I know some of you Clydes SS and I wanted your thoughts on cranks and chainrings. My current SS ride is an '04 Solo-one that has a Tru-vative crank and 33 tooth ring. The cranks are flexy for me, and are creaking some. The ring is seriously out of round making proper chain tension real hard to achieve and keep.

I'm thinking about trying 180mm cranks and wanted your insight on who makes good ones that will handle my 245# of weight plus big guy torque cranking on them.

I've heard things about ENO cranks being real good, though I've never seen a set in real life and could not even find them on the manufacturers website (just a picture, but no info).

Shimano octalink are supposed to be stiff and light, but is it available in 180mm. What about tubular chromoly cranks, sounds heavy? Is the benefit of 180mm really worth the switch?

I know some of you Clydes SS and I wanted your thoughts on cranks and chainrings. My current SS ride is an '04 Solo-one that has a Tru-vative crank and 33 tooth ring. The cranks are flexy for me, and are creaking some. The ring is seriously out of round making proper chain tension real hard to achieve and keep.

I'm thinking about trying 180mm cranks and wanted your insight on who makes good ones that will handle my 245# of weight plus big guy torque cranking on them.

I've heard things about ENO cranks being real good, though I've never seen a set in real life and could not even find them on the manufacturers website (just a picture, but no info).

Shimano octalink are supposed to be stiff and light, but is it available in 180mm. What about tubular chromoly cranks, sounds heavy? Is the benefit of 180mm really worth the switch?

I run Profile 3 piece cranks on my SS. Stiffest crank I have ever ridden but they are heavy. Dans Comp sells a Poverty version which is identical but cheaper.

You need Euro style 3 pc cranks, spider and rings.

It also erases the ISIS bb that plagues big guys too.

tim

I use Shimano XTR 180's in the octalink version. I haven't noticed any trouble with them. Previously, I was using Race Face 180's with no issues. Stay away from Isis though, what ever you do. Old square tapers work fabulously well. I've NEVER had longevity problems with square.

I use hollow steel spindled, outboard bearing 180 cranks and find them stiff, strong and reliable. The large radius spindle is very resistant to flexing, and the outboard bearings are not only nicely wide-set, but more durable than those that might fit inside a bottom bracket shell.

Mine are off the market, but the '04 XT setup is very similar and what I will be putting on my new gearie.

I use hollow steel spindled, outboard bearing 180 cranks and find them stiff, strong and reliable. The large radius spindle is very resistant to flexing, and the outboard bearings are not only nicely wide-set, but more durable than those that might fit inside a bottom bracket shell.

Mine are off the market, but the '04 XT setup is very similar and what I will be putting on my new gearie.
And are they big bucks? I can get profile racing for around $250 or ENO for about the same I think, if I can find them. My LBS wants to put me on XT for my geary that came with Bontrager flexy creakys, but he doesn't recommend them for SS use and the torque a Clyde SS can dish out.

And are they big bucks? I can get profile racing for around $250 or ENO for about the same I think, if I can find them. My LBS wants to put me on XT for my geary that came with Bontrager flexy creakys, but he doesn't recommend them for SS use and the torque a Clyde SS can dish out.


Yes, the '04 XT 760 and 761 both come in 170, 175 or 180mm.

I am surprised by the LBS guy's concern about the crank for SS use, and would wonder what he'd suggest instead. At first blush, and without knowing what a cool guy he is, it sounds like brand-name-mania. Remember: wide set bearings, big steel spindle, large cross-section crankarms... Maybe he wants you to go "Saint", but that don't do 180 for 'ya.

Yes, the '04 XT 760 and 761 both come in 170, 175 or 180mm.

I am surprised by the LBS guy's concern about the crank for SS use, and would wonder what he'd suggest instead. At first blush, and without knowing what a cool guy he is, it sounds like brand-name-mania. Remember: wide set bearings, big steel spindle, large cross-section crankarms... Maybe he wants you to go "Saint", but that don't do 180 for 'ya.

