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Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Weight,Strength | | Weaknesses: | None So Far | | Similar Products Used: | XT Components | | Bottom Line: | It is a great deal I love It and I will never give it up!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cameron
a
from toronto
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | bensbike on ebay | | Strengths: | stiff, great looks | | Weaknesses: | needs to be stronger. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano deore, tru vativ firex | | Bottom Line: | good crank. got it cheap brand new and am very happy with the performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Pretty light, pretty stiff, very good looks | | Weaknesses: | Creaks, creaks and creaks. Also the splines are all mashed now efter some freeriding. WEAK! | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Alivio, Hussefelt, old XT | | Bottom Line: | If you do XC these cranks are great but they cant handle any kind of abuse. If I would still be doing XC I would go for the Deore Octalink since they are pretty much the same thing but cheaper. I paid $120 for these and I think that is too much for what you get. Dropping is so not possible with these. The splines go crazy and the bolt comes loose all the time (I have tried the toughest locktite)
I am sick of all shimano cranks now and I will get On-one retard now. Or maybe profile or ROOX FRD. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clay
a Weekend Warrior
from orono, me, usa
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | urban | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | stiff, lighter than DH cranksets | | Weaknesses: | bolts come loose on first few rides. Take my advice and carry an 8mm wrench or at least check it after every ride for your first few or you might bore out the crank/bb. | | Similar Products Used: | hollowtech lx | | Bike Setup: | 2002 kona stinky dee, xt crank, raceface bashgaurd, azonic shorty stem | | Bottom Line: | sweet set, but make sure to check tightness. It should stop loosening after a few re-tightenings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sante Pelot
a Racer
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Braille | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Reasonbly light, splined, no crank remover required, stiff, strong, have not hade any creaking problems (a lot of people may have trouble with bb's creaking in aluminum frames) | | Weaknesses: | Not compatible with other bb's | | Similar Products Used: | profile cromoly, old square taper crap | | Bike Setup: | Who cares? | | Bottom Line: | Great crankset for the money. Not that I've used xtr, but I think the xt spline is designed better just by looking at it-way more surface area at the interface. I've rode these babies hard for two years and haven't had a single problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Marksbury
a
from Hungry Horse, Mt
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Columbia mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Glacier Cyclery | | Strengths: | Light, strong, no flex | | Weaknesses: | '00 model pressed spider--huge weakness. Changed in '01 to a threaded spider. | | Similar Products Used: | xc pro, lx | | Bike Setup: | Stumpy ht, xt | | Bottom Line: | New threaded design should make this crank bullet-proof. I had to return the '00 model because the spider separated from the crank arm. After about 1000 mi the crank developed a creak. It would come and go but no one could figure it out. Around 2000 mi I noticed the separation. Unfortunatly the warranty only provides the same pressed crank. See ya in 2000 mi. I hate to give this crankset a poor rating because the arms are stiff and I'm sure the problem has been corrected for '01. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ziggy Stardust
a Cross Country Rider
from Outer Space
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Worm Hole | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, light, reliable, shifts well, does not require special tool to remove, looks good | | Weaknesses: | Creaks when retaining bolts come loose | | Similar Products Used: | STX/RC | | Bike Setup: | A good one | | Bottom Line: | The Shimano XT cranks are just fine, and have worked very well for me. Of course I'm not a banzai downhiller, nor a freeriding person. For me, "big air" is when both wheels get 10 inches or more off the ground simultaneously (which doesn't happen often). So please keep this in mind when you read my critique.
What I am though is a high mileage rider who rides fairly aggressive, rugged cross country. I weigh about 185lbs and have had some gnarly crashes where the cranks have mashed into the ground. So far they have been holding up great and seem to be very light and rigid. They shift nice and smooth too.
Yes, they did creak on me and the retaining bolts DID come loose on several occasions. You really have to torque them down (as the directions indicate) and check them frequently after first installing them. I would advise using threadlock (although I havent yet) and just make sure they are tight. Don't assume (like I did) that the creak is in your frame, seatpost or bottom bracket because it is probably the cranks.
After I finally got them nice and tight and the cranks broken in, they seem just fine. Ive even been using them in a singlespeed mode (leaving the gear ration fixed in 2:1) lately which puts a lot of torque on them going up hills...they are handling it great.
Also some folks are griping about the fact that you have to use a Shimano bottom bracket due to the proprietary ISIS drive. Normally I hate proprietary stuff too (especially from Bill Gates), but its no big deal in this case. The Shimano bottom bracket (XT) is very reasonably priced, is lightweight (relatively speaking), and so far has proven durable (after a year of mashing it into logs). So I dont think thats much of an issue personally, but hey you decide.
Overall I give 'm 4 fecal flambes. The only reason they dont get 5 is because of the creak issue (even though it has resolved itself).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TienShan
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodsied, CA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El Corte De Madera | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | cheaper and lighter than XTR | | Weaknesses: | a piece of crap | | Similar Products Used: | 8-speed XTR | | Bike Setup: | Dean TI everyting, Mars Elite with 2001 XT groupo. | | Bottom Line: | I have this XT 9 speed for less than one year. I used to have 1993 XTR 8-speed groupo and I replaced it last year with this new XT 9-speed groupo. I upgraded it mainly because the 8-speed XTR shifter is dying. I did the same type of riding as I have done with my XTR for the past 8 years. Recently I found out one of the tooth in the middle chainring is broken. Incredible. I will go back to XTR if possible even the 8-speed XTR. I think Shimano sacrifices the quality when it makes 9-speed components. Everything is thinner. Anyway, it's a major disappointment. I just can't believe the tooth can be broken with normal riding and pedalling. I even lubricate more often than I used to. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Coral Springs, FL
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Quiet waters | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Great shifting and they stay tight | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Scalpel 2000 | | Bottom Line: | I went to this crankset to go from a double Cannondale 29/44. The Cannondale crank needed to be tightened after the first 7 rides to finally stay tight. The XT required one retightening and stayed tight. Shifts well and looks good on my Scalpel 2000. I weigh 195 and this is plenty stiff. A great value and no creaking. I'd but them again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anton
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | price, stiffness | | Weaknesses: | CREAK, PPING, CREAK... | | Similar Products Used: | XTR | | Bike Setup: | schwinn homegrown | | Bottom Line: | I bought these thinking that shimano had finally come out with a resonably priced alternative to XTR cranks. What a joke! You get what you pay for. I'm embarassed to ride my bike cuz my crank makes so much noise. I've taken them off and retightened everything, cleaned everything. If I got payed a dollar for everytime I tried to make these cranks stop creaking I coulda bought a new set of XTRs. Other than that they are ok. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jin Man
a Weekend Warrior
from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | All Mexico | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Vazher (Guadalajara) | | Strengths: | Light, stiff and nice design, it really looks cool. And of course, it's XT. | | Weaknesses: | None until now. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX-RC, Bontrager Select (It's really a junk), Shimano LX (2002) | | Bike Setup: | Trek 6700, all XT | | Bottom Line: | In my opinion, XT products are great, they really asimilate to the XTR quality, and have a competitive price for the quality and performance of the products.
Before I changed to XT for the Bontrager Select that came originally when I bought the bike, it was Ok for road riding but when I really went to the dirt it was a junk product, the chain sucks and sucks and sucks. Now that I've changed for the XT, WOW, I think my bike is even faster than before.
Aside, I have few friends with this crankset and everybody loves this one.
The only thing that I had to accomplain is the octalink BB, I'd like to use other than this because the size availablity in Mexico. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from P-Town
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Purisma Creek Redwoods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | Mail Order | | Strengths: | Light, shifts excellent, can upshift under a moderate load. | | Weaknesses: | Not XTR, anodized finish wears off when rubbed by shoe, replacment chainrings are cost prohibitive. | | Similar Products Used: | Coda, Specialized-Both had chainrings as soft as lead. | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight with all the good stuff | | Bottom Line: | You can beat Shimano for drivetrain smoothness and shifting performance. When the rings are new they shift perfectly.
Took Peter from Illinois advice on assembly. Permatex, proper torque, clean threads. No problems or unusual noises so far.
Shifts great, light and no noticable flex that my 165 lb frame can generate.
