Shimano Hone M601 Hollowtech II Crankset w/ BB 2007 features 32-22T gearing with Bash Guard, steel BB axle, and steel pedal bushing for durability. Integrated bottom bracket and crankset design reduces the number of parts, significantly cuts down weight and increases rigidity. Hollowtech II designs allow the bottom bracket bearings to be spaced more widely. This dramatically changes the loads on the bearings to increase rigidity and bearing service life.
Submitted by
tacubaya
a Downhiller
from Mexico City
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2009
Strengths: Shimano Home M601 is a light, durable and great looking crankset that has external bottom bracket, steel pedal inserts and steel spindle. With the hollowtech design Shimano achieved low weight and a lot of stiffness which you can feel as you pedal with this crankset for the first time. Chainrings are quiet and smooth and the bashguard included is light and very resistant. Installation is definitely the biggest strength as it is very quick and simple. I love this crankset!
Weaknesses: The paint used by Shimano isn't very good and with some months of use the Hone lettering and the black paint in the toe contact area will start to fade a bit. I would say that 22-32 is not a great combo and should be 22-34 pr 24-34 instead. Finally the plastic bolt that tightens both arms together is quite fragile and although it is designed for low torque specifications, it should be made from a stronger plastic or even aluminum.
Bottom Line:
The best cranks for your money. Relatively cheap, very strong, light, grat looking, almost no maintenance and easy to set up. If you are a light (150lbs or less) or very smooth Downhiller you should consider them as an option!
Weaknesses: need weird tool to screw in BB cap, had to makeshift a tool
Bottom Line:
This crank is pretty awesome. Most of the time there is no use for a third chain ring up front, at least on the mountain, so why not shed the weight? Before this i was runnin three rings and a big-ass blackspire bashgaurd and it weighed in at way more than this. If you consider yourself an all-mountain rider this crankset is the way to go
Similar Products Used: shimano lx hollowtech 3 ring
Bike Setup: 2007 enduro expert, 2009 rockshox lyrik soloair, 2008 dhx air, saint brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
cobym2
a Cross Country Rider
from San Juan, Philippines
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008
Strengths: Strong, reliable, excellent shifting
Weaknesses: Looks exactly like an LX crank, only black
Bottom Line:
When I bought these cranks, I noticed the shifting was more precise and consistent than previous cranks I had. But, I did not expect to stay with them long. I thought I would either be upgrading to a lighter crank, or a full-on All mountain/DH crank like the Atlas or Diabolus. The thing is, upon close inspection, they look exactly like the LX cranks, only black, and with a DH outboard BB. I cant really tell if the Hone was stiffer than others (except the old ones), but it was stiff enough for me.
Lo and behold, after two years and 2000 kms of our typical trails with long uphill grunts followed by extremely rocky and steep descents, some drops and occasional air, the thing is still going strong.
I've had to change the worn out middle ring, the arms are all scuffed and "polished" from shoe contact, but the BB is still smooth and solid. The crank axle/spindle is now scored from contact with the left bearing, but it seems to be structurally sound.
Strengths: everything about it. light rigid strong looks
Weaknesses: absolutly none.
Bottom Line:
This crankset is lighter than the saint version and if you feel that you dont need to go overboard with saints these will do fine, they are very smooth like new after 6 months! make sure you face you frame and install properly and it will serve you well. Good, strong and light enough for any type of rider.
