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Submitted by
ROCKHOPPERLOU
a Weekend Warrior
from fremont, usa
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | skeggs point | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | jenson usa | | Strengths: | light and stiff. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | specialized crank | | Bike Setup: | stock rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | does not eseally worn out, super light than my stock crancset, super styiff, good lookks. bang for the buck cheap upgrade. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trail thrasher
a Racer
from barbados
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | fort... | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | looks its an ok looking crank makes the other riders scope out your ride.. | | Weaknesses: | loosens up like a ho! i'm a 200plus rider and i need to tighten that crank b4 i ride and a coupla times when i'm riding and it keeps as much noise as a cat having its kittens knowhatimenan what is shimano thinking?? | | Similar Products Used: | none since i started back biking | | Bike Setup: | raleigh m600, shimano deorelx, rockshox judy race, promax discs wtb weirwolf and motoraptor tires | | Bottom Line: | if you can get better do it..blasted noise will scare away bears! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan white
a Cross Country Rider
from wheat ridge CO
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | It is brutally obvious that there are some extremely unintelligent people here. Newsflash:::
THESE ARE NOT FOR JUMPING OFF YOUR HOUSE YOU MENTAL MIDGETS
If you are using LX on your freeride or DH rigs, you are not smart. Plain and simple, really. I sincerely hope this helps.
Oh and by the way LX splined Hollotech cranks are excellent CROSS COUNTRY cranks, especially considering the price. :) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate Kersten
a Racer
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Active Outfitters | | Strengths: | I cant think of any | | Weaknesses: | Stiffness, durability | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face Turbine, FSA, Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | its a woodie | | Bottom Line: | On my second day of riding these cranksi jumped about 4 feet of stairs and ripped the right side pedal out. I called about a warranty exchange and they said "i probably put the pedal on wrong," but Im pretty damn sure i know how to put on a set of pedals. If you are looking for a good set of cranks, i would look towards Race Face. It is a world of difference and they arent too much more expensive then Shimano LX and XT. These things dont even deserve the one flamming turd they are getting. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Tempe Bicycle | | Strengths: | worked well for a short time | | Weaknesses: | rather spectacular triple wear failure. Stripped the spline, sheared off the stopper pin and then discovered that what I thought was paint scraping off was actually the el-cheapo aluminum | | Similar Products Used: | 8 speed LX (please bring back 8 speed) | | Bike Setup: | i-dive 5.0 | | Bottom Line: | mega 9 is a Microsoft-esque marketing ploy Shimano sucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic (classified)
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor,ont,CaNaDa
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the urban jungle | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | lets see strenghts... strenghts... strenghts... nope
none at all | | Weaknesses: | uhh EVRYTHING! i WEnt THROUGH 3! PAirs ALREADY!
first set creeked like hell then they stripped! second pair same thing they stripped to hell! the 3rd time same thing!
crap crap crap crap cranks! | | Similar Products Used: | deore,xt,xtr | | Bike Setup: | 002 norco 125,z3QR20,alex dex32, mavic f519, deore and well now just derore i broke all my lx stuff cuz its crap | | Bottom Line: | the bottome line
they cannot take any kinda of riding at all!
evrytime they brake on me weather its the bolt comming loose,them creeking so danm loud you can hear me comming down the street or them stripping repeatedly!
i will never buy these cranks again!
my next crank will either be bmx or race face prodigy dh wen i save the danm money!
if you are going to use these cranks for freeriding DONT
you will be sorry you bought them
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from TX
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | On-line | | Strengths: | Cheap
Cheap
Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Crank bolts will work loose causing the crank to sef destruct! | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, LX, Profile | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Chameleon running single speed with a Spot 34t ring! | | Bottom Line: | These cranks are not bad for the money. The main problem I've had is that I'm to damn lazy to keep rechecking the bolts to make sure they aren't loose! If you buy these cranks make sure you use locktite on the crank bolts!! If not they will come loose on you and screw the inside splines on the crank arms. This is the only drawback I've found with the cranks. Some people say "man I broke these cranks jumping off a house!?" get a clue these aren't meant for that kind of abuse. Buy Profile or something beefy like that! I use the LX cranks on my trials bike as well and have been very happy with the stiffness. Also, people thinking that upgrading to XT is going to make them better. Just realize that the cranks are identical except the XT has a alloy small chainring. Besides the color that's it! Save your money. Then there is XTR, just look at the difference in the splines on the XTR BB to that of the ES-70. XTR will NOT hold up as well. Yes it will shift better but that's it!!! If you couldn't buy LX cranks for 60$ I would probably try the Raceface DH ISIS cranks for my trials bike but the LX's hold up well as long as I keep them tight and with the money I save I can buy a bunch of LX cranks before I could pay for 1 Raceface. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Braxton
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Silky smooooth, a significant improvement from my stock Suntour-MD P.O.S., lightweight, cost, NO CREAKING | | Weaknesses: | Isn't XTR | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface, Suntour | | Bike Setup: | '01 iDrive 5.0, stock + Manitou Black fork, | | Bottom Line: | Great product for a lightweight rider who doesn't want to spend $250+ on a crankset. Mine does NOT creak, possibly because I had my LBS (Fair Wheel Bikes) install the crank with a the suggested BB (ES-70). It's tough to beat $60 online for a decent crankset that is 70g lighter than a Raceface Prodigy, and doesn't require a sh*tty Raceface BB. Of course, anyone with an XTR or high-end Raceface would say "LX sucks" but then again, if you want high-end why are you looking at LX? 5 Flaming pinched loafs for value, 4 flamers for overall. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BOB
a Cross Country Rider
from Marysville
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | South Yuba | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Strengths: | The price is great. There is not another crank out there that compares for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Creaked for awhile. The crank bolts loosned several times. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Specialized, Raceface | | Bike Setup: | Specialized hardrock,LX and Deore drivetrain,Avid Arch rival brakes,Sun rhyno lite rims,Psylo XC.My urban beater. | | Bottom Line: | I like the cranks for the money. I have given them what I consider to be a good thrashing. They have several hundred miles on them of all kinds of riding. I do not freeride but I ride this bike four days a week. Could be trails urban or the BMX track lots of stairs up and down. They creaked a bit for a while and the bolts came losse. Tightned the bolts a few times the creaking continued. Took them apart cleaned the splines lightly greased them and no more creak. I bought these crank for the price to build up a second bike and have no regrets. I even thought about replacing the Race face cranks on my Superlight with a set because they are pretty old and have seen two bikes.If you want a good crank for agressive XC riding buy them. I do not think they would hold up to freeriding the highest drop I do is 3 feet and they handled that fine. A great value for the money they shift well and are fairly stiff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Klamath Falls, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, nice looking. | | Weaknesses: | Not a high quality product. Makes creaking noise!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F900sx
Shimano LX - cranks, front derailleur, cassette
Sram - ESP 9.0 shifters and rear derailleur, 89R chain
Time - Attack pedals
Magura - 2002 Louise | | Bottom Line: | I bought it because it was so much lighter than equally priced products. After a year of riding, it started to make creaking noises. The problem is how the cranks connect to the BB. The splined part of the cranks doesn't quite fit perfectly with the BB so no matter how much I tighten or lubricate (with anti-seize) the mating parts, it still makes noise!! (It is not the BB making noise). I have taken it to the bike shop and they said there's nothing I can do about it. If it never made noise, I would give it 4 flamin' chilis. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nhiker Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fomba | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Solid Cheap Lite.....Smooth reliable operation once they are installed correctly and broken in. | | Weaknesses: | Creaked like hell at first untill broken in and proprely tightened. Finnish rubs off quickly | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano alivio and sun | | Bike Setup: | Trek 930 RockShox deore LX Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | Go for it but keep working with them until the Freaking Creaking stops! Oh God make it stop!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Davies
a Downhiller
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | This product has strengths!?! Oh ya, it fits. | | Weaknesses: | Everything. | | Bike Setup: | K2 disco monkey, 02 JRt's, hayes mech discs, mavics, fox vanilla rc, all xtr except for this piece of crap and the BB. | | Bottom Line: | You've got to be kidding me! This crank creaks and whines more than a little girl with a skinned knee n' sh it! I'm afraid when a take 5 foot drops that this weak piece of crap is going to break. Hey, does everyone want to know what flex is? Buy these cranks and you'll find out, I'm only 155#!! The only good thing about these cranks is the price. They don't seem to shift or pedal poorly but the loud creaking when putting a little bit of pressure on them is rediculous. I can't believe I built a bike from frame up and insulted it by not putting an xtr bb and crank on. Spend the extra flow and get an xtr! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Salice
a Cross Country Rider
from Nottingham
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, fairly light, stiff, inexpensive, durable and good shifting. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | truvative stylo team, bontrager | | Bike Setup: | KHS 904r XC full suspension. XT and XTR drive except LX cranks. Duke sl fork. Mustang wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Great cranks for the buck! I've had these a year and they've been great and I'm not the smoothest dude over obstacles. More than once these have been used to "climb" logs, rocks etc. and just now have them sorta, kinda bent though I still have no trouble shifting and very little rub against front derailleur. If the big ring ends up being too far gone, I'll just get another crankset for less than rings on more expensive (and only marginally lighter) cranks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel
a Weekend Warrior
from chicago
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | i got them for free | | Strengths: | hmmm let me think.....none. | | Weaknesses: | cranks now flop on the spindle about an inch or so both ways and the cranks are tight | | Similar Products Used: | lx square taper. | | Bike Setup: | planet x zebdi, xt disk hubs, lx v-brakes, azonic dh bar, profile design stem, rs phsylo sl, planet x bmf rim rear, front bfr rim, xtr rear deralliur | | Bottom Line: | they are complete crap. i jumped off a roof and they now move on the spindle like crazy. dont buy them unless your a lightwieght xcountry person. i only wiegh 152lbs and they still broke under stress so dont jump with them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Nitti
a Cross Country Rider
from Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El Morro, Aliso Woods, San Juan | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | These cranks are fairly light and strong. The best on the market at their price point.
