Advanced Shimano forging technology has made possible a hollow crank arm that maintains strength and rigidity while reducing weight. Special 9-speed design assures that the chainrings shift quickly and positively with the super-narrow 9-speed chain. 4-arm design means increased strength and lateral rigidity with less weight.
Submitted by
xmessenger
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2011
Strengths: This is for ORIGINAL Deore DX. Just replaced the original BB and middle chain ring about a year ago and this is a 1992 item!
Weaknesses: Well,like lots of early 90's bike stuff its not made anymore, and if it is, it isnt made like this.
Bottom Line:
Don't know what it is with the old Japanese made parts but its almost like the alloys were of higher quality than now because I honestly don't see ever needing new crank arms. Hint, if you have an old set that look crap buy some cheap polish and polish them up to a mirror shine. I did and they look sweet plus if it gets marked up you can simply buff away any scratches.
Bike Setup: 1992 Rocky Mountain Team Comp thats been set up for fast city riding/ messenger style.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kiaran Davies
a Weekend Warrior
from Llandovery, Wales
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2011
Strengths: Were really smooth for 1 ride
Weaknesses: bearings in the BB were really rough after 2 rides. After a few more rides notices the left crank arm slipping slightly. Took it apart and put it back together nice and tight and fell off again three times in one short ride 6 miles from home. All the teeth on both left crank arm and the actual axle wore down really quickly. If you want my advice DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!
Bottom Line:
Do not buy the 2010 hollowtech 2 deore chainset. Unbelievably bad.
Similar Products Used: Had some sr suntour cranks before for two years of hard riding and is still going strong
Bike Setup: felt redemption, Marz 55s, full deore, elixer 5s....
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
B-52 Bomber
a Cross Country Rider
from Mt Victoria, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2011
Strengths: The original DEORE crank set remains on the bike after 10 years of serious beating over rough terrain and countless steep inclines. The crank set and deraileurs have been reliable and dependable but they are due for replacement. After reading the disappointing reviews of LX and DX sets, hey ... I am sticking with the best performance and value for money that befits a hard tail bike frame of 10 years.
Weaknesses: Certainly not its longevity... it might have lasted even longer if I maintained it better....
Bottom Line:
Deore is a heavy duty long lasting group set. Its standard inclusion in the 2001 Tassajara was the best thing Gary Fisher ever did. The marginal weight saving from the LX and DX sets is not enough to sway me to upgrade - rather, I am just looking to replace with the same. Hope that Shimano still makes it like it did a decade ago...
Similar Products Used: Deore for 10 years!!!! One could say that I have not known any better. My answer is: I don't need to, when factoring price, the bike frame, and a 10 year duty cycle that has been nothing short of bullet proof.
Bike Setup: 2001 Gary Fisher Tassajara hard tail with Deore Groupset.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
gorg_karlo
a Cross Country Rider
from Beijing
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2010
Strengths: Price point. Hollowtech II. Buttery glide thanks to new BB setup.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Reviewing the 2010 model here...
I just can't imagine why I would go for DEORE XT when these cranks do pretty much the same (if taken on the price point perspective - better). Hollowtech II construction combined with the new BB make my legs happy with that buttery glide feel. The best change I have done so far for my ride here in Beijing. If you are looking for the most versatile crank, not a weight weenie, and do not mind the ugly DEORE typeface - this is the crank!
Bike Setup: Giant ATX 7 Frame, 2010 Shimano DEORE Groupset, Mavic XM 117 Rims, SR Suntour AXON ELD Fork
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
RobertCShay
a Cross Country Rider
from Stamford, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2010
Strengths: Strong
Durable
Works
Weaknesses: Middle chainring wears out and causes chain to stick to it. I believe it happened after about 7,500 miles. Is that good?
Bottom Line:
I'd say overall good cranks. Wondering if Deore XT would be more durable.
Bike came with these Deore FC-M542 cranks stock. I do primarily ice biking and training during winter months approximately 125 miles/week. Many, many hills and mountain climbs are involved in each ride and I weigh 180 lbs and can crank out significant watts (power). Chain began to stick to the middle ring over the last few weeks and would stop the crank. I always changed the chain at its service interval according to the park tool chain wear indicator so this is really middle chainring wear from use not a stretched chain.
