Submitted by
Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC Date Reviewed: March 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Atlantic Ave. Trails
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Durable rings
Weaknesses:
Expensive replacement rings when you do have to replace them
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX and XT Cranksets
Bike Setup:
Stock Trek Liquid 30, 200 lb rider, regularly take 5 ft. drops.
Bottom Line:
What can I say about the crankset but that they work. I have never had a crankset break or bend ever. No creaks or problems. I am just now having to replace the rings after three years of riding which I consider phenominal compared to Shimano rings that I would have replaced in half the time. I hardly every clean my chain but do use dry lube frequently. Problem is that replacement rings cost as much as a new Race Face crankset and are only available from the LBS. 4 chilis because of the replacement cost for rings.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonas
a Racer
from Vaasa, Finland Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:
pilvimaja
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
some shop
Strengths:
Looks nice, has worked really well sofar, sturdy and durable chainrings.
Weaknesses:
Expensive if you have to pay the full price, not as light as it says on the package.
Similar Products Used:
nope
Bike Setup:
Santacruz superlight, Marathon S 100, shimano XT, Hayes HFX Mag+,
Bottom Line:
Overall good cranks, but not as light as XTR. I think todays XT would also be lighter and cheaper. But if you get them cheap they are excellent. Chainrings haven't suffered from hitting a few stones, they are MUCH harder than eg. shimano LX.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Blacky
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA USA Date Reviewed: November 15, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Santa Monica Mountains
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Bothel Ski & Sport
Strengths:
Light. Stiff. Simple. Bombproof.
Weaknesses:
None.
Bike Setup:
I put "0" for cost because it came stock on my 2000 Sugar 3. Whipperman 908 chain. XT cassette. Stock chainrings lasted about 2 years, riding daily (lots of cliimbing, about 10 hours a week). Replaced chainrings with TruVativ, including a steel 22.
Bottom Line:
Just replaced my trusty Sugar 3 (after riding almost daily for five years) with a 2003 GF Team. The "new" bike has an XTR Hollowtech crank with one season on it. The XTR crank is pretty, but spinning it without a chain I can hear the bearings and it only spins three or four turns. The five-year-old Bontrager bottom bracket is completely quiet and spins a dozen turns, plus the reviews here on the XTR don't make me feel warm and fuzzy, especially the part about the $100 replacement chainrings. I'm tempted to swap it for new a Bontrager. For me a couple of ounces on the bottom of the bike don't make up for zero maintenance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Enosz
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest, Hungary Date Reviewed: May 25, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
www.nella.hu
Strengths:
Till good it works properly, stressless riding suits it.
Weaknesses:
Creaking, ghostsift and bending. When you do it hard, it just gives in.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500 (2003) with some mods towards Shimano XT, but going to Truvative
Bottom Line:
Gives you fine performance till you get used to your machine, but wears of when you turn serious. I got it as a crankset. The bottom bracket was just pulverised after a year and it seems impossibile to get rid of the damn creaking and strange noises, no matter if you are becoming a "wholebuyer" of WD40 of T-40 teflon lubricants. It drives ok, but with heavier loads (I'm 180 lbs and 6+ ft) it just dies with noises. Entry level, but pricey for that and for soft ridding only.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Watters
a Cross Country Rider
from Marina, CA USA Date Reviewed: April 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Sandhill Ridge (22)
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Ripped off @ Footloose Sports, Mammoth Lakes
Strengths:
Works fine. Strong large chainring Does not creak (that was the BB)!
Weaknesses:
Came with poor racelite BB Middle chainring worn after 20 months but I guess this is typical
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Strongarm (nice), Shimano
Bike Setup:
2000 Stumpjumper FSRxc fully upgraded
Bottom Line:
Don't buy from Footloose at Mammoth Lakes!! The salesman told me that the cranks MSRP=$300 and the BB MSRP=$100. Sold them to me for $225 for the set. Also lied about the weight.
These cranks are fine. They do the job. I've hit plenty of rocks and logs with the cranks and chainring. No problems.
The racelight BB sucks!! Replaced with FSA platinum and the creaking went away.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, SC, USA Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Cycle Center
Strengths:
Cheap
Weaknesses:
Creaking, chainsuck, chaindrop, ghostshifts, bad quality chainrings that bend and chip.
Similar Products Used:
Raceface Next LP
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 90 disk w Raceface Next LP crank ISIS Signature BB and 48/36/26 chain rings, Rock Shox SID Team, MaxM low riser bar and seatpost, Chris King No thread headset, SRAM 99 chain and 9 11-32t cassette, San Marco Arrowhead seat.
Bottom Line:
Perhaps mine was a bad unit that came with the bike. However, I wrote Trek and they defered me to the Cycle Center which did everything to make this thing work including a complete rebuild and added a new SRAM 59 chain. After three months of weekly fixes, I purchased the Raceface setup. That was the best thing about the Bontrager. Shame on Trek for lack of support. Thanks to the crew at Cycle Center for putting up with me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC Date Reviewed: September 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Ultimate Bicycle
Strengths:
i had the bontrager sport crankset but somehow mtbr doesnt have a product review on those? so im doing my reviewe here...shifts ok, i guess... never really had a problem until that thing bent on me
Weaknesses:
easily bent
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
gary fisher tassajara stock except for the deore lx crank i had to replace the 44T (biggest) chainring with that bent
Bottom Line:
the biggest chainring bent.... i dont even know what i bent it on, and im pretty sure i didnt fall when it bent either... that must be a pretty weak chainring.... so i replaced it for the deore lx 44t chainring... other than that, everything else is ok, 4 chilis for holding up even though one of them bent....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Fulks
a Cross Country Rider
from Oklahoma City, OK Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Al's Bicycles
Strengths:
Looks okay. Goes in a circle when I pedal. Seems to shift okay. Could be better.
The bike is great, but I'm not impressed with this crankset. If I don't soak the bike in oil overnight and put my kung fu allen wrench grip on these things before every ride, they creak like mad! Drives me nuts and makes my $1,100 bike sound like a Wal-Mart jaloppy. Creak creak creak creak creak creak creak is what I hear every time I pedal. I guess a benefit would be that I stay in the saddle more since when I stand up and mash on these things is sounds as if they are going to break in two. I'll give these things two flaming chili's based on the fact that they look okay, go in a circle, and haven't cracked in two yet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Hartfield
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Oswego OR. Date Reviewed: August 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Browns Camp
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
The Bike Gallery
Strengths:
Light, nice looking.
Weaknesses:
chain shifting,loose chain ring bolts.
Bike Setup:
Sugar 1,stock components.
