Submitted by
jump mi'bike
a Weekend Warrior
from bc, canada Date Reviewed: December 16, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
l.b.s.
Strengths:
f-in strong crank arms!
Weaknesses:
cartridge bb.
Bike Setup:
a/m rm piplone
Bottom Line:
these arms kick. yeah theyre heavy, but they outlive. my pedal spindle bent. these arms didnt. after 1 season, bb took a dive, so i'm going to try the eu. bmx kit, see if that helps. they cost less, but after replacing the bb a few times, i suppose they endup costing about the same as other comparable products. but the arms are strng! riding these makes me want to get the isis equivilent. plus i can use the leftover parts on my mx bike
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Submitted by
Matthew Altamura
a Downhiller
from Phoenix, AZ USA Date Reviewed: January 26, 2006
Favorite Trail:
yours
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
my friends house
Strengths:
COol
Weaknesses:
bad
Similar Products Used:
indeed
Bike Setup:
love
Bottom Line:
had to eat it
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Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Brantford, Ont., Canada Date Reviewed: August 1, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
bikeroom.com
Strengths:
these cranks are strong as you can getz. comes with bashguard, 2 chainrings bottom bracket and all the spacers you need. it even comes with the crank puller.
Weaknesses:
the only couple of issues i have with this crank is the locking ring keeps coming loose from time to time and there was no instructions, luckily one of my buddies and i put the thing together in a couple hours.
Similar Products Used:
truvativ hussefelt.
Bike Setup:
04 kona stuff - 05 Z1 bomber w/OR20, singletrack wheels, fsa xdrive crank, hayes hydros, fsa pig pro hsd.
Bottom Line:
i actually payed about $270 Cdn. for this crank (which is around $200 US). for what you get for the price, you can't beat it. compared to over priced cranks from raceface and primo, that don't even come with half the parts that the fsa comes with, it's a deal. as far as people blowing bearings and bending bottom brackets, either you guys are some real hardcore riders or the crank wasn't properly installed. I have been beating the snot out of this crank for more than a year now and it's been great.
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Submitted by
Asa Robbins
a
from Prescott, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Steel is real! Nothing better than having pure strength and absolutely no give in the lower regions of the bike. I love not worrying about what might happen if I hit them on a rock, theres no way the crank will bend, and if you bend one they your a beast.
Weaknesses:
The bearing crater really easily. There are a couple of sealed bearing that work as the bottom bracket for the crank set. If they get any water on them at all then they will seez up and eventually break apart. Also the solid cro-mo axle bends and is really really hard to remove after it bends. One more thing, if you get this set of cranks make sure you set aside a couple of hours for set-up because even the most skilled bike mechanic will spend tons of time trying to space the cranks correctly.
Similar Products Used:
Various Isis crank sets, FSA and Truvativ. I had the FSA V-Drives and traded a friend those for the X-Drives.
Bike Setup:
Steelhead, Trail Pimps, Marazocchi '04 z-1
Bottom Line:
Cranks are bomb proof and stiff as hell. The bad ratting is for the absolutely horrible bottom bracket that FSA gives you to use with the cracks. I have blown through 5 sets of bearings, and bent one of the solid cro-mo axles they give ya. Also when you call FSA for help they aren't very polite and will tell you that you set the cranks up wrong, if setting them up according to the manual that is included with the cranks is wrong then how should I set them up? For the money they are awesome as long as you have lots of time and a good friend at bike shop that knows what he or she is doing.
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Submitted by
bil fil
a Downhiller
from calgary Date Reviewed: April 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
milenium
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
pinkbike
Strengths:
simple to work with, descent
Weaknesses:
Warping at splines
Similar Products Used:
block 8, hussefelts, wide variety, buy i guess hussefelts are the most similar
Bike Setup:
jackflash harcore trials
Bottom Line:
like all mtnbike cranks they suck, bmx cranks (american bb) are the only good cranks out there and they cant be installed on a mtnbike. Never had any problems with bb or cups, but the splines warp and they creak when you pedal as do all mtnbike cranks. I do 10 ft to flats on them, and they have never had any problem. Compared to bmx cranks there crap, but to garbage like hussefelts or holzfellzers these are far superior.
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Submitted by
Lucas
a Weekend Warrior
from CT Date Reviewed: November 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
local dirt jump and assorted urban drops.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
outdoor sports center
Strengths:
Good cranks, strong, better than FiveDs and affordable.
