A classic comes back! New and improved for 2001, our Turbine LP forging has been changed to make this crank even stronger and stiffer than ever before. Built in inner chainring bolts allow for the use of shorter bolts, and new contoured profiling on the front and sides make this crank stiffer and stronger than previous models.
Submitted by
TurboWookiee
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington Pa usa Date Reviewed: November 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bavington 5pts loop
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
wheelcraft ltd
Strengths:
industructable, super stiff, beautiful,
Weaknesses:
haven't found any in the 10yrs i've had it.
Similar Products Used:
nothing really i've broke numerous other cranks, i finally settled on this in the late 90's when i was about 18 and have ridden nothing other than race face turbines since. amazing cranks thats really all i can say.
Bike Setup:
Fisher joshua FS, trek steel hardtail, fisher rig all with turbine lp's
Bottom Line:
Buy one. there cheap these days from ebay. you won't be upset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dsnow23
a Cross Country Rider
from Mill Valley, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs Point
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Big Swingin Cycles
Strengths:
No flex, light weight. last forever.
Weaknesses:
No weaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT, Shimano LX, Topline SL
Bike Setup:
Ibis Szazbo
Bottom Line:
I've got the red ano square taper bb version and they still look great after many years of use. I've had other cranksets that started looking beat up after a few rides. The Turbine LPs look great, ride great, don't flex, and last forever. By the way, I weigh about 205 pounds and some cranks I've owned were super flexy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan Fox
a Weekend Warrior
from Chico CA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Downieville
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Delta Cyclery
Strengths:
Long life... I have used these cranks on about 10 different bikes over the years. Whenever I sold one of my bikes I always kept me Old school 180mm in Standard drive.. as newer bikes come out keeping the chain line right has been a mathmatical challenge but the old boys rock! I got mine as a gift from my old bike moved when I moved some gold watch huh?
Weaknesses:
Finding 110 chain rings are a challenge finding a front deraileur to shift them is getting harder. Currently I have an old XT (pre-compact drive) that has been bent into submission that has worked flawlessly for years.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, FSA, Cook Bros.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Chamelion with a SRAM 9.0 drivetrain xcept for my Old school 180's I use an old square taper XT bb called a UN92... good luck finding one of these!
Bottom Line:
I have a buddy that has broken numerous pairs of these cranks and curses me for never having a problem with Race Face. He has destroyed numerous Marzocchi forks too. Some riders have a little thing called Finess when they ride and jump and are not hard on thier gear. Riders who started trail riding on rigid bikes understand this concept... I ride every weekend weather permitting and I have never had a problem with mine EVER. Every couple rides I tighten the crank bolts to 55in/lbs like the manual says. As for the people who have creaking issues...here is what you do or ask your mechanic: 1. Grease the threads on the BB. 2. Wrap the threads of the BB with teflon plumbers tape. (this keeps out water too!) 3. Use a very small layer of grease on the taper where the crank comes in contact with the spindle. The Aluminum will "bite" down harder on the steel spindle with a little grease. 4. Make sure the chainring bolts are tight too... Aluminum on Aluminum will always creak unless there is a small layer of grease between... I use Phil Wood grease for my projects... I have been using and abusing these cranks since 1997! Mine even have a serial number(1007) too! Back in the day Race Face used higher quality 7000 series BILLET aluminum and CNC'd em out one big chunk of Uluminum and then heat treated them. But they were also charging 200 cost without rings for thier high quality product. Sounds like the people who are having problems breaking are getting cranks that are designed in Canada but manufactured in a big factory in Taiwan for OEM specs... one phrase comes to mind "You get what you pay for" If you want cranks that can take a 10' Drop and a huck or two... Profile (the BMX Crank Company not the people who make roadie stuff) makes a 4130 Cromoly Crank with a spider for downhillers. They are heavy but won't leave castorated by your top tube sacrafice weight for your testicles...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Sillito
a Weekend Warrior
from Durham UK Date Reviewed: November 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Innerleithen DH
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Leisure Lakes Bury
Strengths:
Silent, don't move, look cool.
Weaknesses:
Maybe should invent easier to use middle/large chainring bolts.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit, Shimano/MRP/RaceFace stuff.
Bottom Line:
Had these for 2 years, on two different bikes. They've been used extensively for trail and DH riding, and bar a few marks on the arm ends where they've hit rocks and the colour fading where my shoes rub, they're as good as new. They've ridden on numerous DH tracks and north shore, and I have a feeling that all those who have reported them breaking didn't fit them properly in the first place. The bottom bracket is still fine too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GUI
a Racer
from Land of RJ Reynolds Date Reviewed: February 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dark Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Don't remember
Strengths:
Got em 180 mm length / 110 BCD. I did not really pay much for them. Reasonably stiff
Weaknesses:
Fair to shoddy CNC work. Not like old Race Face stuff. Is this made in Taiwan?? Rings shift like not so good.Used to be better. Lots of flex versus FSA Carbon Pro Team cranks and Uncle Shim's stuff from the land of the rising sun. Ohh Yeah, get this, I used c5 anti sieze on ISIS spindle and when I needed to extract the cranks to change shoddy worn out Race Face rings, the extractor threads in cranks strip out. Cranks are going to be toast when middle ring finally wears out.
Similar Products Used:
FSA Carbon Pro, Shimano XT Hollow Point
Bike Setup:
Custom Steel Hardtail Fox 80 RLT, SRAM X9,Cane Creek Zonos, Avid SD7 brakes. Thomson everything else.
Bottom Line:
The newer RACE FACE Stinks. Its too bad, I hate to see them go but thats the way it is.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob M.
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City Date Reviewed: September 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
mail order
Strengths:
stiff , strong
Weaknesses:
I thought these where the best cranks I've had. THEN I snapped the right arm off right in the middle of the arm. I was on a 35 mile xc ride and had to ride with left leg only for 10 miles to hwy to hitch to trail end. I am a 37 year old professional and I don't jump or crash. These cranks snapped on a steep CLIMB. LIFETIME WARRANTY-YEAH RIGHT! They would not answer my e-mails. I called and as soon as I said I was a consumer, I got serious negative attitude. I bought these with a build kit and the company is now gone. The guy was almost laughing at me. You think Race Face would want to SEE and LOOK at a right arm in two pieces. I am an honest person in a very honest profession. Everything here is true. Where is the customer support? The guy did not even want to here the story. Race Face, I'm so sorry I called your company and took up 60 seconds of your incredibly busy day.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT,XTR
Bike Setup:
Intense Tracer, Cane Creek wheelset, Marz. forks, thompson,shimano
Bottom Line:
Read the LONG weakness section. Would have ranked 5/5 last month. Now with their sorry customer support very low.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Minnesota Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006
Specialized Stumpy M2 hardtail, Rock Shox fork, XT drive train.