| | Weaknesses: | The crank bolts tend to loosen a bit. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | S-works FSR, XT/XTR/LX crank, Mavic wheels. | | Bottom Line: | This is a very good crank for the money. I installed these on my old ride, and they never ever one creeked or loosend.
Since I reinstalled them on my new ride, the bolts are loosening, but they don't make any noise, and they shift great. I cleaned the threads and used blue lock tight; I think that will solve the problem. Most people who are having loosening / noise problems probably haven't retorqued their bolts after break in. Bring an allen wrench, retorque them your first couple of rides; that should solve your problems. Overall, the best crank for the coin. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from NH
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | price point.com | | Strengths: | CHEAP, EASY ON AND OFF | | Weaknesses: | NOT VERY DURABLE. | | Bottom Line: | I weigh less than 200 lbs. In fact I weigh in at 180. I would hardly consider myself heavy nor do I beat on my equip. No downhilling just XC racing. I started with LX hollowtech cranset. It lasted about 4 months, before I had play in the cranks. This was caused by the spline in the cranks stripping. I could pull up and down on both crankarms at once and get them to move. So I replaced them with XT HollowTech crankset and new bottom bracket. I have already used them for 6 months and they are doing the exact same thing as the LX. I would hardly consider this to be an acceptable lifespan for this product. The only bright spot is that online the cranks cost about 60 bucks, therefore they could almost be considered as disposable cranksets. Especially since it will cost over 30 bucks to replace one chainring. Value is OK, quality SUCKS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralph
a Cross Country Rider
from El Segundo, CA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Ana River trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, shifts very well, reasonably light and stiff | | Weaknesses: | Finish scratches easily. No self-extracting bolts. | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face Turbine LP, XT Hollowtech | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Komodo, random parts | | Bottom Line: | Picked this up for $65 and have been very pleasantly surprised. I'm using it with an XT front derailleur and SRAM PC59 chain and the shifting performance has been flawless. It has less chainsuck (none) than my Turbine LP crank. I weigh 165, stiffness is fine. If the teeth continue to hold up I see little reason to keep buying overpriced foo-foo cranks other than image. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clyde S. Dale
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | muddy, rocky, rooty | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Cheap. Strong. Shimano quality. | | Weaknesses: | Slightly uglier than the XT hollowtechs, but who cares. | | Similar Products Used: | XT tapered (loved em'), and Specialized cranks...don't get me started. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized stumpjumper FSR XC Comp 1999. Crosslinks, 747's, Titec seat and post. LX Hollowtech. | | Bottom Line: | Frist let me start by saying that I weigh 240lbs with clothes and shoes on. Needless to say, when I buy a crankset, I don't expect much, because eventually I'm going to twist them off. Shimano cranks are great, especially for the money. The LX hollowtechs are no exception. I've only had them out three times so far since installation, but they have performed flawlessly. Little to no flex, great shifting, and no noise thus far. Even if these cranks break within a year, I won't be upset. Bad cranks, for me, are usually bad from the start, like.......SPECIALIZED STRONGARM! ......Sorry. Anyway, well worth the money. I'd be willing to bet that behind every negative comment on this board refering to the Hollowtechs, is something we're not being told (poor installation, extreme abuse, etc.). Having to maintain and tighten your crankset is common practice when you're 240lbs. Five flamin' pinched loafs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Reading, Pa
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Light
Cheap
Shift Great | | Weaknesses: | Wish there were more bottom bracket options. | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio cranks that really sucked. | | Bottom Line: | Great cranks for the price. Very light and take a beating. Finish could be more durable, it wore off after about 50 miles. On the other hand, it makes you look like you ride a lot more than you do. :oP | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Mackenzie
a Cross Country Rider
from Vienna
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Strengths: | Stiff, light and reasonably priced. Nice finish. | | Weaknesses: | They cracked after only 10 months and Shimano are currently refusing to replace them. I am not an extreme rider and use my bike mainly for commuting to work. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F400 | | Bottom Line: | They were great until they broke, but 10 months for LX Hollowtech cranks is pretty ridiculous. I've now upgraded to XT. I hope they last longer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shaun
a
from sioux falls sd usa
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | i have beaten these cranks to death on granite rocks, and they are still great. they take scrapes and bumps very well. i thought i was going to smap them in half the first time i rode them, but after a year, they are still true. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | 8-speed GT ricochet. 32 toothe front. shimano megarange with xt derailler. pimp | | Bottom Line: | i don't see why you would pay double the price for 10 less ounces that race face and XT offer. buy your girl a rose instead. these are excellent cranks for the price, and if you are able to tell the difference in weight between these rater cheap cranks and those more expensive ones. you are either a pro or a scale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mad Dog
a Cross Country Rider
from B-More Maryland U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco/Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint | | Strengths: | Stiff, light. Reliable shifting. | | Weaknesses: | Color (What is with that ugly LX blue????) Middle ring bent after 4 hours use. Creak and groan like a deaf women having a baby. I never see an animal in the forest, they hear me coming miles in advance. Honestly, at first I thought my frame was ready to burst. A lot of websites and helpful hints suggest Plumber's tape on the spline to halt the noise, but I have not tried this yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugino Specialized Strong Arms | | Bike Setup: | M4 FSR xt/lx drive train X-vert Air fork | | Bottom Line: | Great value, good crankset. I just wish it were a different color (matte black) and didn't make so much darn noise. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gots ToChill
a Cross Country Rider
from Union City, CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Cruz Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Stiff and strong. Improved shifting. | | Weaknesses: | Left crankarm loosens. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | 99 FSR. 01 XVert Air. Mtn Speed kit. LX Hollowtech cranks. Bontrager monkey bar. Time pedals. Thompson post. | | Bottom Line: | Got these after Specialized cranks lost/chipped teeth. Much stiffer than stock Specialized. Improved shifting substantially, no more ghost shifting or misses. Only downside for me has been the left crankarm loosens--same as poster from DC, below. Blue loctite should fix that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a
from SAlem, OR
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, stiff, stiff. Price, price, price. | | Weaknesses: | Zero. | | Bike Setup: | FS bike with a few goodies. | | Bottom Line: | Get these buggers if you want killer friggin cranks but can't afford them. These don't creak, have splined BB, shift nice, light for the price. Get em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louis
a Weekend Warrior
from Milwuakee
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson, USA | | Strengths: | Strong and very light. Acurate and precise. Excellent product for the price. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn S-20, Full XT components, LX Hollowtech Crank | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent product for the price. Performs just as well as XT.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robby
a Cross Country Rider
from chattanooga, tn
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | very light
cheaper than xt
no problems | | Weaknesses: | not xt | | Bottom Line: | these are a great value.. they're lighter than race face! i heard complaints about these cranks flexing....whatever.. unless you're over 250 lbs you're not going to notice any flex at all..
i highly recommend these.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | River Valley Cycle | | Strengths: | Strong, good shifting, cheap, shop through in self-extractor bolts for free. | | Weaknesses: | NONE! | | Similar Products Used: | race face LP's, bunch of shimano | | Bike Setup: | freeride | | Bottom Line: | The only way these cranks will loosen, creek, fall off is if they were installed wrong. The paint chips?? they're anodised although it dose rub off. It sucks that shimano wouldn't share there system but it's much better than isis. My friends all run husefelts and they loosen and bend. All cranks should be torqued during the break in period but each time I checked they were tight. Most of the people who gave tese cranks bad reviews will only be happy once they get DH cranks but then they will complain about the weight, price.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian McMillan
a Weekend Warrior
from Laramie, WY
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tie-city | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Some Bike Store | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Price reflects quality | | Similar Products Used: | Truvative Husefelts, Race Face North Shores | | Bike Setup: | Jamis hardtail, z1, mostly xt setup | | Bottom Line: | A good product if you're broke and need cranks, otherwise, they're kinda crappy, they creak, won't stay tight, the rings are crappy and they don't shift well, bottom line, save your dough and buy something else.
