Description: A classic comes back! New and improved for 2001, our Turbine LP forging has been changed to make this crank even stronger and stiffer than ever before. Built in inner chainring bolts allow for the use of shorter bolts, and new contoured profiling on the front and sides make this crank stiffer and stronger than previous models.
Submitted by
TurboWookiee
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington Pa usa Date Reviewed: November 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bavington 5pts loop
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
wheelcraft ltd
Strengths:
industructable, super stiff, beautiful,
Weaknesses:
haven't found any in the 10yrs i've had it.
Similar Products Used:
nothing really i've broke numerous other cranks, i finally settled on this in the late 90's when i was about 18 and have ridden nothing other than race face turbines since. amazing cranks thats really all i can say.
Bike Setup:
Fisher joshua FS, trek steel hardtail, fisher rig all with turbine lp's
Bottom Line:
Buy one. there cheap these days from ebay. you won't be upset.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dsnow23
a Cross Country Rider
from Mill Valley, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Skeggs Point
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Big Swingin Cycles
Strengths:
No flex, light weight. last forever.
Weaknesses:
No weaknesses.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT, Shimano LX, Topline SL
Bike Setup:
Ibis Szazbo
Bottom Line:
I've got the red ano square taper bb version and they still look great after many years of use. I've had other cranksets that started looking beat up after a few rides. The Turbine LPs look great, ride great, don't flex, and last forever. By the way, I weigh about 205 pounds and some cranks I've owned were super flexy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan Fox
a Weekend Warrior
from Chico CA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Downieville
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Delta Cyclery
Strengths:
Long life... I have used these cranks on about 10 different bikes over the years. Whenever I sold one of my bikes I always kept me Old school 180mm in Standard drive.. as newer bikes come out keeping the chain line right has been a mathmatical challenge but the old boys rock! I got mine as a gift from my old bike moved when I moved some gold watch huh?
Weaknesses:
Finding 110 chain rings are a challenge finding a front deraileur to shift them is getting harder. Currently I have an old XT (pre-compact drive) that has been bent into submission that has worked flawlessly for years.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, FSA, Cook Bros.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Chamelion with a SRAM 9.0 drivetrain xcept for my Old school 180's I use an old square taper XT bb called a UN92... good luck finding one of these!
Bottom Line:
I have a buddy that has broken numerous pairs of these cranks and curses me for never having a problem with Race Face. He has destroyed numerous Marzocchi forks too. Some riders have a little thing called Finess when they ride and jump and are not hard on thier gear. Riders who started trail riding on rigid bikes understand this concept... I ride every weekend weather permitting and I have never had a problem with mine EVER. Every couple rides I tighten the crank bolts to 55in/lbs like the manual says. As for the people who have creaking issues...here is what you do or ask your mechanic: 1. Grease the threads on the BB. 2. Wrap the threads of the BB with teflon plumbers tape. (this keeps out water too!) 3. Use a very small layer of grease on the taper where the crank comes in contact with the spindle. The Aluminum will "bite" down harder on the steel spindle with a little grease. 4. Make sure the chainring bolts are tight too... Aluminum on Aluminum will always creak unless there is a small layer of grease between... I use Phil Wood grease for my projects... I have been using and abusing these cranks since 1997! Mine even have a serial number(1007) too! Back in the day Race Face used higher quality 7000 series BILLET aluminum and CNC'd em out one big chunk of Uluminum and then heat treated them. But they were also charging 200 cost without rings for thier high quality product. Sounds like the people who are having problems breaking are getting cranks that are designed in Canada but manufactured in a big factory in Taiwan for OEM specs... one phrase comes to mind "You get what you pay for" If you want cranks that can take a 10' Drop and a huck or two... Profile (the BMX Crank Company not the people who make roadie stuff) makes a 4130 Cromoly Crank with a spider for downhillers. They are heavy but won't leave castorated by your top tube sacrafice weight for your testicles...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Sillito
a Weekend Warrior
from Durham UK Date Reviewed: November 8, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Innerleithen DH
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Leisure Lakes Bury
Strengths:
Silent, don't move, look cool.
Weaknesses:
Maybe should invent easier to use middle/large chainring bolts.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano Deore.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit, Shimano/MRP/RaceFace stuff.
Bottom Line:
Had these for 2 years, on two different bikes. They've been used extensively for trail and DH riding, and bar a few marks on the arm ends where they've hit rocks and the colour fading where my shoes rub, they're as good as new. They've ridden on numerous DH tracks and north shore, and I have a feeling that all those who have reported them breaking didn't fit them properly in the first place. The bottom bracket is still fine too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GUI
a Racer
from Land of RJ Reynolds Date Reviewed: February 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dark Mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Don't remember
Strengths:
Got em 180 mm length / 110 BCD. I did not really pay much for them. Reasonably stiff
Weaknesses:
Fair to shoddy CNC work. Not like old Race Face stuff. Is this made in Taiwan?? Rings shift like not so good.Used to be better. Lots of flex versus FSA Carbon Pro Team cranks and Uncle Shim's stuff from the land of the rising sun. Ohh Yeah, get this, I used c5 anti sieze on ISIS spindle and when I needed to extract the cranks to change shoddy worn out Race Face rings, the extractor threads in cranks strip out. Cranks are going to be toast when middle ring finally wears out.
