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Submitted by
e
a Cross Country Rider
from RI
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | resurrection, AK | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | AWESOME CRANKS, but... | | Weaknesses: | None before this weekend! Left crank exploded (literally) into about 1000 shards or metal during the landing of a < 2 foot drop. They have been flawless up until now and I would definitley buy another set. Just a word of warning! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT and XTR | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Cro-Moly Frame, XTR front and rear, ceramic rims, carbon bar, Marzochi Z3 fork, Chris King silenced hubs, DEAN titanium seatpost, Race Face stem, Salsa skews and Oury grips | | Bottom Line: | Caramba cranks is a great product (I think). Just be find full of taking a drop or riding DH with technical bumps and dolls heads. Again a good product, would buy again, but blew one up during "normal" riding. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
loonyOne
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo, IA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Ulrich & Sugarbottom | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | theped.com | | Strengths: | Ultra stiff, especially laterally
One of a kind cool looks
Bombproof at this point | | Weaknesses: | Problems with the spider's machining...the spider arms are not machined exactly, as far as the mounting of the chainrings. I ended up adding beer can shims underneath the chainrings in a couple of spots, and a couple of different thicknesses.
Not made anymore! | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face Turbines, Ritchey Logic, Coda Magic Motorcycle, multiple, lesser Shimano and Sugino as well. | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Race, single speed, Skareb fork, Avid brakes, Velocity/White Industries wheelset (first hand-built set) | | Bottom Line: | Other than the machining 'defect', I have had ZERO problems with these crank arms. They are the stiffest crank arms I personally have ever owned. I had some Race Face Turbines that were stiff as well, but I really didn't like the lateral flex that they had at the 180 length. I have used the Magic Motorcycle cranks by way of my brother's bike, and they are the only other cranks that I have used that I have noticed zero flex in. I'm sure that there are stiffer crank arms out there, but definitely none with the attitude the Double Barrels have. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony G
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Rosa, CA
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anwhere :) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicyclehub.net | | Strengths: | Looks---nothing looks cooler. Stiff, strong fairly light, and LOOKS!!! I got anodized orange which turn heads. | | Weaknesses: | None- Not in business anymore | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Sugino | | Bike Setup: | Pre 97 GT Agressor Manitou shocks, Rhynolite rims(Black) Cramba Double Barrel cranks Kooka Rings All XT drive train, Sram Attack shifters, USE seat post, Selle Flight gel, Time Attak Pedals Precision Billet Brakes | | Bottom Line: | Buy them if you can find them. These cranks rock, they are stiff fairly light they look beyond awsome. They are not cheap but I would pay double what I paid and still be happy.
On the 1-5 Chili rating these are a 10+ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
weather expert
a Cross Country Rider
from iowa
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | theped.com | | Strengths: | stiff. reasonable weight. good looks. | | Weaknesses: | no longer made. | | Similar Products Used: | kooka bonnie xc, raceface turbine, prodigy isis, sugino, etc | | Bike Setup: | rigid SS w/ EBB. 175mm double barrels (YEAH!), spot ring, time z and UN72 | | Bottom Line: | excellent cranks. when i built my single speed i decided to stay away from isis for a while to let the manufacturers figure out the bearing thing. i believe the hollow crankarm design is superior to a solid piece of metal (unless it's cold forged), but i don't like the incompatibility issue with shimano cranks. so i went with square taper and was fortunate enough to run into a deal from The Pedaler (highly recommended, the owner is very helpful).
to be honest i really dig the way these cranks look. but when i'm doing all the standup gear mashing associated with single speeding, the only thing that i care is how stiff they are. double barrels didn't disappoint. i feel they are at least as stiff as the raceface turbines that i used for a while. no creaks either.