Three flaming turds for value,
Two flaming turds overall... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricky
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield,VA 22153
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | This crank it light and looks ok.It holds up good and I have yet to tighten them up.They seem to hold ok and for the price and weight you get a good deal. | | Weaknesses: | I found they do make a little noise when crank down on them but they work great | | Similar Products Used: | Sungo(Cheap Crap) | | Bike Setup: | Trek ZX 7000 XT but this great crank | | Bottom Line: | Kick butt if you are on a budget and want the great performance.A great value for a XC freerider.Buy them up you will not regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from DC
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Somewhere in mailorder-ville | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, durable, and oh so cheap. | | Weaknesses: | Not exactly flashy, but then again, maybe this should be a strength. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Specialized "strong arm" something something. | | Bike Setup: | FSR, XT drivetrain, ATAC pedals. | | Bottom Line: | It amazes me that people still go out and spend upwards of 200 clams on cranksets when they can bring home hollowtechs instead. Yeah, they don't amaze people with their cool looks, but with the extra cash you can buy a "Members Only" jacket and impress everyone that way.
The difference in stiffness from my stock cranks was pretty noticeable, and the rings have lasted twice as long as my old ones. The only problem I ran into was that my left crankarm had a habit of loosening itself. Get the he-men at the LBS to install them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate S
a
from Clarks Summit, PA, US
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | turkey Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Great Price!!! Extremely Strong!!! Looks sweet not your every day silver. Very Light. | | Weaknesses: | paint chips | | Similar Products Used: | SR Suntor garbage | | Bike Setup: | Haro, Full LX, RS Judy, Race Face | | Bottom Line: | It's Awesome and I'd recomend it to anyone! Its smooth, sweet lookin and STRONG!! Im 150 lbs and it suits me well. shimano's Hollowtech definatly gets my rating of A+ for strength and light weight durability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dustin
a Cross Country Rider
from charlottesville, va, us
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | light, only 9 grams heavier than XT, with 40 bucks less
stiff, way more than my old bontrager
durable, i have hit it on logs and rocks in the 2 weeks ive used and its still on there tight and true | | Weaknesses: | none on this sucker | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager comp/select/race
shimano xt | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000 upgraded to xt stuiff except for this baddass crank | | Bottom Line: | this is A GREAT VALUE. what you get for the money with this crankset is amazing. the thing is so light, and so strong. you should have it installed at you LBS unless youve got a crank-puller and torque wrench, plus if they mess up you can blame it on them. but this is an AWESOME crank. i will never use anything else again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Light weight- compare to the race face NEXT crank. The difference is about 6 grams. Splined BB interface. Very affordable. I like the chainrings. I've heard people complain how teeth tend to sheer off the outer ring when you bash into things- tell me, would you rather lose a tooth, or bend the ring so you couldn't use it? I'd say it's a good call on Shimano's part. Anyway, if you're going to bash into things, get a rock ring. The shifting is flawless. | | Weaknesses: | Left crank arm came loose two hours after installation. This is likely as not my fault- I didn't use the torque wrench till I re-tightened it. You really need a torque wrench to put this on, since there's not really any other way to reach the recommended 300 ft/lbs. No problems since then. The BB interface is exclusive to Shimano, which is stupid. The color doesn't match anything else except other LX stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | Race face turbines, lower-end shimano (Alivio, Acera) | | Bike Setup: | Azonic DS1 set up for XC | | Bottom Line: | I don't typically like Shimano much. Their chains are terrible, their derailleurs can't be taken apart, and their hubs break easily in my experience. Boo to them also for keeping their splined pattern to themselves. However, I mind that less since I put this crank on my ride. I don't see why I'd ever want to get another crank. For about a third of the price of a Turbine LP, you're getting a fantastic crank with comparable weight to much more expensive cranks and strength to spare. Super stiff, light, economical crank. This is Shimano's masterpiece in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kris tachna
a Cross Country Rider
from MIDLAND,MICH
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | PINEHAVEN | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | PRICEPOINT | | Strengths: | price,strength,lightwieght | | Weaknesses: | paintchips. | | Similar Products Used: | olderlx,icon,raceface. | | Bike Setup: | 2001raleighm80frame,lots of up grades | | Bottom Line: | DOES THE TERM CROSS COUNTRY MEAN ANYTHING ANY MORE
THIS CRANKSET WAS NOT MENT FOR BIG DROPS YOU WANT A
CRANK FOR BIG DROPS BUY A TRUVATIV HUSSELFELT
ALSO IF YOUR LX MAKES NOISE TRY INSTALLING IT PROPERLY
I HAVE PUT A LOT OF HARD MILES ON THIS CRANK AND HAVE
NEVER HAD ANY OF THE THINGS THAT OTHERS CLAME
BUY IT YOULL LOVE IT | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Frazier
a Cross Country Rider
from Alpine, UT
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Moab, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came on Santa Cruz Superlight | | Strengths: | Good price
Light
Strong | | Weaknesses: | Unexpectedly, must be tightened during break-in | | Similar Products Used: | various Shimano and Campy cranksets | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | Call me stupid, but in many years of riding I've never had to tighten a crankset.
Well with this splined crankset a crank arm fell off deep into the ride after about 2 months of use. I hobbled back, but had to get a new crankset, this time the XT version. Turned out it too had to be tightened during breakin. Last week on Porcupine Rim a guy asked hopefully, "do you have an 8mm allen?". I did. An arm had come off his new XT crankset.
The guys at my bike shop either didn't know about the need to tighten these or they forgot to tell me.
Shimano needs to put a bright sticker on the crankset advising buyers of the need to tighten during breakin.
Otherwise, this is a truly superior product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KY
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | RatPack | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$54.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | CHEAP! strong. splined. bottom brackets are cheap. | | Weaknesses: | Well, i bent the right arm just slightly downward during the first month (i always do that on everything). | | Similar Products Used: | RaceFace Turbine LP, other cheap stuff. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit, Z1, vueltas, Maxxis, XT/LX | | Bottom Line: | Well, i have been searching for the 'right' crankset for quite some time. After bending the crap out of my Turbine LPs i was in need of something stronger. I didn't want to spend the money on Profiles (wasn't excited about the weight either). The LX splined are so dang cheap that how could you not buy these cranks. I bent my driveside arm ever so slightly in no time. I do that to most cranks. The bottom line is if the keep bending or break. So far these have held up well. My friend uses a pair of these on a cyclecross that he commutes 40 miles a day to work every day on. So far these have lasted him over a year and a half and have no problems. That is alot of miles for a mountain bike crankset. Hasn't had to replace rings either, or bottom bracket.
Buy a pair, they're cheap. if you break 'em let me know and i'll switch too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crazy Bit#$
a
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Plattekill | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Bottom Line: | This is an update on my previous review.My LX cranks,after getting beaten like a red-headed stepchild for almost 2 years,finally bit the dust.After landing a six-footer,the right crank arm snapped right off,causing me to auger my tenderest bits right into the top tube of my Chameleon.OUCH!
Oh well.I should've seen that coming.After all,I weigh 210 and beat the living sh%t out of parts,so this is to be expected...
