Strengths: Strong, light, stiff, still going 10 years later. Wish I could find a second set for my single-speed.
Weaknesses: None yet! This is the only part left on my Dean Bam-Bam that is still the original part from the original build-up. I'm finally replacing the frame now, making these the sole surviving parts.
Bottom Line:
I reviewed these cranks 7 years ago, and I stand by everything I said back then. Except the part about Shimano making them cheaper than XTR. That's because XTR's are now as expensive as Sweet Wings were back then. Now that I'm older (and better employed) I've been lucky enough to do Moab a couple of times a year. I'm not doing the 10+ footer's, but I do launch every drop I can get my wheels on going down Porky. I've blown through front forks, bent handle bars, pedals, chain rings, and rims, but the sweet wings keep on straight. They will definitely be going on my new frame (coming soon!)
Bike Setup: Dean Bam-Bam, SID, Easton Monkey lite SL, SRAM shifters, everything else XTR, updated nicely over the years.
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tony Baer
a Weekend Warrior
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002
Strengths: Stiff power for uphill battles
Weaknesses: Lack of support anymore
Bottom Line:
Love these cranks. I am rebuiding my 1997 Gary Fisher Procaliber with these and am looking for original sweet wings end caps. Mine were lost a long time ago. Will pay to replace. Thanks.
Strengths: Simple Design Chicks dig them Light Weight
Weaknesses: Gay ass spider 2 sets complete sets of chainring bolts, WTF? Creak prone Rust prone
Bottom Line:
Well I have to admit, they game a solid 5 years of life across 3 different bikes. Until this weekend... Snap! Tore off the driveside crank arm at the BB! I will not be shy, I ride really hard, but I do only weigh 150lbs! Somthing to keep in mind.
Strengths: Light, Simple, Easy to dissassemble, Easy to maintain.
Weaknesses: Require frequent maintanence.
Bottom Line:
I agree with the provious reviewer. Some people should not pick up a wrench. And you can't be certain the local bike shop knows what their doing. I suggest finding a reputable bike shop if you want to have success with any product on any bike. As for the Sweets, they're great! The bearings do wear over time but no more than any other aftermarket BB I've ever owned. Use locktite, a torque wrench, clean and maintain and these things will take you a long way. They have replaced my trusty XTR's. Get out and ride!
Similar Products Used: XTR, Race Face, Cook Bros., XT, Kooka
Bike Setup: Custom Curtlo, built up for XC racing.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Graham
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ont. Can.
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2001
Strengths: Very stiff and smooth. Light as air.
Weaknesses: Finicky maintenance
Bottom Line:
There are a couple of items I feel I should address regarding other peoples' comments. First, the bearings are a standard 6804 and a 6805. Any bearing shop can get new ones. They aren't expensive. The grease seals are easily removed for regreasing. I am still on the same set of bearings after about 10000km. The play between the shaft and inner bearing race is deliberate and necessary. Otherwise the fit would be an interference one and the parts would be very difficult to separate. Use green loctite (for bearing and stud mounting), available at ANY auto parts supply shop to take up the slack. This is exactly what it is made for. Use BLUE loctite (removable) on the main bolt threads. Let this stuff set overnight. Check the bolt torque (50 ft-lbs, or 2 grunts) after every couple of rides. If the bolt was even slightly loose, take it out and re-loctite it. Regrease the bearings every few hundred km. or less if you are in a wet, muddy type of riding. They should last many good years. I bought mine used from a shop that didn't know how to maintain them. In short, they are expensive but if I can find a frustrated owner who is clueless about maintenance, I will happily take them off his hands and rebuild them for my next project.
Weaknesses: No longer made, therefore no more manuf. service
Bottom Line:
Great concept that was too expensive to catch on. I have used these for 6 years on both Road (orig. bearings) and Mtn. bikes (2nd set of bearings) with no problems whatsoever. Great for anyone who wants ultimate stiffness with minimal weight. Yes, loctite the main bolt. Wipe down w/ WD-40 periodically to prevent surface rust. Hopefully, patent owners will sell design to a large company who can produce these at lower cost with a more consistent level of quality control.
Submitted by
Nathan Fong
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro NC
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000
Strengths: Strong, Light weight and killer design
Weaknesses: Cost - - high bucks $$$$$$$$$$
Bottom Line:
It has been 4 years since I purchased these cranks and I still love them. No flex and no signs of failure. It is unfortunate that other people had bad things happen to their cranks and the poor customer service. So I can not give an opinion on that subject.
Strengths: I cant beleave these thing have lasted this long. I have raced them for three years in expert! I have had no problems with them. (in the strength)I have like 45 races on them and tons of training!! WOW!! VERY STRONG & LIGHT The whole set up is very easy to work on and change things on! Over all its a very cool set up. And YOUR FRIENDS will love them too,AND every one that see's them!!!! Some one might want to buy these if they want to show off or if you want some Bad A%# race cranks..