Similar Products Used:
FSA Carbon Pro, Shimano XT Hollow Point
Bike Setup:
Custom Steel Hardtail Fox 80 RLT, SRAM X9,Cane Creek Zonos, Avid SD7 brakes. Thomson everything else.
Bottom Line:
The newer RACE FACE Stinks. Its too bad, I hate to see them go but thats the way it is.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob M.
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City Date Reviewed: September 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
mail order
Strengths:
stiff , strong
Weaknesses:
I thought these where the best cranks I've had. THEN I snapped the right arm off right in the middle of the arm. I was on a 35 mile xc ride and had to ride with left leg only for 10 miles to hwy to hitch to trail end. I am a 37 year old professional and I don't jump or crash. These cranks snapped on a steep CLIMB. LIFETIME WARRANTY-YEAH RIGHT! They would not answer my e-mails. I called and as soon as I said I was a consumer, I got serious negative attitude. I bought these with a build kit and the company is now gone. The guy was almost laughing at me. You think Race Face would want to SEE and LOOK at a right arm in two pieces. I am an honest person in a very honest profession. Everything here is true. Where is the customer support? The guy did not even want to here the story. Race Face, I'm so sorry I called your company and took up 60 seconds of your incredibly busy day.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT,XTR
Bike Setup:
Intense Tracer, Cane Creek wheelset, Marz. forks, thompson,shimano
Bottom Line:
Read the LONG weakness section. Would have ranked 5/5 last month. Now with their sorry customer support very low.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Minnesota Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006
Specialized Stumpy M2 hardtail, Rock Shox fork, XT drive train.
Bottom Line:
I know this is a somewhat dated review, but these cranks have been flawless for 9 years. Bought these cranks to replace the Specialized Strong Arms that came with the bike. Strong Arms lasted about 1 month before I bent them. The Turbine LPs are now 9 years old and still going strong. The only complaint I have about them is that the anodizing faded/rubbed off really quickly within the first year, but they haven't really faded much since then. Other than that, they have been absolutely bulletproof. These cranks have been slammed into rocks and taken 4 foot drops repeatedly without any issues.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
armando
a Cross Country Rider
from saltillo,coahuila,mexico Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:
titanuim
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver Date Reviewed: March 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Strongest cranks I've ever used and I've being using them in their various forms (square taper/ISIS/2 piece/full size/compact) since the early 90's.
Weaknesses:
None that I've discovered.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Tazmon with Raceface cranks, Rocky Mountain Blizzard with Raceface cranks, Santa Cruz Heckler with Raceface cranks etc,.
Bottom Line:
The best cranks out there bar none. Amazes me how some reviewer can blame the cranks when the bottom bracket fails!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marcus q
a
from soldotna, ak, usa Date Reviewed: February 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
was on bike when purchased
Strengths:
good ratings on this site....leaves cool scar(s)!!!
Weaknesses:
bottom bracket failure leads to scars
Similar Products Used:
saint
Bike Setup:
blah blah blah
Bottom Line:
Did a drop at speed, bottom bracket sheared off. Results were me slaming my face into the stem, and my ass slamming the seat at some descent force. Broken nose, head scar, inability to sit comforatably for 2 months+. I guess alright for everyday foolin around. Not to be trusted otherwise.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joel
a Racer
from Phoenixville Date Reviewed: February 16, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
weight, color, strength
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
too mony to list
Bike Setup:
Schwinn converted single speed
Bottom Line:
These cranke rock, I have bashed the crap out of them on anything and everything and they have never failed not even a litle flex and I weigh 190 and really crank with a 34/16 ratio. Light weight, tough, and for the price pretty unbeatable. Overall I think these cranks are good for almost any situation.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jesse
a Cross Country Rider
from halifax, ns canada Date Reviewed: February 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
shubie
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
strong light and quick-shifting! ISIS drive is sweet.
Weaknesses:
ummm yeah.....
Similar Products Used:
shimano Dx or LX not Xt
Bike Setup:
Avid disc(m), rockshox SID, Sram X9....
Bottom Line:
Great product sweet price on a good light strong crank. Ill buy raceface again. Did alot of review shopping for this and am very happy with product after hearing so many bad shimano xt reviews! Im 200 lbs and 6 ft i dont do big drops but i hammer crosscountry out of it and ride for speed, and yumps this crank takes it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gaz Edmunds
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, DC Date Reviewed: October 27, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Blue Sky Cycling
Strengths:
Stiff, light, inexpensive, and pretty damned slick looking.