I will give the LX cranks 3 chilies now(because of my sore balls keeps it from my previous 4-chili score).Say,do you know where I can get ISIS R.F Turbines on discount?Now THERE'S a kickass crank!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a
from Texas
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong, smooth shifts | | Weaknesses: | Jensonusa advertised that these were one key release, turns out that they are NOT one key release. Must use a second generation crank puller to take them off. I notified Jensonusa about their false advertising via email, but they never responded. Then I called them on the phone, and they were no help. All they did was change their website. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Strongarm II | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper M4 | | Bottom Line: | Nicely priced, works well. Beware that these are not one key release. Must purchase at least an XT crank to have that feature. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcel Lopez - Alfonso
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan, Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson Usa | | Strengths: | This crank is very light and strong. Truvativ had problems because it was too light amd it got easily bent. For 46 grams more than truvativ and $100 less this crank is great. Plus is great when shifting. | | Weaknesses: | It is only compatible with th ES70 BB. Creaks a little but you just need to tight it up before every ride and its good.
Finish peels off, but who cares ("i do, but what can i do")
| | Similar Products Used: | crap... | | Bike Setup: | trek 4300. LX crankset, es70 bb, bontrager handlebar, bontrager saddle, manitou magnum fork. everything else is stock, but on its way out... | | Bottom Line: | This crank is very good for the money. It compares to the XT and it is $40 less. Great performance during shifting and up hill...if you want to upgrade, forget about XTR, XT or truvativ unless you have the money to spend. I dont think is worth it. Great value. Lets see how it holds up.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington DC
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Creaked from day one. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Truvative | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Rocket 88 | | Bottom Line: | I respect all the favorable opinions of these cranks, but I sure haven't had a good experience with them. They started creaking and flexing almost immediately after installation and never stopped for long. Retorqueing, teflon tape, grease, new bottom bracket, all worked for a little while, then the creaking would always come back.
I've owned my fair share of cranks, and these have been more trouble than any, and I've talked to others on the trail with the same experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sensible Nick
a Downhiller
from Shrewsbury, shropshire, UK
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything fast, and near vertical. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | proper bike co. UK | | Strengths: | V. Strong, quite light, look horny in grey, and not too expensive.
assuming you're got splinedrive (not sure if there's a square option) the BB is technically stronger and has more torsional rigidity that any square BB axle. | | Weaknesses: | Initial bedding-in results in creaking/cracking noises. THIS IS NOT A WEAKNESS when you geta pair, and start eiding them, TAKE AN 8MM ALLEN KEY WITH YOU and tighten the crank bolts regularly. | | Similar Products Used: | FSA sidewinders (not similar, they are pants) old LX's and XT's, 24-Seven's | | Bike Setup: | 14" hardtail DS/BSX bike with Z1 Drop-offs Hope Open system disks with pro levers, Lx Splinedrive cranks Bulb Hubs D321 Rims ........ | | Bottom Line: | Grease the crank bolts and flanges on the bolts, and tighten regularly. If you let the creaking continue for too long, you will screw the splines in the crank. Tighten them dammit.
These cranks are strong, I've pounded mine hard for a long time, and I've had no problems at all.
solid, and damned good for the money.
Buy'em, and fit them right, and you'll have no problems.
good cranks.
Flaming turds all round please bartender | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Racer
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | stiff arms, great chainring shifting, nice grey anodized colour. | | Weaknesses: | creaks even after the first week i bought this new setup with my new '01 brodie holeshot frame! | | Similar Products Used: | stx crap - super flexy | | Bike Setup: | '01 brodie holeshot, RS psylo sl, raceface cockpit, thomson post, 747 pedals/zuzu flats, irc kujo 2.35's, hayes etc.
| | Bottom Line: | I decided to get these cranks/bb combo with my new frame because they were really cheap [180 cdn for crankset + es70 bb.]
After one week of riding they started to creak LOUD - like metalic clicking and crackling noises with every pedal stroke. I checked to see if it was from the pedals, and it wasnt. So i decided to tighten the crankbolts and WTF??!!? they were loose like a rotweiler from its leash. So i tightened the bejesus out of the bolts, and YAY the creaks wre gone.
One thing is for sure - make sure these 8mm crankbolts are tight as hell or else they will creak, the littlest bit of looseness will amplify the creaks and crackles very much.
btw - i weigh about 195lbs. and ride medium aggressive, about 3-4foot drops no bigger than that.
5 flaming hookers for smokin value
4 flaming hookers for overall performance [quite stiff powertransfer], but initial creaking in the first week.
I will write another review in about a couple months time, see how the durability of these cranks stand up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fatmat
a Weekend Warrior
from PORT Perry, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Glen Major Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Silent Sports | | Strengths: | Look real nice like, I guess they're cheaper (came with bike) | | Weaknesses: | They do seem a little flexy I must say. Creak and now they seem a little loose, and I can't seem to tighten enough! BB is useless when you decide to upgrade. | | Similar Products Used: | Other shimano cranks. | | Bike Setup: | Thin Blue Line Rage with RS Psylo SL fork, XT and XT disk. Enduro Raptor Tires | | Bottom Line: | Cranks are cranks I guess so this one seemed to be working alright until about a week or so ago and it started creaking and now the damn things a little loose and I can't seem to tighten the things. OK I weigh 230 and ride fairly aggresively and do some drops so maybe thats what did it, but that's really no excuse, I've only been riding thses things for about 40 hrs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Racer
from Mi.
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$56.00 | | Purchased At: | jensens | | Strengths: | Stiff for the $, No chain suck,Price. | | Weaknesses: | none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized | | Bike Setup: | stumpjumper comp xt, xtr avid 2.0, new lx crankset,time pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Great crankset for the money. I also put in a new splined bottom bracket and a new xt chain and it works great! I had nothing but trouble with specialized cranks,chain suck from day one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GARY AGOSTINI
a Cross Country Rider
from RODEO, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | SLY PARK RES. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | WITH BIKE | | Strengths: | SEEMS FLEXIBLE AND TOUGH | | Weaknesses: | MAKES AN INCREASINGLY LOUDER METALIC CLICKING NOISE WITH EVERY ROTATION.CHECKED AND LUBED PEADLES NOT IT. MUST BE THE CRANK. CANT GET RID OF IT. MUST BE WEARING OUT. | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | BULIT | | Bottom Line: | SHOULD LAST ALOT LONGER THEN THIS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stan
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | El Preito | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | wheelworld.com | | Strengths: | Stiff,light,Color,and most of all....the price! | | Weaknesses: | None so Far. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Strong Arm II | | Bike Setup: | 2000 GT-XCR5000, "01" Rockshox Judy XC, Gremica Hydro Disc Brakes with Shimano XT Disc hubs, Shimano LX '00'Cranks, XT derailleurs, Panaracer FIRE XC Pros, Azonic Saddle and World Force 1.5inch Riser Bar. | | Bottom Line: | These Cranks Kick ass...they only wiegh slightly more than the Shimano XT's. Ever since I threw these on, I've become a much better climber. The difference between these and my crappy suntour cranks was huge. I believe this is the best crank for the money. Without a shadow of a doubt! I give it 5 Flamin Turds! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spindog
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, TN
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | Universalcycles | | Strengths: | Great price, fairly stiff, smooth as butta shifting | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | M2 frame, marz, etc. | | Bottom Line: | i recently replaced my stock cranks after bending them to the chainstays. so far, so good. i would recommend them to anyone. good value. little flex, fairly stiff, and i'm a fat @#$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Wareham
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Prairie Tx 75050
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Grapevine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes USA/GT | | Strengths: | there wieght for the cost | | Weaknesses: | There attaching bolts suck. It has a habit of backing out or loosing up everytime you ride. And I am not the only person experiencing this problem. A couple of friends and I have tried everything from impact tool-to- locktighting the bolt in and nothing seems to work. | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line. The cranks spline shaft and attaching bolt setup sucks and I am in the process of shopping for a new set of cranks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a
from Fairfax
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | poor farm | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | pro deal | | Strengths: | Great crankset, very powerful and light. who cares if it does not say xt?? | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | junk | | Bike Setup: | gt agressor,jett race fork,xt derailluers,other,etc... | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line on these cranks is that I love them. I have not had one problem with them; they are cheaper than the xt's and worth the money. only thing is they are only compatible with the shimano es-70 splined bb | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a Weekend Warrior
from MA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | performancebike.com - Sale Price | | Strengths: | Light
Stiff
Inexpensive
Good looking | | Weaknesses: | Only compatible with ES-70 slined BB | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Coda, XT, XTR | | Bike Setup: | Custom CAAD 4 Cannondale 8sp setup. Yes, I downgraded (upgraded) from 9sp. I am perfectly happy with 8sp system. It works better than most 9sp systems. (at least, for me) | | Bottom Line: | At $49 @ Performancebike.com when on sale, this is a STEAL. It is not the best crank out there but is an excellent quality piece and you can't beat the price/value of this. It works seemlessly on my 8sp system with SACHS PC 59 chain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian H
a Cross Country Rider
from Rowland Heights, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, great shifting | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't look quite as tricked out as the XT...(personal opinion) | | Similar Products Used: | uh...my old suntour md302....no comparison! | | Bike Setup: | Stock giant rainier except for crank, pedals and seat upgrades. | | Bottom Line: | Great product at a great price. Unless you want to pay $40 more for 9 grams less, or the different color, stick with LX...LX kinda matches XTR.....nah. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bogus Blake
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Schultz Creek/Sunset | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Absolute Bikes | | Strengths: | Strong, light, looks cool, you get to buy another tool | | Weaknesses: | doesnt say "XT" on it | | Similar Products Used: | older shimano and specialized | | Bike Setup: | Rockhopper FSR comp, set up for freeride- XVert, XT drivetrain (LX hollowtech crank: 22,32,bashring), Ritchey Zmax rear tire (2.4), Specialized Big Hit pro front (2.5), kore chain reactor, flat pedals | | Bottom Line: | Bad a$$. I cracked the cup on the bottombracket that came with the bike (it was plastic, and just wasnt meant for droping ledges). I needed to replace it, so I decided to upgrade to a splined setup. My shop was out of the XT crank, so I went with the LX. Im not that concerned with weight and the LX is just as strong. It is really cool to feel so much power going to the wheel. I like the confidence of knowing Im not going to break my bike when I take a drop. Oh yea, the rings are great too. Shimano really knows what they are doing when it comes to shifting. I could have gotten it cheaper, but that was my fault. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crazy Bit%$
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came as part of kit off internet | | Strengths: | -Stiff
-Splined
-Not too expensive
-Great shifting | | Weaknesses: | -Not as light as XT(work just as good,though)
-Finish rubs off
-Creaked at first | | Similar Products Used: | Syncros Revolution chromoly,'98 LX,Truvativ Stylo SS | | Bike Setup: | S.C Chameleon,LX drivetrain,Mantiou X-Vert Super,other awesome stuff | | Bottom Line: | No they aren't the most kickass or poser-worthy cranks out there,but they are a GREAT value(being sold for something like $70 right now),and they work great(especially as part of an all-LX setup).