For the price I paid, its a bargain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manuel Ang
a Cross Country Rider
from Bothell, WA USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jury still out on this one. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | "Shimano compatability", looks, hollow tech tech. Gram for $ probably the best crank out there. | | Weaknesses: | Not XTR, not the lightest crank. | | Similar Products Used: | SA I, SAII | | Bike Setup: | 2k1 SJ Pro | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what everyones big deal with cranks are but the cranks on my old rock hopper and the SA II that came with this rig were fine. I would only swap or change out cranks if I was fat and bent them, was rich and wanted the best stuff, was weight concious, or needed a special app like DH. I got them for the weight and uniformity aspect of the drive train. The cranks are ok I guess, I would recommend a splined type of BB over a square one, but I wouldn't change cranks on a crappy bike. The XT cranks give me a sort of mental confidence when it comes to my drive train and my flight deck computer. Although they have nothing to do with the computer's operation the cranks make me "feel" as if the whole unit "should" work. Nothing more than that. Other than that the only other thing I can say is that they work and look a little cooler than the SA's that came with the Stumpy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Victor Komma
a Racer
from Tokyo
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountains fire trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Azaso | | Strengths: | Stiffness, value, good overall design, the BB | | Weaknesses: | Need to re-torque during break in period, too wide for sharp cornering | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Ritchey, Suntour XC Pro | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar LE on 1.00 slicks for urban action, no suspension | | Bottom Line: | I've put on 20,000 kms of hard urban riding on this crankset and I must say, the XT Hollowtech is a huge leap ahead for this price compared to the old square taper models. I haven't tired the ultra high end XTR, Raceface, Syncros stuff but for sheer value for money and performance the XT can't be beat. The power transfer to the wheels is noticably better as the flex in the crank arms is reduced substantially compared to the older models. On the minus side, the BB nuts have to be re-torqued after every ride in the first 1000 kms of use. This is a minor irritation because once bedded in, the EA70 BB and the XT crank are one tight unit. The only creaks come from road debris and dust between the spider and the chain rings. Throw a bucket of water over it and the noise is gone for a week. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Bear, DE
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fair Hill, MD | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Strengths: | It's XT, it's good. I haven't killed it yet. | | Weaknesses: | None, It even eats tree trunks with no problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Stx, Redline, Alivo | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Race, XT Setup w/ Rolf Wheels | | Bottom Line: | It's XT need I say more... It's also lighter and cheaper than the XTR hollowtech cranks, go figure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dimm
a Weekend Warrior
from new york
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | I'm rating the shimano XT 2002 hollow crank. its sleek and durable and no problems with shifting that i had earlier with a lower end model shimano crank. and the weight is a tremedous difference. quite light, comin in at 657 grams. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | shimano tourney, altus | | Bike Setup: | gary fisher sugar1: xt/xtr guts, shimano rims, thompson elite stem/seatpost/nokain gazzalodi core 2.3 freeride tires. | | Bottom Line: | you get what you paid for, i used cheaper cranks and tried oout different model, and there are shifting problems at times and the front dureailler isnt always to blame. however this crank fixed that problem for me and gave me a product of true value. do not hesitate to buy this crank | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Tucker
a Racer
from Winter Park Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | mountain goat | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | good chain ring setup. stiff. Take alot of abuse. way better than squar shaft way. | | Weaknesses: | crank arms are fusy how you put them on. If you put them on right they do not creak. Shimono has the worst customer service. Just hope the set you get has no problems. | | Similar Products Used: | oem | | Bike Setup: | diamondback V-link | | Bottom Line: | This is a good product. Take care seting it up. Ride it hard it will not break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Deerfield, IL
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Skokie Lagoons | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Stiffness, light weight, great value, inexpensive chainring replacement cost versus the XTR (ridiculous gouging). | | Weaknesses: | Bad PR from those who install the bottom bracket incorrectly
or who mistake bad threads/warped BB frame housing for poor design from Shimano. 858 pedals sucked, the XT BB/crankset does not. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, other Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Fisher Sugar; all XTR except crankset | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding value. Very stiff and lightweight. Absolutely no problems from a 6'1" 225 lb. rider. Note: 1)Clean BB housing thoroughly with lacquer thinner, 2)Lay a machinists straight edge along threads to make sure frame BB housing is not warped, 3) Do not use grease on threads (not as stable as anti-seize compound), do not use teflon tape on threads unless the frame material is titanium (incorrect torque readings), Red locktite can make disassembly problematic, Blue locktite is better of the two for aluminum, BEST thread treatment is permatex anti-seize compound. Anti-seize compound is designed for high contact pressure and prevents galling and cold welding on aluminum. It lasts much longer than grease and will not squeeze out or wash out like grease. You absolutely MUST use a torque wrench for installation. The correct torque reading is 50 foot-pounds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Orlando, Fl
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lakeland | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Wieght to cost ratio | | Weaknesses: | Overall design | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT (square BB) | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Moab, Judy Race, Full XT 9-speed | | Bottom Line: | This crank is no good for the average XC racer/rider. It gave me nothing but consistent failure. After spending my hard earned $$$ only to have the pedal attach to my shoe better than the crank arm attached to the BB is a let down! I have contacted Shimano 3 times for advice with no response. If they say it is an installers mistake, then I say the design is poorly thought out from that aspect because I followed the directions (+ 5 years experience wrenching my own stuff). Perhaps the splined BB design should be abandoned and avoided. I am putting my 4 year old XT crank back until I save the money for RACE FACE or decide to try out a TRUVATIV. Until then I ask: SHIMANO WHAT ARE YOU DOING? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Downhiller
from nh
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | your mother | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | stock | | Strengths: | Stiff. Strong, so far, look decent. | | Weaknesses: | creaked, then tightend BB and Crank bolts. ing get down on the crank bolts. other than that none | | Similar Products Used: | specialized strong arm cranks | | Bike Setup: | FS, psylo.rynos. and fine Tiogas Dh23s.
| | Bottom Line: | These cranks have held up to 5 foot drops numerous times on various terrain, along with a few DH races.since the spring.They are stiff and stable even with flats.Once you even hear a creak. get in there and tighten em up.as much as you can possibly beyond common sence. even the crank bolts. Ride it. hear creaks tighten the love juice out of it again. This worked for me, and i had the problem solved within a week,hmmm xt hollow tech cranks.since they came stock on my bike all the better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DoctorJD
a Weekend Warrior
from Eatonton, Ga.
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$115.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light, looks cool, price. | | Weaknesses: | Must buy a new bottom bracket when you purchase one of these unless you already have splined. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized house brand cranks. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 FSR-XC, Mountainspeed x-rated link, Speedplay Frogs, Thompson Elite post, Panaracer Fire XC Pro's, XT Drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | I was a little apprehensive about buying this crank after reading some of the "creaking" stories but I thought...what the heck. Thus far, I don't regret it. I haven't heard a peep out of it. I followed the torque specifications to the letter (crank & bb) and, cleaned the crap out of the bb shell before installing the bb. So far, so good. I'm not saying that the reviewers that are having creaking problems didn't follow the same procedures, I'm just saying that I did and am very pleased with this crank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hiro Yoshida
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Compatible with LX BB | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to diffrenciate the performance between LX and XT | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Y2K V800 with Lefty, Grimeca FT/Shimano RR
Thompson seat post. C.king RR Hub, Lefty FR Hub
Marvic 321 Rims, Raceface HNDL bar, XTR FR/RR shifter and
WTB Laser saddle | | Bottom Line: | I felt LX was little bit "Soft". The reason why I did not buy XTR was BB and gear ratio.
I have a good torque wrench so I cannot strip the thread.
I hear NO creaking noise what so ever. I am 140 LB and I may not be so strong like other riders to deform cranks.