Bottom Line:
I know this is a somewhat dated review, but these cranks have been flawless for 9 years. Bought these cranks to replace the Specialized Strong Arms that came with the bike. Strong Arms lasted about 1 month before I bent them. The Turbine LPs are now 9 years old and still going strong. The only complaint I have about them is that the anodizing faded/rubbed off really quickly within the first year, but they haven't really faded much since then. Other than that, they have been absolutely bulletproof. These cranks have been slammed into rocks and taken 4 foot drops repeatedly without any issues.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
armando
a Cross Country Rider
from saltillo,coahuila,mexico Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:
titanuim
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver Date Reviewed: March 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Strongest cranks I've ever used and I've being using them in their various forms (square taper/ISIS/2 piece/full size/compact) since the early 90's.
Weaknesses:
None that I've discovered.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Tazmon with Raceface cranks, Rocky Mountain Blizzard with Raceface cranks, Santa Cruz Heckler with Raceface cranks etc,.
Bottom Line:
The best cranks out there bar none. Amazes me how some reviewer can blame the cranks when the bottom bracket fails!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marcus q
a
from soldotna, ak, usa Date Reviewed: February 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
was on bike when purchased
Strengths:
good ratings on this site....leaves cool scar(s)!!!
Weaknesses:
bottom bracket failure leads to scars
Similar Products Used:
saint
Bike Setup:
blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
Did a drop at speed, bottom bracket sheared off. Results were me slaming my face into the stem, and my ass slamming the seat at some descent force. Broken nose, head scar, inability to sit comforatably for 2 months+. I guess alright for everyday foolin around. Not to be trusted otherwise.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joel
a Racer
from Phoenixville Date Reviewed: February 16, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
weight, color, strength
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
too mony to list
Bike Setup:
Schwinn converted single speed
Bottom Line:
These cranke rock, I have bashed the crap out of them on anything and everything and they have never failed not even a litle flex and I weigh 190 and really crank with a 34/16 ratio. Light weight, tough, and for the price pretty unbeatable. Overall I think these cranks are good for almost any situation.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jesse
a Cross Country Rider
from halifax, ns canada Date Reviewed: February 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
shubie
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
strong light and quick-shifting! ISIS drive is sweet.
Weaknesses:
ummm yeah.....
Similar Products Used:
shimano Dx or LX not Xt
Bike Setup:
Avid disc(m), rockshox SID, Sram X9....
Bottom Line:
Great product sweet price on a good light strong crank. Ill buy raceface again. Did alot of review shopping for this and am very happy with product after hearing so many bad shimano xt reviews! Im 200 lbs and 6 ft i dont do big drops but i hammer crosscountry out of it and ride for speed, and yumps this crank takes it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gaz Edmunds
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC Date Reviewed: October 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Blue Sky Cycling
Strengths:
Stiff, light, inexpensive, and pretty damned slick looking.
Weaknesses:
None that I've found.
Similar Products Used:
XT (blech)
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth ISIS, Fox Vanilla RLC shock, Raceface Turbine LP cranks, XT hubs with Mavic X321 rims, SRAM X9 shifters and rear D, XT front D, Thomson Elite stem and seatpost, WTB Laser V ti saddle, Monkeylite bars, Avid BB7 mechanical discs with Speed Dial 7 levers, and Candy SL pedals...
Bottom Line:
I've never had a problem with these cranks, period, and agree with the opinion of several of the reviewers on here - the folks who had issues with these cranks, are most likely folks who have no idea how to maintain their bike. These have been bounced off rocks and logs, ridden through streams, and caked in mud time and time again, and after a quick cleaning and the occasional lube, they perform as new. Price Point and various other online stores are blowing these out as a combo deal with an SRX BB - I jumped on it, and if you're in the market for a new set of cranks that are true performers, you will too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DAN STEPHENS
a Cross Country Rider
from DALLAS TX USA Date Reviewed: August 29, 2005
Favorite Trail:
DOWNTOWN
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$269.00
Purchased At:
BEYOND BIKES
Strengths:
STIFF CHAINRINGS
Weaknesses:
CRANK ARMS BREAK EASY
Similar Products Used:
XT
Bike Setup:
CHAMELEON,FOX VANILLA,RACE FACE STEM, XT WHEELS,AVID BRAKES,XT SHIFTERS,XTR REAR SHIFTER.
Bottom Line:
I AM A 165LB. BIKE COURIER IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS. I RIDE 30 MILES 5 DAYS A WEEK. MY DRIVE SIDE CRANK ARM BROKE IN HALF AND I HIT MY NUTS ON MY BIKE!CHAD AT RACE FACE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT IS A PRICK! HE WAS RUDE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.HE SUCKS!I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON RACE FACE STUFF AND EXPECT NICER TREATMENT.DONT BUY THESE CRANKS! MY FRIEND BROKE HIS ALSO.CHAD IS A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kirk Denetclaw
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM, USA Date Reviewed: March 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Petroglyphs
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Very Stiff cranks, smooth, reliable shifting, and looks.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX and XT Hollow tech.
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dragon,XO Grip shift, Sram XO rear der., XTR Front der., Chris K. headset, Chris K. hubs W/Sun Rhyno Lite rims custom built(thanks Leo), Syncros stem/seatpost, Avid SD-7 brakes, Marz. X-fly 80, RF ISIS turbine crankset w/Truvative gigapipe BB.
Bottom Line:
These are a great set of cranks. I have been riding these for nearly 2 years and haven't had a problem with them. I weigh 260lbs and ride 5-6 days a week (20 miles per ride), mainly XC hardpack with rockbeds. I would advise that you use a torque wrench to install the BB to specification. Actually purchased them to replace XT Hollowtech cranks which I had for a year(noticed two broken teeth of mid chain ring when removed). Noticed increased stiffness in my drive train compared to Hollowetch setup. Chainrings still holding up. I would recommend them to any XC rider that doesn't expect freeride or extreme trail riding performance from an XC product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Landy Adkins
a Racer
from Midland, TX Date Reviewed: February 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Notrees
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Peytons Bikes
Strengths:
Strong, looks cool(in yellow), stiff, great company
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt,xtr, truvativ
Bike Setup:
Tricked out giant nrs
Bottom Line:
I've got over 5000 mles on these cranks and they are the best ones i ve ever had. i also have worked at a bike shop for 4 years so i have seen it all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Romein
a Cross Country Rider
from Sharon, SC, USA Date Reviewed: January 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Springs Greenway
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Simple, stiff, light and trouble free.