Bottom Line:
I got my year and a half of major abuse and they worked just fine,The wear and tear is now upon them and I'm going to XTR. No regrets.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Franklin,TN Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hamilton Creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$115.00
Purchased At:
MOAB
Strengths:
Stiff, relatively light, shifts cleanly.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT & White Bros.
Bike Setup:
Gunnar Rock Hound with XTR, Bontrager Race Tubeless wheels, Rock Shox Psylo SL
Bottom Line:
This crankset was a great deal on a known product. Bontrager doesn't make the cranks, they are re-badged Truvativ Firex Team cranks which are great (the BB is Truvativ as well). The cranks are stiff and lightweight and works flawlessly with my XTR setup. I have not had any creaking or shifting problems like some of the others, though, I believe they (Truvativ) made changes to them for 2003.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
niklas
a Cross Country Rider
from espoo, finland Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Color
Weaknesses:
Creaking, chainsuck, ghostshifts, the bolts get loose
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt, raceface
Bike Setup:
sugar 3 disc
Bottom Line:
Came stock on my bike. The crankset is CREAKING!!! :( The bolts loosen up regularly, have to tighten them before every ride. Loud if the chain isn't dripping oil, as if the chain isn't suitable for the rings? Shifting is not accurate. On-road they work fine, and look good. Sometimes they are causing some real problems off-road. The creaking isn't a big problem, but sure is annoying!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Clark
a
from Pittsburgh Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strong , light and shift well.
Weaknesses:
The bottom brackets does come loose. Thats where you get the creeking.
Similar Products Used:
XTR, XT and Race Face Turbine ISIS
Bike Setup:
GF 292
Bottom Line:
Thier the same thing as the Truvativ team stylo. Tighten the bottom bracket or replace and you will be pleased. I am !!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
max macnab
a Cross Country Rider
from edmonton Date Reviewed: July 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
julie's tun
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came stock on trek liquid30
Strengths:
stiff, light
Weaknesses:
finish is wearing off after about 6 mos
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt, lx
Bottom Line:
Ok, let's get this straight once and for all. The race, comp and racelights are different cranks all being reviewed under the same category. Why is everybody down on the racelights??? Given that the the others are complete crap, but the racelights totally rock for the $$$ they're awesome.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chub
a Weekend Warrior
from W Sussex Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
Light
Weaknesses:
That dam creaking!!!!!!! It's driving me mad.. has anyone managed to stop it??
Bike Setup:
Trek Liquid 30 stock except Thomson seat post...
Bottom Line:
I hate this crank... the noise is driving me mad!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J Matthews
a Cross Country Rider
from West Chester, PA Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Marsh Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$73.00
Purchased At:
EBAY
Strengths:
These Cranks are Strong and Shift great...The perform on about the same level as a pair of XT's. The self extracting cranks are very nice, all you need is a 10 ml to take them off.
Weaknesses:
They do creak a little.....Keep them clean and use a lot of grease...
Similar Products Used:
Strong Arm II's that my wife bent while shifting...
Bike Setup:
02 Stumpy: Race lite cranks, egg beaters, 517 on lx, pc 99 scram chain, EC 90 Easton Post, Race Face BB, Cane Creek Headset S-2, XT levers and Avid Ti rear brake
Bottom Line:
Since I stole these off of Ebay for 73, I have to say that they are worth the money. I have no problems shifting but they do creak but only a little..... If you can get a deal, pick them up, if not get the XT cranks they are predictably good....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Krispin Klander
a
from Agromenauer Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Local bike shop
Strengths:
awesome look
Weaknesses:
CREAKING! Very annoying creeks and clicks coming out of these things. Every click they make they transmit vibrations to your legs. Impossible to shift precisely, NO WAY!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500 full XT
Bottom Line:
I can't stand BOntrager stuff any longer. I had to change the wheels (almost impossible to mount/dismount tires) first and now the cranks and BB. Thought Trek was a serious bike manufacturer. TREK!! why don't you try other components for your bikes? Shimano stuff is not perfect at all, but works much better than Bontrager's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Philipp
a Cross Country Rider
from Zagreb Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Rog-joma
Strengths:
Good lookin`, stiff.
Weaknesses:
For months, I thought that my front derailleur is f`ucked up, but then I realised that the problem is in the craappy chainrings that aren`t "grabbing" the chain when you`re shifting gears. My friend has a Trinity chainring and a Acera derailleur and believe it or not, his $hitty components are shifting faster.
Similar Products Used:
Alivio, LX, Trinity.
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500, SID XC, XTR, XT...
Bottom Line:
I think if you already decided to spend 200$, you should buy someting else. Buy a Shimano. That`s reliable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from boulder, co Date Reviewed: May 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
too good to reveal
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
from one of my bros
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
shifing sucks, cracked drive side crankarm after 200 hours of riding.
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt, lx, cooks bros
Bike Setup:
trek fuel
Bottom Line:
shame on trek. it's hard to believe bontrager would let its rep be tarnished by putting its name on this crap. how many pennies did they save, and was it worth all of the customers that were alienated? i weigh 175 lbs and ride pretty hard, but i'm not out doing 10' drops. these cranks cracked after about 200 hrs of riding and the shifting has never really been right. the bottom line is that shimano is a lot like microsoft. nobody likes the fact that they have a monopoly, but their stuff is universal and it just plain works. i guess in that respect, shimano is a lot better than microsoft, but you get the idea. if i had a dedicated downhill rig, i would upgrade to a beefier crank, but short of 6' drops, the xt replacements will work just fine and will shift as good as anything out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Howie
a
from NY Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Stock
Strengths:
It goes around in circles.
Weaknesses:
Shifting is miserable. Creaks. It drives me crazy. Makes me want to pick up the bike and and hit my friend with it. Its horrible. It came stock on my bike and now i am stuck with it. If u even consider buying ur crazy. Dont waste da money.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano SIS crank
Bike Setup:
02 Fuel 90 W/ Fire XC Pros
Bottom Line:
My trek 4300 had a better crank than the Bontrager. Dont buy their stuff. Do me a favor.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, USA Date Reviewed: May 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Mad Creek, Steamboat
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Landry's
Strengths:
The creaking sound helps you determine your cadence if your computer doesn't have that feature.
Weaknesses:
Creaking, chain slipping, left crank bold needs to be tighted before every ride, that damn creaking. Oh yeah, don't do any descents on these cranks.
Similar Products Used:
LX Cranks (worked like a charm for years), Some Truvativ's on my last bike which were pretty reliable too.
Bike Setup:
Moots YBeat baby! Chris King HS, Fox RLS shock, Carbon HandleBars, XT/XTR things here and there, Chris King/Mavic wheels, Velociraptors. The quintissential Colorado freeride/XC bike.
Bottom Line:
These cranks stink! I'm not sure if it's the crank arms or the BB but since they came together, I'll just say the cranks stink. I got them and on my 3rd ride, I almost killed myself descending Monarch Pass, Colorado. I was riding alongside a big, steep hill (almost a cliff) on my left on some loose singletrack and the left crank arm fell off!!! Somehow I lived but I'm making an express effort to avoid Bonti Cranks from here on out. Also, they creak constantly and two different bike shops and myself have tinkered with them but there has been no difference. I'm going back to the good ol' trusty shimanos. Staying alive is better than lighter cranks any day of the week.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J
a Cross Country Rider
from West Chester, PA Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
SingleTrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$73.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Strong, Lite, and Shifts very well. It is one of the components on my bike that I don't even think about. The arms are stiff and the ISIS system is just smarter. I have mine matched with a Race Face Evolve BB. If you can get a deal on this crankset pick it up.
Similar Products Used:
Strong Arm II, Bontrager Sport
Bike Setup:
02 Stumpjumer, Bontrager Race Lite Cranks, 517's on lx, PC-99 chain, Easton EC70 seatpost, Cane Creek S2 Headset, XT Cassette, and Torrelli Tubes with 1.95 IRC Mythos (Very Nice). and a Selle Italia Century Seat to top it off
Bottom Line:
I am planning to race this crankset all season, It shifts great and I love how stiff the arms are. Make sure you use a chain such as an XTR/PC-99.
Value 5 flames for only paying $73.00 Overall Rating 5.. definately tough
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kevin
a
from chicago Date Reviewed: March 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
stock
Strengths:
Follow up review-still no problems with this crank. Precise shifting through thick mud that even froze on my bike over the last 2 outings just kept going. I've hit rocks and logs, crashed and still true and stiff. Added a nice American Classic Bottom bracket to it to save 70 grams.
Weaknesses:
None=lucky I guess.
Bike Setup:
Fuel 100
Bottom Line:
If they break, I'll replace them. Couldn't bring myself to pay for the new XTR cranks with all the rock and logs I've hit when these things still keep going.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sprocketeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Narashino, Chiba, Japan (native of New York) Date Reviewed: January 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The Cracks of Doom
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The black finish looks nice, but that's all.
Weaknesses:
These things are made of cheese! I had an unheard of malfunction--the drive side pedal ripped right out of the crank arm on a climb with absolutely no damage to the pedal (and I pedal even folks; I don't mash the pedals at all).
Similar Products Used:
There's no crank I could compare in worthlessness to this one in the same price and alleged performance range--though I haven't tried a CODA yet (if CODA makes cranks, I don't want to know about it). I was all set to love Bontrager's stuff, but this is my third Bontrager component disintegration in 1500 kilometers and now I'm determined to dump whatever Bontrager stuff I have left on my bike other than the Race Lite Titanium with gel insert saddle I got to replace the Bontrager FS2000 that ripped without a scratch on it in the first month of riding (the Race Lite Saddle is a damn fine seat actually, but then it's made in Italy by Selle San Marco and I've never had a problem with anything made in Italy--Viva Italia! I hope my Italian is correct).
Bike Setup:
2002 TREK 8000, now with 2003 Shimano XT Hollowtech cranks (I actually transplanted this Bontrager crank on my beater bike which isn't even ridden hard and it still disintegrated), 959 pedals, Bontrager (Selle San Marco actually, but designed by Bontrager apparrently) titanium rail with gel insert Race Lite saddle, and I'll be dumping the Bontrager Select hubs at my earliest convenience because they don't spin well at all (though I have to chalk that one up to my personal performance demands, not malfunction), but I'm keeping the rims.
Bottom Line:
This is actually regarding the other crank Bontrager sells, which seems to be nameless ("Select" I imagine) but it's the same material on the crank arms. If you take one of the pieces of this crank arm metal from the core of the crank--not the outside because it's been tempered or something on the surface--it seems to have the consistancy of 24 karat gold. You could probably bite and leave impressions in it or bend it with your teeth if it were made into a coin. It's fairly light material, but seems prone to all those weaknesses we associate with brittle, cheezy metals. It has no business on a mountain bike crank, certainly not on a bike which is rated as a competition, pro bike by TREK. My bike gets five flaming chilis for sure--fantastic frame, and the shocks are better than could possibly be expected just for starters--but this Bontrager crank would get zero if it were possible, unless they actually advertised it as "disposable."
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dwight moody
a Weekend Warrior
from allston Date Reviewed: December 16, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
International Bicycle Center
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
It's weak, that's it's weakness.
Bottom Line:
The other arm just broke on me (see comment below), sending head first into the pavement as I rounded a corner. They're made of tinfoil. They're a hazard. I don't ride hard, so having these things snap just makes me wonder how anyone could market such crap at such a price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dwight Moody
a
from Allston, MA USA Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
streets
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
International Bicycle
Strengths:
Light, and I like the black finish.
Weaknesses:
Well, it seemed great right up until the driveside crank snapped in half while I was splitting the lane in rush hour traffic on a mild incline.
Similar Products Used:
Just the stock set on my bike.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Hard Rock.
Bottom Line:
The manufacture replaced them with the Race crank, so I'm Ok with them. Still, the bloody things almost killed me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Edmonton River Valley
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Edmonton Cycle
Strengths:
None.
Weaknesses:
Everything.
Similar Products Used:
SR crank
Bike Setup:
2002 Trek 8000 with Avid 7s and XT pods.
Bottom Line:
Had the crank arms tightened and examined by LBS four times. Constant creaking. Constant unthreading (bottom bracket). Constant pain.
My LBS replaced both the bottom bracket and cranks. The cranks are now Deore (hollow tech). No cost as replaced under warranty.
Note that lots of Taiwan cranks are crap for this production year, to the extent that Trek will eat the extra cost of upgrading the cranks to Deore. You guys/girls out there who have a Fisher or Trek might want to visit your LBS!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from chicago Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
stock
Strengths:
light, stiff (I like the ISIS system), no chainsuck problems.
Weaknesses:
none-yet
Similar Products Used:
XTR,XT, LX and Shimano Team STYLO (I think these are the same)
Bike Setup:
fuel 100, stock except chris king headset and michelin comp s light tires
Bottom Line:
Reading the reviews here, I was a little nervous not swapping these out in favour of something else but so far so good. I think these are the same as the Team Stylo, that I had no problems with race and recreational use for one year. If something changes will repost. Plenty of log crossings, jumps, and stomping sprint use with no problems. Needless to say, I wouldn't go out and buy these but since they were stock, I'll give them a chance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Peach
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax, NS, Canada Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Moirs Mill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
T&L
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
You name it. Loose crank arm, chain suck, poor shifting
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Crank came loose (several rotations) after first ride. I thought my LBS forgot to tighten my cranks until I read that these cranks have their own self removal system built in. Tightened all of the bolts and went for a ride. I didn't take my 8 mm allen wrench with me and when the chain sucked all the way around my bottom bracket tube 10 kms from home I thought I was in for a long walk. After walking 1 km I decided to force the chain back through the chainstay. My smallest chain ring in the front is bent, but I made it home without the granny gear, although I was careful not to apply to much pressure to the crank after that. It is Sunday of a long weekend so I'll be road biking tomorrow.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Aptos Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
All of Them
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Stock with bike
Strengths:
One piece forged spider, no creaking. Rings seem tough don't gouge easily from chain. They are black.
Weaknesses:
No isis interface.
Similar Products Used:
LX Creaked terribly and could not fix it.
Bike Setup:
2000 Sugar 3
Bottom Line:
I have the race which came stock on my Fisher. I love it and don't understand all the chainsuck problems everyone is having. Sounds almost like a front derailleur adjustment problem. The gap between the top of the big ring and bottom of the derailleur should be 1-3mm. Anyways I give this a 4 for being a simple solid crank.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
todd forgatch
a Weekend Warrior
from felton ca usa Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
santa cruz hills
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
new bike
Strengths:
the dealer will replace these junk cranksets forever
Weaknesses:
blew out 2 of these junkers in 4 months......bent sprokets....loose crank arms.....and that nasty wrenching sound.....and complete chain lock up on the up grades
Similar Products Used:
does it matter
Bike Setup:
trek 4500
Bottom Line:
if you but a bike with this flimsy junk crankset replace it right away with a deore xl and save yourself the torture
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greglive
a Cross Country Rider
from Franklin, WI Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Crystal Ridge
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
Shhifts great. Fairly light weight.
Weaknesses:
Placement of chainring bolts. I have the 1st year style behind the arm. Chainring bolts loosened up first few rides.
I have not experienced any of the chainsuck, bend rings or other problems others have commented on. I do have the RACE LITE cranks. They are a nice part of my bike but have not used higher end cranks so can not compare to Race Face,XTR etc.
Purchase from a guy who bought a Sugar 1 but already had Race Face cranks so got a good deal on them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Suisun, Ca, Solano County Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
strong, dependable
Weaknesses:
a little soft
Similar Products Used:
shimano poopoo on costco bike
Bike Setup:
Raleigh M50 w/ bontrager race lite cranks, stem, bars. Shimano XT/XTR hubs/drivetrain. Mavic rims. Bomber z5 and thudbuster
Bottom Line:
These cranks are not made for trials riding. Of coarse, I should have known that, but I'm here to tell you, in case you're as dumb as I am. I broke 3 teeth on some rocks.
Other than that, I've had no problems w/ these cranks. I feel them flex a tiny bit, but not really anything to worrie about. They are solid and dependable. I've taken them on downhill runs, I do trials stuff w/ them, I do drop offs, and I scream down singletrack. They are always there for the ride and I think they look cool.
If the groupo I bought from ebay didn't include a crankset, I probably would have bought the race face stuff (you might think about that). But for what I got the group for, this is a great crankset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Devlin
a Cross Country Rider
from Troy NY Date Reviewed: May 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
singetrack anywhere
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
multiple locations
Strengths:
They won't drink your beer while you sleepling
Weaknesses:
They think they are cranks.
Similar Products Used:
none (yet)
Bike Setup:
two bikes, one Fisher Big Sur which came with Bontrager Comp cranks stock and which I have had to replace three outer chain rings, and one middle ring. ANd now a brand new sugar 3+ with Bontrager select cranks which started jumping five minutes out of the shop.
Bottom Line:
I am an avid Mountain biker and do ride hard and in all honestyl cannot compare these cranks to other current cransk on the market as I have not upgraded yet, but I am having nothing but trouble with my drivetrain, The Big Sur got me so pissed that I trashed it and went out and bought a whole new bike ( I just wanted FS mostly ) and Already I am having trouble with my drivetrain. This problem was evident with less than a mile on a brand new Sugar 3+! I dont know if its the chain, the cassette, or the crankset but its really annoying. Chainsuck, chain seems to pop of the top two sprockets in rear. I'm gonna blow another chain this week - I just know it. Somebody please recommend a better setup. I love my Gary Fishers with this one exception. Why are they putting this crap on their bikes?
I used to ride my ten speed road bike with crapola k-mart special componenets that held up better than these things on trails.
PS: My cost rating is arbitrary as the cranks came stock on both bikes but with repairs associated with drivetrain failure I have boosted my cost.
Why isn't there a negative chili rating?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Peters
a Cross Country Rider
from Midland, MI Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Mine
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle HQ
Strengths:
Strong, plated chainrings shift in even the muddiest conditions, lighter than XTR!!!
Weaknesses:
Finish isn't the greatest but then again I don't care how they look.
Almost everybody is talking about the Comp and race cranks... these are not the racelight's The racelight is a sweet crank for the money. Nickel plated chinrings, selfextracting crank bolts, and strong. As far as I am concerned the best crank for the money. $200 with the bottom bracket and is really light what is better. Raceface, XTR, Truvativ, I don't think so. My old Icon's were bad in the mud but these things didn't give up when my cassette did. If you are looking for a good high end crank and don't care about looking like you have a lot of money then buy these cranks and have some cash$$$ left over for some other parts.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a
from Scranton Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Bottom Line:
It seems that most of the people complaining about this crank are mistaken. This is the Race Lite crank, not the comp or race crank. Unfortunnaltely there is no rating for the others. I'll save you time...They suck...chainsuck. The Race Lite isn't bad. Though I'm saying this the day after I broke a tooth off the small ring, it shifts well. I have never had chainsuck with this crank. I have with the others. Trek and Bontranger should stop making them. These on the other hand are some good $hit.
I'm giving them a 4 because it works, but Bontranger is still ripping people off on the other cranks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J.D
a Cross Country Rider
from australia Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
taiwan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
taiwan
Strengths:
light ,strong,good performer
Weaknesses:
none as yet
Similar Products Used:
many ,many
Bike Setup:
jamis,scott,kona frames,z-3's,avids,517's
Bottom Line:
I make a lot of bikes for friends and have used over a dozen of these cranks with no problems at all.I'm not using the isis model and usually run them with an lx f derailer.The shiftings excellent,nice and light and no bends or breaks whatsoever.I dont know if we are using a different model or something but I cant relate to the bad ratings at all.I'm 200 pound riding very steep terrain and never a bend or creak.I think they are an excellent crank and will be using them for a long time yet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russell
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bull Mountain
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Atlanta Cycling, with Trek 8000
Strengths:
Will cause you to become quite acquainted with your LBS manager
Weaknesses:
SUCK - Flimsy, unreliable, MASSIVE chain suck
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Trek 8000, stock, except I had to replace the sucky crank, and I went ahead and upgraded to an XTR rear derailleur.
