[fl jay]

Shimano XT or Raceface Atlas or something else?!?

This crankset will be going on a Heckler and will be used for "All Mountian" riding in Oregon. I can get a similar deal on both so price is not a factor. Which crankset is better in terms of performance and overall value. I'm looking for something that will be tough and not give me any problems. I am upgrading from a RF isis setup so either should be an improvement but which one will be the best? I have read a bunch of reviews but wanted to ask again and get some more recent feedback since many people have been running these for a while now.

If I'm missing something and should consider another crankset let me know.

Thanks

 

[DtEW]

You probably can't lose with either, but I went through the same dilemma awhile ago.

I like the attachment method of the Shimano Hollowtech II system. It's a clamp/spline system, which is not weakened by repeated assembly/disassembly, and theoretically stronger, assuming you do not let the bolts go loose. The weakness of the Shimano crankset is that the chainrings seem to be soft, so 1) are prone to losing teeth and 2) wear pretty fast.

I don't like the attachment method of the RaceFace X-type system, as it is a semi-press-fit-onto-splines, which is derived from the ISIS system. However, it needs to be noted that the semi-press-fit was never the ISIS system's weakness. AFAIK, the RaceFace crankset does not have especially soft chainrings.

I went with the XT crankset.

 

[jrm]

HAvent ridden on the RF..

Shimano XT or Raceface Atlas or something else?!?

This crankset will be going on a Heckler and will be used for "All Mountian" riding in Oregon. I can get a similar deal on both so price is not a factor. Which crankset is better in terms of performance and overall value. I'm looking for something that will be tough and not give me any problems. I am upgrading from a RF isis setup so either should be an improvement but which one will be the best? I have read a bunch of reviews but wanted to ask again and get some more recent feedback since many people have been running these for a while now.

If I'm missing something and should consider another crankset let me know.

Thanks

But have a lot of time on the M760 hollow IIs. They really are a great balance between weight and durability when it comes to cranksets.

 

[SSINGA]

A little pricey but you did ask for the best. IMO the FSA Mega Exo Carbons are schniznit.

I had the XT and the Race Face and I like the FSA so much more.

 

[whitelizard]

I got me a RF Atlas and it is an awesome crankset. No flex at all, very tough; and it is not that heavy either. I totally recommend going with Atlas for all mtn or aggressive riding. Good Luck!

 

[S-Works]

I got me a RF Atlas and it is an awesome crankset. No flex at all, very tough; and it is not that heavy either. I totally recommend going with Atlas for all mtn or aggressive riding. Good Luck!

I've been thinking about getting these. Greenfish has them for 2 bills.

 

[fl jay]

Thanks for the info so far-

What is so much better about the FSA's...I realize they are a lot lighter but what is so much better performance-wise? Is it worth the increased cost (over $100 more)?

 

[Guyechka]

Rf

I almost did not get the Atlas because several people had said the single bolt system was a weakness. I'm glad I didn't listen. I had my LBS install it first. No problems for half the season. Then I decided they had installed it with too much space on the non-drive side. I took it apart, shifted spacers around and reinstalled. Again, no problems for the rest of the season. It stayed tight no matter how much I mashed on it.

The question is, Do you want to spend the extra money for XT and not get a lifetime warranty?

 

[Jayem]

Out of all the cranksets you can get, the XT is pretty much the stiffest. Because shimano holds the "hollowtech" patents, they can use the hollow crank arms, and the other manufacturers have to use a "C" section or "I-beam" type design for the arms, and while they aren't bad, they just can't match the hollow XTs for stiffness. I've been on more than one of these integrated-BB cranksets, and I'm happy with my shimano XTs. They are worth the money, a bit pricy, but noticably stiffer than anything else that I've tried. I don't like the RF cranks for the plastic preload spacers and taper-interface, but they aren't bad, much better than cranksets from a few years ago.

 

[dir-T]

Nice ra- ahh, I mean avatar. Perfect way to end the work day.