I put a bid on a set of NOS square taper 180mm XT cranks, they should do the trick and the price should be low. They will come with a new XTR 46 tooth downhill competition ring that I'll have to try to re-sell or use on my FS geary. I'm thinking I'll hold off on buying any $250 cranks just now, but maybe later if I need them or if I build the dream bike.

The LBS guys thinking is that since Shimano cranks are designed gearys they would seldom if ever be torqued on the way they would for SS use. I agree with the fact that SS will torque on them more, but I don't think it will be a problem.

EBasil - My SoCal guide book lists some rides down your way that look like they would be good for SS. I'm thinking about a riding weekend down there soon, any suggested rides, I like fast, fun, rolling singletrack with minimal elevation change.

These were on ebay recently and no one bid. I'd hate to see the clydesdale that had trouble with these flexing! The model name is Awesome Mothers and the opening bid price was $200, but as I said, no one bid. He said he thought it might be the only set of these in the US. http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/01/5f/77/47_1_sb.JPG

Here's the link to the original auction. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3662429139&category=56193)

These were on ebay recently and no one bid. I'd hate to see the clydesdale that had trouble with these flexing! The model name is Awesome Mothers and the opening bid price was $200, but as I said, no one bid. He said he thought it might be the only set of these in the US. http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/01/5f/77/47_1_sb.JPG

Here's the link to the original auction. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3662429139&category=56193)

Wow! Those mothers are burley, Seems like overkill unless you are Shaq and you are doing some serious hucking. It would be cool to have them just for the unique factor. I'm guessing they would be pretty heavy.

Wow! Those mothers are burley, Seems like overkill unless you are Shaq and you are doing some serious hucking. It would be cool to have them just for the unique factor. I'm guessing they would be pretty heavy.

I'm 240+ and have had awesome luck with XT's in both the 175mm and 180mm length. Going on 3 years of problem free use.

I had the Truvativ's in 180mm as well. They were a little flexy, yes, but never creaked or broke.

The stiffest one's to date are my Race Face 180mm.

Profile's are intriguing, but then you see....3 POUNDS!!!! I'm not sure the extra stiffness is worth it....

I put a bid on a set of NOS square taper 180mm XT cranks, they should do the trick and the price should be low. They will come with a new XTR 46 tooth downhill competition ring that I'll have to try to re-sell or use on my FS geary.

I was going to bid on the same cranks untill I emailed the guy to see if he'd only sell the arms. No go, and he's only selling the right arm to boot. Only 1 arm, NOT a set. Don't wanna see you get burned here...

I was going to bid on the same cranks untill I emailed the guy to see if he'd only sell the arms. No go, and he's only selling the right arm to boot. Only 1 arm, NOT a set. Don't wanna see you get burned here...
well I missed that fact and won the bid, but the guy was cool enough to let me out of the deal. I had a buyer lined up for the DH ring so I gave hime the sellers info. My LBS is trying to round up a set of '03 XT 180mm cranks for me. If he can't find them I'll save my pennies for Profile racing or ENO cranks probably. Thanks for the warning though :)

I recently purchased a set of Eno's for my SS bike, they seem to do the job for me, no flexing, and squaretaper BB.

JS

well I missed that fact and won the bid, but the guy was cool enough to let me out of the deal. I had a buyer lined up for the DH ring so I gave hime the sellers info. My LBS is trying to round up a set of '03 XT 180mm cranks for me. If he can't find them I'll save my pennies for Profile racing or ENO cranks probably. Thanks for the warning though :)

Hey there... I might be selling my 03 XT 180mm cranks due to getting rid of my geared bike that houses them. They have been on my geared bike since November and have seen less than 100 miles.

Hey there... I might be selling my 03 XT 180mm cranks due to getting rid of my geared bike that houses them. They have been on my geared bike since November and have seen less than 100 miles. Padre, I would be interested if they are available. I'll send you a private message with contact info. We are both in CA, I'm in north OC. Matt