Submitted by
Leo Shotridge
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2002
Strengths: atractive, competes with shimano in durability, bought for on sale for a steal, I'm the only one on my block that has middleburn cranks on my mountain bike on our block. Life time warrenty.
Weaknesses: none yet
Bottom Line:
I've had these cranks for over 3 years. No problems with them (RS3 model). I don't do 5 foot drops but still hop and pop over trees up in the NW. Here in Abluquerque though, theres a lot of small to large bolders to jump and manuver around. Great cranks. I still haven't come across anyone else here that has a set but me.
Similar Products Used: XT, Suntour xc(still used on another bike!) LX(no comparasine)
Bike Setup: Voodoo hard tail(made of steel) Manitou 2001 Xvert Air, RS seatpost, Flite saddle, xt drivetrain.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Larry
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Texas
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001
Strengths: Strength, light weight and overall durability - just incredible!
Weaknesses: The 4mm spider bolts.
Bottom Line:
I weigh 230 lbs. and have ridden these things into the ground since 1996. I've noticed that they need more lubing to prevent sticking to the B&B shaft than most cranks, but until recently - an awesome set of cranks. Last weekend I was riding and noticed a creaking sound in the B&B area. Not unusual for bikes in spring. As I was lifting my bike up onto it's rack I noticed a large crack in the crank bolt housing! I removed the crank and I was amazed to see that the spider bolts are made of a low grade steel!!! One of the bolts had broken (mid-shaft) and lodged itself nicely into the teeth of my B&B, and gouged the spider a while before catching on the hole from where it came where it decided to grab and start tearing out a few B&B teeth. If you have these cranks-REPLACE THESE BOLTS WITH STAINLESS TODAY! If you're thinking of getting a set of these-DO IT-just remember to swap the bolts!
Weaknesses: No advantage over Shimano products, expensive
Bottom Line:
Those who think these cranks look familiar are not imagining things. They're basically an exact copy of the 1994 Shimano XT/XTR crank. In strength terms all of the LX/XT cranks from 1994-97 are about the same with the Middleburn in overall strength/weight, certainly not enough difference to pay more money for. The XTR 1997 crankset is actually considerably stronger, we've tested them all at the shop in a bending machine and recorded breaking strength pressure.
Numerous claims have been made about Middleburn strength. But the fact is that both cranks use similar aluminum alloys and forging methods. You're just paying for aftermarket cachet. 'Flex' is a very subjective subject, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that there physically CANNOT be much flex difference between cranks using the exact same shape, design and alloy/forging methods.
Finally, Middleburn rings do NOT shift as well as Shimano's computer designed tooth profile and ramps, which were developed after years and years of research testing every conceivable variation in ramp and tooth profile. Sometimes bigger IS better.
Similar Products Used: 1994-98 Shimano LX, XT, XTR 5-bolt cranksets
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ulrich Hansen
a Weekend Warrior
from Odense, Denmark
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000
Strengths: Very light, very stiff, doesn't creak, beautiful finish, not Shimano
Weaknesses: Hmmm....
Bottom Line:
These cranks are so strong, light and beautiful that I will recommend them to all riders seeking the best crank for their bike. I've had absolutely NO problems what so ever!
Similar Products Used: Shimano XT, L&M, Specialized Strongarm
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Chameleon, Judy Race, Magura disc, MIDDLEBURN RS3
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rounders
a Cross-Country Rider
from lancashire, England
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1999
Strengths: beautifully engineered, strong as an oak, seriously nice finish and top precision taper.
Weaknesses: none really, apart from I had to starve for a month to save up for them
Bottom Line:
Absolutoley top cranks, probably better than some more pricey ones, which are just Jewelry for your bike rather than pure functional beasts like these. Flawless
Bike Setup: Bontrager racelite, hope ti BB, Judy XCs
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Larry
a Cross-Country Rider
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: May 21, 1999
Strengths: Just THAT - Strength!
Weaknesses: What?
Bottom Line:
I weigh 225 lbs. and increase THAT by pulling up on the bars like a madman on climbs (not easy lifting that much weight UP hill). These cranks seem to have as much/or less flex as anything else I've tried/owned !HOWEVER! Considering these things have the entire inner section carved away and weigh less than shoe laces makes them so frickin' awesome its unreal. After 3 years of abuse I've only recently got them to where they creaked slightly - that was remedied (for now) with a little more torque on the crank bolts. Worth the money!! Especially for heavy dudes still trying to save weight on something.