Mine creaked at first(I reinstalled them and it went away),and after a year of abusive hucking they look like they've been in a train wreck,but they still work perfect!I'd endorse these to all except the craziest huckers and downhillers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vinnie
a Cross Country Rider
from va
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Conte's | | Strengths: | Light, Stiff, Smooth | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Acera | | Bike Setup: | 1999 gt 'bound 2000 xt shift & derail, 2000 lx crank, 99'zocchi Z.1 2000 xt hubs/mavic x221 easton monkeylite | | Bottom Line: | work well, have not broken, lots stiffer than acera (there is a huge difference), shift smoother, look good, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Ape Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Cheap (got on sale at Performance)
Light
Stiff
Strong
Shifting is great | | Weaknesses: | Shimano does not give you a choice of bottom brackets with this design. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR
XT
Race Face
Deore
Many others | | Bike Setup: | Full-suspension bike | | Bottom Line: | I have used many different cranksets in the past. However, this is the best deal on a quality crank that I have ever seen. It is creak free--unlike my '98 XT--and in conjuction with the EA70 BB is absolutely rock solid under foot. It shifts perfect on my 8-speed system. Great deal! I'm not wild about the looks, but this is a great crank. The XT is very nice looking but at almost twice the expense I could not justify the price difference. Great crank. Shimano finally got a crank right outside their steller XTR. Good job. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Grande Prairie, Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I'm not sure | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$117.00 | | Purchased At: | Griffin Bike and Board | | Strengths: | The BEST POWER TRANSFER I HAVE EVER FELT!!!! Great Finish, splind, Awesome stiffnes | | Weaknesses: | Nothing so far, (well maybe the weight, if your weight conscious) | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Crank, Onyx crank (Trek 6500) | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab 3 stock, except LX splined crank(soon clipless pedals) | | Bottom Line: | This is a awesome crank!!! Never road anything with a stiffer crank and that looks cooler! For the price I paid there was nothing better. For anyone who is looking for a new crank this is the one. If you have the money and you are weight conscious you might want to get into the Shimano XT crank or maybe the XTR. But alot of people don't have that kind of money laying around. This is great for any rider I weight 180 pounds and I have no problems. Overall just a kick a** crank! I recommend this crank to anyone!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete mcdonagh
a Downhiller
from portadown,northern ireland
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | your moma | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | splined system, finish, stiff arms, | | Weaknesses: | splined interface has begun to wear and cranks slip and creak under forces. | | Similar Products Used: | stx rc | | Bike Setup: | hardcore hardtail, psylo xcs, sunn mammoth, ground zero, dmr v8, xt | | Bottom Line: | the cranks rode real sweet at the start and the splined system inspired confidence in the shop, but after about 2 months i began to hear a creak in the bb, and this grew to being able to feel movement under all pedaling and landings. these cranks would be grand for xc but anything more abusive, forget it....they're crap! i'm saving for some bmx 3 pc's cos that's where it's at if ur into huge drops, street asault, jumping. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david salisbury
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Great Oaks - blue mountains | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | light, look good, | | Weaknesses: | chain ring strength | | Similar Products Used: | deore hollowtech | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant Warp DS/1 with XT disc brakes, SP545 pedals | | Bottom Line: | i atually purchased deore cranks as my BB was square, after 50 ks the middle chain ring bent so i upgraded to LX ( the XT is the same)
After just 20 ks i notice that 1 tooth in line with the RHS crank arm has broken completely off.
I am not a heavy rider (75 kgs). nor aggressive, perhaps i dont change 100% correctly but i would have thought XT stuff from shimano would have stood up to me..
cant argue with the price however... except chain rings are 1/3 the price of the complete crank.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | whistle lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Cheap, Strong, and lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Finish, chainrings? | | Similar Products Used: | Firex truvativ | | Bike Setup: | Kona cindercone, xt components, avid mech brakes | | Bottom Line: | I wiegh 240 lbs. and ride at least twice a week on this bike. Just about every component on the bike has been replaced due to heavy (literally) use. The only thing in the last year to go wrong with them was the middle chainring wore out. These are great cranks for the money. If they work for me then they can work for anyone sub 250lb | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Ness
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Skyline Park - Napa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bicycle | | Strengths: | Lightweight - lighter than many cranks that are way more expensive.
Shifts great.
Unbelievably inexpensive for the quality. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmmm, it's a couple of grams heavier than cranks that cost THREE TO FIVE TIMES AS MUCH | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Bontrager Race; '98 LX non-hollowtech. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Sugar 2 - LX Hollowtech obviously, TIME ATAC pedals. | | Bottom Line: | They shift great (much better than the 2000 Bontrager Race). They are very lightweight. They are very inexpensive - I got these during one of Performance's $39.99 sales, though I'd still buy them at the regular $60-$70 they go for. Just the best price/performance/weight combination for a crankset that's out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a
from Tulsa, Ok
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | turkey mtn area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | T-Town (the greatest) | | Strengths: | PRICE, weight, pretty stiff, looks (blue/grey) | | Weaknesses: | Cool looking finish wears off QUICK where the logo is. | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face (demo), Bontrager (demo) & other Shimano. | | Bike Setup: | Just fine | | Bottom Line: | This review is a follow up on my last one Ive had a chance to use the crank quite a bit more and in very harsh conditions at that.
The crank holds up well, Ive smacked it on a few large rocks, Ive done a few good drops with it and Ive climbed some really tough slow technical (lots of pressure on the drive train) type climbs.