This XT was so nice and it really like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porc Rim, without a shuttle | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | They are light, nice and stiff, and do their job at a really cheap price. | | Weaknesses: | WILL YOU JUST FREAKIN STOP CREAKING ALREADY!?! | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, Race Face, Cook Bros, Sweet Wings, CODA 901, Magic Motorcycle, etc | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 1 w/ Marz Atom 80, Maggies, ESP/XT drivetrain, custom wheels | | Bottom Line: | I really like them. They work fine. They are stiff, light, and I dont worry that I will have to max out my credit card if I break one. BUT, they creak all the time. EVERY POSSIBLE THING is greased with Phil Wood and they still WONT SHUT UP! I am getting used to the constant noise, but it is really irritating. Somewhat comforting though on those long 5 hour rides, in an odd sort of way.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Clarke
a Cross Country Rider
from Euskadi
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light, strong, works well apart from creaking. | | Weaknesses: | Creaking, minor design fault in construction. | | Similar Products Used: | Old XT cranks. | | Bike Setup: | All shimano drive train: LX cassette and shifters, avid rival arch 50 brakes, rockshox indy SL forks, old team marin steel frame. | | Bottom Line: | Having spent a lot of time investigating, and almost going bonkers in the process, I think I have finally the creaking problem with hollowtech XT cranks. In the process I have tried just about every solution for noise problems - different types of grease, more or less torque, plumbers Teflon tape, loctite, substitution of bottom bracket, changing the plate bolts, etc., etc. I have also read everything there is on the Internet including stuff here. By process of elimination and logical deduction I can now reveal where the creaking comes from! The creaking comes from the right-hand crank which has a two-piece construction. The crank arm is pressed into a piece which has four-leg spider which the chain rings bolt on to. My theory is that the creaking is caused by microscopic movements between these two pieces. On some sets this won’t happen and on some it will. It’s just a question of luck. You can even hear a sort of pinging sound when you bolt the crank onto the axle, even when the axle isn’t on the frame, and having removed the chain rings. This is probably because the crank arm expands slightly as the axle is driven in. Under the torque of peddling the torsion produced creates microscopic displacements which cause the two pieces involved to rub together. You can’t dismantle this - however, you take the crank arm off the bike and lay it down so it’s horizontal, then you squirt penetrating oil so it fills a kind of concentric recess around the centre hole where the two pieces are squeezed together, and leave it overnight. In the morning you won’t notice any difference but microscopic quantities of oil will have seeped into the join. You can also squirt some oil into the recess on the other side. Anyway, this is what I did and the creaking has finally disappeared. I also recommend replacing the aluminium bolts that hold the chain ring on with steel ones. Mine broke off anyway when I tried tightening them up. The LX crank set, which also apparently creaks, has the same construction so it’s a problem of the design which probably has a simple solution in the construction process. It’s a cheap way of making them, which is one reason (apart from marketing) that they cost half an XTR crank which has a different construction - the spider is bolted on. I honestly think it have little to do with the splines of the axle or the bottom bracket unit although in some cases there may be problems if you allow them to work loose. In any case, judging from what I’ve read here it’s a design fault that Shimano ought to solve, because apart from this problem I’ve found they work fine and they’re light and strong. If you're as neurotic about noises as I am, beware. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | I'll never tell | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Cheap, nice finish, match my XT rear hub, light | | Weaknesses: | creeeaakkkkk, creeeakkkkkk, | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | Kona Manomano many modifications | | Bottom Line: | Buy the cranks but be prepared for a break in maintenance nightmare. You will continually tighten and regrease the arms to the BB and rings. I installed the cranks and the first ride heard that utterly annoying creaking. Took home retightened and greased arms to BB, then discovered the bolts to the rings were all loose. If I had to do it all over again I would of waited for the RaceFace ISIS cranks and bought them. I also bought some Shimano 858's that are impossible to clip out of. I've always rated the quality of shimano excellent, but after two crappy purchases I'm not sure anymore. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Poughkeepsie,NY
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Stiff and strong - noticeable difference from the Bontrager Race that was stock on the Sugar2 | | Weaknesses: | None - but you should re-torque the bolts a few times until they seat in... | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager race, other Shimano | | Bottom Line: | I bought this to fix the chain suck problem on my Sugar 2 and it helped, but I still get occaisional chain suck on the middle to granny downshift... They feel a lot stiffer though, especially standing on them..
As for the problems mentioned with bolts coming loose, I re-torqued after each ride for the first 3-4 10 mile rides and the crank bolts did loosen slightly. They have now seated in completely amd I've had no problem since. I've got the crank bolts at 38 ft-lbs. I also snugged up the ring bolts after the first few rides and these seem stable now as well. I suspect that if you don't re-torque a few times things will get real loose and you'll trash the spline interface. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ville Lekholm
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Velodrom Stockholm | | Strengths: | Light weight, extremely stiff | | Weaknesses: | none so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Coda 701 | | Bike Setup: | F2000 '98 | | Bottom Line: | People complain that these cranks creak, and generally make a lot of noise. Granted, I come from a coda 701 which is notorious for the same reason, but I have no complaints at all. All the bolts needed tightening every few miles when the cranks were new, but nothing after the first couple of weeks. Perhaps failure do perform this tightening can cause the creaking? Also, I love the integrated crank-removers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tripod
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike | | Strengths: | light. stiff...did i mention light? | | Weaknesses: | none so far. Wish the crank arm was black. would look cool with black crankarms and the black rings. aesthetics only. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized forearm. | | Bike Setup: | stumpjumper pro. all stock except for the new cranks and splined BB. ringle' stem, salsa skewers | | Bottom Line: | good crank so far. noticed weight from old crank. feels much stiffer on climbs. lotta power. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clint
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Solid Crank, Improved shifting over stock cannandale cranks | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | 5 yr old LX cranks that are still going strong | | Bike Setup: | 01 Cannondale F600 Disc, XT CRanks, XT drive train
| | Bottom Line: | I was concerned with the reviews on this crank. I can only say that any one who has had problems must not of installed these cranks correctly. The es70 bottom bracket is smooth and at 55 ft lbs of torque it doesn't move or make any noises. the XT cranks arms were torqued at 36 ft lbs and then I removed them after two rides to retourque the bottom bracket. I reinstalled the arms, retorqued and 5 rides later all is well. This was the best upgrade I could have done on my new F600. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fenton Beech
a Weekend Warrior
from Hudson Ohio
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The ones that i make | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar outlet store (gone now) :( | | Strengths: | Light strong cheep | | Weaknesses: | Looks somewhat plain | | Similar Products Used: | Many difrent cranks the only thing that has felt as stiff is the specialized big arm that came on my new big hit comp(they weighed WAY more though) | | Bike Setup: | These cranks have been on 3 bikes now all of them have been freeride bikes that do many wheelie drops one was a hardtail and the others were fs bikes
Currently on my Specialized Big Hit comp.
Deore shifters
LX Front der. & casset
XT hollow tech crank, BB & rear der.
Hayes hydro disc brakes 8 in. front rotor
Marzocchi Z3 w/ QR 20 Plus what ever the plus is??
Specialixed hubs w/ Sun Rhyno Lite rims
Shamano 646
solid Al DH stem
Specialized riser bar
LP carbon seat post
Fizik cow saddle
| | Bottom Line: | They work rather good i have not been nice to these at all and have had no problems i weigh 180 so i'm not a light weight but i'm not huge and not a problem w/ them on any of the bikes even when dropping 4 to 5 feet on the AL hardtale | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dana
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Stiff, Lite, Price... | | Weaknesses: | If not installed right it squeaks like a mo-fo, middle chain ring | | Similar Products Used: | Bontager | | Bike Setup: | Dakar Expert 21" XT drive train with ArchRival 50 brakes, Mavic 517 on XTR hubs, Zocchi CR up front, Thompson post | | Bottom Line: | I weigh 265 and after installing to factory specs...GREASE ON EVERYTHING (no teflon tape) 36 foot lbs of torque to attach the arms on to the splines, 45- 60 foot lbs to install the BB. 700 miles later and still no squeaks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Racer
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, light | | Weaknesses: | Creaking and clicking defies logic and pisses me off! | | Similar Products Used: | I have been using XT cranks since the dawn of time. They have always been reliable until now. | | Bike Setup: | Fat Chance XT Mavic Marzocchi | | Bottom Line: | I have been a mechanic for 10 years. I have never had so many problems with a crank. It clicked and creaked and no amount of tightening would fix it. So I took the cranks off and reinstalled them and it stopped..... for about 3 rides and now its back.
