Race Face Dues XC Crank Problems

[Krztaco]

I purchased these brand new about 9 months ago. Luckily I've been riding a lot over the past year and now need new small and middle rings so I dropped off at the Path for a seemingly easy install. Well, it's been back for the 3rd time due to chain suck on NEW rings! We've (The Path) tried 3 other sets of rings to hopefully alleviate the problem but to no avail, adjusted the shims on the crankset for a friendlier chain line.

There are actually a few other bikes at the Path with the same challenges.

Current set up:
NEW XT rear cassette
New Small and Middle rings
NEW SRAM chain and NEW XTR Chain...same suck!
2005 Ellsworth Moment Medium Frame
x-9 rear DRLR
NEW XTR Front DRLR

We're currently waiting for Race Face customer service to call back

The Path was awesome and styled me out with a Specialzed Enduro SL for the weekend so I could ride Love those guys (and gals)!


Any suggestions or similar experiences with a happy ending?

KRZ

[CalEpic]

Strange - I have the same cranks with XT cassette and SRAM chain. I've always replaced the rings, cassette and chain at the same time and have never had a problem. The latest change I went with SRAM cassette but again, no issues.

Is the chain too long? Spacers replaced the same as before? The guys at the Path are sharp so it seems strange that could be the issue but never hurts to double check.

C

[Fired Yo Momma]

buy a whole new bike

[Krztaco]

Originally Posted by Fired Yo Momma

buy a whole new bike

Thank you for your in-depth analysis and technical break down on the situation.

KRZ

[Rob]

Get XT cranks.

[26'er Zen Master]

there was a bad run of those cranks and i am sure you have a set of them have warrantied a bunch that we got so just get a hold of race face and they will get you a new set.

[Kish Me]

Originally Posted by Rob

Get XT cranks.

On my geared hardtail, I replaced the small 2 rings of my XT cranks. Then I had crazy chain-suck and couldn't resolve it.
Then I changed the crankset out with a new R.F. Dues XC. PERFECT!

Whats up with original vs. replacement rings??!!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Kish Me

On my geared hardtail, I replaced the small 2 rings of my XT cranks. Then I had crazy chain-suck and couldn't resolve it.
Then I changed the crankset out with a new R.F. Dues XC. PERFECT!

Whats up with original vs. replacement rings??!!

had a bad run of rings. Had the same problem.

OT just a thought........is everything tight on the frame?

Like 29er Zen Master said see what RF says

[allison]

Hope mine aren't bad! I've got them on my DH bike.

[nintense]

Originally Posted by Krztaco

I purchased these brand new about 9 months ago. Luckily I've been riding a lot over the past year and now need new small and middle rings so I dropped off at the Path for a seemingly easy install. Well, it's been back for the 3rd time due to chain suck on NEW rings! We've (The Path) tried 3 other sets of rings to hopefully alleviate the problem but to no avail, adjusted the shims on the crankset for a friendlier chain line.

There are actually a few other bikes at the Path with the same challenges.

Current set up:
NEW XT rear cassette
New Small and Middle rings
NEW SRAM chain and NEW XTR Chain...same suck!
2005 Ellsworth Moment Medium Frame
x-9 rear DRLR
NEW XTR Front DRLR

We're currently waiting for Race Face customer service to call back

The Path was awesome and styled me out with a Specialzed Enduro SL for the weekend so I could ride Love those guys (and gals)!


Any suggestions or similar experiences with a happy ending?

KRZ

Easy to solve:
File the ramp pins little bit, or go ride about 200 miles for natural brake-in.

Good luck.

[CPATCRASH]

I hear RF cranks have sharp chain rings where Shimano's are a little more rounded. The RF tend to catch the chain and pull it up from the bottom. I have a friend who has a new bike with RF cranks and has the same problem. XT rules.

[Krztaco]

Originally Posted by nintense

Easy to solve:
File the ramp pins little bit, or go ride about 200 miles for natural brake-in.

Good luck.

That's what the next step is...picking up the bike tonight.

KRZ

[reflux]

Off topic, but slightly on topic.

I have a first gen set that my sister's boyfriend sold me a year or so ago. He has since deployed blah blah, otherwise this would be his problem. The cranks simply won't tighten. Or they do tighten, but come loose upon cranking the pedals. Any ideas?

Thanks, and good luck to the OP.

[northshore]

They were not made by Iron Horse.....

[Rob]

Originally Posted by reflux

Off topic, but slightly on topic.

I have a first gen set that my sister's boyfriend sold me a year or so ago. He has since deployed blah blah, otherwise this would be his problem. The cranks simply won't tighten. Or they do tighten, but come loose upon cranking the pedals. Any ideas?

Thanks, and good luck to the OP.

It's probably just due to their crappy design. They don't use pinch bolts to clamp onto the spindle, the whole setup relies on the one bolt holding it all together.

[reflux]

Originally Posted by Rob

It's probably just due to their crappy design. They don't use pinch bolts to clamp onto the spindle, the whole setup relies on the one bolt holding it all together.

Haha, the crappy design goes without saying. Do I have any options besides using them as an expensive paper weight?

[Rob]

Recycle them.

[reflux]

Originally Posted by Rob

Recycle them.

Haha, if I could get them to be halfway functional, I'd recycle them on my "new" SS.

Seriously though, any ideas? I have a 6 pack of Cusquena with your name on it...

[92se-r]

What's chain suck?

[Wrecker]

Originally Posted by reflux

Off topic, but slightly on topic.

I have a first gen set that my sister's boyfriend sold me a year or so ago. He has since deployed blah blah, otherwise this would be his problem. The cranks simply won't tighten. Or they do tighten, but come loose upon cranking the pedals. Any ideas?

Thanks, and good luck to the OP.

John had this problem with his cranks, too, even replaced them and tightened them, tightened them, I think he even overtightened them--finally switched.

I ran into a guy at a race with the same cranks, and he said he had the same problem...

Paperweight seems to be the answer