Submitted by
Tim
a weekend warrior
from Birmingham. England
Date Reviewed: February 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
I've had my RS-DH cranks for over a year now and absolutely no complaints. The RS-DH is the RS-3 on Weightgain 2000 (Beeeefcake!) and is stiff and nigh-on indestructible (tempting fate). They look fantastic and, well, attach the pedals to the BB. Own a piece of art, for a bargain basement price, I got mine for £100!
Submitted by
Christian
a cross-country rider
from germany
Date Reviewed: January 17, 1999
Bottom Line:
best cranks ever ridden they are very stiff and the first crank set the holds together for more then 6 months and they are very very good looking these cranks are the best buy you can do
Here are all these great reviews for this crankset, and along come joe and Tim Salt, who post these nonchalantly bad reviews! Come on you guys, pull your heads out of of the sand and give us some meat. I read these reviews with serious intent, as that is what they are here for, and when it comes to the pros and cons of a critical part suuch as cranks, merely smearing a product without backup ois stupid. Tim, why do you say these were weak? What credibility did you establish for making such a statement? None, that's what! You didn't say what kind of riding you do, what the circumstances of the failure were, etc. I personally feel ready to believe that you weigh 375 pounds and tried to moonsault over a speeding locomotive while approaching at acute angles at 100 miles per hour, and that instead of pedaling, you had hooked the cranks up to a Jaguar V-12 engine with a vacuum cleaner belt. Same goes for you joe. Tell us why they suck, you lungfish! Just for your asinine comments, I am giving this crank 5 hot turds even though I've never even seen them, much less rode them.
Submitted by
Ian Bailey
a cross-country rider
from England
Date Reviewed: September 30, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had a pair of Middleburn RS2 cranks for 7 months and have been very happy with them only snag the rather wide bottom bracket that is required however they have just developed a stress crack my local shop Ralphie's at Taunton contacted Middleburn and sorted out a replacement have decided to go for the RS3 this time I'm sure that I will be more than happy with them.
Submitted by
PETER DOOLEY
a cross-country rider
from LIMERICK,IRELAND
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have had a set of MIDDLEBURN RS3 cranks for two years now,I got them from my local bike shop with 22,32,46 HARDCOTE RINGS,They are brillant ,I have had absolutely no problems with them and their after sales service is second to none,but make the mistake of getting the wrong size bottom bracket for them......
Top Cranks. Nice colours and best of all they are British! Strong as a bulldog on steriods and as stiff as Dirk Diggler. Buy some and fly the flag for Britain, whilst you are at it buy an Xlite Ti frame to put them on, two pieces of equipment that are built to last!!!
I have had the RS3`s for a couple of years now and I have never had any problems with them. The spider I have fitted will only fit standard rings but that does not bother me as I like the meaty look of Pace chainrings and the supposed difference that a 48 toother gives me down hills. The only slight worry is that they loose their shine very quickly if your heels scuff them as you pedal, still all the others do too. I like them so much I will give them ......
Submitted by
Mark Harris
a weekend warrior
from Isle of Man
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've had my RS3 cranksince they came out. Never a problem, never a creek from them -royce BB also. I use XTR cranks and pulling a 48 causes no flex whatsoever- Great! I wish they'd do some with XTR spline fit though- Now that would blow the world away! After 2 years of my shoes the anodising is still perfect!
looking to shorten a set of cranks for my 9yo daughter. have two sets to choose from
1) xtr fc-m900
2) alivio fc-mc16
anyone know if either of these can be shortened?
they are Read More »
So i have a 1x9 setup. I use a 32t in the middle chainring spot. Do all cranks have the same chainline? If i were to buy a single speed specific crank would it still be a decent ch Read More »
How do the cranks stack up when it comes to stiffness? Comparing the standard higher end trail / AM type cranks like the Race Face Turbine vs. Shimano XT vs e.thirteen single doubl Read More »
I have developed a grinding type of noise when pedaling that I can't seem to figure out. I have checked all of the bolts on my bash guard, arms, pedals, and everything is tight. Read More »
Has anyone else out there had any chain suck issues with their E13 cranks? As a shop we have 3 people - including myself on them - and we all have chain suck problems on the same r Read More »