Weaknesses:
I can think of none.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Bontrager
Bike Setup:
Diamond Back DBR X4
Bottom Line:
I am trying to find another one of these in a different color for my Blur but they have gotten very scarce in the square taper type. I like the standard configuration with 110 mm BCD. I've never had any problems with flex or creaking. Why anyone would want to take on the problems of an ISIS or Octalink interface is a mystery to me. The new X-type systems are still unproven in my book also. If it ain't broke, don't fix it and Keep It Simple Stupid. I will find that new Race Face Turbine LP standard with square taper and be happy ever-after.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dwayne
a Cross Country Rider
from rochester hills, mi USA Date Reviewed: November 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
bikes, blades, and boards
Strengths:
quality, looks, stiff like a porn star
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
xt,lx,sweet wings
Bike Setup:
cannondale hardtail, lefty dlr, 717 king rear, 717 woodsman front
Bottom Line:
i bought the cranks in 98 for my schwinn homegrown. we got run over by a truck in 99, trashed the frame, fork, wheels, but the crank survived. installed in my new fsr xc with a rf ti taperlock bb, and proceeded to put about 9000 miles on it in the next 4 years with zero problems. the same bb and cranks are now installed in my 03 cannondale f800 and still NO problems. every once in a while they will start to creak, usually after much mud and rain, a cleaning and relube will fix them right up. i keep getting wooed by the "new and improved" setups out there, but why change? these have outlasted many friends xt,xtr. at 190lbs, i'm not really easy on equipment. only wish they made road cranks. 5 flaming steamers
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Leonard
a
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: October 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
El corte de madera/skeggs point
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Stiff, kinda light
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
icon crap that came with my Trek
Bike Setup:
'99 Trek 7000 hard tail
Bottom Line:
I bought these as a combo deal with the RF SRX bottom bracket. The cranks are super stiff and I have had no problems with the isis drive system. I think every single person complaining about this product is a poor bike mechanic. If they torque all the bolts to the required specs, they should have no problems. If you don't have the right tools, take it to the bike shop to have them do it. I highly recommend these to the weekend warrior type who don't need the absolute best stuff out there, but need to upgrade from crap that came on a mediocre bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Burnsville, MN Date Reviewed: September 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Dirt
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
EP deal
Strengths:
Decent overall product. Experienced little flex, at least none that could be detected while riding.
Weaknesses:
Customer service and warranty are a joke with this organization. Hope that you never need them.
Similar Products Used:
RF Turbines, RF Next, Shimano, FSA, ENO
Bottom Line:
Decent crank if your only looking to get a few seasons out of it, but the customer service is not there to warrant me bringing them into my shop again.
3 for initial quality Nonexistent rating for their customer service since it is also missing
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2004
RF, don't even think about discontinuing this item to make way for those new fangle thru-BB type cranksets.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano stuff.
Bottom Line:
The ISIS version with the signature BBs are unbeatable for performance and durability.
I plan on getting another set for another bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Earth Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
See below
Weaknesses:
no 165mm length
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT - creaking pos!
Bike Setup:
Yeti ARC
Bottom Line:
The very best cranks I've used and none of that friggin' creaking going on with the XT's. The paint is very durable and won't easily rub off. I prefer the traditional square-tapered design and anybody who thinks they can bend these because of it should have his head examined.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a Racer
from Los Angeles, CA. Date Reviewed: July 15, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Everything. Well engineered. A 'lifetime' purchase.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Cannondale XC race bike
Bottom Line:
I purchased these when they first came out (the first upgrade to my first mtb) & I am still riding them now. They are the one component that I've kept using through all the bikes & set-ups over the years. The cranks & bottom bracket have been bomb-proof. I now race on these same cranks. Throughout all my years of mountain biking, these have certainly been the best component I've owned. Great work, Race Face. I thank you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam
a
from charlotte, nc Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Bike Line
Strengths:
Just installed it. But I did have an original Turbine back in the day (1999 or something like that). But what I did notice while installing it and dialing it in was....that it shifted perfectly with little effort to dial in. Since I had an original Turbine, I know it's stiff, dependable, and simple does what it should. Glad to have another set.
Weaknesses:
non that I remember from older set, can't speak for the new set yet.
Similar Products Used:
original RF turbine, shimano xtr hollow crank, truvative fire x
Bike Setup:
blur, fox float, xtr front d, xtr rear d, xtr cassette, easton seatpost and monkey lite bar, sram rocket trigger shifters, time peddles, mavic crossmax sl disc wheel set, avid disc, chris king headset, wtb laser v saddle, race face turbine cranks.
Bottom Line:
dialed in fast, shifts great, looks good...can't really give a bottom line since i just installed it.
Since I haven't had a chance to ride it, I'm basing my chillys on how I feel about it so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: April 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Similar Products Used:
Shimano square taper products.
Bike Setup:
Kona King Kahuna
Bottom Line:
I bent both arms after four years of XC riding. Still a good product though, and Race Face has been good about the warranty replacement so far.
I'd buy another set despite the failure based on RF's handling of the warranty.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Romein
a Weekend Warrior
from Sharon, SC, USA Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Springs Greenway
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Simple, stiff and light. Flawless shifting. Chainrings are elegant.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Diamondback X-frame dual suspension with disk brakes
Bottom Line:
The true test of a mountain biking product is when you quickly become unaware of it in use. These cranks cause zero problems and they are light. I also notice they have resurged in popularity. They're not carbon, they're not fancy, but they serve their purpose as well as anyone could expect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Boulder, CO, USA Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Extrememly well manufactured, strong, light crank. Its funny, I read some of the other reviews with negative feedback. What can I say, if you ride a bike and do no maintenance on it (ie bolts backing out, lubrication, cleanliness) parts will fail. I ride this crank on three different bikes, on two of them I had Shimano XT and XTR cranks fail. These have worked great. I've bashed in my big chain ring on more than one occasion, once actually took 3 teeth off of the ring in one big chunk, and the cranks weren't in the least worse for wear
Weaknesses:
Have not found any yet
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT, XTR
Bike Setup:
EPX, FSR and Santa Cruz
Bottom Line:
Great cranks. You can spend a lot more money on other cranks and not get better performance. Great balance of strength, stiffness and weight.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA Date Reviewed: December 25, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
strong. reasonably light.
Weaknesses:
not cheap
Similar Products Used:
xt
Bike Setup:
FS
Bottom Line:
Very tough, hard aluminium. I have the older square taper - no complaints, and the BB costs 20 bucks, too. Why buy anything else unless every gram counts - and even then . . .
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stinky Wiz
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara, Ca, Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003
Favorite Trail:
we're not that close
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Velopro
Strengths:
Stiff Light Indestructable
Weaknesses:
Yeah right...
Similar Products Used:
xt, LX (Hollow & old), Specialized SA, lame OEM's
Bike Setup:
03 Heckler
Bottom Line:
Square taper. Got 'em in '98. Been thru at least 4 sets of chainrings & 4 frames (HT & FS). Finally retired to my Hardtail as I thought it was time to move to the future (splined-spindle), mistake. These are stiffer & endure punishment better than the Shimano LX Hollowtechs I have on now. I'm saving for the ISIS versions but are they better? 'Course they are. Lx lasts a year if you're lucky, LP's are are a worthy investment.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike T.
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
www.phattire.com
Strengths:
Bulletproof, stiff, one-piece, lifetime guarantee, made in Canada, beautiful anodizing.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey Logic, Shimano, Gigantex carbon fiber.
Bike Setup:
Seven Sola, Formula B4SL disc brakes, Pace rigid carbon fork, SRAM shifting, Moots Ti stem & seatpost, DT-Swiss 240 hubs and Sapim CX-Ray spokes.
Bottom Line:
I've had RaceFace cranks before (still got 'em!) and now I'm using a second set and will never buy anything else ever. These cranks are so well made and simple (one piece!) and lifetime guaranteed that I'm sure they will last forever.
They are light, stiff and strong - not to mention good looking. How can anything top this? As I'm a confirmed square taper spindle person and fear that the silly splined crank craze will take over (why?) I've ordered another set for peace of mind. They can sit in the cupboard so that I can sleep at night knowing I'll have RF square taper cranks forever.