Weaknesses:
None that I've found.
Similar Products Used:
XT (blech)
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth ISIS, Fox Vanilla RLC shock, Raceface Turbine LP cranks, XT hubs with Mavic X321 rims, SRAM X9 shifters and rear D, XT front D, Thomson Elite stem and seatpost, WTB Laser V ti saddle, Monkeylite bars, Avid BB7 mechanical discs with Speed Dial 7 levers, and Candy SL pedals...
Bottom Line:
I've never had a problem with these cranks, period, and agree with the opinion of several of the reviewers on here - the folks who had issues with these cranks, are most likely folks who have no idea how to maintain their bike. These have been bounced off rocks and logs, ridden through streams, and caked in mud time and time again, and after a quick cleaning and the occasional lube, they perform as new. Price Point and various other online stores are blowing these out as a combo deal with an SRX BB - I jumped on it, and if you're in the market for a new set of cranks that are true performers, you will too.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DAN STEPHENS
a Cross Country Rider
from DALLAS TX USA Date Reviewed: August 29, 2005
Favorite Trail:
DOWNTOWN
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$269.00
Purchased At:
BEYOND BIKES
Strengths:
STIFF CHAINRINGS
Weaknesses:
CRANK ARMS BREAK EASY
Similar Products Used:
XT
Bike Setup:
CHAMELEON,FOX VANILLA,RACE FACE STEM, XT WHEELS,AVID BRAKES,XT SHIFTERS,XTR REAR SHIFTER.
Bottom Line:
I AM A 165LB. BIKE COURIER IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS. I RIDE 30 MILES 5 DAYS A WEEK. MY DRIVE SIDE CRANK ARM BROKE IN HALF AND I HIT MY NUTS ON MY BIKE!CHAD AT RACE FACE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT IS A PRICK! HE WAS RUDE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.HE SUCKS!I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS ON RACE FACE STUFF AND EXPECT NICER TREATMENT.DONT BUY THESE CRANKS! MY FRIEND BROKE HIS ALSO.CHAD IS A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kirk Denetclaw
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque, NM, USA Date Reviewed: March 2, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Petroglyphs
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$199.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Very Stiff cranks, smooth, reliable shifting, and looks.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano LX and XT Hollow tech.
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dragon,XO Grip shift, Sram XO rear der., XTR Front der., Chris K. headset, Chris K. hubs W/Sun Rhyno Lite rims custom built(thanks Leo), Syncros stem/seatpost, Avid SD-7 brakes, Marz. X-fly 80, RF ISIS turbine crankset w/Truvative gigapipe BB.
Bottom Line:
These are a great set of cranks. I have been riding these for nearly 2 years and haven't had a problem with them. I weigh 260lbs and ride 5-6 days a week (20 miles per ride), mainly XC hardpack with rockbeds. I would advise that you use a torque wrench to install the BB to specification. Actually purchased them to replace XT Hollowtech cranks which I had for a year(noticed two broken teeth of mid chain ring when removed). Noticed increased stiffness in my drive train compared to Hollowetch setup. Chainrings still holding up. I would recommend them to any XC rider that doesn't expect freeride or extreme trail riding performance from an XC product.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Landy Adkins
a Racer
from Midland, TX Date Reviewed: February 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Notrees
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Peytons Bikes
Strengths:
Strong, looks cool(in yellow), stiff, great company
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
shimano xt,xtr, truvativ
Bike Setup:
Tricked out giant nrs
Bottom Line:
I've got over 5000 mles on these cranks and they are the best ones i ve ever had. i also have worked at a bike shop for 4 years so i have seen it all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Romein
a Cross Country Rider
from Sharon, SC, USA Date Reviewed: January 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Springs Greenway
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Simple, stiff, light and trouble free.