These cranks suck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$97.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo.com | | Strengths: | strong
stiff
$$ | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized strong arm | | Bottom Line: | This is a really good crank. Lightweight & stiff. I was a little sceptical after reading some of the reviews, but haven't had any problems with them yet. You need to keep after them for the first few rides while there breaking in. Tighten, tighten, and continue tightening the BB bolts before each ride until you see that they don't need tightening, then your done. They won't loosen again. If you don't do that, the slop that develops will destroy the spline quickly. Then your in the same boat as the other 1/2 of people on this product reviews. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Filip Popov
a Cross Country Rider
from Sofia/Bulgaria
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Local Giant dealer | | Strengths: | tight, stiff | | Weaknesses: | they creak all the time
click click click ........ makes me crazy | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC Team, SRAM 9 rear ,XT front ,Taurus rims ,Psylo SL
RS pro deluxe, MPH2 hydra discs, TEAM frame | | Bottom Line: | They started to creak and make clicking noises from the first hard ride (around 80 km.) and i can't make them stop.:((( I am sorry i bought them .... May be i`ll take Raceface | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Filip Popov
a Cross Country Rider
from Sofia/Bulgaria
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Local Giant dealer | | Strengths: | tight, stiff | | Weaknesses: | they creak all the time
click click click ........ makes me crazy | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC Team, SRAM 9 rear ,XT front ,Taurus rims ,Psylo SL
RS pro deluxe, MPH2 hydra discs, TEAM frame | | Bottom Line: | They started to creak and make clicking noises from the first hard ride (around 80 km.) and i can't make them stop.:((( I am sorry i bought them .... May be i`ll take Raceface | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | Light, stiff | | Weaknesses: | That you must use an ES-70 BB - CREAK, CREAK, POP, PING, CRACK, CREAK, POP, PING, POW, CRACK, CREAK..... | | Similar Products Used: | UN52 and UN72 square taper BB with 1998 LX cranks | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Trek SLR frame, '00 SID XC, all XT 9 Speed, Avid Arch Rivals, Thomson stem/post, Easton CT2 Carbon bar, XTR/Mavic 517 wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Crap, crap, crap. I wish I had never purchased this crankset and the p.o.s. BB. I was running a 1998 LX/XT 8 Speed drivetrain and decided to upgrade to all XT 9 speed stuff this year. I went with the XT cranks, as opposed to Race Face stuff, because it was the same weight for half the price. However, ever since this crankset and the ES-70 BB was installed in March, all I get is CREAK, POP, CREAK, POP, CREAK, CREAK, CREAK, POP from the BB that I never got with the old square taper Shimano stuff. I have had the BB pulled 4 different times and checked, and the crankarm bolts all checked a similar amount of time. 4 different LBS bike monkeys have tried more grease, less grease, teflon tape, chasing and facing the frame - you name it, the monkeys have tried it, and nothing helps. My advice - stay away from splined cranks - theoretically, they're a great idea, but they put too much pressure on the BB area. Stay with a square taper and get Race Face. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, cheap | | Weaknesses: | Creaking, cheap ass middle ring | | Bottom Line: | For the price these cranks are worth the money. They are stiff and fairly light and much better than my previous Strong Arms. They creak and creak and creak though. Maybe it is the way they are installed, but give me a break, you shouldn't, and don't, have to have a Phd to put cranks on your bike. Worst of all though, I wore through the middle ring in JUST OVER A MONTH. Now that is cheap. I don't care what you say, but that is ridiculous. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin
a Cross Country Rider
from Kelowna B.C
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all that I've been on | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonSA | | Strengths: | These cranks kick ass none the less. I've looked on here before at the reviews and people saying they creak and are cheap feeling. They are Light and strong and if you knew anything about how a crank is made you can fix 99.9% of the problems | | Weaknesses: | the rings are I thought cheaply made and this is the reason they creak so damn bad. but I've fixed that and I love them now. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized forearm (heavy) | | Bottom Line: | If you buy these cranks and have a spare four bolt from your bike take the middle ring off the old ones and replace the XT middle and grease the threads on the bolts connecting the rings to the crank. This can add weight but it stops the creaking, hey will you really notice? also always check you crank arm bolts and I recommend not putting in the second little screw thing over the bolt its just too much to take off. also a stupid design. trust me on the ring swap though it works | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$97.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | They're light, stiff, splined, and purchased with Shimano mid range rings for less than $100 from Jenson. | | Weaknesses: | Not as stiff as my Raceface LPs.......but hell they cost less! | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface LPs, Ionic Billy's, Specialized Strong Arm's, Stratos, nonsplined XTs........ | | Bike Setup: | Racer X, Atom 80, Chris King HS & ft hub, Time Carbons, Thomson post, Easton carbon monkeylite, Titec stem, Flite saddle, XTR rr Derailleur, rr hub, & ti 12-32 cassete, XT ft derailleur, bb, & 8 sp shifters, Mavic 517 rims, Panracer Fire xc pros.... | | Bottom Line: | Great crankset for the money......I've broken every crankset I've owned other than Raceface and Shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Zoom
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Aliso Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | These cranks give you just about everything a typical cross country rider would want. Great shifting, very stiff, very light, noise-free, install and forget. | | Weaknesses: | Kinda boring looking. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, mostly XT setup, etc. | | Bottom Line: | A great set of cranks. I can't imagine justifying spending something more unless image and looks are a critical issue for you. (I do love the way those Next LP's look, but I'm totally happy with these. Maybe if I had too much money lying around I'd give em a try.) I'd buy these again in a heartbeat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SPUD LEE
a Weekend Warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | JUST REPLACED 99 LX CRANKSET AND BB WITH 2000 HOLLOWTECH XT CRANKSET AND BB. WEIGHT SAVINGS JUST UNDER 1/3 LB, SO NO BIGGIE. WEIGHT VERIFIED ON ELECTRONIC HI TECH POSTAL SCALE AT WORK, WEIGHED SEVERAL TIMES, SAME RESULTS. I HAVENT YET PUT MILES ON EM SO ILL ONLY RATE 3 SO AS NOT TO IMPACT THE AVG. DONT YET KNOW BOUT STIFFNESS DIFFERENCE, I'LL FOLLOW-UP IF I NOTICE A DIFF. | | Bottom Line: | 1/3 LIGHTER CRANKS AND BB THAN 99 LX | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacratomato
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rubicon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, light | | Weaknesses: | Real sensitive to right torque! | | Similar Products Used: | Pre-2000 XT | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight,Marzocchi Z1 Xfly,Gripshift-9, XT-9,Mavic d521 Downhill wheels, XT Disc Brakes | | Bottom Line: | Noticed lots of problems with creaking. I ruined a set of these cranks by not setting proper torque. After a few rides with them too loose, the bolts would not stay tight, even after setting them to the right torque. Once the splines are elongated, they're toast! Looks like 32 FT LBS is close to the max torque. Don't run them loose or you'll be sorry! I really wish Shimano would put a big warning label on them to prevent idiots like me from gettin in a hurry to ride without doing my homework!
Other than that, the new set works great!
I'd give them a five, but deduct one for the no warning thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cap'n Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston-USA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Jack Brooks Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light, STIFF, shift compatibility | | Weaknesses: | Hadn't found any yet | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, LX, ICON Sterling, RaceFace Next LP | | Bike Setup: | K2 Zed, full XT, Z2 bomber | | Bottom Line: | I got lucky - Supergo was selling it for 89.95...wish I'd bought a case of 'em!! I'm 6'1 and 210 pounds, I've run most all the high-end Shimano and other cranksets - these are the BEST by far. They don't flex, they don't "creak", the chainrings don't bend, they're CRAZY light - and the ES70 BB blows the M952 out by far (replaced 2 stripped right crank arms on my XTR before I gave it away).