Weaknesses:
Being underrated, most negative reviews have been posted two years ago, or the reviewers had had the product for at least 2 years and I currently own an 05 crankset. I thought it was squeaking but i put lube on my chain and it went away!
Better than fiveDs. I ordered Husselfelts but I got these instead so being the idealist that I am, I used the cranks anyways and they were great.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from British Columbia Date Reviewed: November 4, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
Beefy and stiffer than Ron Jeremy when running properly
Weaknesses:
Instructions are weak I have had to replace every piece of these cranks
Similar Products Used:
Race Face
Bike Setup:
Norco Launch
Bottom Line:
I really like these cranks when they are running well, but over the last 2 years they have caused me endless headaches. Luckily the FSA warranty department has been good to me so far. Problems have included: Drive side cranks machined incorrectly - had to get them machined at my own expense to allow them to run properly Drive side spindle hole stretched - needed axle and crank arm replaced Bearing seized (to be somwhat expected) Non-drive crank arm spindle hole seems to be stretched and needs to be replaced. Setup was hit and miss until FSA pointed me to the On-One Retard crank site for installation instructions with diagrams. I was then able to teach the mechanic at my lbs how to install them. Like I said, I love these cranks when they are running smooth. I am 6', 215, and when I twisted my Race Face cranks for the last time, my lbs told me not to mess around and go straight to cromoly. I am not much of a hucker, so I really expected these cranks to be more reliable.
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Submitted by
JJ Wright
a Downhiller
from Reno, Nevada Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Steep, fast, no other riders
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
Cambria Bike Outfitters
Strengths:
Once and again - Strength, burly, reasonably priced near the end of summer(finally), so forth and so on... I haven't owned them long enough or beat them up enough to vouch for their durability.
Weaknesses:
Instructions were weak, no illustrations and a little difficult to follow. BB setup is definitely awkard with all these dang spacers. Took it apart a few times before I could figure out the best way for a fit. The guy below says you should have a tech install these things, he's right. But if you're no where near a shop (I'm in Iraq) and you're putting your own bike together for the first time, good instructions and simplicity help. As far as I can see the other guy below was correct in regards to the bearings being exposed. Unless there was a part missing in the box or the people at FSA want my bearings to freeze, I don't see anything that came with the cranks that will keep the bearings protected. I don't expect them to last long.
Similar Products Used:
The whole shimano line of cranks at one point or another.
Bike Setup:
SC Chameleon, Manitou Firefly forks, SRAM X.O Gears/shifters with Front and rear der., Atomic wheels/hubs, Avid BBD brakes, Azonic shorty stem, Chris King Head, Azonic Chubby handlebars, Azonic Love Seat (Ahhh Plush), ACME screws and bolts...
Bottom Line:
The cranks are strong, but as other reviews post I am expecting to change the sealed bearings regularly. I've already ordered a spare BB in anticipation. I'm not going to risk waiting for a replacement and being without my ride. Don't buy them if you want to ride and forget about the mechs. Expect regular upkeep and maintenance. After the intial install, taking them off and cleaning them now and then should'nt be difficult for those of us with common mechanical sense.
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Submitted by
david molony
a Downhiller
from Kent, UK Date Reviewed: January 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
rough common jumps
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
mail order
Strengths:
they are black at the start, and the arms wont bend.
Weaknesses:
the brearings BL0ody hell. i went thorough 4 sets in a year and a half, i had them set up by two bike shops, on by me (actuallylasted longest) and one by a mate accross the road: they incessantly broke!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Vdrives, darkangels, Deore, Suntour (longest lasting yet) power pro, stylo team (they r crp 2)
Bike Setup:
Identiti slalom with DMR chain cage
Bottom Line:
they are not worth one bit of the money: get a set of isis or octalink cranx, they are cheaper and have disposable bottom brackets that last. also mine rusted the secobd the pain flaked, FSA? Frickin Start Again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jon
a Cross Country Rider
from il Date Reviewed: January 5, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Unreal Cycles
Strengths:
Scarry,Strong,Stiff and Smooth!! Bearings are extremly smooth in the bottom bracket, even after about 10 months of riding
Weaknesses:
This was a Rubic's cube of a mother to put together. Man! whats up with all them spacers? Paint wears easy but to be expected. .WIEGHT INCREASE = slower bike oh well put a 46t ring on the spider. .I did.