These are cranks for the ultimate XC experience.
Phattire.com has the cranks (no rings) for just $160. It's the best price I've found. When my custom made Boone Ti rings arrive I'll have a crankset that will outlast me.
Thanks RaceFace. Nice stuff.
From a fellow Canadian -
Mike T.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joe
a Weekend Warrior
from canada Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
EVERYTHING
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
Stiff, lite, pimpin look, STRONG
Weaknesses:
Where's the crank bolts?
Similar Products Used:
The splined version, 95 Shimano FCM900(XTR)
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Killer V, Mavic D521's on XT non-disc hubs, Magura HS-33 brakes, Orbit headset, RaceFace taperlock Turbine cranks, RaceFace taperlock BB, various other little goodies...
Bottom Line:
My friend had the splined version, and they were absolute crap. They creaked, everything loosened.... Found a guy selling used Turbine's with the taperlock and BB....Love em. Stiffer than my old XTR level cranks, lighter, and look much cooler :) I would recommend the taperlock version, as the splined one has WAY too many issues for the price. Also, no matter what kind of rider you are, these will work well. I've done DH and trials with them, and they can't be beat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from kokomo, IN Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
very durable and great looking. it screams "only a pro may use me!" low weight.
Weaknesses:
could be a little less expensive, but not really a huge problem
Bike Setup:
EPX Terrashark frame, mostly XT drivetrain, easton bar and stem and marzoochi MX Pro fork
Bottom Line:
fantastic crank. mine came with the chainrings and they seem to hold up nicely to the occasional (and accidental!) bashing on a concrete curb. i am learning to yank on the bar a little so the bashing won't happen. the thing draws a lot of good attention.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sterling
a Downhiller
from Abbotsford Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
Strong, Stiff, Light if you care about that kinda thing.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
RF prodigy, (don't buy they suck) Shimano LX
Bike Setup:
Norco VPS2, Stratos S7, Hayes, Double Tracks
Bottom Line:
I've taken these cranks over 13 foot cliffs and they keep coming back for more. I've had them come loose on me once after FIVE years of being on my bike. They're sooooo stiff and strong. There pretty light too if you care about that kinda thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anonymous Gerbil
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$212.00
Purchased At:
www.mtnhighcyclery
Strengths:
Incredibly stiff, great looks
Weaknesses:
None yet. Losing some anodized finish at spots - but that just means I am using them the way they were designed to be used!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX
Bottom Line:
I have been using these cranks for more than six months now, and I can say that they deliver. Coupled to the ISIS BB, these things are unbelievably stiff. I guess a forged and machined block of aluminum would be extremely stiff and strong. A crank is supposed to transfer power to the rear wheel - and this does that.
Enough said.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eirc
a Cross Country Rider
from portland, OR Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
three corner rock (this year)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Fat Tire Farm (lbs)
Strengths:
Physics dictates that a solid piece of aluminum that thick will not fail.
Weaknesses:
cost. rings usually seperate purchase, requiring additional labor (personal or for hire).
Similar Products Used:
Shim:STX (square), LX (splined), XT (splined) Campi: chorus sugino (old five bolt 42 tooth mono front thing)
Bike Setup:
Rocket 88 disc: Thompson, MonkeyLite, Hayes Mag, XT rear, LX front, HG cass abd chain, Time, and Race Face Turbines with CroMo square taper bb
Bottom Line:
I have not had this product long enough to review its points. But I want to help with some intel.
I founnd Shimano's splined products failed frequently. I wen to two cranksets and a bb in two years. They have gone through 3 major releases for the XT line since Octalink came out.
The review submitted by "Gary a Cross Country Rider from Atlanta,Ga" knocking the chainrings is lame. Buy a different brand of rings, or a steel ring.
The review submitted by "chris a Cross Country Rider from northeast,USA" indicates a warn bottom bracket or incorrect installation, not a failure in the crank arm. I would have forced the shop to reimburse.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gonzo Breath
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Braille Trail
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$215.00
Strengths:
Brute Force Strong and the piece of mind that comes with them.
Weaknesses:
tough to clean
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Coda
Bike Setup:
XTR, RaceFace, Chris King, Dean... blah blah blah and an Airborne Lucky Strike with disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
First, I weigh ~225 pounds, and am not afraid to ride over logs or see a little air. Since having these cranks, I have broken 3 wheels, bent 3 set of handlebars, blown out 3 shocks, and destroyed 2 frames... I have been running the same set of these cranks the entire time.
I got these cranks courtesy of Canondale. I bought a high-end Canondale about 5 years ago. After less than 6 months of riding, I broke the Coda crank in the middle of a ride. Canondale wanted to first send me the same crank arm I broke... until I refused. After going back and forth for a couple months, Canondale agreed to give me a $175 credit towards any other set of cranks I wanted. I promptly paid the difference and got a set of these babies. Money well spent. I abuse the heck of these things, and they just work.
This year I have decided its time to move these guys to my wife's bike and get a new set. I fear that I am pushing my luck having ridden them for so long. Probably the best thing I can say in this review is that I will be buying another identical set to replace them. I would not even think of buying anything else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
johny boczar
a Cross Country Rider
from galati/gl/romania Date Reviewed: May 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
Very strong crank, good looking, nice colors,
Weaknesses:
Price
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX, XT
Bottom Line:
I like Race Face espeacially the cranks and about this product what can I say but that is a very good crank, very strong and I like it .....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Dover, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Too many to just chose one!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Craft in Chester
Strengths:
Makes your bike look hot in yellow, really strong-no flex what-so-ever, doesn't squeak if you get the ISIS drive
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
XT-DON'T BUY! They will start creaking and won't stop, STX what can I say they are STX
Bottom Line:
Buy these cranks if you want a really strong and stiff crank set that looks really hot on your bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
del
a
from la Date Reviewed: May 23, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
nicely machined, stiff, very light
Weaknesses:
expensive
Similar Products Used:
lx, xt, etc...
Bottom Line:
Probably one of the best xc cranks out there. very strong considering its weight. What I like most about the race face cranks are the rings. quality and they shift nice. I'm selling my taper lock version b/c I moved on to the race face dh cranks. These are still in excellent condition and I'd sell for about half price, so e mail if interested. definitely a 5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Eckley
a Weekend Warrior
from Avon Lake,OH USA Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
STIFF,LOOKS,COLOR,WEIGHT,PRICE
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
XTR,strongarm II,LX
Bike Setup:
White on a 2001 GT Zaskar Team-PHIL WOOD BB,Time atac pedals,XT cassette,PC 99 chain,Gripshift
Bottom Line:
Run them with a Stainless Steel Phil Wood BB and you'll have a bullet proof crank setup!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
the bike shop/cyclepath
Strengths:
they never die, really stiff, really strong problem-free
I have had these on 2 different bikes. a 2000 rocky blizzard with all xtr and raceface and a 1996 rocky hammer that ws all XT with a z2 bomber fork
Bottom Line:
you can't get much better than this. these are the best cranks I have used and the new rings shift like a dream. they are tougher than shimano, and can take the beating of a lifetime without brakeing. I highly recommend these to anyone. BTW, I did not have ISIS, only taper.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jens Jacob Iversen
a Weekend Warrior
from Tønder Date Reviewed: April 4, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stiff and light. ISIS
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Suntour, Stronglight
Bike Setup:
CUBE team litening, sram 9.0, Magura Louise front, HS silver back, TIME pedals, Raceface Turbine LP, TA Specialites chainrings, ritchey seatpost,flat bar and stem, sram 9.0sl hub with x517. No shimano.