For about $120 you can have an all-around great crankset and BB - what more could anybody want? These get 5 burning armadillos or whatever the heck they are...RIDE ON, Y'ALL! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PW
a
from Lacey
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Skookum | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Light and rigid. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket (ES70) created creaking/cracking noise. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Shimano BBs. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 2000. Hayes DBs, XTR Rear-D, Flite Gel Saddle, Sun DX1-XC Rims, Continental Explorer Pros Tire, Shimano Coda mix. | | Bottom Line: | I bit lighter, much stiffer and better shifting than the original EX3 Coda cranks. I can definately feel the increase in power transfer to the back wheel when climbing. The installation instructions in the box were for the old square tapered cranksets. Not good for the novice mechanic. The ES70 BB creaked and cracked from day one. I tried everything; less grease, more grease, less torque, more torque, ani-seize compound, plumbers tape, and even an exorcism. I Finally threw the towel in and took the bike to the shop. The mechanic called Cannondale and they said wrap plumbers tape around the BB threads and re-install without grease. Problem solved. Evidently Cannondale has had few trouble calls for creaking bottom brackets in their Jekylls and this was their fix. Later on I will probably have to use a jack hammer or C4 to get the sucker out. I will give it 4X4 chilis for stiffness, light weight and good shifting. My problems were a result of bike frame/component compatibility and or operator head space and timing. I'm sure most XC types will be pleased with the product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shelley
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Cod, MA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$97.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Very stiff, just as advertised | | Weaknesses: | None So Far | | Similar Products Used: | Various XT & LX Cranks | | Bike Setup: | Specialized S-Works, XTR, XT, Racelites, CT-2 Handlebar, Thomson Stem & Seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I have used a lot of bike junk over the years and have never felt the need to post a review on anything until now. What a difference!! I could not get over how stiff these cranks were compared to the 99 square taper I had been using. I noticed it right away. Thought I had a different bike! Well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Bertelsen
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike swap | | Strengths: | Very stiff. I weigh 190 and I never felt them flex at all. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Icon graphite crank, LX hollowtech. | | Bike Setup: | 99 team Marin wiht full XTR, thompson post and stem, Monkey lite, SID XC, ti flite saddle | | Bottom Line: | I got this for a great deal and it is lighter than the XTR. If you want XTR performance for less than half the cost then look no further than this crank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mtnbikej
a
from Tustin,CA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Switchback Cyclery | | Strengths: | Stiff
Light weight
Splined BB
Relatively inexpensive
Nice looks | | Weaknesses: | Wish it came with a 46T
Not compatible with XTR BB | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Alivio
Shimano Acera
Shimano STX-RC
Shimano LX
Shimano XT
Shimano XTR | | Bike Setup: | '00 SC Bullit
Marzocchi Z1-CR 5"
Hayes
XT/XTR
Hadley/317
2.4 Motoraptors | | Bottom Line: | Very nice cranks. Have had them about 4 months and no problems. I am 215 lbs. and have felt no flex what so ever. Tehy are realatively light(lighter than XTR) and not too expensive. Love the splined bottom bracket/crank interface, very strong. However did bend the spindle on the botom bracket after a crash. The cranks came through perfect.
If I had a complaint about these cranks is that they don't come with a 46T. I totally dig the 22T but would rather have the 46T rather than the 44T. Also, I wish Shimano would make all the cranks universal with their bottom brackets. Would prefer to run XTR bottom bracket with XT cranks, but noooooo.
Oh, well. Great cranks. Good value. Buy'em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob Pomerantz
a Weekend Warrior
from storrs ct usa
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | nipmuck | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Scotts cyclery | | Strengths: | Stiff and light i am a 190lb rider and there is NO flex very good price | | Weaknesses: | your kidding | | Similar Products Used: | stx rc shimano crank | | Bike Setup: | 1999 haro ex2 rock shox judy race kore light 3 stem and bars | | Bottom Line: | very good deal stiff light | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Howard
a Cross Country Rider
from Kent
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Stiff,Stiff,Stiff...Price,Shifting,Weight | | Weaknesses: | Rings are a bit soft,only two bb widths | | Similar Products Used: | Other top end chainsets,Shimano,Raceface,Cooks | | Bike Setup: | sweet | | Bottom Line: | These cranks are stiff and well light. They are such good value next to a Raceface turbine or a Middleburn.
Weight them, they are lighter than almost everything else.
The shifting is quick and reliable.
If you are one of those people who take their cranks off a lot these have no taper to damage, so will last as well.
Top cranks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | No flex. no creeks. Light | | Weaknesses: | Chainrings wear out. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR | | Bike Setup: | Devinci Desporado,Crossmax tubeless wheels,Sid race fork. | | Bottom Line: | These cranks are great. For all those guy who have creeks, you need to take the chainrings off and put some greese between them and some on the bolts. You should have no problems after that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Spahr
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, New York USA
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bethpage state park trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | light weight, smooth shifting rings, stiff, Hollow-tech | | Weaknesses: | ???
| | Similar Products Used: | shimano:acera, alivio, stx, lx sugino 700 specialized "son of strongarm" | | Bike Setup: | specialized stumpjumper fsr-xc '99 | | Bottom Line: | I purchased these to replace the stock cranks on my specialized after the original bottom bracket cracked off on a ride. The new xt's are much stiffer and far lighter than any other cranks I have tried, and still have a very competitive price.
Some other people complained of creaking, this is probably due to either loose arms, or the bottom bracket. To cure the creak, try first tightening the crankarms using red loctite; if that doesn't keep them quiet, remove the bottom bracket, and reinstall it first wrapping the threads in teflon plumbers tape. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Racer
from Scottsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Stiff and light. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can see. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Sach | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher, Mavic Crossrides, Riser bars, Time AtAC and Rock Shox post. | | Bottom Line: | I have not had a problem with these cranks. I did a few races with a par of $20.00 Sach cranks until I could afford a pair of XTR. I saw the price of these and could not pass it up. These cost less than XTR and work much better than the Sach cranks. I can't feel any flex and I'm a 210 lb racer. They did come loose on my second ride but that was solved by cranking down as much as I could on the bolt. 300 miles later and still not loose or making noise. I'm very happy with xt hollowtech and the price. I gave it 4 habaneros because I'm sure XTR is better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tedman
a Cross Country Rider
from east windsor, ct
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | benidorm | | Strengths: | stiff, light, smooth-shifting | | Similar Products Used: | raceface, bontrager racelites | | Bike Setup: | sugar 1 w/mods | | Bottom Line: | These cranks are way better than the bontrager's that came on the sugar 1, which flexed, shifted poorly and did not stay tight. The xt's are stiff and shift with the best. i've used these hard, weigh 210 lbs., and have had no creaking problems. this after biking in 10 degree F conditions. Better than racefaces too: stiffer and shift better. great cranks for everyone from hard recreational riders to racers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, strong, stiff and relatively cheaper | | Weaknesses: | None that I know of | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Bontrager Race | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2 with Selle Italia saddle, Chris King headset, Easton CT2 Carbon handle bar, Titec Carbon bar end, XT crankset, XT cassette, Cateye Enduro 2 | | Bottom Line: | Upgrading this from the crappy Bontrager Race crankset and have been very happy with it. It is very durable, strong and stiff. It may not look as impressive as XTR but it is pretty nice looking. Very good value for money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scoop
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, Tennessee
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Stiffer than a preacher's d**k. Great shifting rings. Bottom bracket is next level of performance. | | Weaknesses: | Looks kinda plain, but don't we all. | | Similar Products Used: | XT (standard taper) | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD2, Marzocchi Z-4, King hubs w/Matrix rims, XT drivetrain, Kore stem, Azonic World Force bars, Avid 2.5 brakes w/2.0 levers | | Bottom Line: | This is a great crankset. Very stiff and reliable. For the people that complain about loose arms - TIGHTEN MORE THAN EVERY 6 MONTHS! Tighten before, once during, and after your 1st three or four rides. Allow the arms to get good & seated initially and you will have no problems. The rings shift as smooth as warm butter. And who gripes about having to buy an upgrade bottom bracket for $30.00. That's like buying a Ferrari and whining about having to buy premium gas. I have been very impressed with the hollowtech system. There is no comparable performance/value crankset around today. 5 flaming possum carcasses. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Beeson
a Cross Country Rider
from Bluffcity, TN, 37618
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Revenge at Warriors Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Cost at the shop I work at. | | Strengths: | Stiff, Light, Cheap(if you work at a shop), Reliable, Shift good(w/shimano rings) | | Weaknesses: | No real coolness factors like Raceface, kinda plain jane | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface Turbine, old style Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: | 00' Yeti ARC with full XT, XTR Wheelset(soon), Manitou Super, Ti Bar and Seat, Thompson Seatpost, TI Frog pedals,KORE Elite Stem | | Bottom Line: | These cranks are nice. They are light,dependable, well-made, and not overtly expensive. I work as a mechanic in a bike shop(Piney Flats Bicycles) and can testify that these cranks have had no problems if installed correctly. They are stiffer than my old Race Face Turbines, but without that Canadian style. If you're looking for a good all-around crankset, go Shimano. Stop complaining about problems if you don't know how to work on your bike. That is not the fault of the product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XJT