Other than the finish wearing off the cranks have held up very well and in some serious grit too. Id have to give them a 5 on value because, again, these are priced really well. Ill give ithem a 4 on overall because the cranks are still not as good as Race Face. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff L
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere challenging | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | This crank is durable, light(hollow tech), and looks pretty good. I've hit many rocks and large roots with this crank, it did'nt even break a tooth nor bend. It's a bit scratched up now, but it's still as good as new. | | Weaknesses: | The label rubs off really easy. can't even tell what brand it is anymore. | | Similar Products Used: | suntour 350. shimano XT, deore(the lowest one). | | Bike Setup: | KHS alite 2000 w/ Z2 BAM, MAVIC wheels, SD25 V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | This crank is weighhhhh worth it. For the price I paid and for the way it performs, it's awesome. The bottom bracket adds smoothness to the crank and it's tough enough to handle almost any obstacle. I would'nt recomend it for anything hardcore, but for anything else tis is your best bet for your $$$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JIMMYQ
a Cross Country Rider
from SAN DIEGO, CA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | PERFORMANCEBIKE | | Strengths: | THE PRICE. WORKS GREAT WITH XT DRIVE TRAIN. LX CRANKSET ENDED MY SHIFTING PROBLEMS. I BUSTED 3 CHAINS WITH THE STOCK CRANKSET. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | GT XCR-5000 | | Bottom Line: | I WANTED TO KEEP THE DRIVE TRAIN ALL XT, THAT WAY I WAS SURE NOT TO HAVE ANY SHIFTING PROBLEMS. BUT THE BIKE TECH TOLD ME NOT TO BE FOOLISH BY SPENDING THE EXTRA MONEY ON XT CRANKS. HE WAS RIGHT!!! I WAS ABLE TO UPGRADE MY BIKE TO A NINE SPEED WITHOUT WISHING I HAD JUST SPENT THE EXTRA MONEY ON A BETTER BIKE. IF YOU BUY THESE CRANKS HAVE THE BIKE MECH INSTALL THEM, IT'S NOT WORTH THE HASSLES AND SPECIAL TOOLS NEEDED. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mountain Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bird Sanctuary | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came Stock on my Bike | | Strengths: | Light, Good Rings, Looks Cool, Splined System | | Weaknesses: | Anodization scratches off. Not as stiff as I'd like. Questionable strength. | | Similar Products Used: | Suntour POS, Cyclone POS, Shimano Acera POS. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded '00 Schwinn Moab 1 | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from my previous 4-chili review (which seems to have been erased for some reason). These cranks are stiffer than most, but not as stiff as I'd like. The BB interface is very stiff, the problem is the arms. If you want to see them flex, simply lean your bike's pedal up against something (a stair, perhaps.) The crank flexes way in. Do that with RaceFace, and NOTHING flexes (well, maybe your frame will flex a little.)
I like very stiff cranks, and I don't think these fit the bill quite right. Not just for power transfer, but for control, as well. I'm waiting for RaceFace to come out with a plined system for their cranks (oh, wait, then I'd have to replace my BB, which ONLY works with LX and XT hollowtech cranks! Thanks a lot, Sh*tmano!)
These cranks are not bad enough for me to replace, unless they break. One of my riding buddies broke the pedal threads on his Deore cranks when his pedal caught a root. Somehow, I doubt this would happen with RaceFace. Plus, RaceFace has a lifetime warranty, and these don't.
5 chilis for value, because they're the best cranks you can buy at this price. 3 overall, for durability and stiffness issues. Oh, and don't forget BB compatibility: you get a whopping ONE choice for what BB you can use with these cranks. What a scam. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey Mtn Area | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Pretty Stiff, It works, Looks Tough (HEY! theres nothing wrong with liking the way your crank looks) | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Bike Setup: | Trek, Shimano XT& LX, Rockshok, Thompson, Specialized (parts), Avid, TIME, Gary Fisher (parts). Who gives a rats @$$, it has a Deore LX Hollowtech Crank. | | Bottom Line: | 1 Race Face or XTR Crankset=3-4 Deore LX Cranksets. The LX crank set is Light, stiff & as smooth shifting as they come. I picked up a matching front deralleur and life is sweet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Coffey
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern NH
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | BT trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | universal cycles | | Strengths: | fairly stiff, nice shifting, light enough
| | Weaknesses: | finish is already starting to come off of the crankarms where my shoes rub. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano 95 LX, shimano alivio (total crap!) | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab3, shimano m545 pedals, selle italia flight, titec bar and stem, XT rear deraileur and a bunch of other components not worth mentioning.
| | Bottom Line: | After warping all the rings on my alivio and snapping my BB I upgraded to these. Being straped for cash as I often am the LX was the best I could aford, I was slightly skeptical at first because of the poor performance of the shimano crank this is replacing. But when I rode with them I was very impressed they shift very smoothly despite the fact that im using them with a some what incompatible 8 speed drivetrain. They seem much lighter and stiffer than my old crank plus they use a splined bb, for $70.00 you probably wont find a better crank, sure the paint rubs off but unless your a total poser than that should'nt matter. Ride safe and rember, COLLAR BONES ARE FRAGILE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Downhiller
from berkeley CA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | side-o and litttle hill dual slalom | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | I dont remember | | Strengths: | super strong, splined, OK shifting, removable spider
excellent value
lighter than my turbine LP's, I kid you not(150 grams too!!)
pretty stiff | | Weaknesses: | chainrings arent the greatest...but not to complain | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face Turbine Lps, 99' LX's
XTR DH, RAce FACE dh, profiles | | Bike Setup: | hopefully planet x bommer, z1, Lx cranks, derailer, shifter,brakes, old gt wheels and wtb motoraptor tirews, husslefelt guide, azonic, ODI, avid, platforms | | Bottom Line: | quite indestructable, hellof light, best damn value aroound, Im getting a new 5 bolt spider and putting on my Race Rings
go get them
Oh yeah, same as XT arms butdifferent rings and spider, not much get the LX's
you wont regret it even if you DH, DS and jump, and urban, cause thats what i do on me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from cle elum washington
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | light@stiff,shifts well, durable | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | alivio,dotek,2000 deore | | Bike Setup: | haro extreme,manitou sxr,lx componets,sun rims | | Bottom Line: | great crank,great price there are lighter cranks out there but who cares xt cranks are not $50.00 better if you are looking for a reasonably priced crank, give these lx cranks a try | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mission Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike USA (Kearny Mesa, SD) | | Strengths: | smooth shifting, light, value for the money. | | Weaknesses: | logos wear off quickly - if that is a weakness.
forced to buy a new bottom bracket | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager icon, shimano acera | | Bike Setup: | GF kaitai | | Bottom Line: | Was having trouble shifting after i had replaced the middle ring (bent) of the stock bontranger. LBS suggested that crankset was not so good and better one would help. Voila!! the product, for the money is a great value. I am sure there are stronger and lighter products out there, but if you don't like to spend too much for a quality product, get these!! The feel of the set was noticeable as soon as i got on the bike and the BB is smooth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin King
a Downhiller
from Victoria, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything big | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop | | Strengths: | Out of the box look good and feel stiff | | Weaknesses: | It is very easy to round out the spline they are not very strong cranks. Do Not Buy These Cranks If You Do Anything Over 8ft. I got 6 rides out of a brand new Pair. You can tell if they are about to go because you have to retighten them half way through a ride. | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface, Carumbas, shimano, Will try KooKA Cranks next with the splined BB. | | Bike Setup: | Brodie 8-Ball, Hayes, 24in Sun double wides, Jr. T's, etc... | | Bottom Line: | DO NOT BUY THESE CRANKS AND IF THEY ARE ON A NEW BIKE TAKE THEM OFF AND PUT ANYTHINGS ELSE ON. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RIck
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | performancebike.com | | Strengths: | Its light and strong. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Atlus | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Trek 4500 with Shimano LX crankset and Front deraileur, Performance Topo cliples pedals, all else stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great crank, its light and stiff. I was originally going to upgrade my bike to all Deore XT components, but after I found such a great deal on the LX crankset ($39 brand new at Performance Bike.com) I couldnt pass it up, I also found the front derailleur for $11 new at Supergo.com. I'm still going to put XT on the rear (rear derailleur, cassette and shifter/ break levers). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from FL
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | Prcepoint | | Strengths: | Light, Strong!!! Banged it up a couple of times really bad and is still working amazing... | | Weaknesses: | Can't think of any! | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR... | | Bike Setup: | Nothing Big | | Bottom Line: | Listen if you do not have that much money and you actually read this stuff. Get it.. this crank is worth it. Money is not everything. The more you save the more you can put in for gas to go to better trails............... had to give it 4 chills in overall because the xtr is awsome.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Art Salmons
a Weekend Warrior
from Parker, Colorado
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cherry Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | These cranks are much better the the Altus that came on my bike. They seem stiff and strong. I like the splined feature and the new BB that is required to go with them. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Altus | | Bike Setup: | Trek 820, LX brakes, Manitou magnum fork, XT derailleurs,LX crank, Bontrager handlebar and Bar ends, Selle Tri gel saddle | | Bottom Line: | I upgraded the drive train to XT derailleurs and this crank. The shifting went to totally smooth and positive and this crankset feels very strong and it is much lighter. I love the color too.