Bottom Line:
The Turbine LP works like it is supposed to. It is stiff and strong. The best cranks I have tried though it is a little expensive for a piece of Aluminium. A two-chainring version with thread for both rings would be great. The ISIS standard is working perfectly. No signs of wear on either the Bottom Bracket or the cranck arms.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Fricken Amazing! Super Stiffy! Sexy Look'n
Weaknesses:
NONE! and I mean NONE!
Bottom Line:
I have one word for you: STIFF! I mean these cranks are stiffer than you watching Pamela Anderson on Bay Watch. Every ounce of energy you put into these cranks is put into the rear wheel, that's what the stiffness does! I've had these cranks for a little over two years and they are my favourite ( <- yes I'm Canadian ) component on my $3,000 bike. It's an amazing feeling. Once you try Race Face you can never go back!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daemon
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Great looking cranks Strength, stiffness The chainrings are lasting
Life time warranty
Weaknesses:
None i can think of
Similar Products Used:
LX crank, XT
Bike Setup:
GT Zaskar LE DJ 3
Bottom Line:
Wonderful set of cranks here. I've ridden mine for 2 years and of course, there were problems. After one year of riding, i heard a little creak and fixed it by simply tightening the crank bolt. Things do come loose a bit after long use, and it's not a problem with the crank itself. It's been working perfectly ever since. After all this pedalling, the logo is still clear and the faces of the crank arms has no visible wear. This is unlike the shimano XTR crank that becomes a XT and in time X after long wear between legs and the faces :)
The chainrings are very durable and i have no problems with chainlie or shifting (no back pedal chain skip)
This is one thing on my bike I don't have to worry about
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelly
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: February 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Chimney Rock, Split Rock
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Replacement
Strengths:
Light, No flex, Look good
Weaknesses:
Little pricey, but quality usually doesn't come cheap
Similar Products Used:
Raceface Prodigy
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS 1, XTR, SID 100, Cane Creek AD12, CrossMax, Tioga DH tires, Hayes Disc
Bottom Line:
Had these cranks on three bikes over almost 3 years. Lots of aggressive rides. Crank snapped at bottom bracket axle at the end of a long ride in sub 20 degree temperature. Fortunately, happened while bouncing around 10 feet from my car in the parking lot. Must give high praise to the folks at Raceface Warrantee. Told them I was in a pinch with no ride and they turned my return around pronto. Only problem was I was in such a rush I told them I had the four bolt pattern. Confused them with my RF Prodigy cranks. When I got the brand new cranks I couldn't figure out how to attach the five bolt pattern rings to the four bolt pattern cranks. Dilemma...Call Race Face back and take some abuse or shell out $75 bucks for a new set of rings. Called Race Face back and they hooked me up again. Did a quick swap and I'm back in business. So pleased with Raceface that I picked up their Signature XS bottom bracket.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from northeast,USA Date Reviewed: February 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
canal corner
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
came with 02 giant nrs1
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
these cranks were babied and never saw the trails at all and within the first month the bolts became loose that held the crankarms on and ended up stripping the holes out of the crankset and having the crankarms hangin from my clipless shoes , they are made VERY WEAK and FLIMSY, FLEXY , a terrible purchase for any avid rider, life span is zero to none
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
2002 giant nrs1 with many add on's
Bottom Line:
These CRANKSET are WEAK, FLEXY and MADE CHEAPLY, WOULD NOT recommend these to anyone who want to come off there ride with the crank arms attached to the crank and not your shoes after you ride, Not to mention the safety issue that is brought along with these cranksets,
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle
a Downhiller
from Nor Cal Date Reviewed: January 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
The ones at Northstar
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
A friend
Strengths:
Stiff. Light. Well Built. Life Time Warranty
Weaknesses:
Price could be a issue if you are buying them brand new. I had to buy spacers and new screws and all the rings, but It was all worth it!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore (Busted it up!)
Bike Setup:
Foes Weasel......'Nuff Said
Bottom Line:
Great Crank. I scored a sweet price on them. They are super super super super stiff. And they are also light. I DOUBT Ill bust em up. These cranks should last forever, they are built very well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Gramp
a Cross Country Rider
from South NJ Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Fairhills DE
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, Stiff, Nice lines
Weaknesses:
Ummm....they need to be cheaper
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Truvativ, Suntour
Bottom Line:
A crank is a crank anymore. They are all mostly light and feel the same and go round in circles. That is unless you want to save a little weight and get a little more snap out of each peddle stroke. The finish stays on nice too. I can't see them ever giving me a problem and I hope not after reading problem people have had with Raceface customer service.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter McCann
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Stiff, strong and quiet.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Joker
Bottom Line:
These cranks qualify for the "set and forget" catagory. They do what they are supposed to do. I weigh over 190 with gear, and have been punding these things for about 5000 miles without a hint of trouble. Follow installation instructions and you shouldn't either. Race has great CS and stands behind there products-that makes their stuff a grat value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta,Ga Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Stiff crank arms,looks good
Weaknesses:
Crap granny ring. I'am on my 3rd small ring.They bend way to easy and i'am not a hard rider or that heavy 164lbs.I had the bikes chain line check twice and is ok.Large and middle ring alway has metal peeling.This crankset was installed new when I bought the bike so there is not any miss match worn parts to cause this. I had to buy a crank puller so that I could remove and bend the teeth back to keep from buying new rings.My friend has XT cranks on his ride and thats is what I will buy next.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano,Coda
Bottom Line:
This IS NOT a crankset on par with XTR or even XT! Save money and buy the HollowTech XTs
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leotis Denetclaw
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterflow, NM USA Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Pinon Mesa
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Universal Cycles .com
Strengths:
One piece billet alumium......Very Stiff, Strong, very nice looking. Appearance, finish, and reputation
Weaknesses:
None.......well the product doesn't come with crank bolts.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano.....LX,XT, and DX. Also numerous lower end Shimano stuff.
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Homegrown, CT2 carbon bar, XTR components, and Syncros stem and carbon seatpost. Marzocchi X-fly, Ringle wheels (RPM XXL).
Bottom Line:
The bottom line.....these cranks are the best, I have no reason to look for anything else. They are stiff, ridgid, strong, and are aligned perfectly to allow a great transition of power flow. Polished with black chain rings, they stand out and make a statement.......You own the best!!!!!! Combined with the RF Taperlock BB, I have the best combination for a heavy rider (235 lbs.). When building up this frame, I was looking for the best and spared no cost, I would recomend these cranks to anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Seattle Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Green Mt.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Great price, choice of colors, and fairly light weight.
Weaknesses:
Bendable, poor customer service, and those huge inner chainring bolts.