too bad they aren't made anymore. if you run into a deal on these, jump on it! (or let me know). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
donn escario
a Cross Country Rider
from atlanta, GA USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gambrill State Park/Watershed, MD | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | $150 | | Strengths: | beautiful machine work, eye-catching design, lightweight, stiff, durable | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | none like them | | Bike Setup: | Mountain Cycle San Andreas, discs, Marzocchi Marathon SL | | Bottom Line: | I've had these cranks since '96/'97, and they're still as sweet as the day I bought 'em! ..excellent power transfer while keeping things light. Even though I ride aggressive cross-country, as opposed to freeriding etc., I've seen my fair share of jumps and drop-offs, and these cranks are still the sweetest.. I give 'em 10 chilis, burning in agony just to show how much I love these cranks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 606! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with a DEAN bike | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, strong, purty, durable* | | Weaknesses: | * but seven years of component life may be too much to ask for. I've had these cranks since 1995 and broke the drive-side arm yesterday, sheared off the piece inside the spider right around the BB spindle! The only thing holding it on while I rode 10 miles home (down Flagstaff Mtn) was the fixing bolt on the backside of the crank arm. I'm only about 145 lbs, so if you ride as much as I do, better pull those cranks apart once in a while and look for cracks! | | Bike Setup: | DEAN Ti hardtail, SID SL, Onza HO Ti pedals (yep they're as old as the cranks!) | | Bottom Line: | Great cranks until they break! But a seven-year life of hard riding mixed with trials ain't bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock on '96 Jamis Dakar Team | | Strengths: | Stiff, beautiful machining workmanship | | Weaknesses: | ? | | Bottom Line: | These look like no other out there. I've had them for six years. I don't know why I'm bothering to submit a review for a product whose maker is out of business, but these are great cranks! If you find a set in nice shape, buy it or e-mail me!
If anyone out there wants to sell a natural color Caramba crank spider, I'd be interested. It would match my new bike better, all raw carbon fiber and no colored stuff any more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Grapevine, TX
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | My Girl Frends Happy Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Closed Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Ultra Stiff, Super sweet looking. Most unique looking cranks you will ever see. These cranks have out performed 3 bikes, thousands of miles and still look, feel and perform like their brand new. If they still made them I would buy two more sets. | | Weaknesses: | None. They are sort of wide but thats no problem. They fit fine with time pedals too. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Other cranks don't compare | | Bike Setup: | Ventana El Saltamontes (used to have a Marble Peak) X-fly 100 fork, King Headset, Mavic wheelset, Syncros post, Ibis titanium bars, If you saw it you would probably piss on yourself. | | Bottom Line: | Da Shiiiiiiitttt. One of the best products ever made. Up there with top mount thumb shifters. I give them 5 flaming turds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jumping jackass
a Cross Country Rider
from san francisco, CA , USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | carumba | | Strengths: | stiff as hell, makes yer chops flap with saliva.... sweet looking! bomb proof | | Weaknesses: | alittle on the heavy side | | Similar Products Used: | xtr | | Bike Setup: | GT zaskar, xt/xtr, avid brakes/levers, sid ti race, king rear hub, king hs, blah blah blah | | Bottom Line: | these things are the SH$t...good solid feel, quality build, theyve lasted 3years of blasting buy em if you find em! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlos
a Cross Country Rider
from san antonio, texas
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bike world | | Strengths: | stiffer than an erection.
get it? waaaaaaay stiff.
replaceable spider.
| | Weaknesses: | the Q factor was a bit high BUT we're not roadies!!!!!!!
| | Similar Products Used: | Syncros Forged Al cranks, still going strong....i'll never change!
XT's, not as shiny as the Syncros. but durable.
| | Bike Setup: | Litespeed with a Colnago rigid fork and lots of syncros and King parts. Rigid Forks, Eat Less Dirt. | | Bottom Line: | stiffer than, ok already went over that.
i used them for about 2 years off and on. i loved my Syncros much more though so i went with the Syncros and sold the Double Barrels toa buddy of mine for cheap. he liked 'em better since the q factor was high and he's a big guy.
never hand a single problem.
i'll have to agree with the last guy, "not everyone should pick up a wrench". just because you work on your own bike doesn't mean you know what the hell you're doing. there are tons of qualified, that's the key, mechanics who have the knowledge. ask questions, let them know what's going on and and don't always assume a product failed because it sucked. some people ride like battering rams and need to accept that in the end, it's going to cost them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fat
a
from edmonton
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | urban | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria | | Strengths: | looks..weight | | Weaknesses: | crap they broke two pairs I have ran and both of them cratererd.. the first ones the nuckle bent I sent them back too Caramba they did replace them after a few phone calls..
