weaknesses: Weak!!!!!!!Bottom Line: The 2002 Shimano crankset was definitely a lot lighter and shifted a lot better than the stock Specialized crankset I replaced after bending the large ring.
I'm a small rider wieghting only around 135lbs and I do like to hammer the climbs. But I can't believe that a new chainring would lose a tooth after less than 3 months of use. The missing tooth is in the same location as the others reviewers, beside the shift ramps.
So far I have not encountered any chain suck but the shifting is a tad sluggish now. I'll continue to ride it until I notice a significant drop in perfomance.
This is just unacceptable. I'm very disappointed with Shimano. Next time I'll try another product.
Do not buy this product.
Favorite Trail: Durham Region trails
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At: Pedal Performance
Similar Products Used: Specialized Strong Arm
Bike Setup: Specialized Rockhopper FSRXC with LX comp
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kwinten
a Weekend Warrior
from Zonhoven, BelgiumDate Reviewed: June 21, 2004
Strengths: light?Weaknesses: Wear out in no time. Not a very smooth shifting experience.Bottom Line: These chainrings shifted well the first 1000 km. Then I had trouble getting the chain on the smallest wheel.
A few months later my chain breaked a couple of times. So I decited to replace it, together with my cascette. After I did that I noticed my chain jumped of my chainwheels, they were totally woren out. So now I have to replace them too. Only the smallest one is intact, and that's steal one. Looks like shimano wanted to show of with their lightweight chainwheels by making them out of weak alloy.
If you don't mind replacing these chainwheels every six months, you should buy them. But I'm gonna buy BBB chainwheels, hope they last longer.
Favorite Trail: Bloso Route Genk
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: Martens Rijwielen Houthalen
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Full Shimano LX group, except front shifter, Rock Shox Judy XC, all others parts from Colorado.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Topples
a Weekend Warrior
from AustraliaDate Reviewed: November 18, 2003
Strengths: LightishWeaknesses: Everything else.Bottom Line: Cheapish if you dont look at the dollars per km value. Original set lasted 600 kms, replaced and the new ones lasted 400 kms. Soft, grumpy and a waste of money. Currently looking for a good solid alternative. I live i a mreasonably hilly area but push most of it in the middle ring, the mall ring still woe out quickly and the middle ring is not far behind, im 6'9" and 96 km but i still think i shouldnt have to replace rings every 10 rides. Maybe use it if your doing flat rides and weigh nothing.
Favorite Trail: Catho Loop
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Similar Products Used: Tioga buzz saw (i think cant remember)
Bike Setup: Ironhorse ARS 7.0 stocko bar new longer seat post, b eds and ouri grips
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
ssqa2002
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA, USADate Reviewed: July 30, 2003
Strengths: A fairly inexpensive product, light weight, looks goodWeaknesses: After logging about 1,000 miles, I noticed that the middle chainring was missing a tooth near a ramp point inline with my crank downward position. The whole tooth was missing, though I don't notice any weakness in pedalling, so I'm not incluned to spend the bucks to replace the sprocket just yet. I'll just keep riding until it gets worse.
I take longish 50-65 mile road rides, and use this bike when the hills are tougher than what I can do on my road bike. Some of the hills are fairly steep, and I suspect the tooth popped off on a steep grade.Bottom Line: Breaking a tooth is not a good thing, and very expensive to buy a replacement part. I'm not planning on replacing the chainring until ride quality starts to degrade to to additional wear. Perhaps Shimano cut the manufacturing process a bit much by not stress releiving the material, heat treating, or a weaker alloy. Whatever the reason, I'm not thrilled.
Favorite Trail: Calavaras Loop
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$45.00
Purchased At: JensonUSA.com
Similar Products Used: Suntour XC a very strong crankset. A Specialized strongarm setup on my Rockhopper that creates chain suck after 100 miles climbing Mission Peak. Removing the chain wheel (small) and filing off the peaks restores original performance.