a Cross Country Rider
from St. George, Utah
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Strengths: | Stiff, Light, Smooth shifts. | | Weaknesses: | Diddn't detect any | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face Turbine, Sugino, Specialized Strongarm | | Bottom Line: | I'm wondering if some of the guys who gave this crank a poor review had theirs installed properly. I weigh 185 and I hammer damn hard. At least 2000 miles so far with NO creaks; shifts as smooth as the day I bought them. Maybe there were defective BB's at the S factory...I don't know. I can tell you, from my experience, that these cranks worked fantastic. Better than my Race Face Turbines. I plan to buy another set with my next bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Drunken Bear | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | Self Extracting Crankarm | | Weaknesses: | Creak, Creak, Creak
This thing has to be tightened constantly or it creaks like crazy | | Similar Products Used: | Regular XT | | Bike Setup: | SC Chameleon/Atom 80 | | Bottom Line: | Bad enough I had to buy a special BB for this crankset I have only had problems with this. Also I had to buy yet another "special" too to install the crankarm caps. The cranks are definately lighter but I would have been just as good to have the LX. The crankarm bolts are pretty weak and easily cross-threaded. Spend the extra dough and get Race Face like I should have. And what the heck is with the triple ring? Does anyone actually use 27 speeds?? I wish someone would come out with a more sensible drivetrain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robertani
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Brindis | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$92.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Light, Stiff, Cheap, Not XTR | | Weaknesses: | None So Far | | Similar Products Used: | STX (basic heavy), XTR M950 (the original and the worst), Sugino 700(flexy do not buy)Race Face Prodigy (cool so far but heavier than XT hollwtech) | | Bike Setup: | Play Bike: Giant ATX 990 Bomber Z1 XTR hubs Race Face cranks cranks: Springy and Flighty. Race Bike: Giant ATX 890 Hugi 240s Hayes, Time Carbons, SX-Rs, a sick all weather weapon | | Bottom Line: | Wicked. Got these cranks originally to replace some bent Sugino 700s (dont be lulled with the cheap price) and Im a happy boy. They are very light, infact lighter than the XTR cranks I had but thats another story. The stiffness in noticeable, or rather the lack of flex ins'nt.
Also the ES70 bottom bracket is far superior to the old XTR-M950. The difference here is the spline on the ES70 is longer and fatter than the XTR. The XTR M950 spline only went in half way to the cranks pawls- how stupid is that, odly enough this had the effect of wearing the pawls out. The ES70 interfaces all the way and this should increase power transfer and durability.
I have ridden them In rain and mud and through the air, and have had none of the creaking problems others talk about. I have also used em on my play bike (full suspension 8 speed) and my new race bike (hradtail 9 speed) with not a single dropped chain. Its a pleasant suprise to have a shimano product actually work for longer than three months perfectly. Maybe time will tell but I cant fault em yet so they get the Big 5 from Roberto. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Markus
a Weekend Warrior
from YorbaLinda
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | FullertonLoopForTheHellOfIt | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | a bike shop | | Strengths: | Light....Price....If I break 'em and they don't warranty them, I live a coupla miles from the Shimano HQ and they'll see my 6'4" 260 lb ass completely outfitted with dynamite come flying through their lobby demanding PRODUCT OR ELSE!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | None so far, and I work the sh++ out of everything I ride....none of that creaking business that eveyone else complains of. I am using the splined BB, maybe that helps, I dunno. | | Similar Products Used: | White Industries (the forged ones) for 3 years, LX crap before that, even biopace. | | Bike Setup: | G.Fisher X-Caliber, Marzocchi Z1 (orange), xt group, 636 peds, XCFirePro (the good ones)....and then theres my 1989 Bianchi (the top o'the line for '89) all stock commuter I picked up for $200 w/full campy group that I still cant believe. I get offers on this baby all the time from collectors. | | Bottom Line: | Switched from 8 spd to 9, and instead of buying a new set of rings for the WhiteIndustries, I bought the xt hollow tech on condititon from the shop that if I break 'em, they'll warranty them as well as shimano....If it happens, I'll let ya'll know about it. These guys are smooth as silk, I ride them hard (i'm 260 lbs) and haven't had any probs YET. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy stockman
a Cross Country Rider
from columbia, mo.
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | um....yea that one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | looks, xt, stiff | | Weaknesses: | creaks all the damn time, creaks, creaks, won't stop creaking! | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Homegrown Pro, stock | | Bottom Line: | They came with my new bike so, he I thought for a $1600 bike the cranks and drivetrain should be ok. Right, worng. I had a old pair of LX's for a year and never had a problem. After 200 miles on my bike the XT's started creaking. So I figured there was some water or crap in the BB, since I had recently raced in the pouring rain and crud. Took them off took out the BB and lubed it up. 20 miles later, creaking like a mofo. It is really pissing me off. I think I might go to XTR, some guys on my team(mizzou) say they are great. I don't know but they sure are expensive. Anybody got any suggestions? I am anal about my ride and if it is not working right I get pissed. I am kind of pissed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zeus
a Weekend Warrior
from Berrien Springs, MI
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rubicon Jeep Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | Low-profile
Low-price
Light-weight
Nice finish | | Weaknesses: | Creaking
Comes loose
Shimano PR | | Similar Products Used: | Old XT, DX, Suntour XC Pro, Cooks E | | Bike Setup: | Access Ti/Manitou Mars 1, King/517s, Bontrager ST2s, (racelite)post, stem, bars and ends, XT Drivetrain and Brakes | | Bottom Line: | Although the price is great for the weight/finish/style of crank, no amount of money is a good value if the crank won't stay on the BB; you should never even know there's a contact between the two when you're riding...
But, this seems to be a Crank/Bottom Bracket compatability problem. Similar to other reviews below, no amount of torque (perfectly to specs or more/less) will keep my crank from creaking. At first, I lubed it well, and it quieted up for a couple rides, but once dust got in the contact, it creaked again. The drive side actually came loose enough to pull off by hand during a ride.
If Shimano could solve this, I would definitely give this 5 peppas, but while this problem exists and Shimano does nothing about it, I give... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Ca
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bloody trail Chico,Ca | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$109.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light as motha fer, PRICEEEEEE | | Weaknesses: | chain rings are weak because this crank is so light,huge noise problem doesn't work well with 8 speed chain wears chain down a lot faster. Not the best on the market but it does the job. GIVE A NEW NEW CRANK SOMEONE | | Similar Products Used: | xtr crankset 98, Lx 98 crankset | | Bike Setup: | Marin Fire trail frame, atom 80 bomber up front,mavic 517s xt mother f##king hubs, xt xtr drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | Wouldn't buy if you were looking for durabilty just for weight and price and I will never buy a crank this cheap ever again nothing but problems for the last 6 months thumbs down form the pimpster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jared collins
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Charles, Louisiana United States
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Emma Long Motorcross park(city park) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | colorado cyclists | | Strengths: | comes with self extracting crank bolts | | Weaknesses: | constantly comes loose, and even if the cranks are tight they will creak. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Icon | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer with mostly XT and sid 100 fork | | Bottom Line: | I am about to put these cranks on the shelf with the XT brakes. i have had them for 3 weeks now and they have creaked from day one. It doesnt matter if they are lubed or not or torqued to 36 or 100 ft. pounds they will come loose and creak. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Wnuk
a Cross Country Rider
from Winona, MN U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirty ones. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Coloradocyclist | | Strengths: | Lightweight, stiff, cheap. | | Weaknesses: | None so far... | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Specialized Strongarm II, 8 Speed XT & LX. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Stumpjumper Pro, XT hollowtech crank and ES-70 BB, Sachs PC-99 chain, XT cassette 11-32. | | Bottom Line: | I can't comment on the long term durability but there was an immediate difference from the Specialized crank. The XT is much stiffer and it feels like more power is going into forward motion. The difference is noticeable landing off small jumps also. It seems to shift better also, with some of the shifts being totally silent. I think the Sachs chain gets some of the credit also, it is an excellent product. The first few rides I had to retighten the crankarms but now they seem ok. (I check them often anyway.) Anyway I have not noticed any creaks, grinding or other weird noises so I give it 5 flamers. (By the way I weigh 185 if that helps. Yes I know that's heavy thank you!) For $175 at Colorado Cyclist I got the crank, bottom bracket, and chain which is reasonable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from IL
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Maple | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good looks, Cheap | | Weaknesses: | not as light as claimed. broke on first race | | Similar Products Used: | son of a strongarm, lx | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Lucky Strike, 9.0SL, rolf propels | | Bottom Line: | My last race of the year and i had finally replaced my old lx cranks and couldnt wait on hammering on the new xt ones. well half way in the second lap i go to bunny hop a log and my left pedal rips off. damn shimano | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seth
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt ones... | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Taper on new splined bottom is good for two removals.
