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Need advice on choosing a NON carbon, LIGHT, 2x9 Crankset.

15652 Views 47 Replies 20 Participants Last post by KevinK, Jan 7, 2010

KevinK

Discussion Starter · Dec 15, 2009

5

Criteria. Must be a Double crank, running a 2x9 configurations. Order of Importance: First, Strength/Stiffness, Second, Weight. This will be going on a xc/light AM bike,w/ 5.5" of front/rear suspension. I love racing up hills, in big gears, lucky to have legs that can power through almost anything, but, I put allot of pressure on my Crank/Drivetrain.

At this time, I am no longer entertaining the idea of a Carbon Crankset. Personal preference, and I tend to damage my Cranks on Rocks often. You can say, I'm not that skilled, but, I can go strait, through almost anything.

If you ride on any of these cranks, I'd love to hear your observations, impressions, advice.
I include XTR in this group, although the heaviest, it is a standard to measure weight, stiffness and reliability. It is also configured as a 3x9. Don't know if converting it to a 2x9 would be worth the trouble. Right now, I prefer a made for 2x9 crankset.

Right now, This is my first choice of cranksets. The Cannondale Hollowgram SL, 2x9. Weight: 614g

Second choice, Rotor 3D 2x9 crank. Weight, approx. in the Low 700g range.

Standard to measure: Shimano XTR: Weight, 770g

The Hollowgram and 3D cranks, seem to be some of the stiffest, Non Carbon cranks out there.

Thanks again for your help,

Kevin

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1 - 20 of 48 Posts

Mattias_Hellöre

· #2 · Dec 15, 2009

My choice would be a Hollowgram Si SL too, easily converted to frames that aren´t BB30 too.

KevinK

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 15, 2009

Mattias_HellÃ¶re said:
My choice would be a Hollowgram Si SL too, easily converted to frames that aren´t BB30 too.

Hi Mattias_HellÃ¶re. Right now, I am thinking the same thing. I was worried about compatibility issues w/ the BB30 on an Ibis Mojo SL, and didn't know there was a conversion kit. That is AWESOME!!!!!:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Have you tried the SL Cranks? All the articles/posts I've read, say there super stiff. Of course, Cannondale states, they are the stiffest cranks, in this weight category, in the WORLD! Not to sure about those claims, but, everyone does say positive comments on the SL's.

Thanks again,

Kevin

Jake Pay

· #4 · Dec 15, 2009

Kevin,

I've spent time on the C-dale SL and at 210 (with gear) I felt good when standing in hammer mode.
In other words, they inspired me pump harder up the hill

Question? Does that 614g include BB weight?

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KevinK

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 15, 2009 (Edited)

Jake Pay said:
Kevin,

I've spent time on the C-dale SL and at 210 (with gear) I felt good when standing in hammer mode.
In other words, they inspired me pump harder up the hill

Question? Does that 614g include BB weight?

Thanks Jake. If you Hammer at 210lbs, and they feel good, there going to be great for me, at 163lbs fully geared!!!:thumbsup: Looking at the picture closer, the spindle is on top.

Are you using Cannondale chainrings? I want to run a 30/42.

Thanks again,

Kevin

Jake Pay

· #6 · Dec 15, 2009

11

KevinK said:
Thanks Jake. If you Hammer at 210lbs, and they feel good, there going to be great for me, at 163lbs fully geared!!!:thumbsup: Looking at the picture closer, I'm guessing the second picture, looks like the BB is RED, and the picture w/ scale, looks like it's missing.

Are you using Cannondale chainrings? I want to run a 30/42.

Thanks again,

Kevin

It was on a buddies Scalpel so I'm not sure if he had changed anything on the crankset.
But none the less it performed without issue

I run a RaceFace NEXT Carbon with ExtraLite GARA rings. XX front dérailleur and a KMC X10-SL chain.

^^^Without BB^^^

BTW, I'm not seeing your photos

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jmartpr

· #7 · Dec 16, 2009

If you want to save some $$$$ take a look at the KCNC K-Type.....

doccoraje

· #8 · Dec 16, 2009 (Edited)

Jake Pay said:
I run a RaceFace NEXT Carbon with ExtraLite GARA rings. XX front dérailleur and a KMC X10-SL chain.

]

Hey Jake, how is the Gara performing, I already have mine, but haven't had a chance to install since my rear triangle broke and Litespeed is taking a looong time to send it back.

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AlexRandall

· #9 · Dec 16, 2009

Just got the Rotor 3D in the mail. Came in at 522g for crankarms with fitting bolts. A bit above the 504g on the website, however as I have 175mm instead of the 170's they measure for the claimed weight I guess that's fair enough.
I also have the Raceface next SL, and for the triple (with the Turbine rings) they are 30g lighter than the Rotor 3D with their oval 40-27 rings with bolts. Weighing the two LH cranks alone the Next SL is 20g lighter, so I'm guessing the 3D will be super stiff.

Jake Pay

· #10 · Dec 16, 2009

2

doccoraje said:
Hey Jake, how is the Gara performing, I already have mine, but haven't had a chance to install since my rear triangle broke and Litespeed is taking a looong time to send it back.

So far so good

..

I've yet to feel any noticeable difference by way of flex with the 28t ring. I am still checking after every ride
to see if the four torx fasteners have gotten loose. But, there still holding tight after about 150 miles.

~Jake

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KevinK

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 16, 2009

jmartpr said:
If you want to save some $$$$ take a look at the KCNC K-Type.....

Thanks jmartpr! Trying to find weights of the K-type seem difficult. The USA site says the K type triple weighs 750g fully loaded, the other KCNC site, think International, says the K type triple weighs 700g, and the double weighs, 675g. I know Nino says, don't believe the manufacturers, but, I could hope that they can at least be consistent.