I feel that this is an excellent upgrade for a beginer at the price and I couldn't justify the price jump to the XT crankset. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Howse
a Downhiller
from Boulder, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Snake River Mountaiun Challenge race course so far. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | SPORTS GARAGE | | Strengths: | It's very sturdy and the right length | | Weaknesses: | Only 4 bolt so it can't take a MRP chain guide | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Cranks of lesser value | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit with LX/XT, Marzocchi Jr.T fork | | Bottom Line: | I like my bike, but think it would be better if shimano cranks had 5 bolt holes so as you could adapt chain guides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike hughes
a Downhiller
from uk
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | coed-y-brenin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | chain reaction | | Strengths: | light, strong, good looking. | | Weaknesses: | paint virtually falls off. | | Similar Products Used: | allmost all cranks u can think of!> | | Bike Setup: | mongoose n.x 7.1 jnr t's all lx, fsa, maguras! | | Bottom Line: | great cranks for the money!!!!
i have had more sets of cranks than you would ever believe
iam fairly heavy and a rough rider! all the tapers on the cranks i have had except these have gone!! buy these if u are ona tght budget or jsut want them!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DiRT
a Cross Country Rider
from Midwest/Great Lakes
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | Cost, looks, stiffness for price, spline, weight. | | Weaknesses: | Shimano name (har) no color selection. | | Similar Products Used: | Truvativ stylo team (about the same class and weight) (but I have tried XT and XTR cranks) | | Bike Setup: | I put on a 34t middle. use on my ti hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I got these instead of an XT or XTR crank because, well they were so much cheaper. They're really just as good in terms of stifness. XTR rings are better, but you can get XT rings or Truvativ rings which are fine too and cost less.
They're stiff, and look good, except the color is bluish (not horrible, but I prefer red).
They're pretty light, but seems they could have saved some weight in the spider.
Only 4, because even at this price it isn't perfect. (But what crank is?) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Kennedy
a Cross Country Rider
from Worcester, MA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | Strengths: | Light, Inexpensive, Cool Looking, Very stiff | | Weaknesses: | Painted surface prone to sratches | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stock Aluminum crankset | | Bike Setup: | '99 Specialized Hardrock FS. A few mods, obviously including the LX crankset | | Bottom Line: | Wow, these cranks feel stiff! And they're MUCH lighter than what I had before. I paid only $115US for the crankset and the Splined BB and shipping. Not bad at all! I've landed on the crank arms a couple times doing trials stuff and they're still straight (they weren't really bad smashes though). So these appear to be an incredible deal so far. Get em! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob,
a Cross Country Rider
from Derby, UK
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Not enough to have a favorite | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Goods looks, good value, hollowtech | | Weaknesses: | Not so sure splined is best | | Similar Products Used: | FSA Sidewinder, Shimano STX, 99 LX | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler, Z1 X-fly, LX groupset, Hope/Mavic F519 | | Bottom Line: | My new bike came built up from the shop with these cranks, first impressions were good; light, strong, good looking, utilising the latest technology.
My cranks clicked from new, which at first I thought was my new pedals. However further inspection showed that the crank bolts can work loose, if you're caught on a long ride when this happens with no means of tightening them you're buggered. Mine now constantly click anoyingly, I've tried everything to cure it.
Looking at the other reviews here it seems only one other has experienced this, so I can't be too harsh - just be careful not to get grease on the bolts from the splines when inserting them and check they are tight regularly.
At this price they are worth buying to see how you get on with them.
I will be reverting back to a tapered bb spindle for now. I'm not convinced splined is the best system. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tony
a
from kingston
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | this is a follow up to my review below in which i had some dubts about jumping
i landed a hip jump badly and the pedal hit the floor and bent the non drive crank arm inwards so it now runs dangerously close to the chianstya, im buying a replacment and i know that they aren't designed for juping but i thought that it wouldn't be a problem i suppose for £55 they were ok but this insident has put me off the new hollow tech which obviosly lack strength - ill probably get race face next time although there a bit much on the wallet they certainly wont bend ( if they do life time warrenty)
moral you can jump but dont fall - i made a mistake there too XC but sooo cheap
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tony
a
from kingston
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light, stiff good looks and cheap | | Weaknesses: | paint comes off easily | | Similar Products Used: | specialised forearm - twisted
swingio - strong but still flexed | | Bike Setup: | evo II Z3 flylight, Roox DMR tomacs d521 evil twins azonic Pyramiods XT drivchain and LX Chainset | | Bottom Line: | i got these cos i was building up a urban / jump . freeride bike and they had the right price and function . I got the splined version as i snapped a BB axel a few days beofre i was gonna order a normal axel and this put me off a tapered BB
The cranks feel great for what i use them for and although there not really a trials crank / jump there fine ( fo the moment ) and they perform really well for the money . Ive taken most of the paint of doing trials buts thats only superficial so it doesn't bother me
For the price (£55) they can be beaten | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry Coe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light - stiff - cheap - durable (so far). | | Weaknesses: | Does not have the self-extracting bolt/washer like the XT/XTR. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight-X | | Bottom Line: | These are great cranks at a great price. However, if I was buying these after-market, I would be tempted to get the XT with the self-extracting bolts. It's a nice feature, although the new Park splined BB crank puller is only $11-$15. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Wise
a Weekend Warrior
from Nicholasville, KY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Caney Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strength, weight, great design, works like clockwork! | | Weaknesses: | Requires new BB. Not too bad though ($30). | | Similar Products Used: | Suntour crap
Shimano Acera crap | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant Iguana SE | | Bottom Line: | I can only say that these cranks have already made riding more enjoyable and I haven't had them that long. Before, I was always worrying about ascending trails because my crankset sucked very bad and would screw up almost every time. With these I don't even think about it, they are just too smooth! I definitely recommend these as an upgrade to your bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kjc
a Cross Country Rider
from Western MA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | (see below) STIFF, reasonable weight, shifts good, works GREAT with an EIGHT SPEED CHAIN, good finish quality, Cheeeeeep! | | Weaknesses: | Cheap rings, no self extracting bolts | | Similar Products Used: | (See below) Kooka Boonie/RF BB, Sweetwings, Bullseye | | Bike Setup: | '96 Litespeed Obed, '99 Z-2 Atom (tricked out), light wheels/CC parts, full nobbies (depends), ~22.5 lb | | Bottom Line: | Just got a ’00 LX crank (same arms as XT, no alloy outer bolts, diff spider and outer ring), here are the weights (Toledo SMx) and impressions:
’00 LX Crank, 175mm, 22/32/44 rings
Drive arm: 246.5 g
ND arm: 189.9 g
Pair of arms: 436.4 g
Inner CR: 36.6 g
Middle CR: 40.8 g
Outer CR: 82.5 g
Outer bolts (8 pc): 20.2 g
Inner Bolts (4 pc): 11.0 g
Total Chainrings/bolts: 191.1 g
Crank bolts (pair): 36.3 g
Total Crankset: 657.8 g (very close to listed weight)
BB-ES70 (113/68mm): 250.4 g (255 g listed)
Total: 908.2 g
Total w/full set alloy chainring bolts (12 pc): 888.1 grams ***(what is on the bike)***
Estimated Total with alloy inner ring and Ti crank bolts: 852 grams
This compared to the Kooka/RF setup that came off the bike:
’00 Kooka Boonie Drive arm (175/compact): 243.3 g
’00 Kooka Boonie ND arm: 183.7 g
Pair total: 427 g
Action Tec Ti 22T inner (cheaper kind): 26.1 g
RF 32T ’99 (7075) middle, worn: 47.5 g
Real 42T ’96 (7075) outer, worn: 71.1 g
Alloy outer CR bolts (10 pc): 8.9 g
Alloy inner CR bolts (5 pc): 5 g
Total Chainrings/bolts: 158.6 g
RF 107mm steel BB ’00: 217.2 g
Steel crank bolts: 29.0 g
AL SRP crank bolts (est): 10 g
Total w/steel CB: 831.8 g ***(what was on the bike)***
Total w/AL CN: 812.8 g (was used but taken off)
Well, as you can see from above, I gained about two ounces going to LX cranks. Why, you ask, would I ditch my over $200 crank setup and get a much cheaper and somewhat heavier LX?