My not be a good setup for strong riders over 185lbs. | | Similar Products Used: | XT 5-ARM, 1999 | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Santa Cruz SuperLight XT, Marzocchi SuperFly Fork | | Bottom Line: | The 2000 XT/ES70 has developed a major "clunking" sound on my bike. Not a creak, a clunk. I was have problems with a creak that started 2 weeks after I installed them (175 miles or so). I disassembled and lubed my SC Superlight rear suspension when I put the new cranks on so I assumed the problem with the suspension. I tightened the suspension to spec and the creaking continued. I noticed the XT HollowTech bolts were not as tight as they should be. I removed the non-drive side crank arm, filled the splined area with grease. I tightened the BB a little
with long armed wrench. The creaking was less but not gone. I did the drive side after a two 35 mile road rides (with slicks). The creaking was gone for the first 12 miles of the next ride. Halfway through my ride the clunking started on steep climb out of a canyon wash. I babied the bike for the rest of ride. I hit the road for the 6 miles home and the clunking was VERY evident. With or without the shock locked out there was clunking. Even when spinning lightly on flat ground. I got home thinking it was the shock or suspension. I double checked the shock and suspension, all was in order. I began a step-by-step testing cycle to find the problem. I tried one thing at a time and tested for the clunking. First the Time pedals were swapped for flat BMX pedals, no fix. All suspension bolts were check and torqued to spec again, no fix. I pulled the HollowTech cranks and BB off. Replaced with my old XT 5 Arms and UN72 BB. CLUNK GONE! Totally silent operation. I called SpeedGoat where I purchased the cranks to see how to handle the problem
They told me to call Shimano and handle it through them and that Raceface was much better about handling warranty issues. I doubt they will help so I'M OUT $175! I will probably be ordering a Raceface crankset and BB shortly. I just wanted to give you all a heads up in case other people have the same problems.
As a side note the new ES70 BB has a ring that stops the non-drive side lock ring from threading into the BB shell like the UN72. That's the only difference that I can see. The ES70 is still a taper fit even if it is splined. My best guess as to the source of the problem is that by removing the crank arms twice and greasing the taper got wasted and the clunking was the result of the slop on the drive side arm. The lack of taper was no longer holding the arm tight enough.
$175 DOWN THE TOILET. IF SHIMANO DOES NOT MAKE THIS RIGHT I WILL SWITCH TO SRAM STUFF!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Uk
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Whoooo are these cranks light, they're stiff and they look so good.....although not as tarty as raceface but the price!
Its best to have all shimano drivetrain too i guess | | Weaknesses: | Really cant think of any....about flexing or bending and stuff, you would have to be pretty much "large" to do that... | | Similar Products Used: | stx rc kona cranks some others | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar, Z1s, XT | | Bottom Line: | These cranks really cant be faulted - cheaper than all the other top cranks, lighter than most too...the only downpoint is they dont looks so sweet as some more expensive ones... but they are still nice lloking cranks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Memphis, TN , USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | down n' dirty | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | light, cheap, awseome rings, really durable, very stiff, look cool, I like the splined design. | | Weaknesses: | The BB creaked a little after about a month but the bike shop took it out and put some anti-siez on it and now it works great. | | Similar Products Used: | 98' LX, LX hollowtech, Sugino(which I hate). | | Bike Setup: | Hardrock FS, kore, chris king, clipless, monkey lite bar. | | Bottom Line: | Ever since I got these cranks for Christmas I have really liked them, and ridden the heck out of um'. I love shimano chain rings especially the XT's. I am very happy since I havn't broken them because I am very hard on things. This is the second frame they have been on since I cracked the first frame in half, going off of a huge jump(and landing on my front wheel). If they can survive all of that and still work like new they must be good and strong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, Great Power Transfer, Cheep. | | Weaknesses: | Have not found one yet. | | Similar Products Used: | '96 LX, '00 Deore. | | Bike Setup: | Marin Eldridge Grade- Steel always. Manitou SX, XT drive train, Avid speed dials, Mavic/Deore. | | Bottom Line: | Great power transfer- strong chain rings- had to upgrade from deore- chain rings are steel on deore and bend very easily- machined aluminum rings and arms are much stonger. BB and crank set are a nice inexpensive upgrade to your drive trian. got both for 120 bucks at Cambria 3 months ago. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | OCP to Cutler | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light.
Stiff.
Quiet.
Cheap.
44 tooth big ring.
Self Extracting bolts.
Splined.
| | Weaknesses: | Had to go to Canada to buy them because my LBS didn't have them. And wasn't going to get them either.
4 bolt rings are expensive.
| | Similar Products Used: | 98 LX, 98/99 XT, Sugino, Race Face, Suntour, FSA, Rithchey, Specialized, etc. | | Bike Setup: | GT XCR 1000, RS SID SL, Fox Float RC, Avid 2.5 brakes w/1.9 levers, XT Drivetrain and Shifters, Rolf Wheelset, Thomson seatpost, Salsa seat and Brake boosters, Azonic stem, and Easton Monkeylite riser bar.