Similar Products Used:
HMMM. None. . These replaced my Deore LX's. Bye Bye flex
Bike Setup:
02 TREK 4300,Deore LX VBrakes,derailure's,Shifter's,Hubs and Azonic Stem and Bar's, with XDrive's with a 46 32 24 chain ring setup. On back is a 11-28 XT casset
Bottom Line:
All is well as long a you THINK and get the Chain----line straight! Plan on a 2 day project building these. Don't give up. I took em apart, shuffeld the spacers and put em back together around 5 times before I got it right. . This helped my bike shift better. . I am more confident with these I could see the LX's flex on my 243lbs. .
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Submitted by
Charlie Sponsel
a Downhiller
from Portland Oregon Date Reviewed: November 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything X_TReMe
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
kinda from Unreal Cycles
Strengths:
Strong spindle, arms Great warranty and service Good at first
Weaknesses:
Super press fit Bottom Bracket sans spindle paint job wears off, it you care (flat black looks way cooler anyway) heavy I suppose
Similar Products Used:
V-drives, ridden profiles and hussefelts
Bike Setup:
Planet X Bommer, Trailpimps, Aircorp stem and pedals, Marzocchi MXR, obviously X-Drives, MRP, planet x bars
Bottom Line:
basically I got a pair of V-Drives with the Platinum bottom Bracket from Unreal for my old bike(about 100 bucks). Worked perfectly. Then I switched them over to my bommer, requiring a 68mm BB, so I got a RaceFace. Unfortunetly, Other brands Isis interfaces don't worked too well, so I ened up stipping out the innerface. I call up Fsa, they give me a pair of X-Drives for 50 bucks, and i get em in the mail 3 days later. The BB spindle was super press fit, and i almost broke the bolt trying to install them. 6-months later, the bearings are shot, the logos are worn off, and the whole system was loose. Apperently, due to the design, a bb shell mounted chainguide puts extreme amounts of stress on the bearings, causing them to freeze up, so I could choose between a loose chainguide or frozeen bearings. So, I got a Profile 19mm Euro conversion kit from dans comp, and everything is better now. If you want a pair of cranks cheap, get on-ones or go to dans comp, get a pair of 22mm Snafus (or any 3-piece BMX bb) and a 22mm euro conversion kit (about 155 bucks, will literaly last you FOREVER). These are all right, but if it had been my call, I would't have spent my money on these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rodney Mickey
a Downhiller
from Coquitlam, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: October 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
air supply
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
AKA the bike shop
Strengths:
Cheaper then most other cranks, bottom brakets stronger then any traditional mountain bike bottom bracket.
Weaknesses:
bearings blow, bottom bracket bends, crank arms have a tendancy to snap off on the welds.
Similar Products Used:
nothing
Bike Setup:
04 ORYX desert dueller, 04 super-t, custom setup.
Bottom Line:
If you want somthing cheap and strong these are them. Not the strongest things ever though, I only weigh 150 and I bend the bottom brackets constantly, bearings blow out almost every time they get dirty or wet unless you go above and beyond in maitenance, the crank arms broke in half on the weld when i least expected it, not even riding it hard and it just took off. However, I am quite abusive on parts but im still surprised they broke. Honestly not a bad crank, recomended for the rider who breaks race face square tapers every once and a while and just wants that extra bit of strength. Im switchin to block 8's thogh any way.
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Submitted by
Taylor
a Downhiller
from Placerville,CA Date Reviewed: June 25, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
burly,stiff,indestructable
Weaknesses:
BB's are expensive and blow up,first week went through BB,does not like to be wet or dirty
Similar Products Used:
Giant stock cranks
Bottom Line:
Very good cranks.Way cheaper than Profiles,but close to them.Taken every thing I can possibly do to them.Only came out of adjustment once.They really don't like to get dirty,if dirt gets in the BB they click and pop and creak.All you have to do is take them out clean them,re- grease them and put them back in.That's all.The same thing happens when they get wet.They do rust on the dings you put in them,but it wears off from your foot rubbing aginst them.Overall,I would stick with this crankset for life.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Worcester,MA,USA Date Reviewed: May 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$180.00
Strengths:
Very strong and stiff, no joke, u won't break these cranks!