STIFFNESS! I used to run the very stiff Sweetwings (they broke) and the Kookas were MUCH more flexy. The LX (I rode them about 20 miles on trail in the rain yesterday) are much sitffer. When you sprint, you can’t feel them flexing torsionally like the Kooka. Just standing on them, they make the bike feel solid. The friend I rode with noticed the difference as “a more solid feel”. I would guess they are ALMOST as stiff as the Sweetwings, defininely not in the arms, but the BB is super solid and the spider is beefier.
They went on with no problems, just like putting in any other shimano BB (you do need the right tool), and torque on the crank bolts until they get MUCH harder to turn. The chainrings shift great, but I’m sure they won’t last long. I’m using it with ’96 XTR STI levers, ’96 conventional compact top pull XT front derailleur, and a PC-91 chain (8-speed of course). There is much less drag from the narrow rings than with my old setup.
This is on a ’96 Litespeed Obed, which is not a stiff frame, so I must run a stiff drivetrain.
I did not change any other parts on the bike when I put this on.
I wonder how strong they are? I personally don’t see why anybody would need XTR, other than for the strength (are they actually stronger?), chainring life, and warranty. The listed weight with cartrage BB is 898 g total and it can’t be any stiffer. Raceface, Kooka and all the others seem way off the back in performance and price, but they have the edge in weight, durabilty (from a materials standpoint) and possibly strength depending what you run.
kjc
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
art
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I didnt have a decent crankset - acera that came with my bike. so when I got these, they are light a whole new level for me. color is great- match any frame, its light as many of the couple of hundred bucks one. Strong - have to wait to tell before i ride more with them. but it feels real solid and smooth as you padel. CHEAP - cranks itself. | | Weaknesses: | Have to force us to buy a new BB - which is about 30 to adapt the cranks. and for me I want everypart from my bike perfectly working , had to get a new Fr Der. and a new 9sp chain to adapt ot my 8sp drive train. you can save that if you dont mind a little rubbing during shifting. | | Similar Products Used: | acera crap | | Bike Setup: | T6k with XT brakes,XT fr der. LX rear der. Giro seat, thompson post, shimano padels, ES70BB, LX cranks... | | Bottom Line: | Great value for beginners to upgrade to , relatively cheap,cool color.
great performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael rees
a Downhiller
from england
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the warley jumpspot | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | light, stiff, strong, good quality bottom bracket, cheap, | | Weaknesses: | none, except the finish wears off after a while | | Similar Products Used: | 99 lx, 99 xt, fsa sidewinder x4, raceface turbine lp, stx rc | | Bike Setup: | club roost stinger hardtail frame, bomber z1 bam, d521's on hope sport hubs, kore riser bars, f.u.n.n. seat. | | Bottom Line: | these cranks are the absolute bollox, i normally break cranks at least once a month but these have lasted six and they are still inline. they have taken six months of abuse from dirt jumps to 15ft drop offs!
my local bike shop gave me these to test for them to see if shimanos claims were true, they were! as a lot of riders know me and how i ride in my local area they are pretty sure these cranks are strong! they have even taken my street rides which usually include wall rides, gap jumps, and clearing subway steps which are usually about 10ft high! OVERALL THESE CRANKS ARE THE BOLLOCKS 'NUFF SAID! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Estrella | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This crankset is light and extremely stiff. There is no flex or creaks when I really try to hammer. Those arms are beyond strong. I also love the ES-70 BB's, very smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing, except that I had to by a new crankarm remover. | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio that came with my bike. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 930 | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend this to anyone looking for a serious XC crank, much cheaper than XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Foxboro | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Relatively inexpensive
Light
| | Weaknesses: | Weak chainrings | | Similar Products Used: | Acera that came stock with my bike | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6000 | | Bottom Line: | The crank arms and chainrings look great, don't weigh a lot and seem to be pretty strong, for the most part. My only problem with them is that I've chipped off and bent a few teeth on the largest chainring. I guess, if I was a better rider those teeth would never come in contact with those rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | They are a nice crank . But for drops and hardcore riding this isnt a good crank. For XC style riding these rock
| | Weaknesses: | Nope there good for what they do
There is better | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface, Kooka, Milburn | | Bike Setup: | This is on my wifes bike and they work perrrfect for her | | Bottom Line: | There a great crank and work well ( JUST NO BIG DROPS)
If yer a droppper get a 7075 forged crank
If XC is you or yer a casual rider ...buy these now!!
So for that value a 5 price is right
rating a 3 because there is lot out there thats better | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jaromir Kvapil
a Racer
from Prague, Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | STIIIIIF!!!
looks
light
22-32-44 | | Weaknesses: | none yet and hopefully forever | | Similar Products Used: | old STX or Alivio or mongoose crankset or whatever it was (light, but not too stiff) | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose IBOC0g with Zoke Z3 | | Bottom Line: | I have been using this for two days, but it RULEZ! I have to get used to the 44 chainring, but the crankset definitily is GREAT! Had to buy the new ES 70 bb, but it took about 140grams off my former setup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Overshiner
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, Indiana
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Best cost effective crank upgrade available | | Weaknesses: | You have to use the ES 70 BB | | Similar Products Used: | One piece of crap Sugino impel 700's | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Paragon | | Bottom Line: | The LX hollowtech's are bad ass for the money. They are very stiff, and very light. Even lighter than race face lp's. The new color is cool too. I liked the color of the LX better than the boring silver XT's. Plus the LX saved me over $40 bucks. Still wish I could use XTR BB though. But can't beat them for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from LA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Stiff and light, better than the cheap Truvativ Stylo that I replaced | | Weaknesses: | doesn't come in 46t or 48t | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, Raceface, Cook, Trvativ | | Bottom Line: | This crank is great value for $72 plus $27 spined bb. Just as stiff as XTR and Raceface but lighter. Opted for LX over XT uses the same crank arm and less cost $40 less. This one blew my Truvativ Stylo away, made Truvativ seem like noodle and the LX shift much better. Wish it came with 46T | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rupert Arenas
a Cross Country Rider
from Suisun
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | rockville | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Awesome look(for the $). An xtr from afar (pretender? hehe!)
So light at approx. 650 grams.
Didn't missshift yet.
As stiff as older XTR(per shimano's new spec) | | Weaknesses: | For the money, can't think of anything. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, turbine lp, specialized strongarm | | Bike Setup: | stock cannondale super v 800
specialized stumpjumper fsr-xc comp with the hollowtech crankset | | Bottom Line: | Did a lot of research with both hollowtech lx and xt. The new LX won the best value hands down. My LBS showed a new shimano flyer showing the specs of all the new shimano cranks. LX showed stiffer than XT and equalled the XTR. The only difference from XTR are the chainrings. XTR chainrings are much stonger than LX's chainrings. Cant go wrong on a LX crankset and ES70 bottom bracket installed at $120.00
THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE CRANKSET UPGRADE IN MTB HISTORY.
WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AirKnight
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo, NY
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | EXTREMELY LIGHT!!!
Cool gray look!!!
MUCH cheaper than XT with the exact same if not better performance!!! | | Weaknesses: | damn Deore LX logo got scretched up totally after one single ride!
need the new splined BB (maybe)? | | Similar Products Used: | God Damned Alivio piece of sh!t | | Bike Setup: | GF Kaitai, '99 Z2 Superfly, '00 LX crankset, Shimano M-535 Clipless, Sachs P-51 chain, Michelin Wildgripper Lite S tires, Icon Stem | | Bottom Line: | GET IT! GET IT! GET IT!
Don't even think about getting XT or XTR, they're waste of money. As far as I know, the only difference between the new XT and LX is that the XT has self-extracting bolt, but LX doesn't. I also suspect the XT weight a little more too. If you think the self-extracting bolt, XT logo, and a few extra gram on the XT crank worth $40-50, then get the XT. Otherwise, get the LX!
GO GET IT TODAY!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Miffitt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Marietta, GA
Date Reviewed: November 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
North Georgia | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Stiff
Light
Good Lookin' | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Similar Products Used: |
stx-rc | | Bike Setup: |
Trek 8500 frame, SuperFly, Mostly lx everything else. Thomson post. | | Bottom Line: | These things seem a lot stiffer than my old stx cranks. I'm not sure how much they weigh, but it's got to be less than the stx. They're pretty too. I got these and my superfly at the same time, and what an incredible difference they make. It's like I'm twice the rider I was last week. Anyways, the only real downside here is that shimano has forced us to buy a new splined bb or else these cranks are a no-go. | | Overall Rating: |
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