So I am in the process of slowly building up my first full suspension bike which happens to be a black 08 Spot.
I have narrowed down most of my component choices accept for the crankset.
I live in Florida and ride most everything we have to offer.
Most of the locals here run XT cranks however I am not one to conform to what everyone has. I have been looking at the 09 Truvativ Stylo Oct line that will be out the first of the year.
I am still not sure If I am going to go with a 2 gear or 3 gear up front chainring combo.
Your thoughts on 2 or 3, as well as brand recommendations would be great. I want to keep the cost of the crankset including the BB under $250
If you're looking for a good quality, light crank that shifts well for under $250, the Stylo is going to be your best bet. If you can spend XT $$ but don't want to go Shimano, also consider the FSA Afterburner. Great light crank with really nice shifting rings.
2 or 3 is up to you. It gets debated quite a bit on our local Colorado forum. I use my big ring too much to give it up. Losing the ring gets you more ground clearance, etc. Some folk around here ask me when I'm going to ditch the big ring. My response is that I'll get a bash ring when I kill my big ring. I'm still waiting for that to happen.
If you're looking for a good quality, light crank that shifts well for under $250, the Stylo is going to be your best bet. If you can spend XT $$ but don't want to go Shimano, also consider the FSA Afterburner. Great light crank with really nice shifting rings.
2 or 3 is up to you. It gets debated quite a bit on our local Colorado forum. I use my big ring too much to give it up. Losing the ring gets you more ground clearance, etc. Some folk around here ask me when I'm going to ditch the big ring. My response is that I'll get a bash ring when I kill my big ring. I'm still waiting for that to happen.
i have had great luck with my RF atlas cranks. full season on them and they are still smooth. i had a set of 07 truvativ stylo, and had to change the bearings half way through the season. don't know if the 09 gpx BB is better. the atlas shifts great and feels solid.:thumbsup:
Ive tried all the big three now; I've got stylo's on the RFX, Saints on the highline, and previous to the saints I had raceface evolve DH's.
The stylo's are my favorite. Their pretty light, cheap, and the new '09's will be even lighter- very close to XTR. The stylo's are quick and painless to remove with one bolt, and I've not had mine come loose. The BB's like to be re-greased 2-3x a year, but at least it's an easy task... I haven't explored the Phil Wood, Hope, or Enduro Seals BB's but a more durable BB would be nice.
The saints are OK, but I don't like the "pinch-bolts on the ND crank arm" design used by Shimano and FSA. Mine get crammed up with rock/bark/dirt, and seem to get creaky unless I tighten them semi-frequently. I have a few buddies who have had issues with the Shimano ND crank arms repeatedly coming loose. Probably due to not using a torque wrench, but who carries a torque wrench for trailside repairs?
I didn't much care for the raceface preload system. Fussy to get the preload just right, and man it's a crappy press fit that seemed like it needs to be way over-tightened to seat properly. Raceface BB's have not proven to be durable in my crew, although mine was OK. I think their preload system is extra sensitive to correct spacers and shell width.
The SLX cranks look good, but not exactly light.
Bonus for RaceFace and Shimano is the King BB.
At under $100 for a 900gram durable crankset, hard to go wrong with the stylos in my mind.
I second you kreater but Ive long given up on this one, it takes a wee bit more to setup and some modifying with some dual chain guide systems for some it seems the spline interface is difficult to take on and off again for me its been a strength, but the main reason has been the stiffness nothing comes close in its class, some will argue this but they are stiff, Ive had mine for 4 years now, I'll mount some enduro bearings into the RF diablous housings next time they're needed.
I may even get the extractor tool so I can do all my own in future! apart from shocks I can pretty much do most everything myself now! but I still rate these cranks highly! But I'm not going to try to convince others on it if ya Shimano or whatever then fine enjoy! Though I'm not to happy theyve changed some of the cranks on the latest model Deus not sure if they've done this to the Atlas and Atlas RF which I was eyeing up for a potential future crank in DH if I can DH again being optimistic!
I've been really happy with the FSA Afterburners on my spot. Went with 24/36 Blackspire rings with the lexan/plastic FSA bashguard and swapped out the OE spec bearings for Enduros.
How about $158 for XT? I ordered from these guys before. Free shipping on orders over $250. It took 6 days for delivery to the east coast from Ireland.
I agree with Kosmo that they are a great crankset and pretty much the same weight as XT. You can get them at chainreactioncycles.com for $105. Not bad. I would avoid Race Face because they are a pain to deal with and the BB's suck.
if you don't mind spending 30 bucks more, you can have XTR. These "fitted" cranks have only been mounted and then removed from overstock bikes. Comes with full warranties and free shipping. Damn hard to beat.