Similar Products Used:
Bullseye, XT, DT,
Bike Setup:
Klein Attitude XC/custom
Bottom Line:
I'm a big guy (250lbs)and like to ride the high gears, so when I bent my first set of Race Face cranks, I thoght it was a fluke or some odd set of circumstances. I went out and got another set. The most recent set has only lasted 6 months and already the spider has a tweak and the left arm is sloppy on the spindle. They might work for small riders, but if you abuse your bike, go for something stiffer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Curt
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Frick Park
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
BikeTek
Strengths:
Stiffness, weight, and strength.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
XT and Specialized Strong Arm cranks.
Bike Setup:
2001 Specialized Stumpjumper M4 with Race Face, Thomson, Marzocchi, Velocity and Easton.
Bottom Line:
I never had a problem with the cranks for as long as I've had them, I've only replaced the chain rings. The cranks have helped my climbing abilities. They shift rather well, and I've never heard them creak.
I recommend them to anyone that is an avid cyclist. I would love to get the LPs, but I'll stick with my Turbines; there is only a 25 gram difference.
I give them all five flaming chilis for value and rating. Very good product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio , TX Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$275.00
Purchased At:
Raging Isle, HI
Strengths:
Stiff
Weaknesses:
Durability
Similar Products Used:
XTR, XT crankset
Bike Setup:
Litespeed, SID
Bottom Line:
Both my wife and I ride with Race Face Turbine LP cranksets and for three years we have had no probs. Until a few days ago on a small drop off (1' or so) I cracked my LH crank arm at the bottom bracket axle. This could have been a "very" ugly crash, but the arm never came off the axle....Lucky me..So, in conclusion this could be a freak one time thing, but it's time for Race Face Customer Service to step up to the plate. A 160lbs x-country rider should not snap a crank arm even after 10years of riding
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spanky
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
The Zoo
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
Very stiff, good design overall. Feels like they will last awhile
Weaknesses:
stupid inner chainring mount that needs 16 mm bolts (since changed)
Similar Products Used:
Suntour, (yes, that's right Suntour) XC comp cranks
Bike Setup:
Norco Rampage steel hardtail, old marzocchi xc600 fork, lotsa Raceface
Bottom Line:
So far so good, hope the chainring bolts don't strip the spider holes. Can really feel the difference-this isn't just hype. At 250 lbs I've broken and bent almost everything-hope these stand up as they feel robust. Since I do mainly xc and commuting to work, i didn't need DH or North Shore cranks, but wanted something stout. No creaks or groans so far and they give a good chainline with an XT bb on my bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sebastian
a Downhiller
from potsdam/germany Date Reviewed: July 15, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
???????????????
Strengths:
light
Weaknesses:
they aren't stiff i bent them twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
service sux - there almost no service...only bla bla bla
Similar Products Used:
ac cranks, xtr
Bike Setup:
dual hardtail with downhill setup...lol
Bottom Line:
those cranks suck as hell-that's all i can say
and man i'm a real lightweight less than 60 kilos
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JOse
a
from Wisonsin Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Just frigin awesome.
Weaknesses:
UMMM...none
Similar Products Used:
Shimano...truvativ...bontrager.
Bike Setup:
2002 fuel 90, full xtr,
Bottom Line:
They are light,they are stiff, they are strong and they do shift well, almost as good as shimano, not quite, but close. Customer service doesn't such! I'm a shop mechanic and havew dealt with Race Face before and haven't had any problems at all. IN all, five burns.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Strengths:
It works...
Weaknesses:
Race Face service
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Truvative
Bike Setup:
various
Bottom Line:
I lost the 16 mm bolts and the spacers that hold on the granny gear so I went to my LBS to buy them. They called Raceface and Raceface service dept told them that they wouldn't sell them to me and that I should buy a new pair of cranks. I guess RaceFace wants to be Shimano so bad that they don't care about service any more. I think that a company should support its products that are out in the field. They no longer use the 16 mm bolts and spacers to attach the small chain ring but they did up until a year ago. As for buying another set of cranks...sure I will...from FSA or Truvative.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bobo D. Clown
a Cross Country Rider
from L.A. Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bobo is often spotted on most local trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$179.00
Strengths:
Strength, weight, looks. Very high reading on the Coolness Factor Scale brother!
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
lx, lx hollowtech, suntour xc-pro (oh yeah!) and race face turbine lp (easily the best)
These cranks really are worth the cash. I liked the Kookas also but my LBS had these in stock; its always nice to actually be able to look at something before shelling out the dinero. No problems whatsoever since I had them installed. Expensive yeah, but the what the hell, Bobo's not gettin any younger and getting tired of riding the LX crap that comes on most of my frames. If you ride hard you'll appreciate the difference. I'm sure other high end cranks work well but coming from LX cranks I felt the weight loss and the stiffness gained. They come in many cool colors. I got black because yellow didn't quite match the yellow on my frame.
I haven't had ANY of the loosening, creaking, shifting or chain suck problems written in a few of the reviews but with 300 plus reviews some of those are more than likely errors in set up. 5 havelinos. Cool Stuff Raceface.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
OC>
a Downhiller
from Oz Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Stiff,Strong,Looks,Splined. Oh yeah it's light.
Weaknesses:
None
Bottom Line:
What can you say,it never comes to your attention.Pay the money and receive a fit and forget product. Simply put I'd have no hesitations about buying them again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
the one that ends with beer
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Light, stiff, nice lines!
Weaknesses:
spendy, creaky
Similar Products Used:
LX square taper, XT hollowtech splined
Bike Setup:
1. Gunnar Rockhound packed with the good sh*t: 'Zoke fork, XT/XTR, Time, Avid, Mavic, Easton, Thomson, Race Face, Panaracer, etc... 2. Ritchey logic singlespeed frame packed with more good sh*t: Kore, Race Face, Selle Italia, Time, Michelin, Surly, etc...
Bottom Line:
I bought this crankset last year to replace a relatively new XT hollowtech that WOULD NOT SHUT UP. I couldn't believe how much stiffer this set was than any other crankset I've ever had. This squaretaper set beat the pants off of the splined Shimano set in terms of stiffness. I paired it with a RF taperlock BB, and off I went. No probs to date other than occasional creakiness from somewhere (BB?) under hard pedaling. I liked this set so much that I bought a second set of arms for my singlespeed. No the cheapest set of cranks, but SOOOOOO worth the bread. Don't blow your dough on Shimano - go race face!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Arthur
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
123bikes
Strengths:
Looks, stiff
Weaknesses:
Crank bolts will not stay on no matter what I do. Creeks like crazy. Isis BB and crank just don't work
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT splined / old RF Turbine with square BB/ XTR splined
Bike Setup:
Tracer
Bottom Line:
I just finished my dream bike and I must say my race face cranks have been a nightmare. From day one I did everything in my power, but the drive side arm would not stay on. After tightening the bold, the arms back off. Had to re tighten the bolts every five minutes. Guy at my LBS said this is a major issue with the RF Turbine and the RF splined BB. I am so angry at RF and will never purchase their product again. After using them a little over 2 weeks I took them off my bike and picked up a set of XT cranks. The Shimanos work fine. Send me a line if you want a new set of RF paper weights
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gareth
a
from Thousand Oaks, CA Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came with new bike
Strengths:
Looks cool, shifts well, seem rigid
Weaknesses:
crank bolts keep backing out.