Weaknesses:
I can think of none.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Bontrager
Bike Setup:
Diamond Back DBR X4
Bottom Line:
I am trying to find another one of these in a different color for my Blur but they have gotten very scarce in the square taper type. I like the standard configuration with 110 mm BCD. I've never had any problems with flex or creaking. Why anyone would want to take on the problems of an ISIS or Octalink interface is a mystery to me. The new X-type systems are still unproven in my book also. If it ain't broke, don't fix it and Keep It Simple Stupid. I will find that new Race Face Turbine LP standard with square taper and be happy ever-after.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dwayne
a Cross Country Rider
from rochester hills, mi USA Date Reviewed: November 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
bikes, blades, and boards
Strengths:
quality, looks, stiff like a porn star
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
xt,lx,sweet wings
Bike Setup:
cannondale hardtail, lefty dlr, 717 king rear, 717 woodsman front
Bottom Line:
i bought the cranks in 98 for my schwinn homegrown. we got run over by a truck in 99, trashed the frame, fork, wheels, but the crank survived. installed in my new fsr xc with a rf ti taperlock bb, and proceeded to put about 9000 miles on it in the next 4 years with zero problems. the same bb and cranks are now installed in my 03 cannondale f800 and still NO problems. every once in a while they will start to creak, usually after much mud and rain, a cleaning and relube will fix them right up. i keep getting wooed by the "new and improved" setups out there, but why change? these have outlasted many friends xt,xtr. at 190lbs, i'm not really easy on equipment. only wish they made road cranks. 5 flaming steamers
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Leonard
a
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: October 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
El corte de madera/skeggs point
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Stiff, kinda light
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
icon crap that came with my Trek
Bike Setup:
'99 Trek 7000 hard tail
Bottom Line:
I bought these as a combo deal with the RF SRX bottom bracket. The cranks are super stiff and I have had no problems with the isis drive system. I think every single person complaining about this product is a poor bike mechanic. If they torque all the bolts to the required specs, they should have no problems. If you don't have the right tools, take it to the bike shop to have them do it. I highly recommend these to the weekend warrior type who don't need the absolute best stuff out there, but need to upgrade from crap that came on a mediocre bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Burnsville, MN Date Reviewed: September 29, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Dirt
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
EP deal
Strengths:
Decent overall product. Experienced little flex, at least none that could be detected while riding.
Weaknesses:
Customer service and warranty are a joke with this organization. Hope that you never need them.
Similar Products Used:
RF Turbines, RF Next, Shimano, FSA, ENO
Bottom Line:
Decent crank if your only looking to get a few seasons out of it, but the customer service is not there to warrant me bringing them into my shop again.
3 for initial quality Nonexistent rating for their customer service since it is also missing
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from PA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2004
RF, don't even think about discontinuing this item to make way for those new fangle thru-BB type cranksets.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano stuff.
Bottom Line:
The ISIS version with the signature BBs are unbeatable for performance and durability.
I plan on getting another set for another bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Earth Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
See below
Weaknesses:
no 165mm length
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT - creaking pos!
Bike Setup:
Yeti ARC
Bottom Line:
The very best cranks I've used and none of that friggin' creaking going on with the XT's. The paint is very durable and won't easily rub off. I prefer the traditional square-tapered design and anybody who thinks they can bend these because of it should have his head examined.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian
a Racer
from Los Angeles, CA. Date Reviewed: July 15, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Everything. Well engineered. A 'lifetime' purchase.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano
Bike Setup:
Cannondale XC race bike
Bottom Line:
I purchased these when they first came out (the first upgrade to my first mtb) & I am still riding them now. They are the one component that I've kept using through all the bikes & set-ups over the years. The cranks & bottom bracket have been bomb-proof. I now race on these same cranks. Throughout all my years of mountain biking, these have certainly been the best component I've owned. Great work, Race Face. I thank you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam
a
from charlotte, nc Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
Bike Line
Strengths:
Just installed it. But I did have an original Turbine back in the day (1999 or something like that). But what I did notice while installing it and dialing it in was....that it shifted perfectly with little effort to dial in. Since I had an original Turbine, I know it's stiff, dependable, and simple does what it should. Glad to have another set.
Weaknesses:
non that I remember from older set, can't speak for the new set yet.
Similar Products Used:
original RF turbine, shimano xtr hollow crank, truvative fire x
Bike Setup:
blur, fox float, xtr front d, xtr rear d, xtr cassette, easton seatpost and monkey lite bar, sram rocket trigger shifters, time peddles, mavic crossmax sl disc wheel set, avid disc, chris king headset, wtb laser v saddle, race face turbine cranks.
Bottom Line:
dialed in fast, shifts great, looks good...can't really give a bottom line since i just installed it.
Since I haven't had a chance to ride it, I'm basing my chillys on how I feel about it so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: April 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Similar Products Used:
Shimano square taper products.
Bike Setup:
Kona King Kahuna
Bottom Line:
I bent both arms after four years of XC riding. Still a good product though, and Race Face has been good about the warranty replacement so far.
I'd buy another set despite the failure based on RF's handling of the warranty.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charles Romein
a Weekend Warrior
from Sharon, SC, USA Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Springs Greenway
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Simple, stiff and light. Flawless shifting. Chainrings are elegant.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager, Shimano
Bike Setup:
Diamondback X-frame dual suspension with disk brakes
Bottom Line:
The true test of a mountain biking product is when you quickly become unaware of it in use. These cranks cause zero problems and they are light. I also notice they have resurged in popularity. They're not carbon, they're not fancy, but they serve their purpose as well as anyone could expect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Boulder, CO, USA Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004
$ 200.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating: