Sharing many design features as our Deus crank, the Atlas is a beefed up version of our Turbine LP, designed for All Mountain riding. If you want a crank that's light enough for XC climbs but strong enough for light freeride use, the Atlas crank is the perfect choice.
A true all mountain crank -light enough for climbs and strong enough for descents.
Built in our BC manufacturing facility
Manufactured from 7050 aluminum
Near net forged and fully CNC machined
Stiffer and stronger than our Turbine LP - the original all mountain crank.
Built in Spacers allows the use of shorter bolts, providing an additional weight savings.
medium walled, heat treated CrMo spindle
Also available in ISIS Drive
Built for: All Mountain
Size: 170,175, 180mm
Warranty: Lifetime
Colours:
Anodized: Bad Ass Black and Shiny Silver
Powder Coated: Shred Red and Team White (175mm only)
Submitted by
ButtonPusher
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2011
Strengths: RF Atlas Freeride: Light, Super stiff, Pedal well, Strong, Great looking design, lots of color choices...
Weaknesses: RF Atlas Freeride: None so far...
Bottom Line:
RF Atlas Freeride: Pretty much can't say enough good stuff about these. They're light and incredibly stiff. They pedal super easy. The design looks awesome. They come in lots of colours to match your rig. I've ran them on 2 of my bikes (different sized BB's) and never had a single issues ever with either set...
Similar Products Used: Various kids of Truvativ...
Bike Setup: 2010 Giant Faith 0 frame, 2010 RS Totem Solo Air, Vivid 5.1 shock, Mavic Deemax (Silver), RF Atlas FR crankset, Magura Louise brakes, Chromag OSX bars, etc...
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Submitted by
Steel Freak
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix AZ
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2011
Strengths: Good Looking
Weaknesses: ISIS interface
Bottom Line:
If you have a set of these cranks, you had better check the bolt torque on a weekly basis, One of the arms got loose on a long ride and when I got back and tried to re torque it it was too late as the crank arm was toast. I had the Cranks over a year at that point and had moved to AZ away from the selling dealer. I ran an XT crank until I sold the bike. The XT was better and never let me or the new owner down.
Submitted by
greenblur
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2011
Strengths: Super stiff, very burly, indestructible. US made aluminum milled and anodized by our Canadian neighbors. The chainrings have been through hundreds of miles and still look new. The profile they mill into the rings allows for extremely smooth shifts even though I'm running a 10 speed SRAM setup on dedicated 2x9 cranks. Plus, they look badass compared melty-looking Sram and Shimano cranks.
Weaknesses: At around 1000 grams, you can find lighter cranks (such as Shimano SLX) but they wont be as burly. Race Face bottom brackets are not that great. I have used these cranks externally mounted with a Race Face BB, a Shimano external BB and a Sram PF30 with the Problem Solver adapter. The Race Face bottom bracket was always tighter then the others.
Bottom Line:
I do not understand the complaining about the X-type interface. I ran these cranks on a Gary Fisher X-Calibur with an externally mounted bottom bracket. Race Face makes it clear in the instructions that you have to face and chase the bottom bracket before installation. My Fisher had paint all over the face of the bottom bracket, which I removed by sanding. I easily installed my cranks and they never came loose. I currently run these cranks on my Spearfish with a Sram PF30 bottom bracket using an adapter. I've never had a problem with them. Ditch the RaceFace bottom bracket and you will have a sweet looking, indestructible crankset.
Similar Products Used: Bontrager Select, Race Face Dues (which are basically a lighter version of the Atlas).
Bike Setup: Salsa Spearfish - Reba RL, X7/X9 shifters/derailleurs, RaceFace Atlas AM crank, Kenda Slant Six tires, ODB lock ons, Fizik seat
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Submitted by
rockcrusher
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2011
Strengths: These are nice stiff cranks. Attractive, especially in comparison to the melted looking Shimano alternative.
Weaknesses: The crank arm interface is still a pressfit which over time will wear out, my original complaint with the ISIS system. Since the tolerance is so tight and the press fit is so minimal all it takes is a bunch of repeated removals and they will develop play.
Bottom Line:
The interface is the weak point in these cranks. If you have a bike that you anticipate removal of cranks regularly, say a EEB equipped Singlespeed such as the Salsa, they will wear out and get play. Once the play is there, they will start loosening on rides further exacerbating the play in the system.
As they broke just as Raceface when into receivership I thought I was screwed but evidently Raceface is back so I am again pursuing returning them for warranty.