Weaknesses: There Company sucks!! No service!! They dont call you back its very hard to get in touch with! You just can't get thes guys on the phone,even to ask a question..The cranks though are GREAT. The berings wear pretty quickly and have some slight play BUT for me having 45 races on them thats cool with me!! Dont get these if your the type of person that needs to ask the factory a million questions, or that has a HUFFY and needs to lighten ther bike.. Later
Bottom Line:
The Bottom Line... I like them allot, and so far they have not let me down. There is allot of other products that will give you about the same thing for less money. Sweet wings are very cool and light but DAM, too expensive. If you buy some, set them up with XTR rings they work the very best.. Also expecte the company not to take care of anything if somthing goes wrong. It will take a long time to fix if you can get a hold of these guys. Some times you can get these guys "On Line" at Sweetparts.com GOOD LUCK
Similar Products Used: Every thing under the sun!! Been in the bike BIZ for to long!! Go get some Sweet wings,if not go with XTR.
Bike Setup: 2000 GT sts 1000 carbone, cross max, sweet wings, Avid arce supremes, Just some other cool stuff. BUT its full race bike not any of that B.S. show to your friends and not ride. "F" that!!! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GT,And all the guy at the factory!!!
this is a follow up. I wrote before that my cranks broke. The owner of the shop that i work at also had a pair of sweetwings. He developed the same play in them that i did. However, somehow he afrosheened them and got them working again. all was fine for about a month. We were aout on a ride and i heard him yellsome profanity, when i looked back i saw that the drive side arm had broke in two. I think they are out of buisness, but if you have an opportunity to buy a pair,DON'T!!!
Submitted by
Joe Man
a weekend warrior
from sf bay area
Date Reviewed: February 7, 1999
Bottom Line:
guess what I was wrong, sweet is still in business. they just take forever to answer their phone. they are not making cranks right now since they are trying to raise capital to make a new batch.....i just ordered a set of replacement bearings through my bikeshop....previous review is correct, tough to compete w/ the big boys when you have limited funds....aside from this, sweet wings do rock.....aside from minor flaws like imperfect plating...a little pay...not bad tradeoff for very light weight and super stiff cranks...makes my racefaces's feel like noodles in comparison....(not that they are bad cranks...I use my race faces in winter...as extra set so i won't screw up my sweet bearings $40 a pop to replace!)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a cross-country rider
from Denver Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999
Bottom Line:
It used to be that I would have to replace either a twisted arm or a bent spindle once or twice each summer riding XT and old-style XTR cranks. Then in the spring of '96 I put a set of steel sweets on. I haven't had any problems with them ever since, including a 4 month tour of Europe where they suffered through plenty of rain and muddy backroad trails. They even saw some snow on the upper trails in Zermatt, Switzerland and are still running perfectly with no squeaks. I can't understand where anyone would have any complaints about these cranks. I followed the installation instructions, including using a torque wrench to set the proper torque and used the loctite they included, and I've never had them come loose. They are both stronger and lighter than any other cranks I've ever ridden. It is a damn shame their high price along with evil Shimano brainwashing kept more people from buying them. Damn shame when a superior product doesn't make it just because they come from a small company that doesn't have the $$$ to compete with the big boys. If Shimano would have made these cranks they would be less expensive than XTR's because of their simple and clean design, and they would be on every mid to upper range bike out there.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Man
a weekend warrior
from redwood city, ca
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1998
Bottom Line:
ok kjc, i'll add a star just cause you can pound new bearings in.....question though...what about warranty work???? I know a couple of people with sweets who are bumming because the need them to be replated or the spline's tolerances are off...your kind of out on a limb when u buy stuff no longer made, especially when it's so pricy........even at blow out prices.....
Don't be foolish! The bearings Sweet uses in it's bottom bracket are standard metric sizes and can be found anywhere. Just pound the old ones out and glue the new ones in. I've had my set for about 2.5 years and had no problems when they were properly installed, just make sure you use loctite and a long wrench. Play can be eliminated by puting a thin coat of super glue (!!!) on the bearing contact area of the non-drive side, and letting it DRY before installation. This acts as a space filler, eliminating the play. As far as durablity is concerned, I rode my first set of bearings way too long, with only the expected extra play - no crazy noises, even on a Litespeed. Two friends who have new XTR cranksets that are less the than a year old creak all over the place. After plenty of jumping, dropoffs, and high speed decending, I think they may be starting to fatigue out and sag a little bit. It's barely noticeable though, compared to any other well worn aluminium crank. They also seem a little less stiff than when new. Anyway, no aluminum crank and Ti bottom bracket on the market could last like this at this weight.