Bottom Line:
Okay, here's the deal: I had a 1999 Trek 8000 that was perfect for my style of riding. Really sweet, never a single problem. It got stolen. Insurance replaced it with a new 2001 Trek 8000 and I was just out the deductible.
Toward the end of my first ride on the new bike, I noticed the middle chain ring was SEVERELY bent. Took it back to LBS and he replaced it no problem.
Second ride - MASSIVE CHAIN SUCK. Got stuck on two uphill climbs and had to grab nearby trees just to stay upright.
Third ride - Noticed the middle chain ring was getting warped and still experienced unrelenting chain suck. Then on one steep climb, my chain sucked up in the bottom while I kept pedaling, and the resulting torque on my chain absolutely SHREDDED my Rear derailleur. Twisted up into an unrecognizable mass of metal. I WALKED 5 miles back to my jeep.
LBS replaced the crankset with Shimano XT free of charge. Since the rear derailleur had be replaced, I paid the difference to get XTR.
The LBS claimed my weight (220 lbs.) caused the warpage. Could be true, but if so then this is by far the flimsiest crank on the market.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, Washington Date Reviewed: March 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Banner Forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
original equipment
Strengths:
Not too bad to look at. Shifts OK.
Weaknesses:
Chain suck already?? Crank arms came loose while I was riding. Tightened 'em up on the trail and they started creaking about 10 minutes later. Re-tightened 'em again...still having trouble keeping 'em on the bike. It may just be something that's correctable with a little loc-tite.
I wish Gary Fisher would get on the stick and realize that his bikes are ridden by people that want some performance. Get rid of the cheap BB and STOP using Bontrager to cut costs!!
It's not the Racelite, but there's only one listing for Bontrager!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Martin DeCavage
a Cross Country Rider
from Scranton, PA, USA Date Reviewed: March 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
I bent the middle chain ring. It broke my chain, rear derailer, the hanger, and took a chunk out of my frame. Junk!!! It shifts like crap. It flexes bad.
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 90. Cranks came on bike.
Bottom Line:
Dont buy one. If you get a bike that comes with one replace it as soon as you can, or you'll regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from KY Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came on my Klein Attitude
Strengths:
Hmmm....they look nice
Weaknesses:
they need to be more than just pretty
Bike Setup:
2001 Klein Attitude
Bottom Line:
Have only ridden my Klein for a year and it has been mostly on weekend. the Flex drives you crazy when shifting and have alread bent the middle chainring. I might be a novice but these thing seem pretty lame to me. I am very disappointed in Kleon for using these on theor bike, it truly was a poor choice for a nice bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Dayton, Ohio Date Reviewed: November 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Hmmm... I'll get back to you on that one.
Weaknesses:
Chainring bolts, shifting, rings, design for maintainability
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT
Bottom Line:
I wouldn't give $20 for them at a swap meet honestly. Who decided to put a chain ring bolt behind the crank arm? The marketing guy calling the shots? I got rid of mine beore I broke my nose like some of the other reviewers. This crank is terrible... buy something else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Topherocity
a
from Dallas, TX Date Reviewed: November 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Cedar Hill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
LBS closeout
Strengths:
Strength, weight, looks
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Acera
Bike Setup:
Trek 4500 ball burnished 18"--stock except-Bontrager Race Lite cranks, rings, BB; Gel lite saddle; XT f/r der.; SRAM PC-69 chain, 7.0 cassette; LX shifter/brake; Airborne FlyteLine teflon cables; Avid Mag brakes; Airborne Ti skewers
Bottom Line:
I purchased these for $100.00 (splined version) including the bottom bracket and they are an unbelievable upgrade from the stock Shimano cranks that came with my 4500. No more flex! All my power goes straight to the drivetrain and then to the rear wheel. I've read the other reviews and have had no problems with this crankset at all. I've only been riding for about a year (other than all throughout my childhood) which translates into being very aggressive (cuz I don't know no better :) ) and not very accurate in my shifting all of the time. I would think this would cause even more stress than usual on my components and thus show their weaknesses. It has in all of the stock components I've upgraded so far. However, these cranks haven't shown any weaknesses yet. They also look pretty nice on my bike. I'm very confused by the other reviews and I'm wondering if I'm even using the same model. I'll re-review in a few more months to let you know about longevity, but to date I can climb ten times better with these cranks than I could before and that makes me a happy biker!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Thailand Date Reviewed: September 29, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Will force me to be paranoid about equipment failures from now on. Every other crash I've ever had was my fault.
Weaknesses:
Complete pieces of @#$%.
Similar Products Used:
Race Face Turbine LP, LX Hollowtech, Truvativ FireX,
Bottom Line:
Installed these on a second bike I have setup with road tires. Brand new XTR chain. First time I stood up on these in the middle chainring (while testing them at the LBS), the chain skipped right over the teeth, and I went right over the bars landing on my right elbow, on the asphalt. Hema@#$%&*?toma on my right elbow the size of a tennis ball. Everyone close to the shop (except me) enjoyed my graceful display. Shop guy checked the setup and even installed another XTR chain with the same results. Immediately replaced these with Truvativ. Don't know yet how they work since I haven't been able to @#$%&*? ride for the last week with this growth on my elbow. I never worried before about injuries from equipment failure. Take both ratings and subtract one chilli each.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
bad monkey
a Cross Country Rider
from cOLTON, ca usa Date Reviewed: September 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
blue mountain
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
suppergo
Strengths:
make good wallhangings
Weaknesses:
WEAK: CRANKS, CHAINRING, CHAINRING
Bike Setup:
sugar
Bottom Line:
Suck- Not very smooth. After finishing a twilight ride I got to my car and noticed a completely folded chainring. I didn't even remember hitting any rocks!! Not serviceable either. Waste of metal
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alan Baca
a Downhiller
from San Diego, CA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
noble canyon, anderson truck trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
Very weak cranks and chain rings. Flex while pedaling constantly. The chain rings bent to a 90 degree angle after taking a decent size hit on a rock.
Similar Products Used:
xtr, chromoly bmx cranks
Bike Setup:
gary fisher level betty se with bombshell bad betty front shock and hayes 6" disk brakes.
