Submitted by
natestar
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, NE Date Reviewed: August 7, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Platte River SP
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Stiff, responsive and very low maintence
Weaknesses:
No major issues
Similar Products Used:
na
Bike Setup:
turner 5 spot with Fox Talas RLC
Bottom Line:
I am very pleased with the crank. Once installed it is very low maintence. I bent the second chain ring right after I purchased it. I'm not sure how this happened, but it was bent bad in two places. Easy repair but hassle none the less.
After that no problems!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from earth Date Reviewed: May 31, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
cbo
Strengths:
light, shifting,value
Weaknesses:
press in BB would be heavenly
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, race face.
Bike Setup:
will have on both bikes an Ibex hardtail and a Heckler.
Bottom Line:
I just purchased a 2nd one the 2005 model at a great price, really debated about buying the new xt as it is a very good crank too however I have had such good luck with the FSA and at 40 buck less a good deal, chainrings are more durable than shimano.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, CO Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
telegraph
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
stiff, light, good rings, look good. bought because of the reviews (topped shimano's by far) off of MTBR.
surly karate monkey 29er single. avid juicy 7, rock shox reba race, easton carbon post, hope pro II hubs, fleegle bar
Bottom Line:
the reviews are right. i had to get something b/c the race face evolves that came with the bike were coming apart...just as all the reviewers on here were talking about. good price for a great product!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a
from boise Date Reviewed: March 13, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$179.00
Purchased At:
cbo
Strengths:
performance,quality, price
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
shimano, raceface
Bike Setup:
2005 heckler,xt rear derailur front too, wipperman mid range price chain,delta aztec shift cables.
Bottom Line:
this is the only crank I have ever owned that will downshift under load, did not realize what crap shimano and raceface were until I bought this crank, I know how to tune a drivetrain....real good lookin too.great value because they are heavily discounted especially the 2005 model.race face better than shimano only because the rings last alot longer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Fehman
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Wayne, In. Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
The Red Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
smartbike
Strengths:
BB design, easy to install
Weaknesses:
None noticed
Similar Products Used:
Tru Vadiv, strong arm
Bike Setup:
Specialized M4 hardtail
Bottom Line:
For the price you can't beat these cranks. The intergrated BB is such a better design then the cartridge bb design.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr Earwig
a Cross Country Rider
from United Kingdom Date Reviewed: October 8, 2006
Favorite Trail:
slug trails
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
wades cycles
Strengths:
Stiff cranks, tough chain rings, no chain suck, rings last a long time with good shifting. Paid about 100 UK pounds
Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket bearings, alloy cups. The cups are very easy to damage with the tool at the high torques required for fitting. The bearings last about 500-600 miles before they start creaking and developing play. After 1000+ miles they are finished.
Similar Products Used:
XT square taper.
Bike Setup:
Trek 8500, Formula oro puro, some other bits
Bottom Line:
A very nice stiff crank, lovely chain rings but the bearing quality is absolute gash. Wades told me straight out that there was no way in hell that I would get the product sorted under warranty (as I installed myself) and I didn't want to be without my bike for weeks while trying. Windwave (UK distributor) said they probaly would have. In the end I bought 2 new cartridge bearings of superior quality for £20 from Binson Bearings Leeds and put it all back together. Since then no worries. Would not bother with any FSA bb again. OK for headsets but bearings in bb not up to job. Avoid unless you like a creak like a speed freak in a very old wooden rocking chair! P.S for those who think any home mechs are idiots, I am trained in light engineering and work on my own car, bike and scuba gear no problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from New Orleans Area Date Reviewed: September 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Devil's Backbone
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$155.00
Purchased At:
JensonUSA
Strengths:
Customer Service. Not too heavy. Strong arms.
Weaknesses:
Can't seem to take a beating like others.
Similar Products Used:
Truvativ
Bike Setup:
'04 Specialized Epic. Higher end SRAM componentry, Mavic Crossland wheels.
Bottom Line:
I want to state first that customer service was the best. I emailed and then a day later phoned just in case. Brian returned my call and email asking for my address to handle the bottom bracket issue. You can't beat that! I would buy FSA again just for that reason. Regarding the product...the (crankset) hasn't held up like a previous one. In all fairness I race and, at the moment, train on the same trail bike so the bike and its parts take some hits. First, the big ring bent when connecting with a log and my mechanic straightened it out, and since have had no problems. Second, the bearings have worn prematurely. Maybe you could say water from the trail or washing the bike entered and that was the result but I'm very conscious about taking care of my ride. The last crankset, although heavier, took a great deal longer for the bearings to wear. Hopefully, the new bracket will last longer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gonzalo
a Cross Country Rider
from Buenos Aires Date Reviewed: July 9, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
they came with my bike
Strengths:
Never let me down
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Truvativ.