Shimano Acera, stamped steel. This product for all it's cheapness, is very durable, and reliable. If you absolutely gotta get there, us this part.
Bike Setup: Specialized Crossroads 17", mid 1990s, 21 speed, 700c Vittoria Techno Treads, Acera front rear ders, Body Geometry saddle, 12/28 rear casssette.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jack BeNimble
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Worth, TXDate Reviewed: February 19, 2003
Strengths: Looks good in the box.Weaknesses: 1) Weak
2) PriceBottom Line: I got a great price on a set of 2002 LX cranks, but that's where my satisfaction ends. Within the first 50 miles, I noticed that the middle chainring had a busted tooth. I'm sure that I did it while grinding hard up a hill, but 2000+ miles on my old aluminum chainrings and I never had a problem like this. Now to replace the POS ring, it is going to cost almost the same amount as what I paid for the whole crankset.
Here's a business opportunitity... Some company out there needs to start making GOOD replacement chainrings at a reasonable price. I'd be your first customer.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Similar Products Used: Chainrings that came with bike's original Icon cranks (now defunct).
Bike Setup: LX Cranks
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joe H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Buckley, Wa usaDate Reviewed: October 3, 2002
Strengths: They shift well.Weaknesses: Teeth break at shift ramps.Bottom Line: I have two sets of LX cranks on different bikes. Both are 6 months old. Middle chain ring on 1 bike has broken a tooth adjacent to the shifting ramp. I'm sure it is from peddling it. I have a BS Ring God protecting it. My other LX is still performing with no broken teeth. Have all 3 rings on this one. Both bikes get alot of riding time. I replaced the broken one with a Truvativ and it shifts just as well. We will see about durability. Anyways I'll run the other LX until it breaks and then put my other Truvativ on I have sitting gathering dust. I am over 200lbs and exert alot of force. My riding consists of lurching, lunging and grinding uphills.
Favorite Trail: Below Her navel.
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Purchased At: Jenson Usa
Similar Products Used: Black Spire, Truvativ, Specialized.
Bike Setup: LX Hollow tech cranks. Specialized HT's.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Aiden Wrenn
a Cross Country Rider
from NewcastleDate Reviewed: June 26, 2002
Strengths: Shift well, look nice, fairly lightWeaknesses: Wear out quicklyBottom Line: Shift well, look nice, fairly light but wear out quickly. Not bad if you can afford to replace them every 6 months. I've replaced mine with TAs. Let's see how they go.
Favorite Trail: Over the hills and far away
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Specialized
Bike Setup: Specialised Hardrock, Marzocchi MXC air, Mavic X317, Formula hydraulics. XT rear mech, LX front & shifters
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nic Brooke
a Cross Country Rider
from Auckland, New ZealandDate Reviewed: November 30, 2001
Strengths: Have Generally shifted pretty well, have lasted a year and 3000 odd kilometres on and off road, wet and dry.Weaknesses: Chain jumps from the middle ring to granny ring, but that is just from lazy derailleur setupBottom Line: These came on my bike. Having not tried anything else, it is hard to compare these but they seem to have lasted well. I found a tooth missing when I stripped and cleaned my bike this morning (on the big ring), but they have done at least 3000km since last Nov, so this is not to bad. I don't treat them especially well, and they keep going. I would recommend these to anyone who wants rings to just do the job.
Favorite Trail: Down the hill at Craters of the Moon
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: Penny Farthings
Similar Products Used: none
Bike Setup: Wheeler 7900, Mavic D521 at back, X221 at front, Funn disc hub and XT disc on front.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from BARRIEDate Reviewed: August 19, 2001
Strengths: works and looks goodBottom Line: I have abused the cranks without any problem (includes hitting logs and rocks).Just replaced middle chainring after 2 yearsand and 4589 miles due to wear. I am very happy with shimano but don't buy a chain
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: xt, suntour
Bike Setup: gt avalanche
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