Bottom Line:
Definitely not worth it. If you want good cranks go with race face and if you don't care about weight then just get some bmx chromoly ones.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TREE
a
from Seattle Date Reviewed: September 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Bottom Line:
strong arms. I do not understand how can other bend this thing. They must weight 300 lb++. However chainrings are very weak. For $65, it is a good deal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pirate d
a
from Burlington, NC, USA Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
stiff, reliable shifting
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Race Face
Bottom Line:
I was just perusing various component reviews, and I was quite surprised when I saw so many negative comments regarding these cranks. My bike came stock with Race Lites, and so far (knock on wood) I've had no problems at all with them. They are stiff under my 200lbs, no chainsuck, and the shifting is clean and precise. I have Race Face cranks on my HT, and I really couldn't say that one crankset is better than the other. Both work fine and have been trouble-free up to this point. I DO dread when the time comes to service them; seems that parts never quite re-assemble perfectly once you take 'em apart. We'll see...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
will
a Weekend Warrior
from denver, CO Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
?pretty
Weaknesses:
they blow donkey.
Similar Products Used:
xt, icon
Bike Setup:
fisher sugar 1 with some mods
Bottom Line:
shame on fisher for putting on these cranks. in 2 weeks, i snapped a chain, the rear derailleur hanger, a tooth off my xtr cassette, and bent the middle chain ring. I have never done any of these things on any other bike. Couldn't figure out why, but when i read the other reviews on this site, I put on icon cranks; just slightly heavier but all of my problems are solved. my old cranks will only be used to throw at the fisher rep for being such a tool.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Winnipeg Canada Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
birch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Olympia (Local Shop)
Strengths:
hmmmmm, not exatly sure.
Weaknesses:
Plastic bolts, weird shifting between middle and small rings.
Similar Products Used:
shimano lx, etc
Bike Setup:
santa cruz with lx/xt drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
These cranks have been much better for me than for most people here. The bolts are plastic or something so over torqueing them can bust them in half. I have replaced mine.
The teeth on the big ring are also a little weak, I had sheared 3 off on a hit that wasnt overly hard.
The shifting wouldnt adjust properly for me when shifting between the granny and the middle ring. I tried everything and it would shft great when the bike was on the work stand, wnd while riding it would either shift up or down great but not both. I opted for mediocre shifting up and down. However I have put on an xt front deraileur and it shifts gret now. Whats with that?
I weigh about 180-185 pounds and have done many 4 and 5 foot drops on these cranks with no bends or breaks. However the crank arm bolts have to be retightened a few times after they are installed before they seat properly, but that is not a big deal.
Despite some problems the cranks are working fine for me, no chain suck ever, and they shift great now. I dont think I could recommend them though unless you are a gambler, the reliability seems to be very questionable from crank to crank. So unless you find a great deal maybe try somehting else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob Adams
a Downhiller
from SC Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
quiet city bike paths in the morning
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$625.00
Purchased At:
Bike Worx
Strengths:
lots, when i go off curbs they must have a specail desighn so they flex to take up the shock of the drop, also the way the chain rings move side to side when you pedal makes a cool sound on my front derailure, none of those piece of crap old cranks i had did that stuff.
Weaknesses:
the color, the black is alright but i nice metalic purple would be much prettier
Similar Products Used:
race face next, FSA carbon, XTR hollowteck
Bike Setup:
intense tracer frame, crossmax wheel set, X fly 100 shocks
Bottom Line:
these cranks are great the crack i found in the drive side crank arm which occured from the massive drop i did over the drainage part in a curb was easily fixable with jb weld, the 625 i paid for them was totally worth it but im taking a way 2 flaming chillies because they are not availible in purple that really dissapoints me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DC
a Racer
from MD Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
whatever
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
NONE
Weaknesses:
They suck!!!!! Why? They flex badly and they cause the rest of the drivetrain to malfunction, i.e. poor shifting and thrown chains. I have these pieces of *&^% on a 2000 Fisher Sugar 1. Great bike, but way too expensive to have crappy parts like this. I emailed Fisher/Trek about the crank problem and they did nothing for me. They wanted to talk to my bike shop to tell them how to make adjustments. What a joke. I am definitely replacing the cranks with XTR to get some performance.
Bottom Line:
If you are thinking of buying these, have your buddy kick you in the &*&&* and knock some sense into you. I wouldn't give them one flaming chili.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from Denton, TX Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Came stock on Trek 8500
Strengths:
Are you kidding me?
Weaknesses:
These crank sucketh like none other! They flex too much and bend!
Bike Setup:
Litespeed Pisgah
Bottom Line:
These came on a Trek 8500 I bought in February of 2001. I since upgraded to a Litespeed but kept the cranks. Riding yesterday on a rocky uphill really cranking hard the piece of crap cranks bent! Yes, the arm just bent so bad it was hitting my frame! I guess I am as strong Arnold or these cranks just suck. I will take the later.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alex
a Racer
from harrison ark usa Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001
This crankset sucks! Their customer service is perhaps one of the pooerest ive dealt w/. Forget trying to contact them via email,its a waste of time. This crankset keeps throwing the chain off when sprinting uphills. It threw me on my head really hard during a sprint and the chain just comes off the rings for no reason. I'm a experienced bike mechanic so setup is not an issue. I'm trashing this piece of crap and going w/ the best: Shimano. One chilli is too much for this crap.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ted Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Stoneville, SD ,USA Date Reviewed: June 15, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Weaknesses:
SUCK weak chain rings
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 90 Disk
Bottom Line:
This crankset came stock on my bike and I have had problems with chain suck since I got it. The chain rings are weak I somehow managed to bend the middle chain ring.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Novack
a Cross Country Rider
from Jim Thorpe Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Gene's Run
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Jama Bikes
Strengths:
Looks maybe if you have a black bike!
Weaknesses:
Flex, Chain Suck Sucks, Chain Rings Bend like rubber, Bottom Bracket bolts fall out all the time!