I'm on the fence about upgrading to an onsale XT M770 crank ($170) or replacing the center ($15) and large ($38)chainring on the Deore. I believe I will opt for the XT because of my weight, power, type of riding, and frequency of riding. I go all out every ride and believe the center ring on the XT may last longer given my riding habits. Who knows for sure.
Bike Setup: 07 Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail, nokian extreme 294 tires, chris king hub, sram chain.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scotty
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto ON
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2009
Strengths: Price, stiffness (compared to stock crank), smooth hollowtech bearings
Weaknesses: Stock octalink BB (totally disintegrated after being fully submerged in a stream crossing)
Bottom Line:
I have used both the octalink and Hollowtech II versions of the crank on the same bike. The original (octalink) only lasted me a season before i bent a chainring and the BB was shot. it was a solid Crank but i decided to upgrade to the newer style BB and i am so happy i did. the new crank is way stiffer and the bearings are way smoother. also a bit lighter. For the money there is not a better more solid crank. perfect for an upgrade from a internal style BB crank. when you put your foot down these baby's will move you
You cant get better for the money!! And I dont see why you should spend hundreds when you dont need better than this...I have hollowtech II version...fit and forget!! If your after a descent chainset look no further!
Similar Products Used: Top campag from road days...
Bike Setup: GT hardtail...
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Juanito
a Cross Country Rider
from Asia
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2007
Strengths: Cheap and it works. Good for riders finding their way around their first mtb
Weaknesses: the splined interface between the crank arms and the chainrings will start to loosen once you start becoming a much fitter rider and really pushing the crank to its limit. eventually the chainrings will just wobble around because the splines no longer fit together properly affecting shifting performance and eventually breaking off the arm itself
Bottom Line:
good for beginners, if you are a fit rider who rides 100kms a week forget about this and buy something stronger.
Submitted by
Mark Redwood
a Cross Country Rider
from Hampshire, UK
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2007
Strengths: Cheap, reliable, good quality finish, reasonably light, shifts well.
Weaknesses: not the lightest out there
Bottom Line:
I've ridden this crank through 2 winters, mud and rivers included, I've bumped it off kerbs, done a few (small) drops, and smashed them several times into rocks, tree stumps, and the sides of ruts.
the cranks are still true, don't creak, and look pretty good once cleaned up.
the rings have always shifted well, and seem to last forever - The joys of steel - bit of extra weight but cost peanuts to replace and last ages. I have never had chainsuck with them and they've been bathed in mud most weekends.
for the price - bargain basement - they are quality cranks for the average Joe rider.
Submitted by
Chris Andersen
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2007
Strengths: Good, reliable, inexpensive crankset.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
When I bought my hardtail way back in 2001, the cranks that came with the bike were replaced with these basic Deore Hollowtech cranks--the FCM510 model, 175mm (square taper bottom bracket).
I'm only replacing them now (in Feb. 2007!) b/c the chainrings are worn out and it's cheaper to buy a replacement crankset than new chainrings. I'm replacing these cranks with the same exact model, which I found for $39.99 at CBD (look it up online).
I've raced cross-country and 24-hour races on my hardtail with these cranks, and never, ever had a problem with them. Can't be beat for the price.
Submitted by
LanTHrusteR
a Downhiller
from Russia, Moscow
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2006
Strengths: Low weight, nice look.
Weaknesses: This crank is designed for quadra hub. The CrMo cartridge quadra peg is connected to the aluminium crank hub. This and the similar consturctions are weak by design and are not suitable if you're not shy to put amplitude into your driving. In approximately one year of intense riding the crank hub will accumulate metal fatigue enough for it to deform. This deformation leads the construction to loose tightness first and then expect to find your crank somewhere in the bushes.
Bottom Line:
If you're not a child and driving hard do not be fooled by the illusion that CrMo peg is capable to sit in the aluminium or duraluminum hub and withstand all those pressures long. It won't I've been through many quadra hubs of different makers through different cartridges. All of them will fail you as soon as your driving improves and you're not afraid to put full amplitude into your motions. Prefer CrMo pistoned cranks instead, something alike FSA Pounder. If CrMo pistoned cranks are too expensive - try to avoid quadra hubs and pegs, use torx like ones - they will serve you longer.
