Trek 9.8 OCLV 110 carbon frame, Chris King Headset + BB, Spinergy Xyclone, Ritchey WCS carbon, XTR 08
Bottom Line:
What is there to say?! This is XTR - it's the very best. Low weight and stiff like hell!
But what actually suprises me the most, is shifting performance. Go spend the extra bugs for a XTR FD if you're buying. The shifting is so better than anything else - smooth, fast and super precise.
A truly impressive product. Shimano has hit the nail spot on with the new XTR 08.
Higly recommended!
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Submitted by
old school dave
a Racer
from Shelby Twp., MI Date Reviewed: March 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Potto
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Not sure, maybe mail
Strengths:
Lasted a long, long time!!!
Weaknesses:
Price, but considering the length of time I used it without replacing anything, I guess it was well worth it.
Similar Products Used:
XT, and now, unfortunately, Bontrager
Bike Setup:
IBIS steel MOJO, Mavic, Avid, WTB...
Bottom Line:
Great crankset. The only reason I had to replace my XTR crankset was the worn middle & big chainrings, after about 15 (or so) years of use (abuse). Couldn't find any with my old bolt pattern. Went with the Bontrager race, the one with the plastic chainrings (had to replace within one month of riding), or do all Bontragers have plastic rings. When I dicide to replace this crankset, I will definately go with an XT. Or Race Face, since I already have two new rings. Shimano gear is usually trouble free.
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Submitted by
wcglovers1
a Cross Country Rider
from Ridgecrest, Calif Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
online retailer
Strengths:
Well, Iam still working on it,The XRR M-970 is very nice, lite weight, strong, it works,100% buter than my stocker
Weaknesses:
None !!! Chain rings are pricey
Similar Products Used:
TruVativ Isoflow, came stock on my 08 Motobecane Ht 500
Iam still working on all of this Mountain bike stuff,But the XTR line, is the best, Iam so blessed I got my XTR M970 by misstake, and paid nearly less that haff price for it. I emailed the guy back, He said sorry' we dont carry the XTR line, So what can I say' I love it, Thanks' call me Luckly
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Submitted by
af73
a Racer
from SLC, UT Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Crest and Mid Mtn.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$350.00
Strengths:
Stiff, light, durable, exceptional shifting, no problems at all.
Great crank, I got the 180mm for my height and with a 29'er and they are amazing. Stiff, light, durable, problem free. To those who are suffering with chainring problems, remember, the "r" in xtr stands for race...not rough...other cranks are for downhill or hucking or other abuse. If taken care of, these cranks are awesome.
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Submitted by
betteron2wheels
a Cross Country Rider
from DC area Date Reviewed: July 14, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
It's XTR, that says it all. Standard bolt pattern
Weaknesses:
Installation and removal. Come on; another special tool, a threaded lock ring, shims, press fit splines....the 960s are so much easier to remove for cleaning. - 1 star oh, the crank bolt backed out in middle of race, will be using lock tight from now on.
Similar Products Used:
960, race face
Bike Setup:
Ibis Mojo, I-9s, Avid ultimates, fox suspension....
Bottom Line:
Shimano light weight, stiff with good shifting. Lacks the 960 ease of remove and install(-) and 960 proprietary bolt pattern(+).
Buy it if you want to save a little weight, race or ride enough to justify the expense or get a good deal. Go with the XT if you want to save some $$ and get a sweet crank set.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shawn Smith
a Racer
from Gainesville,Fl Date Reviewed: February 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Anything fast
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
came on Titus racer x
Strengths:
weight,stiffness,looks
Weaknesses:
The outer chain ring was shot after 6 months of use. I clean my drivetrain once a week and that still isnt good enough to get any more than 6 months out of. These were supposed to last longer than the old ones but i fail to see the proof SHIMANO. On top of that in order to replace with Shimano chainrings your better off buying a new crankset on ebay for less than $400 ($185+ for outer ring $120 for middle and $80 for the small=$385 for chainrings dont forget your tax) What the hell are they thinking. Thank god for Race Face chainrings.
Similar Products Used:
Previous XTR and Race Face
Bike Setup:
2007 Titus Racer X full XTR
Bottom Line:
Dont purchase unless you have bank to replace these rings. Its sad that Shimano cant figure this out that people are going to purchase after market chainring because it cost to much to replace with theirs every 6 to 8 months
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Submitted by
John
a
from NJ Date Reviewed: January 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Everything
Weaknesses:
Price but you get what you pay for
Similar Products Used:
Tried FSA's, Truvativ
Bike Setup:
Moots
Bottom Line:
Best crankset on the market. Every other review that tries to criticize this set is because they are jealous. You get what you pay for. I've hammered these cranks for 3 months now, no problems. Super light, strong, bullitproof to say the least. I love everything about them. No one even comes close. Telling you, pay cheap, get cheap. You dont stick a Honda engine in a Mercedes. Bottom line, the best out there.
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Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC Date Reviewed: October 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
online retailer
Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, looks.
Similar Products Used:
Raceface, Truvativ, Shimano
Bike Setup:
TiSport GMan, XTR, Hope, Velocity rims, Etc.
Bottom Line:
The cranks are plenty stiff considering what they weigh. I was extremely pleased with these cranks especially after the experience I had with the Raceface Deus cranks and BB. These have been trouble free. i haven't touched them since they were installed. If you can swing the cost, this is definitely the way to go.