then the next set just bent in the same place and I find out that caramab has went out of buisness | | Similar Products Used: | xt-ritchie logic-cook bros-race face | | Bike Setup: | Kelly IG fox5 alps marzochi Z1 QR 20 MCR xtr sunn rims | | Bottom Line: | the cranks are crap .. sure I ride urban love drops so I expect to break sh*t .. but I am burned cause caramba cant replace these cause they are not there any more and I bought these with the belief that they could handle drops.. I weigh bout 180 and I ride full floater so watz up Caramba adios to you I should of bought proflie 2 years ago | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
belmont111
a Cross Country Rider
from Little Rhody
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Toms- Arcadia | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Stiff. Stiff. Stiff. | | Weaknesses: | None found (knock on wood)- but have not used them long, so I have not gotten the time and torture in yet... | | Similar Products Used: | Suntour Pro XC, Shimano stx, lx, xt, White Industries (cheapo Japanese version...) | | Bike Setup: | GT Xizang Team Ti, Marzocchi 3.5LT, Avid disk front-Magura hydro rear, XT, XTR, Thompson Elite extras | | Bottom Line: | Put these cranks on my rig with a White Industries Ti 110mm BB in between and Middleburn rings. Thing is incredibly responsive and stiff. When you are off the bike and you put a food on one pedal and push down hard- the FRAME flexes- not the drivetrain.... I actually feel like all the power that I am putting in is going to the right place.
Increasing my confidence and my acceleration. Could all be in my head- but so what? At least I am having fun! As soon as the ice melts a bit I will be able to see how well they take some drops- but if the White Industries/UN-72 (shimano XT) combo could handle it- these should do just fine.
What Fattt (next reviewer) said about the company is disheartening to say the least- as I would hate to have spent money on something that is not backed up- but maybe that is why I got them for half off retail.... Can't complain much, I guess. If I have problems, I will review again- but getting a big-time crankset for a bit over $100 is not a bad deal. You ride any crankset at your own risk.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fatttt
a
from Can
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | urban Assult | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | stiff | | Weaknesses: | broke | | Similar Products Used: | race face/xt/ | | Bike Setup: | kelly IG DH set up | | Bottom Line: | were perty and stiff till I broke to pair first time I broke Caramba after 6 months replaced them with a set that had the ..ID ot the spindel machined by a greenhorn machinest and ..now I have had to ..pop can it on to my arm.. and guess what they are out of buisness so I cant get new ones...400 cannuck dollars ..gone.. guess you pay to play.. and just gotta look guichie .. be differnt be better than | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | fisher creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | super strong, stiff, awsome looking | | Weaknesses: | none!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | race face (broke) | | Bike Setup: | soft tail, xtr, titanium | | Bottom Line: | I have had these for over a year and they still look new. I just bought a new pair for my other bike last week because they are the best. I would recomend them to anyone I am 200 plus. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a
from MOtown-NJ
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Patriot'sPath | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, sweet looking, quite, bombroof, interchangebale spyder | | Weaknesses: | wide, expensive new. | | Similar Products Used: | Race face LP, Syncros Revolutions, XT, White Bros. | | Bike Setup: | Retro 6061 AL cruiser, Z3, XTR F&R der, RaceFace BB, thudbuster, wtbsst.98, Bonty ST2 rubber, C2 Ahead, Syncros hinge 120x15, 2" riser, oury, 8 spd XC PRO Thumbies (retro baby!), LX Silent Clutch/ Sun 0degXC rims (stealth) | | Bottom Line: | As stiff as my turbine LPs with much LESS noise. Got to love $65 used/mint cond. Bottom line - bad@ass cranks, wouldn't jump them though from what I hear. 4.5 flaming chillis | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Capt.Caliber
a Racer
from Greensboro, NC
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lighter than RaceFace
Black
Avail in many lengths
Looks
Many colors avalible | | Weaknesses: | High Q factor (if you care about such things)
Time ATAC compatability problem
Mystery ring spacing problem
No Caramba logo on mine | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Sugino, XT, Grafton Joy Stix, White Industries(actualy Sugino) | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher HT....
