Cranks... not are created equal

[Upsidedown1]

I've started down that dark path of being weight conscious (weight wiennie) for XC racing. Trying to figure out the lightest crank set w/bottom bracket. Any suggestions would be great.

[Jman]

I can't prove it with any sort of facts but I always thought that XTR was the bench mark in saving weight from an XC point of view! Like I said I don't have any concrete evidence to back that up but I've not heard that SRAM has anything that comes close. Perhaps there is some small ma & pa company that might have something better.

[cjwally]

Middleburns....

Machined from the same billet as the RS7, but with more weight reduction to reduce mass but retain stiffness.

• Perfect for XC racing and trail riding.
• 175mm length only.
• LIFETIME warranty against defects in materials or workmanship* Does not cover DH, trials or jumping.
• 449 per pair including CD spider.
• Available in ISIS or square-taper interfaces.

http://www.middleburn.co.uk/cranks_rs8.php

• 

[BrewMaster]

I think the 449g middleburns are without the BB and chainrings.

The lightest total set up (cranks, BB, chainrings) that I have read about is the carbon fiber reinforced Race Face Next crankset. They are set to come out in Spring of 2008. You can enter to win them by filling out this survey. I think the total set up is in the 750 g range, but don't quote me on that.

[D. Diamond]

Sram makes the Truvativ Noir crank.
It's worth thinking about whether or not having external BB bearings is important to you.
Crank Bros is coming out with a new crank that looks pretty nice too.
I don't care about external bearings, but I'm only using my MTB cranks for XC race. I have a Crank Bros cobalt ti BB (isis) and the Bontrager/Stronglight XXX lite cranks. It's super light and plenty stiff for me (165 lbs) but there are more durable, stiffer setups out there.
The stated weight on the BB is 180 and it was spot on (along with everything I've weighed from Crank Bros).
The stated weight on the cranks is 550 and they actually weighed a little less!
My cranks and BB together were about 725 grams.
As I've said though, at that weight durability will always be compromised a bit.
Unless you are using it FRO (for race only) or you WANT an isis BB I'd go for the Sram Noir, (my first choice) the new Crank Bros (2nd) or the XTR (nice, but pricey).

[DeeZee]

get the Shimano XT's. I have been running these cranks for years and they are bomb proof, stiff and light.

Love'em

[S54MCoupe]

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/li...type=cranksets

[D. Diamond]

XT are a good compromise of weight, $, durable.

[Jman]

I'm a race fan myself, I have an older pair of Prodigy DH cranks on my HT and they're really a good set of cranks but are probably way heavier than what you're looking for. For some reason I love most things Race Face, don't really know why but they do have good stuff.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by mechmann

till you bend them. i bent a set on my big bike.

did you bend

XT's are a CC crank

If I was rollin a big bike I would maybe choose a different crank.

Three years on the same set of cranks and bearings (repacked the bearings) with my 230lbs mashing on them

[D. Diamond]

"Strong, light, cheap. pick two" -- Keith Bontrager

[ghixon]

Here's the ultimate weight weenie site

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/

[Pain Freak]

I'm running Truvative Stylo Team. We weighed them first to check against the claimed weight off 660. They came in at 624 grams. So far they're okay, but my Race Face stood up better (Next LP) and were slightly lighter. Both are good, but the RF are a little better.

[allison]

I've got XTR's, which are great, have XT's on my AM bike.. I'm running Middleburn RS7 Uno's on my light-weight bike, with a Platinum FSA BB.

[Rockinthecasbah]

Use some beefy downhill cranks and give em some speed holes !! Otherwise Is second brewmasters suggestion

[dutch]

that's what my headset top cap says! its a bontrager one that they sometimes put on demo fleet bikes.

Originally Posted by D. Diamond

"Strong, light, cheap. pick two" -- Keith Bontrager

[sdyeti]

yeah, but you are a big boy. for a girl like me, they are fine.

Originally Posted by mechmann

till you bend them. i bent a set on my big bike.

[Upsidedown1]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have an Specialized Epic that I am trying to drop 3-4 lbs off of. Will start by trying Specialized new Roval Controle wheels. Easton carbon seat post. Monkey lite bars. Crank bros egg beaters. Just was not sure of what crank to use. The local LBS wanted to put on carbon FSA. I just did not see much difference in weight than my XT's I already have. Want my FS to be arpond 23-24 lbs.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Upsidedown1

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have an Specialized Epic that I am trying to drop 3-4 lbs off of. Will start by trying Specialized new Roval Controle wheels. Easton carbon seat post. Monkey lite bars. Crank bros egg beaters. Just was not sure of what crank to use. The local LBS wanted to put on carbon FSA. I just did not see much difference in weight than my XT's I already have. Want my FS to be arpond 23-24 lbs.

Wheels and tires is where to put the $$. Rotating weight.

Look at the cost to drop a few grams and get a carbon seat post vs. a good ol Thomson

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by mechmann

till you bend them. i bent a set on my big bike.

Operative words being "on my big bike".

I have always found XT's to be bomb proof. Granted I don't jump or drop stuff, but even when I was at 270 lbs they never failed.