Similar Products Used:
Shimana LX
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 90 Disc
Bottom Line:
These things suck! My previous bike was a Trek 930! I even forget what crank was on that thing! But I had it for 4 years and road it hard! I never ever had one problem with the Cranks or anything else for that matter! (except the rims needing to be true every ride LOL!) I go out and buy this awesome bike from Trek (THE FUEL) I expected the components to hold up! I've had this since march! I ride it very often I have 500 miles logged this year on it! But the cranks are giving my heart problems! Every time I go out! I either bend a chain ring, lose a bolt and I always get chain suck! I wish Trek would have put Shimano on this bike! For the 1800 bucks for the bike I expected it to last! Espaecially since my 600 dollar 930 is still a tank and I never had these issues with that! I seen replacement Bontrager cranks for like 50 bucks I guess that is not bad but I will never buy one again! Even if I love the bike they come on! That will definatley be the first thing replaced! I am now going to get Shimano XT hollowtechs! Later
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
darren
a Racer
from pa Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
light, precision, and looks good
Similar Products Used:
shimano hollow tech crankset
Bike Setup:
specialized stumpjumper pro xt/xtr marzocchi z3 light
Bottom Line:
light, looks good and the shifting is incredible
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$49.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Price, pretty light weight, and great shifting. Looks great too. Used on many high end Trek's
Weaknesses:
Slight flex...no more than most cranks like Shimano's
Similar Products Used:
Own bikes with Shimano "hollow tech" cranks and a cannondale with coda cranks.
Bike Setup:
home built K2 OZ Carbon bike. Full XTR, Mavic 517's and Marzocchi Z2 forks.
Bottom Line:
I almost did not buy these cranks based on the reviews given here. Good thing I bought them anyway! Since I built up the K2 myself, I needed to get my ride on the trail until I could swing some Raceface cranks and at $50 the Bontranger cranks fit the bill. Well, the plesant suprise is that these cranks will stay on for much longer than I initially thought. Creak free, decently light, and strong plus a great price add up to a winner. I have not had one problem with them...no loose ring or crank arm bolts etc. The chain rings are tough and the ramping keeps the shifts smooth and accurate. Actually these cranks feel and perform much like Shimano XT cranks...to me that is a good thing. Very happy with these and there is no sane reason to replace them anytime soon.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tedman
a Cross Country Rider
from east windsor, ct Date Reviewed: December 28, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Weaknesses:
extremely flexible, weak/poorly mfd. chainrings, both leading to poor shifting and premature chain wear/breakage
Similar Products Used:
raceface, xt hollowtech
Bike Setup:
sugar 1 w/mods
Bottom Line:
these are very poor cranks. they're flexible, leading to chain deflection under hard pedaling and inevitable fast chainwear and breakage. even incident hits by rocks broke and/or bent chainring teeth. after six months of dealing with these problems i opted for xt hollowtechs and have been happy ever since. nuf said.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joseph La Cour
a Cross Country Rider
from Cedar Hill, TX, USA Date Reviewed: December 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Cedar Hill State Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
sun ski sport
Strengths:
light
Weaknesses:
chain ring bolts, middle ring, little flex
Bike Setup:
stock supercaliber
Bottom Line:
I have problems with the chain ring bolts breaking and backing out. Not all of this is maintance problems but poor design. During a ride my middle chain ring bent and all but one chain ring bolt was still present.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Merrimack, NH, USA Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
FOMBA trails in Auburn NH
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Weaknesses:
I have the 2000 Bontrager Race Lite Cranks stock on my 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1. I see several other unfortunates have written here and on the Sugar 1 reviews. For a few rides everything seemed wonderful. Shifting was smooth as silk. But after starting to ride a little more technical and a little more dirty terrain, I have had nothing but problems with them. The bolts holding the chain rings all backed out. Upon tightening them up one day (you have to stay on them) they broke apart! They look really weak by design. I have also broken two chains also on this bike. The first with the stock chain while doing nothing but easy riding. This combined with numerous other drive train failures (some are due to other weaknesses in the selections on the Sugar 1 drive train) and I went back to the shop I bought the bike at each time. They finally upgraded mine to year 2001 crank set under warranty. I wrote to Bontrager and asked them directly if I should trust the 2001 Bontrager Race Lite Crank set. They claimed lots of improved quality control. Being an engineer I know that we are not just talking about quality control here but also design problems and design fixes/improvements. My shop also noticed better ramps and stuff on the 2001 crankset to help shifting. I haven't ridden the long enough on the replacement crankset yet to write a review on the 2001 but the fact that the three (my shop, Gary Fisher and Bontrager) all seem to agree that the 2000 model crankset had to be replaced with the 2001 crankset speaks for itself. I have had another chain break on the 2001 and it still shifts off the granny from time to time (It would do this not long after adjustment of the stops by the shop pros). I also noticed a couple of teeth knocked out of the big chain ring but maybe that is to be expected. (then again I never did that before with other rings). So I doubt all is well but I'm not yet certain if I should blame the new cranks just yet. I just rechecked and at least the 2001 bolts stayed on. To qualify me, I'm just your weekend cross country guy. I ride about 5 hours a week. I admit I ride technically difficult stuff (steep hard climbs over rocks, roots, lots of shifting, constantly up and down and generally as fast as I can) and at 210 pounds I'm likely to stress stuff a bit more than a lighter rider. But I don't expect this kind of and so much breakage so early, especially not the bolts. I noticed in the reviews of the Sugar 1 many racers have broken Bontrager Race Lite 2000 cranksets as well. Previously I have ridden a Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Comp that cost me 1/3 of what the Gary Fisher Sugar cost me. I rode it much, much harder and much, much longer and never had a single similar problem (no bolts fall out, no bolts break, no chains break, no shifts off the rings). It came stock with an inexpensive 8 speed with Sugino rings. Eventually I had chain suck on the granny and replaced the rings with Race Face. No chain suck problems since. So I did not expect the expensive bike to have so many more problems. I rate the 2000 Bontrager Race Lite Crankset very low. It remains to be seen if the 2001 will work out better, only time will tell.
Similar Products Used:
Race Face, Sugino
Bike Setup:
2000 Near Stock Gary Fisher Sugar 1. Forced to replace the entire drive train due to failures.
Bottom Line:
2000 Bontrager Race Lite Crank is no good as delivered and certainly the bolts are the weakest link. They claim the 2001 is better. Only riding them will tell for sure.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$179.00
Purchased At:
Unversal Cycle
Similar Products Used:
LX, XT
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Ziggurat
Bottom Line:
I completed a review of these cranks in April. After using them all summer, I was really happy with them, until the bolts holding the small chain ring snapped. I was cranking up a hill and three of the four bolts snapped. Now I cannot back out the bolts to replace the chainring. This does not seem to be a common event with cranks. I have ridden on some low end cranks ove the years and this has never happened. It seems there is a common trnd with these cranks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntington, Wv Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Lost trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Stiff, light, and responsive
Weaknesses:
price tag???
Similar Products Used:
LX
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Ziggurat '99, Time carbon, rest is stock.