Alas I will probably sell them if I get them warrantied and get a crank with a standard pinch or no interference interface such as shimano or fifteen G cranks.
Similar Products Used: Sweet wings, Bullseye, Shimano.
Bike Setup: Salsa El Mariachi, 1x9, 2x9, 3x9 and SS configurations.
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Submitted by
bcinlas4
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2010
Strengths: Trouble free, weight, stifness
Weaknesses: Setup
Bottom Line:
This review is for RF cranks in general. I've owned a set of Evolve for 5+ years, and two sets of Atlas FR (diffrent lengths) for over a year each. Have no idea what people are talking about when they say that they constantly come loose. I've only ridden RF cranks and have never had them come loose, not even slightly, ever. I'm finishing another build and will go with the Atlas AM on this one. I looked at the XT, but why change if the RF have been flawless.
Submitted by
sevenpedaler
a Weekend Warrior
from Anoka, MN USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2009
Strengths: Stiff and strong. I like the wider Q-factor since I am a big guy and need it. Easy install and haven't had to touch them since. (except for the rings) No problems at all with the bearings. They use better grease in the '09 models.
Weaknesses: The big ring is a weak tit. I'm pretty careful over rocks and logs, and these still seem to bend easy. I'm either going to try a new outer ring (different brand) or go to a bash guard cuz the big ring is useless anyway-deflects and rubs on front derail.
A bit heavy...maybe a good thing in my case???
Bottom Line:
I like these cranks. The price was right and they are very stiff. They seem to have a bit wider Q than others. Some have complained about that, but I like it since I'm 6'7", 245# I like the spindle design with the attachment on the drive side. They are super stiff and tough and the finish is durable. The big ring sucks.
Bike Setup: Titus Racer X Ti Custom. XO Tago, CK hubs, CK head, CK BB (soon) Avid SpeedDial Ultimates, BB7, Fizik Gobi, Fox RLC 100
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Submitted by
Kiwikid
a Cross Country Rider
from Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2008
Strengths: Stiff and Strong
Excellent shifting
Chainline adjustment
Easy to install if you can follow instructions
Weaknesses: High torque to install on first attempt but resolved after tightening and loosening a few times so now not an issue
Bottom Line:
Really stiff so you can feel all of your effort transmitting to the trail. Both up and downshift is quick and reliable. Bottom bracket rotation is a little stiffer than shimano but not really and issue.
Initially required really high torque to install but I tightened it up and loosened it a few times and while remaining firm to install once it is tight you can just forget about it
Have always wanted a Raceface Crankset and the Atlas AM has lived up to my expectations
Have had no problems with BB bearings so far
Strengths: cool looks
stiff
not Shimano
stout rings
good shifting
Weaknesses: bearings
bearings
bearings
Bottom Line:
Disappointed overall…
I use these cranks on my commuter “Best of Burden” bike: 4000+ miles per year of commuting & towing a trailer with kiddies & groceries.
I have previously broken cranks & munched BB’s. After the last crank broke, Kokka Bonnie Forged, I decided to go “all out” with a f/r rated crank for safety / reliability. Don’t want no crank failures while towing my 2 kids through traffic! It came down to Saints or Atlas.
The crank cost around $225, installation was fairly complex but smooth if you can read & follow directions, cranks are very stiff, shifting is good, rings are very solid. But the bearings became a bit loose after 2k miles. This is ON ROAD in TEXAS, not much mud or water or 12ft hucks or anything… bearings finally munched themselves after 6k miles.
Repair is a matter of installing $20 Shimano bearings.
So this is a good crank with bad bearings. Beware, be prepared, or just buy Saints & forget about them. These look cool though :p
Similar Products Used: various Shimano, Sugino, Kooka
Bike Setup: Fetish Discipline set up for "urban" duty
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Submitted by
Wonko
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Strengths: Design, shifting quality
Weaknesses: Bearings, chain rings, Q-factor
Bottom Line:
On the second ride I found that one of the teeth on the middle chainring was bend. Not a big deal since I could just bend it back with a pair of pliers (at home, not on the ride). After a bit less than three months the bottom bracket bearings run very roughly. The crankset is a 2007 model and my understanding is that the initial issue with the hygroscopy of the grease used in the bearings is supposed to be solved. Not so in my case. Finally the drive-side crank passes so close to the chainstay that it rubs on the chainstay protector.
These cranks replaced a considerably cheaper set of Truvativ Stylos which performed flawlessly for one and a half years. Of a crank that retails for $200-$300 I expect better reliablity than that and after not even three months I am considering of changing them again. I have used other Race Face products before and was very happy with them. However, I do not expect to find cranks of that brand on any of my bikes in the near future again.