Yet, you do not have to be afraid to buy them unless you're sure that you will break them. These cranks are good for saunters, weekend rides with a little extreme too, yet they are not suitable even for middle amplitude bunny hops. That might be an indicator - if you do not know how to bunny hop - these cranks will probably last for ever. You you can bunny hop at 35kmph covering 2.5-3 meters in you jump - they won't last a month. If you're an average bunny hoper - may a year, or two at max.
If you buy quadra of another maker, RPM for example - the story will repeat... this is design failure. Just think of it - quadra CrMo pegs are connected with cast al or dural hubs. The effect is just like you're trying to screw in an Allen bolt. You know what happens if you put just a little bit more pressure on aluminium Allen with CrMo tools.
Similar Products Used: Acera, Deore, RPM, FSA Pounder
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
joey marroquin
a Weekend Warrior
from the I E CA.
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2006
Strengths: strong and light and durable
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
I'm 6'2" and 325lbs and dowhill with 4-6 ft drops then level off to some 8 miles of trail riding every other weekend and two miles of street riding and curb jumping everyday for the past four years with these same cranks!! Its like a lemon car, when you get a bad one it does'nt matter the brand or setup your going down! so far this has been a good one although now i do notice the flex and i've only tightened them once but i don't care these have been good to me. it should hold up one last season then go back to some chromed cromolys with bmx pedals. five fat donkey chillis for the worker who put these cranks together, good job bro!!
Bike Setup: bought it with surly instigator orange frame rock psylo forks deore everything including disc brakes and rhyno lyte rims and big cheese orange/green grips
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Butch Kapau-an
a Cross Country Rider
from Davao City,Philippines
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2006
Strengths: Rigid..and easy shifting. . .extra light weight(thanx to hollowtech technology)..compared to previus crankset...and its SHIMANO
Similar Products Used: Sugino Crankset..came with bike purchased
Bike Setup: xt deore (rear and front derailleur),ig narrow chain,hyperglide 8 speed cassette,xt deore shifters,K2-Bayside frame,rockshox-judy front suspension,xtm rims,continental vapor tires (2.1),sunrace juju hubs with disk brakes
Bike Setup: all deore drivetrain, Shimano Acera hub
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Reilly
a Cross Country Rider
from Palmer Lake, Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2005
Strengths: smooth shifting, looks good, low friction chainrings, pretty light, strong for a deore, price may be the biggest factor.
Weaknesses: i wish the last chainring was a 42 instead of a 44, just to get that last bit of clearence. hollow-tech just doesn't sound that reassuring does it?
Bottom Line:
really good crank for the money. my stock giant crank wore out on me. giant is a great company and all but i think they should just stick to making bikes and subjects of that matter. compared to my last crank, this 1 feels like heaven. fast and smooth shifting, light weight, and yes even rigid strength, despite the hollowtech arms. i have taken it off 4-5 foot drop to flats with out any slight budge or unwanted movement. if it weren't for the 44t last ring, it would have gotten 5 chilis overall. but definently 5 on value.
this crank handles well with the freeriding i do. i have never broken or bent a tooth, it has never sliped, knock on wood, and it climbs well. get this crank if your low on cash.
So, I picked up a smokin' deal on a set of Easton XC one wheels at pricepoint, but after reading the instructions on the wheels have found that the aluminum hubs are NOT compatiabl Read More »
I have just installed Shimano BR M596 calipers to my front fork (post mount) mated to a Shimano SM-RT75 180 rotor. I'm using a SM MA F180P/P2 adapter.
I have noticed that the sw Read More »
i just picked these cranks up. it looks like the spider is a separate piece, but is it? can it be removed and then possibly re-attached?
thanks. Read More »
Title says it all.
Bike currently has an M542 crankset with 22-34-44 gearing.
Deore XT T781 has 24-32-44.
I'll try running it with the 24, but I'd like to have the optio Read More »