Similar Products Used:
XT and XTR, old school Cooks Bro's
Bike Setup:
ID with Z1
Bottom Line:
Just built up my new bike and thought I'd try these new turbine LP cranks with the ISIS BB in place of shimano. After the first ride the left arm started creaking horribly. The crank bolt was a little loose so I tightened it but the creak got worse. Took the bike to the LBS and they greased and re-tightened the cranks. Off for my next ride, about an hour in the creak is back, at two hours in I can't shift into the big ring because the bolts have backed out so much the cranks are about to fall off. Okay, retighten once again and check more frequently on the next ride. After the first good downhill the creak returns and soon the bolts once again are loose. What's up, too much grease? Back to a different LBS and when I explain he shakes his head and mumbles "isis bottom bracket", not what I wanted to here. So now the crank bolts are lock-tighted on (the mild stuff) and I'll see if they stay tight this time. Hey for this kind of money you'd think they would at least stay on. Couldn't find any other reveiws which state this problem so maybe this is uncommon. Still unacceptable though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geo
a Weekend Warrior
from N.W. Indiana, U.S.A. Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Stuff in Michigan.
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Never have to give them a second thought...just spin em'!!
Weaknesses:
You're kidding, right?
Similar Products Used:
The usual Sh!m@n* dung...
Bike Setup:
95' Manitou FS w/ stuff from that year...
Bottom Line:
I weigh 180 lbs. and have been spinning these things for 7 years with no problems. My next bike will have the same cranks but w/ ISIS drive...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
johnny_boy
a Weekend Warrior
from Reading, UK Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
chain reaction
Strengths:
These cranks are INCREDIBLY stiff, far better than anything else I've tried, as a result the power transfer is incredible.
Weaknesses:
I have to disagree with some reviewers here and say that my Racerings don't shift nearly as quickly as Shimano - disappointing.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX, XT.
Bottom Line:
If you really need a very stiff, very well made crank these are worth a look. Also the warranty is a big plus. But given the slightly disappointing shifting I have to wonder if they're really worth the (considerable) extra premium over Shimano...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mtber
a
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: March 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
The Next One I ride
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Looks, Light, Strength and appears at this point to be a durable product!Works well with the XT front derailer.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
STX
Bike Setup:
02'Giant AC Air Lite
Bottom Line:
Awesome Crank, Highly recommended!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Houston Date Reviewed: March 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Jack Brooks
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$229.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint.com
Strengths:
Looks, light, looks, with the raceface chainrings much better shifts, better power transfer than my old Shimano LX..oh yea and looks
Weaknesses:
non so far..
Similar Products Used:
Shimaon LX
Bike Setup:
Trek 4900, Marzoochi dirt jumper, XTR everything, Avid disk
Bottom Line:
It's da bomb!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roger
a Cross Country Rider
from London, England Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Wendover
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Cycle Surgery
Strengths:
Stiff. Robust. When combined with Race Face race rings shift very well. Average weight. Looks.
These perform really well (taperlock version). I can certainly feel the difference between these and my old cranks. The acceleration when I stamp on the pedal is exceptional.
No signs of weakness after 1 year of use. I'm using them with an XT bottom bracket and the race rings which shift very well.
If these ever wear out I'll buy them again. I've heard a few stories of stress factures in the corners where the crank meets the bottom bracket axle. I've had no such problems though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Raymond
a Cross Country Rider
from State College, PA Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
SuperGo
Strengths:
stifness normal chain ring size looks
Weaknesses:
too common
Similar Products Used:
White Industries varios Shimano
Bike Setup:
Gunnar Rockhound
Bottom Line:
I am very glad I purchased these cranks. They are so much stiffer than my old White industries cranks. The last cranks were old and super flexy, flexed eough to hit the chain stays. I am happy to get cranks that have not gone to the ugly four arm style.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeffrey Kerwin
a Weekend Warrior
from Milford Mi Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Durability, strength under load, no loss of power transfer through flexing of drivtrain.
Weaknesses:
Expensive
Similar Products Used:
Coda expert.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale f600, Race Face Turbine Lp standard crankset, Sram 9.0sl derailleurs.
Bottom Line:
I am a big guy (230lbs.) and these cranks stand up to my big ass on many uphill cross shifts without a whimper. I have snapped new chains many times but have never effected the cranks. I can do moderate jumps and drops with the confidence that they will stand up to it. The shifting on my bike improved dramatically when I coupled the race face rings with the Sram shifters. My bike shifts like Brittney spears moves her ass. So overall I am very pleased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso, TX, US Date Reviewed: December 29, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
El Paso Bicycle Center
Strengths:
Stiff, rigid, durable.... all the stuff you want in a crank!
Titus Switchblade with all the bells and whistles.
Bottom Line:
I ran the square taper Turbine for about 2+ years with no problems. Recently bought the Titus and decided to go ISIS. I have been so happy with my old Turbine, the choice to stay LP was easy. Set up on the ISIS crank is really easy...... slap it on, torque it down and ride! My old cranks where powder coated.... finish proved very durable, the ISIS cranks are ano.... also very durable so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AlienInv8r
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Va Date Reviewed: December 29, 2001
I had cheap bottom of the line components before this, and when I bent them last time, I decided to just spend the extra cash and buy the race face. That was one of the best things I've bought for my bike. I havent tried anything in a similar range of these, but they absolutely blow away the other products I did use. I can stand on these and watch my frame bend, not the cranks. They are very stiff. I bought mine used, so I didnt have Race Face rings, but I will get them this season. Race Face rocks!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ben
a Weekend Warrior
from uk Date Reviewed: December 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
none
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
www.chainreactioncycle.com
Strengths:
amazingly strong ,once fitted thats it no worrys
Weaknesses:
have to have a race face bottom bracket tool for isis version
Similar Products Used:
fsa power pros (tragic went though two sets in a week)
Bike Setup:
x ess frame shimano deore mech and disc's dmr v8's saddle handle bars funn stem judy xc's tripple clamp version mavic d521 deore hubs
Bottom Line:
damm good no worrys product go for the isis it worth the money life time warranty what else can u say
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Freddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Harbor City, CA USA Date Reviewed: December 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Rim Nordic
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
No creaks! Shifts great once the correct bottom bracket spindle has been selected.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT (square taper). This setup shifted flawlessly but creaked horribly.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail with XT, XTR drivetrain components and Manitou Elite fork.
Bottom Line:
Bought a set of LPs to replace my creaky, and I mean creaky, square taper Shimano XT cranks. Ended up going with the square taper LPs since my LBS had a set with some 8 speed rings and gave me a good deal on 'em.