Weaknesses:
I seized up the bearings in the drive side somehow... Oh well i went to my local bike shop and within a week i had fresh new bearings, big deal, i think i may have got a bum set in the beginning.
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
01 Big Hit Built STRONG!!!!
Bottom Line:
If your looking for a super strong hardcore crankset for DH and hucking, this is the crankset for you! I got the 5 arm standard drive without the bash for my MRP chainguide, indestructible!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Sidney, Canada Date Reviewed: February 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Urban, Bottom Feeder
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Russ Hayes Sidney
Strengths:
Tubular 4130 CroMo thick spindel four bearing races comes with spyder spacers and bolts.
Weaknesses:
spindel bolt requires a special wrench heavey(if you care)
Similar Products Used:
v drive truvative
Bottom Line:
these cranks are the best for the price and mabey the best period. I love them these feel super sturdy very confidence inspiring. the best crank to fit in a MTB BB
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a Downhiller
from the dale Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
hatshorne
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
unrealcycles.com
Strengths:
this setup comes with just about everything u could ask for, extra spacers good instructions even a bottom bracket tool. the cranks are definatly bomb proof and stiff as u can get
Weaknesses:
none unless u cant handle 3pounds of steel between ur legs
these cranks aren't made for xc riders. but if u freeride ull love them. like the guy said below they will rust where the scratches are but only on the surface, just makes them look more hardcore
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john arnett
a Weekend Warrior
from saltspring island B.C. Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
dirt jumps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
bicycle warehouse
Strengths:
strong as a mookie
Weaknesses:
creeks, heavy
Similar Products Used:
hussefelts thingys
Bike Setup:
ORyx dessert dueler stock
Bottom Line:
if your want strong freeride/dirtjumpys and are kinda poor get these i jumped of an 8 foot drop and have beat them up and they still are good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carl Leist
a Downhiller
from Canal Winchester Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Personal Trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Cyclist Connection
Strengths:
-Stronger than Richard Simmon's mojo -Won't die in the elements thanks to quad sealed cartridges -You now can use most BMX sprockets if you remove spider -Havn't busted 'em yet, but FSA has been good to me in the past with warranties and such -Act similar to placebo or sugar pill (i.e. they make you think you can ride harder, and thus you do)
Weaknesses:
-Heavier than Richard Simmon's customers -No instructions included in packaging -Tricky to install without those dang instructions -You can't break em, so now you have to find a different excuse for not being able to ride well
Similar Products Used:
No previous experience with Freeride MTB cranks, just XC cranks then the Snafu's on my Standard (BMX). They match up to the Snafus in build and toughness though.
Bike Setup:
2001 Fuel 90... the frame is stock...
Bottom Line:
These Cranks are better than earlier reviews might have led on to. They are sturdy as a tank and when PROPERLY fitted and installed, they hold up to the elements just fine. You should have a true cycle mechanic install them or you'll probably end up with a problem. Remember, Sealed Cartridge bearings does not mean sealed Bottom Bracket. But if you did the install right, you should get a good seal on the BB shell anyway with any sort of crankset. These cranks definitely do what they're intended and built to do. I ride a mix of Freeride/XC/Downhill and havn't busted them yet. Heck, they even look good too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cook
a Weekend Warrior
from London, ON Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anywhere
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Cyclepath
Strengths:
strong as he//.
Weaknesses:
very heavy, scratches and threading will rust, kinda ugly, and does NOT like to get wet.
Similar Products Used:
traditional aluminum cranksets
Bike Setup:
'02 Brodie Holeshot, mostly stock
Bottom Line:
Came stock on the new bike.
I have the feeling my legs would have snapped before these things....they are definately stiff and strong but the set-up is kinda silly, the main axle sits in 4 cartridge bearings (2 in each side cup). The outer two bearings are left almost fully exposed. It is not a sealed unit by any stretch of the imagination. Both times when I had to disassemble to try and diagnose my noisy set-up there was water in the bb shell and rust beginning to form the axle and bearings! Anyway, discovered one of the outside bearings quit on me so after only about 4 weeks of riding, my bike is out action for 2 weeks while I wait for a RaceFace Prodigy DH to come in. These cranks would be great for someone who doesn't ride in the wet, but I don't know anyone like that!
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