Similar Products Used: Truvativ Stylo, Shimano XTR
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Nomad, SRAM drivetrain
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Submitted by
cannon 16
a Weekend Warrior
from northumberland uk
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2008
Strengths: stiff, strong, good 'rings
Weaknesses: trial and error setup, very poor bearings
Bottom Line:
This review equally applies to other x-type cranks, as I've owned them all and they all have the same strengths and weaknesses. They are all really nice cranks - well machined with very good chain rings (much better than shimano, but not Middleburn) which survive harsh uk conditions well. they are light (well, not Diabolous) and strong and have stood up without complaint despite pretty hard use (6'drops to flat with deus/atlas and regular 15' to tranny with diabolous). Atlas could be used for downhill so don't think you need them unless you really rip it up (regular 6'-10' drops)- save the weight and get Deus, they are super strong, but I sold my bike with them on. Deus are mad strong for the weight - go for these if you generally don't exceed the 5' mark for drops. They all resist rock dings, crashes and scrapes well. They are stiff. All good? Hmm, no.Fitting is a chore, especially if using a chain guide. Even without, finding the correct chain line for your bike can be a bit trial and error. I'm always left with the feeling that spacers and pre-load washers are not the most elegant engineering solution. However, once set up right they work well and only one set of atlas cranks has come loose/creaked continuously. Bearings however are complete junk. 6months max in uk. Replace with shimano (if on budget) or better, Hope. Both make proper bearings. I've never (in 5 sets of x-types) had any problems with stripping or excessive looseness.
Submitted by
Teamfubar
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2007
Strengths: Great strength to weight ratio, stiff, good looking.
Weaknesses: Chainrings are a bit wimpy.
Bottom Line:
After reading these reviews, I had to chime in. I have been running these cranks for almost 2 years with no bearing issues at all. The deal is, with Race Face, or any other external bearing BB, the BB shell HAS to be faced before installation or the bearings will seize. I think if most people will take the time to set them up right, you will have no issues at all. Mine spin smoothly, don't creak, don't loosen up, and keep rockin' ride after ride. The only issue that I have had is a tooth broke off of the middle ring during a sloppy shift. Never had that with any XTR rings, so we'll see how this works out.
Submitted by
Andy
a Weekend Warrior
from Horsetooth Mountain Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Strengths: Stiff, easy to install, shifts well, stiff, stiff, very stiff
Weaknesses: Hard to call this one weak...
Bottom Line:
The stock Stylo started creaking and occasionally backed out on its own. It constantly needed fresh grease and tightening so I upgraded to the ATLAS . What a HUGE difference - like standing on a cement slab vs a piece of balsa wood. Even though this crank is a couple of ounces heavier, I'm actually riding and climbing faster due to better power transfer. Increases confidence and downhill speed as I can surf the bike without the flex of the Stylo. A great crank - couldn't be happier.
Similar Products Used: All of them - swapped out for a Truvativ Stylo Team
Bike Setup: Nomad XO AM - one spacer on each side of the crank.
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Submitted by
Keith Schoon
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh, PA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Strengths: Stong and Durable
Weaknesses: Directions are slightly unclear. They specify to crank down the crankbolt until it stops and "bottoms out". Is this even possible. I crank and crank and it never stops, but after I get it too tight it drags so I have to back it off a couple turns and all is good. Nice and tight.
Bottom Line:
So far so good. as put up with everything I have thrown at it sa far. A couple 2-3' drops and a few small jumps here and there and everthing is still copasetic. Other than the directions it rocks and not as expensive as the Shimano XTR. THOSE ARE WAAAAAAY OVERPRICED! 500???? Is it made out of gold, or does it give me a reach around after a long hard ride? NO? Then why do I want to spend 500 on it when I can get a kick ass Atlas for 219. Hell yeah.
Strengths: Smooth and reliable under the right conditions
Weaknesses: External bearings prone to failure under wet conditions
Bottom Line:
Previous post was a bit harsh and unwarranted. This crank was used continuously in a very unforgiving environment (snow, rain, glacial silt, mud, muck, etc.) without regular TLC. Nothing with bearings would have survived for long. RaceFace makes top-notch components, and the Atlas is no exception. Unbeatable for normal trails and summer use.
My raceface Atlas cranks have a lot of slop in the BB/crank sline interface.
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I am having problems with my cranks and need to know what 'normal' is for them.
Currently when the main bolt is screwed in the cranks wobble by ~1cm.
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