Bike Setup:
Merida Matts Lite
Bottom Line:
I´ve been using them since I got my last bike, and I got to say, it´s nice. The bottom Bracket is so good, but I think I´ll try the new Ceramic one for a change...
FSA BB is superior to shimano...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Westers Massachusetts Date Reviewed: June 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$149.00
Purchased At:
smartbikeparts.com
Strengths:
Stiff, external bottom bracket, extreemly well made chain rings, they shift great, look cool...
Weaknesses:
finish scratches of kind of easy... pretty common with cranks. This is not so much a product weakness as it is a need for revision of the instructions.. the instructions say use grease on the threads of the crank adjustment bolt, when infact they reccomend loctite. If grease is used the bolt will losen.
These cranks are very strong, and very good quality for the money.. the chainrings are better made than much more expensive cranks. the bottom bracket is also very well made as well. Top notch product, and I am very happy with them. 5 chillies for value, and quality
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Racer
from Pine City,N.Y. Date Reviewed: February 18, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$149.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
These carnks are in fact stiff. They are my first external bearing cranks.
Weaknesses:
Weight,1 season out of my bottom bracket(1000 miles or so)End cap stripped(fsa replaced for free)
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
04 Specialized epic comp with upgrades.
Bottom Line:
They are a great stiff outboard bearing crank. 1000 miles and the rings look great but the bottom bracket did not hold up. Price point is great at $149 compared to $300 for others. Alittle heavy for a xc race bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor Komma
a Weekend Warrior
from Tokyo Date Reviewed: February 16, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$145.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Very stiff, good power transfer great workmanship overall.
Weaknesses:
So far none.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano XT Hollowtech II, Hollowtech I, Truvative Stylo GXP.
I wanted to give FSA a go after being a Shimano crankset rider for 10 years. Dropped the XT 2004 Hollowtech II crankset out, put in the FSA and bingo, initial impression feels stiffer and smoother, same frame and bike spec. Cranking up hills I can really feel the difference. I suspect the bearings are better quality. Identical bearing design to XT. Cannot comment on the chainrings, I use my own but they look very well made. Overall, using XT 2004 cranks as the benchmark, a notch above and the Hollowtechs will now be put in storage.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Oviedo Date Reviewed: January 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
DuPont Epic
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
eBay-bikemech13
Strengths:
Stiff isn't a strong enough word to describe these cranks. No flex whatsoever, and that is from a 200lb rider. You can feel the quality of the bearings and cups in your hands, and so much more on the bike. Spins freely unlike the Bontrager garbage that cane with the bike. I wish Trek would have opted to put these on as original equipment. No more traditional bottom bracket and cranks for me.
Weaknesses:
Too soon to say. Aluminum inner chain ring might be a concern.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager, Shimano XT
Bike Setup:
Fuel 98, RS Sid, XT/XTR, Easton CF handlebars (what can I say, I love crbon fiber).
Bottom Line:
Get these cheap from eBay. Came very quick from bikemech13. For $150 with shipping, this is a much better crank and botttom bracket than the new Shimano offerings at $200+. Make sure you have the Shimano or Park tool for the Shimano outboard bearings or you will be making a visit to the bike shop in the middle of the install. Would recommend this crank to everyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Todd Clevenger
a Weekend Warrior
from Pensacola Fl. USA Date Reviewed: November 18, 2005
Favorite Trail:
wantz way
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Silky smooth, good looks, easy install, solid
Weaknesses:
Replacement bearing cups dont seem to be as readily available as some other brands.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose wing,Avid mech disc and cheap stuff that came with it.Next upgrade will probably be Marzocchi marathon forks.