RaceFace Cromo BB, RaceFace STD drive Racerings
XTR 9spd drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | I love these cranks! I remember seeing an ad for them in DirtRag a long time ago, so when i was looking for cranks, the DoubleBarrels were on my short list based on looks alone. Mine are Black, STD drive, and 175mm. They are very stiff. I race Clydesdale and have been very impressed by their rigid feel and creak-free performance. They are probably the sweetest looking cranks you can buy. I have been on mine for a year, and the ano is only rubbed off in one small circle (about the size of a dime) on the driveside near the crankbolt. My right foot cants out a little, so I have had a problem with my right heel rubbing on every crank I have ever owned.
There were two problems that bear mentioning.... One is that Time ATAC pedals do not fit these cranks well. Since they are so wide and have a high Q factor, the holes for the pedal spindle have been recessed quite a bit. The carbon collar around the pedal spindle/bearing junction hits the crank arm as you are installing the pedals. It's no big deal, it took me about 5min with a file to shave both pedals down about 2mm. Not a big deal, but ATAC's are the best pedals on the market, and this shouldn't happen.... Also, there was some weird shifting issue on the workstand with the front chainring spacing. Makes it hard to go from middle to big ring while in the small cog. LBS boys told me to ride it a few times and if it wasn't shifting well, they would fool around with some spacers... I've had no problems since...it only appears on the workstand... It may even be a chainline issue, but it doesn't show up while riding, so I don't worry about it... Also, the website shows the cranks with a laser-etched Caramba logo on each crankarm, mine are bare, but still look cooler than your cranks.
All in all, these are the best cranks I have owned, and I never see anyone else riding them, unlike RaceFace, which are a dime a dozen... I want to give them 4.5 chilis because of the missing logo and pedal problem, but you can't do that. I hate to count off a full chili for the pedal problem, so I'll go ahead and give Caramba the full five rating.... I'm going to buy another pair for the Ventanna I'm building, so I guess that's as good a recomendation as any! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TC
a Weekend Warrior
from Hawley, TX
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Porcupine Rim, Moab | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Strong, stiff, looks, relatively light | | Weaknesses: |
Needs wider BB, but that may not actually be a weakness | | Similar Products Used: |
Cook Bros. F, XT, S-Works | | Bike Setup: |
FSR Enduro w/long travel stuff for freeride use. | | Bottom Line: | These is a great crankset. For their beefiness and strength, they are fairly light. They look very different but cool and unique. Did I say they are stiff...very stiff. Just don't forget that wider BB that one will usually need for most applications. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david s
a Downhiller
from houston,tx
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
strength,weight,looks,
durability | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
coda
xt | | Bike Setup: |
cannondale f-900, fatty sl,gripshift,xtr,avid brakes, real x-levers,kore bar, stem,& seatpost, white hubs & syncros rims | | Bottom Line: | i have used these cranks for over 3 years with no problems. they are stiff and dependable. my 190 pounds has had no effect on these cranks | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross-Country Rider
from here 'n' there
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Shark Cruiser, Pink Starfish, Circus | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Stiff, great looks (come in cool colors), light, avail. in diff. lengths, strong (I use these on my stock trials bike) | | Weaknesses: |
Like people mentioned below, I needed to replace my BB b/c my granny ring was sawing my chainstay. Also, the BB tapers on the cranks seem to stretch and wear quickly, so if you take the cranks off and put em back on frequently, they fit looser and looser each time. And they're costly if you pay full price. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano LX, XT, Raceface, Sugino Impel 700 (hahahahahaha!!) | | Bike Setup: |
XC hardtail racing type rig (Jamis Dragon). I have green Double barrels on this bike in 175mm with Raceface rings. I bought a second pair for my stock trials bike b/c they're so stiff and power trans. is good. I weigh 150lbs, ride mostly XC and stock trials. | | Bottom Line: | These are great cranks. I'd say a toss up between these and Raceface forged. Everything about them is unsurpassed, performance wise....stiffness makes for superb power transmission, lightweight, cool looking, etc. But you need to know a few important things to make them last. Many people need to replace the BB when they get these things to increase chainring clearance. And if you remove your cranks to clean/service frequently, think again. The Al is pretty soft on these cranks around the BB taper and they stretch after repeated removal and replacement, creating a loose, sloppy fit on the BB spindle. Happens to all cranks, but seems to happen to these quickly. Be careful with this. And they are expensive, but I just bought another set at Cambria for $125. I've had no real problems with these and I've had no reason to deal with the company, so not much I can say about them. Like I say, these and Raceface are tied for the best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Madlem
a Racer
from Marietta, GA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Looks
Weight | | Weaknesses: |
Price
(Natural Finish is showing signs of wear and pit marks) | | Similar Products Used: |
Race Face LP, Suntour XC, Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale (Vintage Year 91) The best one ever made... | | Bottom Line: | The performance was pretty good with this product, but did not compare as favorable with my Race Face LPs. I think part of my problem was I bought these in 180mm and actually needed 175mm. The finish on my cranks showed signs of pitting and that was something that I did not notice with my Race Face. Then again....they have worked well enough that I would definitely recommend them over bottom of the line models such as Shimano LX or the equivalent. I wish they carried a lifetime warranty like my Race
Face. Gee...maybe Caramba should consider adding that as a selling feature. Bottom line: extremely close to my Race Face, but still could use some minor modifications to the design to make me want to switchback. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BIO
a Downhiller
from IDAHO
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
BALDY MTN. | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
EVEREYTHING | | Weaknesses: |
NOTHING | | Similar Products Used: |
GIRVIN, XTR | | Bike Setup: |
SCHWINN STRAIGHT-6 | | Bottom Line: | THIS CRANK TOTALLY KICKA AS#!!! STRONG AS HE!L | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross-Country Rider
from portsmouth, nh
Date Reviewed: June 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Any and all Mt. Agamenticus trails | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Stiff, strong, unique looks. | | Weaknesses: |
Cracked it. | | Similar Products Used: |
XT and White Bros. | | Bike Setup: |
Iron Horse hard tail, Risse/Judy SL | | Bottom Line: | 215 pounder, hammered for a year, hairline crack from bolt to bolt on the driveside. Bummer. Will replace and ride on. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave H.
a Weekend Warrior
from Eugene, Oregon
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Moon Pt or McRiver | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
195mm length = awesome leverage. Seem strong under my 200lbs | | Weaknesses: |
Some say the Q-factor but it's never bothered me. Design requires arms be arrow straight. | | Similar Products Used: |
Had Boone custom make me a pair of 202mm twists. Still riding them, but they just look frail. | | Bike Setup: |
Custom Co-Motion hardtail; Manitou SX-Ti fork; Total bike= 27lbs. (me=6'3; 200lbs) | | Bottom Line: | I have a custom bike designed around long cranks. Selection over 180mm is limited. The Carambas fit the bill. Liked 'em so much, I bought 2 pair. (Keeping 2nd in box -- for my next bike.) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LB
a Cross-Country Rider
from Vermillion, SD
Date Reviewed: March 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Centennial trail in SD | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Super Stiff and they look tough. Never see anybody else with them. | | Weaknesses: |
had to install a wider 113/73 bottom bracket. | | Similar Products Used: |
XT shimano cranks | | Bike Setup: |
Hard tail, custom setup | | Bottom Line: | Just about every time that I go out riding someone always comments on the cranks, they look that good and work even better. The hell with XTR, for a truly custom setup with it was the right choice for me. I have over 500 miles on them with no problems. I have the single piece chainrings, it was worth the upgrade. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Strand
a cross-country rider
from Davis, California
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
At 6'5 and 200 pounds, I needed something beefier to replace the cold-forged Ritchey Logics I had been riding for a couple of years. The Carambas are good. If you want stiff, they're incredible. It will make you feel the same way you did when you got your first pair of cycling shoes with the stiff shank; power transmission is 100%.That said, they stick waaaaay out from the frame. I run a 113/73. I would love to run a 107 or 103 but the granny would grind my frame down. Jumping from a road bike to the mtb is a bit disconcerting. Can't be good for the knees. And, this is important, the boys at Caramba are great. Really helpful and quick. One minus: 180s don't come in black. Yeah, who cares. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DanM
a cross-country rider
from TN, USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have owned a set of Double Barrels for over a year now, and have put about 500 miles on them.
