X-Mas Gift (Crankset ?'s)

[iceskier]

Well, I got a little money for an early X-mas present and I am looking to upgrade my crankset. I am looking at the following:

Race Face Deus X-Type
Shimano XT
Shimano XTR

Anyone have any experience with these cranksets (external bearing types)? Thanks for any help.

Also, I think my rear triangle is cracked on my bike, does anyone have any advice for returning a frame to Trek for warranty? Again, thanks for help.:crazy2:

[Magic]

Greg, take the frame to a Trek dealer or where you bought the bike and they will send it in to see if it's a warranty issue. Trek replaced 4 frames of mine, so I don't see why you can't get yours in for warranty. On the cranks I have nothing for ya. I'm interested to hear what others have to say about external bearing cranks. Good luck.

[waitabit]

Go with the Race-Face, it's made in Canada.

[syntaxjunkie]

Race Face uber alles.

I have replaced Shimano cranksets on both of my mountain bikes with Race Face cranksets (Turbine and Next). Spring for a Race Face bottom bracket, too. I believe they have a combo deal on the Deus at Pricepoint.com right now...

They're just worlds smoother in ever way. You won't believe the improvement.

[nigel]

*pulls up shirt to show Shimano tat*

--nuff said baby :)

[Burke]

I've been riding the 2 piece outboard bearing XTR crankset for the past year, and it's pretty incredible. Super stiff. Light weight. Shifts incredibly clean. Costs more than your car. If you're willing to pay more for the gray color, go XTR, if you're looking for performance and the image doesn't matter, XT is essentially the same performance at a lower price.

[syntaxjunkie]

Well, shows you how much I know.

On the upside, it look as though you can't go wrong with any of your choices.

Just for the record, I'd like to point out that I weigh more than Doug and Scott put together, soaking wet. So that may have something to do with it as well. :banana:

[iceskier]

Troy,

When you have taken your frames to the dealer, did you remove all of the componentry first so it was ready for shipment or did you bring it assembled to see what they had to say? Thanks for the help... anyone.

[nigel]

i'll back what Tom said about the shifting issues.......The spacing for Shimano components is spot on set for a shimano mix only. When you mix things like cranksets they dont always match up 100%, they can be very close but not exact, Race Face cranks and BB's are kick ass sweet stuff and I have used them and will continue to use them for my unicoggers, and i could see using them for a 2x8/9 setup with a front roller but other than that i would stick to Shimano if you are using Shimano shifting.

The new generation cranksets/bb interations are great in all aspects, they install very easy with what was almost a lost technology on the non drive side that BMX cranks used for years, it makes sooo much sense it odd it took this long. They are stiffer, you can tell the difference, more so if you weigh more than me even (130 at my heaviest). They install like a dream, but the old ones do too if you have the right tools and knowhow.

I would stick with the new type either way, XTR is just the fancy stuff, XT is pretty much the same with a different finish, youd be happy either way, after all there is only a 63 gram difference :)


enuf rambling for now

D

[nigel]

Troy,

When you have taken your frames to the dealer, did you remove all of the componentry first so it was ready for shipment or did you bring it assembled to see what they had to say? Thanks for the help... anyone.
ALWAYS strip it yourself and build it back up yourself if you can, otherwise you may be charged some outrages charges for the removal and rebuild. If you know it needs to go back strip it. If you need help im always available for advice and tool use.

D

[iceskier]

Thanks Doug and everyone for all the advice. I am going to strip it tonight/tomorrow and then bring it in on Friday. I should be able to get everything apart, but if I need some help, I will PM you. Thanks for offering help/tools.

Gregg

[tedsti]

As much as I hate feeding the big machine, Shimano cranks are stiffer than RF. Tube sections (Shimano) are much stiffer than I-beams (RF) in torsion. Your cranks are subjected to a torsional load since the pedal sticks out like a lever arm. Like others have said, go with XT. It is 95% as good as XTR for half the price.


Ted

[berrywise]

As much as I hate feeding the big machine, Shimano cranks are stiffer than RF. Tube sections (Shimano) are much stiffer than I-beams (RF) in torsion. Ted
Ted how much do you weigh? I weigh in at about 180 and I have never able to tell the difference between the Shimano XT, Race Face LP, and Race Face Next LP that I have owned (nor Shimano XTR which I have ridden). I have noticed it on lesser cranks but have never been able to tell a marginal (or any) difference on the higher end stuff I have owned.

[Tetreves]

Crank Brothers (eggbeaters mfg.) has a new crankset out that looks pretty sweet! It's not on their website yet, but keep an eye out.

[tedsti]

Ted how much do you weigh? I weigh in at about 180 and I have never able to tell the difference between the Shimano XT, Race Face LP, and Race Face Next LP that I have owned (nor Shimano XTR which I have ridden). I have noticed it on lesser cranks but have never been able to tell a marginal (or any) difference on the higher end stuff I have owned.
I unfortunately weigh in at 190-210 lbs. Many people may not be able to tell the difference, but if you can find the old XT for $100, you just can't beat it on performance for the $.

Ted

[martini]

Well, as anti shimano as I tend to be(SRAM or Campy or Suntour for me! Or SS. which ever mood strikes), but for cranks. There is no other than Shimano. Simply put, they're the best. Most durable. Stiffest(and being a 220+ sser, I can tell). I don't yet know about the two peice design. Bullseye had a patent on it that expired, thats why we haven't seen it done with much effort till now. I suspect it may be stiffer, but then I have had much trouble with my XTR/Octalink set up.