| | Bottom Line: | These cranks work very good. My old XTR (UN91) BB started to creak after 5 years and I wanted XTR cranks but couldn't afford them. I bought these under advisement and was promised no more creaking. My bike is totally silent now. GT's are notorious for their creaks so I am very happy. Also saved about 200 grams of my old setup (XTR BB, 98 XT cranks). They are super stiff and I don't even have to think about them really. Very good setup with the ES70 BB. Shimano scores with these cranks. Awesome! Cheap at $109 for the cranks and $35 for the BB. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jag
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Wow, are they ever light and stiff to boot (Cheap too). | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | XTR Crankset and LX Crankset | | Bike Setup: | Zaskar LE full XT | | Bottom Line: | I jumped from LX to XTR, wow what a difference in stiffness and weight. I purchased the XT Hollowtech cranks when I sold my XTR 98's. The new XT's are lighter and almost as stiff as XTR's (at less than half the cost). Your smart you figure it out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel brazzoni
a Racer
from sudbury ont ca
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | malie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light dont need crank pull shifts great | | Weaknesses: | bent big ring because i was pedeling. note: didn't even hit
it on a rock | | Similar Products Used: | oyrx, xtr | | Bike Setup: | xt,xtr drive train marzocchi atom80s titec cocpit hays disks | | Bottom Line: | If you work out and have strong legs you will bend the rings
I haven't been able to bend xtr yet | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Mui
a Weekend Warrior
from San Bruno
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Redwoods Regional park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Stiff, Light, relatively cheap compared to XTR's, Race Face, etc. | | Weaknesses: | NONE!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XTR | | Bike Setup: | 99 GT Avalanche
Marzocchi z2 Alloy
Panaracer Fire XC Pros
Sella Italia Flite Gel
00 XT Hollowtech cranks
XT deraillers | | Bottom Line: | These cranks are sick!!! I only used them for one ride so far, but they are a HUGE leap in performance above the LX cranks. STIFF!!!! LIGHT!!!! They are noticeably stiffer than LX cranks, so much that I can bunny hop 5-6 inches higher just with the addition of these cranks. I found these at Mojo wheels for $102!!!!! WAY too cheap to pass up. I bought the XTR's for a great price ($220) at supergo for the 175 mm, but exchanged them after I saw the XT's. The XTR's are great, but for $120 more, more than twice the price of the XT's, I don't know if they would be worth it. PLUS replacing the XTR rings are BANK. If you have the money to burn, the XTR's are an attention grabber, but for the majority of us, the XT's are all the crank that you'll need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kosay eshki
a Cross Country Rider
from vienna, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | looks great | | Weaknesses: | I swear its the worst crankset I have ever used its creaks like a old ladies back..... I got it replaced samething happened again I got the LX back on my bike and its much better.... I think the Hollow Tech can't support bigger guys I am 6'4 235 Lbs and thats is too much for it.... what a piece of junk | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Big Sur | | Bottom Line: | Dont even get close to it if you are more than 210 pounds | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Blmfld Hills, Mi
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | POTO | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The cranks are light. Plain and simple. They look good, and they shift really well. | | Weaknesses: | The cranks have a tendency to loosen up on me. I was doing some trials on them and i guess i loosend them. Needless to say i trashed the cranks. My LBS talked to shimano and they said you have to be careful with these splined cranks because once you ride them when they are a little loose you ruin them. Thanks to my awesome shop they were replaced even though i screwed them up. | | Similar Products Used: | 98 lx 98 stx rc | | Bike Setup: | 00' homegrown pro. bontrager race wheels. all else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | The cranks are really nice, and so is the bb setup. They are really light, and look damn cool. I would recommend them to anyone. People should however be weary of them coming loose. Im not sure how these cranks will hold up in the long run if i broke them in under 2 months. But than again i do break a lot of things. 5 on the value cause they are cheap. 3 on the overall cause they came loose and subsequently broke | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike H
a Racer
from Alamo, CA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wall pt Burhma Mnt Diablo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Hollow Tech arms and Hollow BB. Stiff. 22-tooth small ring. Price. finish of arms is clean looking. Weight is competetive with high-end sets. | | Weaknesses: | Doesnt shift as smooth as my XTR's. Black large ring ugly and will go eventually. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, (XTR still in use) | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 1 frame with Full XTR (less XT cranks), RockShock Sid SL fork, Easton carbon flat bar, Kore elite stem, Mavic 517s, 747 pedals (soon replaced because worn and not enough float) | | Bottom Line: | Used XTR crank set for full year and loved it, Lots of hill riding was hurting knees because XTR only goes down to 24 teeth. Finally bought XT 2000 Holoow tech cranks as second set and used in race this weekend. Several riders were pushing bikes up hills as I rode past them spinning my low gear. Legs felt fresh at finish and never found any of the hills durring the 2000' altitude gain to be too steep. I'll switch cranks depending on hills because I still like my XTRs better for moderate XC, but they are less of a deal for us mortals who need gearing. XTs were about as stiff as XTRs and for the price, you can't beat them. I may train with the XT's and race with the XTRs and just suck it up the climbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle WA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | assbuster | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | They are light i have to admitt... but they didnt feel as nice as RaceFace LP even though they are cheaper the XT hollowtechs | | Weaknesses: | Hmm they seem way to light to be really strong almost scary
Rather have a 7075 crank set | | Similar Products Used: | Kooka, profile , Blackspire, ionic , Raceface .... notice how these all are 7075 and forged | | Bike Setup: | Stock other then the cranks RACEFACE LP....Rocky MOUntian REEEPER | | Bottom Line: | Well after trying pout several bikes with varoius cranks and months of testing and looking. I decided to purchase the Raceface Lp cranks mostly becuase of there great reviews and the huge amount of people useing them ...plus they fit my price and i shouldnt have to by cranks again becuase of there lifetime warranty
so for these
I give them a 4 for rating
and a 4 for value they are a good value but there is BETTER | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Misawa Japan
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Oirase Gorge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight, good price | | Weaknesses: | 4 arm crank bolts | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Acera (sucks!) | | Bike Setup: | Giant Warp DS-1, Stratos MX-6 front shock, Stratos Helix Pro rear shock, Magura HS-33 brakes, Spin composites, XT drivetrain, Selle Trimatic Gel seat | | Bottom Line: | The guys at mailordersports talked me into these. They are light weight and the ES70 BB is great too. I don't like the fact that they are 4 arm cranks though because I can't find a chain guide for 4 arm cranks to save my life. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Card
a Racer
from Tustin, Santa Ana, CA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Peters Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Finish, weight, rigidity | | Weaknesses: | none as of yet | | Similar Products Used: | 99 XT | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar hardtail, full 99 XT | | Bottom Line: | Better than the 99 solid XT cranks. The finish is better, the cranks and BB are a lot lighter, stiffer, and stronger.
GET IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thor
a Cross Country Rider
from glendora
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strengh, Stiffness, Wieght, Shifting......EVERTHING!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Uh....Well....NONE!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Acera,coda experts | | Bike Setup: | Totally customized G.T. Rebound | | Bottom Line: | Awesome crank!!!! I went through 3 count them 3!!!! Pairs of CODA Expert cranks until Incycle(my Local bike shop) Swapped them for the XT's. The XT's are the BEST!!!!!!!If you live by San Dimas go to incycle....Just like the cranks they are the BEST!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Lara
a Cross Country Rider
from Corona, CA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Aliso Viejo Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price, weight, design and compatibility. | | Weaknesses: | A little tweaking when using other 8 speed parts. | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face Next LP and Shimano XTR | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR Extreme, Marzochi Z1 Alloys, Race FAce System, Frog pedals, Selle Italia Flight gel saddle, XTR brakes and derailler | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for total compatibily, go with Shimano. This crackset is awesome. The first time I used it, I noticed the difference right away. It's so stiff, all your pedal power transfer to your wheels. It's also soooo lite comparing with the XTR and Next LP. Aesthetics wise it is also has a great finish. The new bottom brackets works great with it. "BUY ONE NOW!!!!!" Got it at super go for $109.00+S 30.00 for bottom bracket. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Spenner
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | John Muir | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Stiffness Stiffness Weight Weight, look, Price | | Weaknesses: | Weird bolts | | Similar Products Used: | '96 Lx, Sugino Impell | | Bike Setup: | Custom fisher hardtail (Al) full xt | | Bottom Line: | Whoah was i blown out of my seat, err saddle when i put these suckers on, even before that, when i picked them up. The new cranks plus the ES-70 BB save almost a good 200g on my old setup. I never thought of my old LX'ers as flexy, But they are wet noodles compared to these puppies, err pitbulls. The new hollowtech arms and splined BB make it alot lighter with out sacrificing much else. The only complaint, How the heck do you work those stupid self extractin bolts? other than that, great upgrade, really cheap too, all new crankset, rings and BB will only blow you bout $160 a must get | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JLAH
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | looks real cool. works real fine. great weight. | | Weaknesses: | the XT logo scraps off the crank.
| | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX, Race Face Forged | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher, Joshua F4. XT hollowtech crank. Judy C | | Bottom Line: | Overall, the crank is excellent. Rather this than my LX or Race Face. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jed
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwich, Norfolk UK
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Weight, rigidity and price | | Weaknesses: |
None yet | | Similar Products Used: |
LX,Sugino etc | | Bike Setup: |
99 Sunn Exact-UN custom build - Pace EVOIII | | Bottom Line: | I'm very impressed. I was building up a bike and wanted a reliable chainset. Having had to endure the joys of owning a Sugino chgainset on a FSR-XC I didn't want another tapered bb to crank interface. This HollowTech chainset has a nice splined interface that appears to work well. The chainset weighed in at 620g without the self extractin bolts (654g with) and worked perfectly from day one. When sprinting there isn't the flex and chain rub that I've experienced on other chainsets. The only downer was that to fit the matchin bottom bracket I had to purchase a new UN74 BB tool 'cos the BB spindle won't go through a UN73 tool. Apart from that, no problems and highly recommended. | | Overall Rating: |
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