Do you know how stiff the K-Type Cranks are compared to the XTR, Rotor 3D and SL?
This is probably my last WW build, so, I want to do it right, and stay within reason, but, have some space. The SL's would be the most I would pay. They do sound like awesome cranks though. I like the simple design too, not to flashy, but Clean.

Thanks again for the suggestions,

Kevin

KevinK

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 16, 2009

AlexRandall said:
Just got the Rotor 3D in the mail. Came in at 522g for crankarms with fitting bolts. A bit above the 504g on the website, however as I have 175mm instead of the 170's they measure for the claimed weight I guess that's fair enough.
I also have the Raceface next SL, and for the triple (with the Turbine rings) they are 30g lighter than the Rotor 3D with their oval 40-27 rings with bolts. Weighing the two LH cranks alone the Next SL is 20g lighter, so I'm guessing the 3D will be super stiff.

Congratulations Alex!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Awesome!!! Looking forward to pictures, and actual weights of the entire crank, fully loaded!!! Also, looking forward to hearing your impressions. If the total weight is in the Low 600g mark, and they are Ultra stiff, then I have a tough decision. I like the way the SL's look, but, i also like the way the 3D's look. No, I'm not getting both!!!!

Thanks again,

Kevin

AlexRandall

· #13 · Dec 16, 2009

2

Weight for the whole shebang with 40/27 rotor rings with bolts was 625, if I remember correctly. Of course you can go lighter if you go non-ovalised rings with Mattias' ti or alloy versions, but my choice is based on being able to ride quicker and climb better with these rings.
Luckily I had some gold anodised chainring bolts to help lift the look, but I'm sure they'll perform well too....any product designed around Thor Hushovd would have to be stiff

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KevinK

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 16, 2009

AlexRandall said:
Weight for the whole shebang with 40/27 rotor rings with bolts was 625, if I remember correctly. Of course you can go lighter if you go non-ovalised rings with Mattias' ti or alloy versions, but my choice is based on being able to ride quicker and climb better with these rings.
Luckily I had some gold anodised chainring bolts to help lift the look, but I'm sure they'll perform well too....any product designed around Thor Hushovd would have to be stiff

Wow Alex, The 3d's look AWESOME!!!:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Did you also weigh the Bottom Bracket? If so, That is a LIGHT weight crankset, exactly the weight I'm looking for. The SL's are expensive, and I was going to go that route, but, seeing the cranks on your bike, and seeing the weight, really has me thinking. I can save approx. $300.00 usd! I can buy something else w/ that money.

I'm also guessing you choose the titanium spindle option. What round chainrings do you recommend, that would fit the 3d?

I think, after I finish writing, I'll just stare at your pictures for a while!!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thanks again. Looking forward to your riding impressions, but, I'm sure they are going to feel very stiff.

Kevin

AlexRandall

· #15 · Dec 16, 2009

The chainrings are the hardest thing to find if you want round ones......the bcd for rotor is 110/74 I think (you should doublecheck that!). There is a guy on this forum called Mattias who can do custom chainrings for you, extralight also make light ones. Search for chainrings on this forum and you'll find a few light options out there.

BB is 90g, and not included in my weight. The whole lot is about the same as the Raceface Next SL, so its light, but not superlight.
I think your cannondale crank will weigh a little more once you put a standard BB adaptor in there.....all BB30 cranksets that I know of are significantly lighter than their standard counterparts.

roybatty666

· #16 · Dec 16, 2009

3

For the KCNC

I have a triple and it weighs 735 with BB rings (although I run is Single speed at 621g

My mate has the double which comes in a 675g with BB and rings

It is important to get the 2009 ones as the earlier ones are heavier and the 2009 have 2" long large diameter crank bolts that realy stiffen up the scandium BB axle at the crank bearing point.

I love mine, it has some awesome CNC work on it and the concave front face greatly reduces wear from your shoes, a dob of threadlock and proper torquing of the bolts is a must though

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Zigo

· #17 · Dec 17, 2009

2

My double weights 672g(175mm) on this photo and I have put another 18g down when I take of the BB shell. The stiffness is comparable to XTR, maybe better. More weights

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KevinK

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 17, 2009

Zigo said:
My double weights 672g(175mm) on this photo and I have put another 18g down when I take of the BB shell. The stiffness is comparable to XTR, maybe better. More weights

Wow Zigo. That weight is with the BB? And you feel it's as stiff, if not stiffer than the XTR? Fantastic!!! Looks like I have to add the KCNC to the short list of Cranks to consider. Thanks allot.:thumbsup:

Kevin

KevinK

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 17, 2009

roybatty666 said:
For the KCNC

I have a triple and it weighs 735 with BB rings (although I run is Single speed at 621g

My mate has the double which comes in a 675g with BB and rings

It is important to get the 2009 ones as the earlier ones are heavier and the 2009 have 2" long large diameter crank bolts that realy stiffen up the scandium BB axle at the crank bearing point.

I love mine, it has some awesome CNC work on it and the concave front face greatly reduces wear from your shoes, a dob of threadlock and proper torquing of the bolts is a must though

Thanks roybatty666. I am adding this to my short list of possible considerations for my next crank set. This is getting difficult. Do you feel they are as stiff as XTR Cranks? Thanks again,

Kevin

roybatty666

· #20 · Dec 17, 2009

I have never had the pleasure of running XTR cranks, but as I said I ride these in an SS setup and they feel rock solid even when standing and mashing the pedals up the climbs.

They are also hollowed as well as externally shaped which helps the weight

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