I second you kreater but Ive long given up on this one, it takes a wee bit more to setup and some modifying with some dual chain guide systems for some it seems the spline interface is difficult to take on and off again for me its been a strength, but the main reason has been the stiffness nothing comes close in its class, some will argue this but they are stiff, Ive had mine for 4 years now, I'll mount some enduro bearings into the RF diablous housings next time they're needed.
I may even get the extractor tool so I can do all my own in future! apart from shocks I can pretty much do most everything myself now! but I still rate these cranks highly! But I'm not going to try to convince others on it if ya Shimano or whatever then fine enjoy! Though I'm not to happy theyve changed some of the cranks on the latest model Deus not sure if they've done this to the Atlas and Atlas RF which I was eyeing up for a potential future crank in DH if I can DH again being optimistic!
i have recently replaced my cranks on my 08 DHR with a set of atlas FR, in combo with an e-thirteen LG1. runs amazing, no problems yet. it seems that has had good and bad with all diff types of cranks and systems. i like RF, they are a bit fussy to set up, but they are strong. i'm pretty heavy on my gear so i need it to stand up to the task. the only thing about the RF atlas FR that i was not to happy about was the lack of steel pedal insert, like there full on DH crank. trailadvent take a look at the RF atlas FR when the time comes for a new set of cranks. hope you get back up on your DH sled soon.:thumbsup:
i have recently replaced my cranks on my 08 DHR with a set of atlas FR, in combo with an e-thirteen LG1. runs amazing, no problems yet. it seems that has had good and bad with all diff types of cranks and systems. i like RF, they are a bit fussy to set up, but they are strong. i'm pretty heavy on my gear so i need it to stand up to the task. the only thing about the RF atlas FR that i was not to happy about was the lack of steel pedal insert, like there full on DH crank. trailadvent take a look at the RF atlas FR when the time comes for a new set of cranks. hope you get back up on your DH sled soon.:thumbsup:
Cheers bud! doesn't the FR ver come with steel inserts or did I read that wrong!
I know the std ver dosen't but after four years Ive had no issues though Ive never striped a insert touch wood even Shimano, for a fairy big guy I'm pretty good on gear though on DH I did have my mishaps on wheels! Not a product issue more a speed vs dead stop issue
Afterburner for Spot also look a nice option BTW for who ever mentioned that, long looed at that, but CNC of RF always gets me and I'm don't fix what aint broke type of guy
Cheers bud! doesn't the FR ver come with steel inserts or did I read that wrong!
I know the std ver dosen't but after four years Ive had no issues though Ive never striped a insert touch wood even Shimano, for a fairy big guy I'm pretty good on gear though on DH I did have my mishaps on wheels! Not a product issue more a speed vs dead stop issue
Afterburner for Spot also look a nice option BTW for who ever mentioned that, long looed at that, but CNC of RF always gets me and I'm don't fix what aint broke type of guy
the atlas FR does not have the inserts. but i do not think that will be an issue. i think it was left out to save some weight. never had an issue with stripped threads, just no heavy hands with pedal instal. i am also a fan of the full cnc work of RF.
the atlas FR does not have the inserts. but i do not think that will be an issue. i think it was left out to save some weight. never had an issue with stripped threads, just no heavy hands with pedal instal. i am also a fan of the full cnc work of RF.
Ah yeah interesting I guess ya right went for some weight savings, like you I'm not heavy with the pedal spanner I usually do em p by hand or T wrench lightly and some RnR white grease, for some reason I thought that was one of there selling points, but they must have tested them they'd know up there its a great testing ground, oh yeah CNC
LX is half the price of XT with all the quality and the same weight, I have two sets, paid about $100 for each and both are lighter than what XT is listed. I can't see the benefits of paying twice as much for XT - looks like smooth marketing to me.
I have had hones for a few years - 2 ring with the plastic bash guard. Very solid and bombproof cranks. When the 32 tooth middle ring wore out I got a 34 tooth and have never wanted for a large ring on my local slow rolling rocky terrain.
Search ebay - you can pick up some good deals. Last year, I picked up the forged Race Face Turbine LP (square taper) for less than $100. Light, strong and plenty of ring options (mines 110/74). I recently scored an XTR M960 setup for $46. Rings were hashed....but I would have put Blackspire's on anyway, they're my go-to rings. (they're going to get polished to match my raw Sultan frame).
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