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Submitted by
Neill Hammond
a Weekend Warrior
from Rushden Date Reviewed: October 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$430.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Light and look tasty; super easy to fit; did I mention how light these are??
Weaknesses:
Haven't found any yet!
Similar Products Used:
Older XT; Truvatic
Bike Setup:
Marin Indian Fire frame; Fox Float 120mm; Bontrager carbon bars; Bontrager Race stem, post, seat; XTR M965 shifters/levers with Avid BB7 brakes; Mavic XM819 rims on XTR hubs/XTR rotors; XTR front & rear mechs; Michelin 1.95 tyres; Shimano DX pedals; Orbit Xtreme HS;
Bottom Line:
The smooth action of these cranks must be a result of the super light weight and the sealed BB. It took 15 minutes to fit and has made a huge difference to the weight of the setup overall. Very easy shifting and fine looking too. I was relunctant to spend double the cost of XT cranks (M770 looked cool), but now that I did, I think it's well worth the extra.
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Submitted by
Gerald B
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL Date Reviewed: August 21, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Santo's
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Weight, looks, strength.
Weaknesses:
None!!
Similar Products Used:
M440
Bike Setup:
2004 Raleigh Ram 2.0; heavily modded.
Bottom Line:
The is the best crank period!! Its ultra light and stiff as hell. Shifts are butter smooth and instant. I still can't get over how light it is. There is no better crank out there!!!
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Submitted by
Alfred Leung
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: May 18, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
New design of the middle chainring with Ti and Carbon Fibre..together with the light weight
Weaknesses:
Price....
Similar Products Used:
06 XTR..
Bike Setup:
Yeti 575 x 07 XTR parts x Saint Brake x DT240S hubs x 819 Rims x Thomson parts x Chris King Headset...
Bottom Line:
I've tired this crank for several months, for my weekend riding to uphill or some cross country riding, you can ride with it comfortably. Smooth shifting with the XTR rapid fire shifter is the best combination I've ever tried. Though the price is a bit expensive, it worths, I think. I plan to use this crank for the coming years, hoping its quality can last.
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Submitted by
Brandon Marshall
a Weekend Warrior
from san francisco Date Reviewed: May 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$499.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
This crank looks sick, and performs just as well. I love the instant up-shifting. It is lightweight and stiff.
Weaknesses:
I am not sure what the deal is with the lock ring, but I have it finger tight against the bearing and there is no play.
Similar Products Used:
Truvativ, Older XTR and XT
Bike Setup:
Black anno Santa Cruz BLT running the Float RLC 140 up front and the RP23 soaking up the rear. Also running X-9 gears with the 970 rings, stopped by Juicy 7s
Bottom Line:
Fashion and function come together with the 970. If you're a skillful technical rider who likes to look good doin' your thing, then this crank will not let you down.
I had a little bit of a problem shelling the clams for this crankset, but my first ride set my mind at ease. This crank is a technically proficient piece of art.
Though I will admitt, if you ride heavy and like to bash, this is probably not the crank for you.
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Submitted by
russell
a Racer
from fairfax, ca Date Reviewed: May 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
skinny ones
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light, great shifting
Weaknesses:
chainrings not as durable as described, seemingly not as durable as previous xtr
Similar Products Used:
06 xtr, 02 xtr, countless XT
Bike Setup:
mooto-x with all 07 xtr - my dreambike
Bottom Line:
I've had my bike for 2 months, and while yes, I have put a lot of miles on it, I've already roached the middle ring (it's bent on several teeth), and have had to remove lots of nicks and burrs from all the rings. These cranks worked flawlessly through some really insane conditions - they are fine pieces of equipment don't get me wrong. However, 06 XTRs were treated with the same disregard and faired better for me, and were a lot less money, as did my 06 XT set, which are still going strong after even worse treatment. If the chainrings weren't so rediculously expensive to replace, I would have no issue with these at all. Buy these if you can afford to replace expensive pieces fairly quickly or you don't treat your gear too harshly. Otherwise, buy one of the other Shimano models.
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from St. John's, NL, Canada Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anything East or West Coast
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Canary's Cycle
Strengths:
Light, looks very sharp, feels very strong, turns like a warm knife through butter.
Weaknesses:
Cost!
Similar Products Used:
XTR 960, raceface, FSA, Tuvativ
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Chameleon, Chris King headset/hubs, Thompson Stem, Raceface Deuce bar, Easton Vice neck, Tioga Spyder saddle, 07'XTR (crank, clipless pedals, front/rear derailleur's, shifter's), Kenda Nevegal 2.3 tires, Avid 7 disc brakes with DangerBoy Levers, Mavic 819 rims, Pike 454 U-Turn Air.
Bottom Line:
Superior crank, I'm 185 and I ride hard, and this crank actually feels as smooth as a warm knife through butter. Lighter then the M960, but feels twice as strong and provides more confidence to the rider. This crank has it all, strength, good looks, smooth ride....just awesome!
I'm going to give 5 Flamin Chilis even for value, just because I can appreciate the amount of testing and research that must have gone into making the best crank available!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jun-young Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Daegu Korea Date Reviewed: March 3, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Baekho mtb shop
Strengths:
middle chain ring is titan-carbon. new design. light weight.
$
Overall Rating:
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