Bottom Line:
These cranks seem to have gotten a bad rap. I was a little worried about getting them after reading the reviews. I bent the crap out of my Lx cranks, so i needed some new ones. My LBS had these and they were cheeper than raceface, and lighter than XTR cranks so i figured why not. I have had no problems with them "exploding, or self destructing". I put a little lock tight on the bolts and have ridden them for about 6 months now, and they are fine. Great cranks. I wont buy anything else now..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spider Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Fat Hand on Tiger Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Mountain Bike Outfitters
Strengths:
Mass is only 685g Aesthetically pleasing
Weaknesses:
Bolts back out Terrible chain suck
Similar Products Used:
race face next LP
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain element race. with race face bb (113mm) and Xt cassette/ ders
Bottom Line:
This crankset is terrible. I had the worst chainsuck problems ever with this crankset. I tried everything in the world to get rid of the problem including three bottom brackets, a new cassette and new derailleurs. The chain suck plagued me like warts on my ass. It drove me crazy and nearly killed me a couple of times. No matter what I did that damn chain suck returned. I switched to Race Face next LP crankset at the recommendation of Rocky Mountain. Now my bike shifts as smooth as the still water on a cold winters morning. I dont even notice it. I highly recommend the SRAM shifters too for smooth shifting.
Anyway, I also had terrible problems with the chainring bolts backing out, regardless of lock-tite or torque.
Basically, these cranks "suck" and you should avoid them at all costs. Also, they are a complete rip-off for the price. Get the race face cranks, you wont be sorry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jonathan
a Racer
from ellenville, NY Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
MTA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Weaknesses:
bolts fall out
Similar Products Used:
lx, xt
Bike Setup:
stock fisher supercaliber
Bottom Line:
I was so happy when all the bontrager goodies came stock on my new supercaliber. I was extatic...But just the other day,(and know that i have ridden my bike hardcore i think 4 times since i bought it) i was on this trail and my chain got all stuck in the rings.I was puzzled casue this usually doens t hAppen to me.i consider myself to be a pretty good shifter. I stopped looked at it for a few minutes and then realized that the middle chain ring ewas bent. How the hell does that happen? I have never had that happen to me in my 6 years of hard core ridding!!!! I looked closer and i realized that the f'n bolts fell out of the crankset!!!!I had only one holding the piece of sh*t together!!!!!!!!!!Iwas soo ticked, i had to coast down the mountain back to my car...I would never ever recomend this to any one. It is in the shop right now and the dealer is waitng for the rep to come and decide if they are going to replace it for me..They better or i am going to be really pissed!!!!!!!
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Submitted by
jeff barrett
a Racer
from cedar, MI USA Date Reviewed: July 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
vasa unmarked singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
??
Weaknesses:
Loose chainring bolts.misshifts often
Similar Products Used:
xt
Bike Setup:
sugar 1
Bottom Line:
These are poor cranks and chainrings. Chainring bolts came apart during a race and caused DNF. I have had problems making smooth shifts ever since i got my bike.I am going to save some $ and buy xtr. Reliable and consistant.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guy
a Racer
from Quebec City Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Mt Ste-Anne
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light
Weaknesses:
Flexy, Very poor shifting, rings coming loose.
Similar Products Used:
XT, XTR.
Bike Setup:
Stock Sugar 1 (XTR crank now!)
Bottom Line:
Extremely poor shifting with this crank. I was forwarned about the rings coming loose so I applied Loctite to the bolts before ever using the bike. Shifting improved 200% after I installed the XTR crankset. Stiffness is also improved significantly.
Bottom line, poorly designed product. XTR or the new hollowtech XT are the way to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from WI Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light Weight, low cost
Weaknesses:
Poor design
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, LX, XT
Bike Setup:
FS Y33, XTR Drive with XT cranks
Bottom Line:
The Bontrager line has been pretty good to me, but these cranks are not worth it. While they are only 5 grams heavier than XTR and a fraction of the cost they certanly dont perform well. My quick-fix Shimano A's worked better!! After my first few days on the trail my crank bolts started to fall out! I had to tighten them many times. The cranks got very noisy and flexible as time went on. After the crank bolts finally cracked in half I switched back to my old XTs, now my bike rides like new. I don't recommend the Race Lites, go with Shimano XT Hallow Techs or Race Face, these just won't cut it!
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN Date Reviewed: April 8, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light and shifts well.
Weaknesses:
None yet, but have not really ridden them very hard yet.
Similar Products Used:
lx
Bike Setup:
Fisher Ziggurat
Bottom Line:
Bought the cranks to repalce the LX that came with the bike. For the money, they are lighter and better looking than the XTR. Shirting has been very smooth so far and no problems with defects. Will need to race them and ride longer to get a really good feel for them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mavicman
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina Date Reviewed: April 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything fast and technical
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
I'd have to say that this crankset does't have any strenghts!
Weaknesses:
The crankset is WEAK!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano lx and xt
Bike Setup:
Stock Sugar 1
Bottom Line:
I had high hopes for this crankset when I first got my new bike. It was stock on the bike. After the first 34 miles on the bike the crankset self destructed and I'm not joking! About 24 miles into my first ride all the bolts connecting the chainrings backed out! Luckily I caught it in time, fixed it and rode on. Took it back to the bike shop to get it checked out. They looked it over, scratched their heads and said there wasn't a problem. To make a long story short on my next ride 2 miles in I had a BIG problem! This time the bolts didn't backout they all ripped out of the middle chainring and the ring snapped into two seperate pieces. During this process of the exploding crankset, it put three of the deepest, nasties scratches in my rear triangle you'd never want to see. Well all that stuff is going to be replaced but I'd have to tell everyone reading this to avoid this crankset at all costs!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr. Sugar
a Racer
from Socal Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
East Government Trail, CO
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, stiff, nice rings, looks good.
Weaknesses:
Shifting ramps, not splined.
Similar Products Used:
XTR, XT, LX, race face forged, McMahon, Icon
Bike Setup:
Fisher Sugar 1 team bike.
Bottom Line:
I really like these cranks. They are 5 grams lighter than XTR (claimed), and are almost as stiff. The rings shift very well, but the shifting ramps are too big, causing the chain to rub exactly where the ramps are, no matter how you set up the front der. I wish it was splined, as the splined XTR b.b is the best on the market by far. They look absolutely wonderful on my sugar with time pedals, but the paint is rubbing off a little from my shoes, a problem that plagues XTR cranks as well. I can't comment on price because it came stock on my bike, but I'm willing to bet it's quite a bit cheaper than XTR and race face cranks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
craig
a Racer
from ft bragg n.c. Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
awesome cranks,killer rings, even comes in a coll wodden display case
Weaknesses:
doesnt come in spline drive yet
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt and lx
Bike Setup:
singlespeed
Bottom Line:
great crankset, especially if your a bontrager fan
Overall Rating:
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