I run a set of SRAM carbon cranks on my Enduro EVO and their terrific. I have no reservations regarding strength or durability. This particular bike sees most of its time on really rocky, techy trails with plenty of drops from 3 to 6 feet. Never had an issue.
Carbon cranks are plenty strong for all-mountain riding. My only reservation with them is running them on trails I'm unfamiliar with, or while doing particularly technical rocky sections that I don't have dialed yet. I've seen plenty of tests where folks whack carbon with hammers and nothing happens, but I can't shake the thought of gouging my carbon on a rock from the back of my mind.
One thing I would recommend if you're going with carbon cranks are those crankarm boots that protect the tips of your cranks when they strike the ground.
I think the best thing to do is just not think about it. Whenever I fill my mind with thoughts when I ride I wind up riding like crap (and often times crashing). Just flow and don't think about it. "Harness the good, block the bad."
If you ride rocky terrain you will smack and scar your crank arms eventually.
I've been running RaceFace SixC cranks for close to two years and they're pretty much set and forget.
The crank arm 'boots' do help but be prepared to curse when you do smack them.
I've been running a few different sets of carbon cranks for quite a few years and yeah the ends of the arms are a bit beat up from hitting rocks but not too bad, and no integrity issues.
I just put on a set of carbon SRAM cranks on my nomad. They're flexy as hell. I know I'm going to break them, I just know it. But I haven't yet, and they're proving me wrong thus far.
Really? I didn't know they had one but I guess you mean the Sram DH team? And they are running XC cranks? That is surprising considering all the beefed up cranks out there.
As a rule, friends are the exact people you should never listen to. Your friend had A certain experience with A certain product at A certain time. You are not your friend, ride carbon cranks and don't think about it.
Bikewagon had some of these in red on clearance for $209 (IIRC, it was shipped price)
I matched these to a King BB for $109 and a pair of RaceFace crank boots...OH so nice!
The Noir 3.3s require very specific torque specs. So, my only suggestion to you is to be careful w/ installation of carbon cranks. Other than that, plenty stiff :thumbsup:
my xo cranks are great, strong and have that stiff carbon feeling.
Only beef I have with them is my shoe wears through the resin finish and I had to buy bash caps for the end of the arms because they were hitting rocks.
I also have the SRAM carbon cranks that came on the enduro. Ive been prepared to replace them, however despite how many times ive hit them, they still are completely fine.
We are still in the early days of carbon for AM through DH, but it's proving to hold up just fine. I was worried about durability a few years ago but now I'm drinking the kool aid. Carbon frame and bars and nothing has exploded yet. Carbon cranks will be my next plastic purchase.
S-works carbon cranks and cannondale alu cranks are the lightest around.
But the c'dale cost about 2.5x the spec.
I have been rockin a set of FSA SLK light carbon cranks for about 4 months now w/ a BB30. Quite a bit stiffer and maybe 250g lighter than the Deore cranks/BB I swapped out. Cost about $250 on sale. Have smacked more than a few rocks with them and they are no worse for the wear.
I have about upgraded everything on my alloy stumpy save for the crankarms. I heard some people say they lost 7 ounces off the bike by switching. That sound about right? I hear the stiffer carbon cranks feel better during acceleration too.
Seen a pic of a friends SIXC cranks broken. Not a carbon crank hater, have them on 5 bikes except my trail bike. Too big digs on those for me to chance it.
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