I got them on closeout for about $150 because I couldn't justify dropping $200 on cranks w/o rings.
As it stands now, I would have no qualms about spending the $200 or even more on another set.
They're that good, I promise you. These cranks do not disappoint. Available in custom lengths, too.Instead of a premature review, I wanted to wait until I had some time in on them before I posted.
These cranks are stiff. They're beyond stiff. It's like standing on the floor when you're on them.
Granted, I haven't ridden every crank on the market. I don't need to; these are all I care to ride.I bought the standard drive and put on Engagement Pro and Vuelta rings. Nice and affordable.
I have since broken an outer ring, but the cranks just keep on going, stiff as ever, doing their job.
Yes, they're wide, salami-like cranks and looking down on them, I sometimes seem to be bow-legged.
So what? Use a narrower bottom bracket and go. I use a RaceFace 107-mm with a steel spindle. Stiff.That's my two cents' worth. Sure, you can tout RaceFace, they make a great product as far as I know.
I have their XY seatpost and it's been great, just like their TaperLock bottom bracket.
You can tout XTR and Syncros, but they're even more expensive than RaceFace and Caramba.
Bottom line, if you want high-quality, stiff-as-a-mother cranks, and like to be a little different,
Caramba Double-Barrel cranks are the way to go.Lots of people give 5-Star ratings to things just because they have them. This is a true 5-Star product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jens Carlqvist
a cross-country rider
from Kalmar, Sweden
Date Reviewed: February 12, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The Double Barrel crank is STIFF!! I weight 210 lbs. and I can't feel any flex what so ever (easton elite frame & XT BB). So the Q-factor isn't that good, who cares? I highly recommend this crankset to anyone who is tired of flex and wants power. And it comes in green anodizing which will last. I've had mine for 2 1/2 years and the still have not faded. They are super! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Marshall
a weekend warrior
from Littleton, Colorado
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this crank mainly b/c it looked VERY,VERY stiff and the company made it sound like it was. So I bought it and was very happy. if mated with a flexy bottom bracket, you will notice a little flex but that is only the bottom bracket. Once I replaced the bottom bracket, my 195-lb body was unable to extract a hint of flex. I strongly recommend this crank!! It comes in cool colors too!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a cross-country rider
from California
Date Reviewed: August 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I put these cranks on my bike a year ago. I wanted a strong stiff crank. These cranks provided great service for 1 year and 5 days. I heard a large crack while riding up to stoplight, and that was it. They cracked on the non-drive side at the BB spindle. I was bummed, this shouldn't happen to a $200 product. Service was good and the rep replaced the arm, but I'm not in a hurry to put these on my bike. I'm a fast recreational rider and put on 5000 miles mostly off road. I weigh 150lbs and this shouldn't have happened. I'll stick with the great deal I got on my Syncros cranks. I have to say that service was very good, but it's service for a mediocre product. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MR Bungles (Sean Chee
a weekend warrior
from Western Australia
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are the best cranks around no matter who you compare them to they come out tops in all categories. And they're as stiff as a jim beam shot. I love these cranks for the money they kick the absolute shit out of any other crank on the market ever, unless they make new ones!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a racer
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've used these cranks for 3 years. One set has been my race set for 2 years and over 60 races. No they didn't give them to me, I had to buy them and if they ever wear out I'll buy another set. Very stiff, trouble free and light. I have broken other cranks before but these are great. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Watkins
a weekend warrior
from Greenwood Village, CO
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My two year old Caramba Double Barrel cranks broke this weekend. I loved these cranks, stiff, light and very cool looking. Called Sidetrak, they were extremly helpful. Even though the cranks were out of warranty for more than a year, Sidetrak replaced for a nominal charge. That's what I call great customer service. Thanks Sidetrak, you have a loyal customer!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had the double barrels for a year and the bottom bracket taper is worn and it need to be retighten on after every ride, pain in the ass. I only pulled them off when I changed the bottom bracket, once, and overhauled the bike, maybe three time. They were nice when they worked though. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAVID S
