XTR vs. XT Cranks

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Burner

can anyone really feel the stiffness of a crank?

I've felt flex in many parts... but a crank is such a short, thick piece, it seems it would be hard to flex. I would think BB's, Frames, wheels, forks, etc. Would flex way before a crank would, no?

The OB stuff is stiffer than square taper etc

[Burner]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

The OB stuff is stiffer than square taper etc

Ok, but that is the BB difference... how is the XTR stiffer than XT if they are both external bearings? has to be in the crank arm right? I just don't see a crank arm flexing.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Burner

Ok, but that is the BB difference... how is the XTR stiffer than XT if they are both external bearings? has to be in the crank arm right? I just don't see a crank arm flexing.

sorry......yea if you could feel the difference between the XT and XTR

[thephat]

Till you get chain suck that will not go away.

I don't think they are quite as light or stiff as XT.

Originally Posted by art23rockpile

Neither XT nor XTR!

RaceFace Deus... same price as XT, just as good or better, blingier... and made in North America vs. the Orient.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by Burner

can anyone really feel the stiffness of a crank?

I've felt flex in many parts... but a crank is such a short, thick piece, it seems it would be hard to flex. I would think BB's, Frames, wheels, forks, etc. Would flex way before a crank would, no?

I can. Only on my singlespeed. When I went from Shimano Octalinks to FSA Afterburners (outboard BB) or Shimano LX (outboard BB) I could definitely feel the difference.

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by kevinator

Another consideration for XT (besides the fact they look killer this year) is the replacement cost for rings (middle is carbon/alloy combo around $100).

I just replaced the middle & small rings on my Octalink-era XT crankset. No carbon ring for me.
Had to get a LX middle ring and grind down the longer tabs to fit on the crank. PITA - Thanks Shimano!

PS-Isn't this year's XT just last year's XTR? (Give or take a year)

[schleppp]

Originally Posted by Schecky

PS-Isn't this year's XT just last year's XTR? (Give or take a year)

That is what one of the guys at my local LBS said to me the other day. So maybe.

[jayman_29]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think I'll go ahead and get the XTs then. I just wanted to know if it was REALLY worth it to get XTRs. If I had the money, yeah, I'd get them. Money's kinda tight right now so I'll just get what's "good enough" for me.

Don't let this stop the thread though. It's interesting reading everyone's thoughts and opinions.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by jayman_29

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think I'll go ahead and get the XTs then. I just wanted to know if it was REALLY worth it to get XTRs. If I had the money, yeah, I'd get them. Money's kinda tight right now so I'll just get what's "good enough" for me.

Don't let this stop the thread though. It's interesting reading everyone's thoughts and opinions.

Enjoy miles of

[SSinGA]

Originally Posted by thephat

Till you get chain suck that will not go away.

I don't think they are quite as light or stiff as XT.

Plus the mounting system sucks!

[KBL]

Originally Posted by art23rockpile

Neither XT nor XTR!

RaceFace Deus... same price as XT, just as good or better, blingier... and made in North America vs. the Orient.

That's what I'm using. Excellent crankset with topnotch shifting. I used my square-taper Turbine LP's for a long time, so purchasing the newest-generation RaceFace XC-style cranks was an easy choice

I'm sure XTR cranks are better, but to me they're not worth the price difference.

[rockyt70]

i would go with xt, very soild and bullit proof and xtr is just to much dollar for me