My setup shifts equal to, but no better than my Shimano setup but I did have to work a bit to get it to shift cleanly. My Shimano UN 72 bottom bracket which I was using with the XT cranks was a 73x107 size. The Race Face directions (excellent by the way) said not to use a Shimano 107 spindle length with the LPs. I gave it a try anyways and even though the Q factor remained the same with the new LPs, the front derailleur would bottom out on the seat tube before allowing the chain to shift cleanly onto the granny ring. So, I bought a Race Face Taperlock bottom bracket in a 107 spindle length and everything is cherry (the floating bottom bracket allowed me to dial in my chainline perfectly). Moral of the story: Look carefully at Race Face's bottom bracket, crank compatability chart- they did their homework.
Now that everything is dialed in, I am very pleased with the LP cranks and rings. Race Face products exude quality and their cranks are no exception. They're stiff, they don't creak and even my chain makes less noise running on the Race Face rings.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike b
a Cross Country Rider
from Sodom in the North Date Reviewed: December 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
boggs
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
park cyclery sf
Strengths:
stiffness stiffness stiffness apparent durability
Weaknesses:
i don't think so
Similar Products Used:
lx, xt, alivio
Bike Setup:
sc superlight 25.5 lbs, dog dick red without stickers.
Bottom Line:
you just don't have to think about these cranks, period. they don't creak or wobble. they just help propel the rider forward like frogs in a dynamite pond. what more can you ask? these cranks have now graced three of my latest frames. when and if they wear out, i will certainly buy more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
johnnyb
a Cross Country Rider
from San Anselmo, CA Date Reviewed: December 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Singletrack anything!
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$240.00
Purchased At:
Cesars Cyclery
Strengths:
Strong, durable, stiff and light. Customer service
Weaknesses:
Nothing for three years and 12,00 miles---until I saw cracks where the taper meets the crank!
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT, STX and Specialized. All have worn out quickly
Bike Setup:
99 Stumpjumper Pro, Marzocchi Atom, Phil Wood, Mavic 517s
Bottom Line:
First off I'm a big guy who rides a lot (220 lbs.) So after doing some research I put these on after the stock Specialized gave up after one winter. They have been perfect. No chain suck, no nothing.
But the best part is the lifetime warranty.
When I was doing regular maintenance and inspection, I saw cracks on the driveside crank opening and called Raceface, they gave me a return authorization number and I sent them off. I called them after three weeks and Andrew in the warranty department said that mail was slow because of the terrorist thing going on. He did say that they received them and that they were on the way from customs (U.S. border). He was friendly and informative AND he said that he would send out a new pair anyways. YEAH! I also said that the fairly new chainrings were still on the cranks. He hesitated for about a second and said he would throw in a new set. This was awesome.
This is a company with a great product and honest, straight-up customer service. I'm going to buy more of there products.
Thank you Raceface!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cory
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO Date Reviewed: November 25, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Chubb
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
The Touring Cyclist
Strengths:
looks, warranty, customer service, strength!!
Weaknesses:
none whatsoever
Similar Products Used:
xt, lx, bontrager, icon, you name it, i've tried it.
Bike Setup:
2002 trek fuel 98 with isis drive raceface cranks and bb, marzocchi z1 x-fly fork, chris king tubeless, thomson stem and seatpost, xt/xtr stuff.
Bottom Line:
these cranks have been on three frames (i couldn't decide what i wanted until i got the fuel!) and they're totally bombproof. Yes, they are expensive. So what? they'll last forever. they're super stiff, have great-shifting chainrings, and the company is made up of nice guys that want to help out. i will ALWAYS support Race Face. companies with good customer service are worth their weight in gold, since they are so few and far between.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hard tail
a
from USA Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
vlutures knob
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$179.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Bottom Line:
just wanted to let everyone know that I just bought this crankset from price point for 179!!! It is the turbine LP isis. They matched a price I found on www.coloradocyclist.com My friend has this crankset and it is awesome. No chain suck. Anyways, thought I would share some info.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
big tim
a Cross Country Rider
from columbia mo Date Reviewed: November 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$240.00
Strengths:
strong, stiff, good weight, shifts good
Weaknesses:
they havent broke
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt xtr
Bottom Line:
ive had this crankset since 97 and they are still running strong they shift great especialy with the new raceface chainrings wich are a lot cheeper than xtr rings these cranks have been the only thing that has been through all three of my frame swaps and they will be on my bike till the day i die i just wish they made road cranks
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Date Reviewed: November 4, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
the bike co.
Strengths:
Stiff at first, they look great
Weaknesses:
a little too weak for FR/DH
Similar Products Used:
shimano junk
Bike Setup:
Bullit with all the fixins
Bottom Line:
I'm a huge fan of RaceFace, but I just want to warn the guys who do big drops to flat and hard DH that these may not be the cranks for you. It took a full year for me to bend them, but the fact is I payed too much $$$ for them to ever bend. They're still a great crankset for other types of riding. I'm still always going to buy RaceFace.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Boulder, Co Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Stiffy stiffy stiffy
Weaknesses:
None found yet
Similar Products Used:
Some Sugino crap.
Bike Setup:
custom ti soft tail from www.empirebicycles.com -- race face +xtr drive train and thumbies for shift'in
Bottom Line:
These carnks are mad stiff -- oh yeah just mad. Great product -- I love 'em.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Hampton
a Downhiller
from Flagstaff, Arizona USA Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Single Track
Strengths:
Really stiff, cool looking if that matters to anybody.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
GT I-drive, Z1 MCR, full XT setup. Race Face cranks, Odi grips.
Bottom Line:
I bought mine used from a bike shop. Some minor cosmetic scratches but nothing too bad. They ride like a champ and nobody knos I got a sweet deal on em so people think I spent a lot on my bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luis Timond
a Racer
from Jersey Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$240.00
Strengths:
The stiffness is key. These babys DO NOT FLEX. I noticed a huge difference in the power transfer. Strong, strong, strong!
Weaknesses:
For some reason the chainrings will not attach easily to my circular saw so I had to make some modifications. Race Face might want to look into this.
Similar Products Used:
Coda, Shimano
Bike Setup:
cannondale, easton, time, mavic, hutchinson, shimano,
Bottom Line:
I ride hard, fast, and abuse products. These cranks are quite possibly THE STRONGEST product on my bike. Get em, ride em, love em!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Got the cranks on sale, so good price. RaceFace usually good.
Got a decent deal at a sale, they are Raceface cranks, so I figured I couldn't go wrong. I was wrong.
I had some old XT cranks that I beat the hell out of and couldn't break, had to replace because of age and some stress cracks after years of service. Changed to these things , I rode them two times and they twisted along the long axis (the pedals aren't perpendicular to the plane of the crank). I didn't do anything severe and there is no way these cranks should have bent.
According to LBS, RaceFace warranty is not interested in my story since I only twisted them and didn't break the damn things in half.
Don't know how they perform on a full suspension, but think twice before you pick these up if you ride a hardtail.
Rating for value is low even though I got them at a good price because $100 for two rides is not good value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Charles Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Castlewood
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Awesome Shifting No power loss from pedal stroke to chain No flex Strong Durable Awesome Cosmetics Lives up to its promises
Weaknesses:
Yeah right
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Fisher. Hayes. Easton. Shimano. Race Face. Mavic.
Bottom Line:
These Rock. Strong, and quick. The shifting is quick and smooth.
If you are looking for a strong, relatively light, responsive crank, this is it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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