a downhiller
from TX
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I RIDE VERY HARD & I WEIGH 190 THESE CRANKS HAVE NOT GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS THEY OUTLASTED THE FIRST FRAME THEY WERE ON THESE ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE XT CRANKS I HAD BEFORE I GIVE THEM TWO THUMBS UP VERY STIFF ULTRA LIGHT AND GREAT LOOKS THE COOLEST CRANKS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CHRIS
a racer
from Phila,Pa
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have used these incredible cranks for about 2 years now and have never experienced any problem with them. I used them for trials riding and x-c riding and they kick-ass. Super stiff, light and Phat looking too. Definitly 2 thumbs up. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Altoveese
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These cranx kick ass!! I had Grafton noodles for 5 years until I switched to the double barrels. I could feel the difference right away. Solid and stable. The cranx have held up to plenty of abuse...smashing into rocks, crashing etc. Be sure to run them on a narrow BB spindle because they are wide. I also recommend using a self extracting crank bolt system with these because the bolts are deeply recessed. These things are so hot. I'm sure you will love 'em, just try to keep them out of your ass!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JB
a racer
from
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
NICE CRANKS VERY SOLID, LOOK GOOD AND LIGHT. FEELS LIKE I AM STANDING ON A PLATFORM. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ike
a cross-country rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I am 190 lbs. Broke the drive side crank right where the threaded section begins.
These cranks were on my commuter bike for 1.5 years and had never been crashed. I expected them to last forever in this application. I will buy no more CNC stuff from small companies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M. Jacobson
a cross-country rider
from SF, CA
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is in response to Jame L's review. Your complaint of a broken pedal eyelet is the first of such complaints we have read. Oddly enough, we have never received said complaint directly, nor have we viewed the crank. At Caramba, we test our cranks to the standards set by the ISO. However, we realize that occassional failures such as that described by James L occur (whether caused by faulty installation or abusive use) and we promptly warranty these products. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Turkel
a
from Piedmont, CA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Caramba cranks have changed my life! Last year I broke one Race Face and one Kooka crank. I weigh 185 lbs. and ride pretty hard. The Double Barrel crank not only withstands all the abuse my friends and I throw at it; it's the stiffest thing I've got below the knees. The Caramba guys are great to talk with. Four of my riding buddies already upgraded to it and we tease the fifth incessantly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguel Dias
a weekend warrior
from Toronro,Ontario,Canada
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The Double barrel crankset is the SWEETEST crank in the market. It's light,
stiff, and durable. I've had mines for about a year and a half and it
just keeps on taking the punishment weekend after weekend. I would
certainly recommend them to anyone looking to buy a high end crankset,
They cost a little more, but they are worth every penny in the performance
that you get out of them. And the guys at Caramba are always ready to help.
in any way they can!!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ike
a cross-country rider
from WA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Lighter and stiffer than any Shimano, Suntour or Campy cranks I have owned. Although the difference is negligible. Also, they are too expensive and not worth the money for the small improvement in performance. A bit of a creaking problem caused by the loosening of the screw that holds the threaded spider in place. But that problem was fixed with a little Loc-Tite. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R. Janes
a cross-country rider
from Sc
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Light,cool,stiff. That sums up these cranks. I am a 190lb sport rider and
have been on these cranks for about a year. I have not had any problems with them
and they deflect laterally very little. I have broken G---ton cranks before
but i have all the confidence in the world in these cranks. they don't creak either.
they are not as stiff as a cold forged xtr but they don't weigh the same as
an anchor either. buy from these guys, you can actually call them up and they
will help you with any questions. | | Overall Rating: |
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