Bottom Line:
Had to change spacer configuration a couple of times to get chainline straight but no big deal. The outboard bearing design seems to be the best for durability and strength.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Fehman
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Wayne, In. Date Reviewed: October 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
FC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Smartbikeparts.com
Strengths:
Very easy to install and un-install. Smooth as butter and very very rigid
Weaknesses:
none detected yet
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Specialized M4 HT
Bottom Line:
This new BB design rocks! It is a snap to install and they spin like nobodys business. The bearings are huge and with the increased span in-between the bearings the crankset becomes incredably rigid. This BB and crank design really gets the power to the ground when you stand on the pedals. With out a doubt I will go with the externial BB design for my road bike next spring.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Forest, CA Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Long and technical
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$160.00
Purchased At:
Internet
Strengths:
Stiff, lightweight, tough and looks good too... but about the price!
Weaknesses:
None, just be sure to install it right, many parts.
Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Race Face and TruVativ
Bike Setup:
VT1 w/Swinger 4 way, Minute One fork, Shimano XT/XTR Drivetrain, DTswiss 4.1D wheelset, Avid 8"/6" discs, Cane Creek headset, FSA, Answer, Thomson, WTB Components and Kenda 2.1 knobbies
Bottom Line:
Even though I could of bought something more expensive, I ended up getting this crankset for my build and it made one of the biggest differences ever on this bike. Great stiffness while pedaling and feels very durable. Huge outer bearings, very lightweight, no BB cartidge. I believe this will outlast any XT or Race Face Deus in the long haul. Defenately buying this crankset again for my new Titus frameset. Solid product and very affordable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shiny_car
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
ebay + shipping
Strengths:
nice build quality; easy installation; quality chainrings and ramps; fantastic shifting in combo with FD/shifters; seem stiff
amazing, instant, crisp shifting, up and down; no doubt partly due to crankset and as well as other components; haven't been in really muddy conditions yet to notice any chain-suck; nice build quality and top value compared with FSA carbon fibre version; MegaExo external BB seems up to the job and easy to install (with right tool); as I'm only into XC and not free-ride/hucking, I don't expect any probs with this crankset and would recommend it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul C
a Weekend Warrior
from Norfolk, VA, USA Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$159.00
Purchased At:
smartbikeparts
Strengths:
Strong,Beautiful too look at, smooth as butta, easy install.
Weaknesses:
None yet...
Similar Products Used:
only product, truvativ firex original to complete bike.
Bike Setup:
Mix of bmx and mtn components on a hardtail mtn frame.
Bottom Line:
160 bucks, free shipping, and the fastest delivery i've seen. I love these cranks! I had truvativ firex crappers and these are a dream in comparison. I am 215 lbs, 5'10" and ride mostly on roads and paths, no hills in norfolk, so i haven't really dug into these yet. Overall ride is night and day in comparison to my truvativ.The installation was so easy, I think my mom could of done it.At this price point I am extremely impressed with what i got for my money. If you are looking for a quality non shimano upgrade and don't want to break the bank, this is what you need.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jay tib
a
from athens Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
id have ta kill ya if i told ya
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
sunshine cycles
Strengths:
looks,easy set up, rings should last compared to shimano
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
raceface, lx, xt, ...
Bike Setup:
fsr s works, talas,hope mini,hope wheels,xtr old style
Bottom Line:
set up per instructions with 1 spacer on rh side, etype derailer. chain line way off swapped spacer to lh side, better. super easy to get on and off, so set up was not a problem. except for the bearings, you need to beg,borrow the "tool". same as shimano outboard bearings. stiff and good lookin. q'factor is wider than any other crank i have owned, but not bad, should get used to it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Colorado Date Reviewed: September 7, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Beefy without being heavy. VERY stiff!
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
XTR (2001), XT
Bike Setup:
Custom Prophet
Bottom Line:
I love these cranks. On my F1000, I'd had the older style XTR cranks, and they were decent, but I could feel the flex on tough sections/climbs. Also, the teeth showed wear quickly... They seemed to hit a plateau on wear (fast at first then slowly) but I was always irked that my $400 cranks had rounded teeth within a month. I tried the newer style XT cranks and they were stiff and looked good, but the Q factor (how far apart your feet are) felt like I was riding a horse.
These cranks seem to suit me as a great compromise between everything I was looking for. The Q factor is reasonable. They look great. The teeth are holding up well. They don't flex a bit (least not that I can tell--part of that is also the external bearing BB).
I am running these on my custom prophet, and I opted for these over the new style XTR cranks (which apparently have even more teeth-wear problems than the old style). At this point, I have no complaints to report, and they have pushed me and the bike over 500 miles so far. Still feel like butter, so I guess that's sayin something for the BB as well.
I gave 4 chilis for value (because I think all cranks cost too much). 5 chilis for performance.
Happy trails!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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