Mountain Biking - XTR vs FSA vs Raceface cranks

I am looking to change my crank set. Am currently running XT cranks. I can feel the bottom bracket going so looking to upgrade the entire setup.

I am hoping that somebody could give me some advice. I pretty much just ride XC. I am looking for rider input on these cranks. I know everybody will have there opinions.

Hope somebody can help me make a decision

It's probably just me, but I swear by Raceface XC cranksets. In my opinion, their SRX and X-type bottom brackets are the best around. Here's a few links:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14022-135_RACEV4_KIT-3-Parts-56-Cranks/Bolts/Race-Face-Evolve-XC-Crankset-w/-SRX-Bottom-Bracket-offerIN050QB1.htm
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=13970&style_id=100%20RACEX5&detailName=Race%20Face%20Evolve%20XC%20X-Type%20Crankset%20w/%20Bottom%20Bracket%20Cups&detailName=Race%20Face%20Evolve%20XC%20X-Type%20Crankset%20w/%20Bottom%20Bracket%20Cups&dept_id=&deptName=&sub_id=&subName=&lprice=144.98&hprice=144.98

Well I think the Truvativ Stylo Teams are among the best XC cranksets, for their intended use which is XC. At that price its a hell of a buy, look at the reviews.

Id go RF or FSA both are AWESOME companies and I run them on BOTH of my bikes......

I HATE SHIMANO
-Jacob

where can you go to read reviews on cranks and any bike part for that matter???

I'm also in the market for new cranks and I like the Truvativ Blaze ISIS cranks.

Try mtbr.com for reviews

Just put an XTR crankset on my Spec. Rockhopper Comp. Fabulously smooth and light. Best crankset I have ever used, by far.

Note - XTR is not vogue any more. You will get some negative remarks from the "XTR sucks" camp, no doubt. :rolleyes:

I haven't tried any XC cranks from FSA or RF but the XTR's are bloody brilliant. My mate runs them on his DH bike (GTi DH) and they have taken a pounding in wet slushy conditions and dry dusty conditions and they are just as smooth as the day he got them, however he does get a tiny bit of flex in them when cranking hard over rough ground, but he isn't sure if it is crank, BB or iDrive system.

Make mine Truvativ

A buddy of mine has FSA "team issue" cranks and to tell the truth, I think he made a mistake in getting them. I personally would go with the XTR. Granted, as others have said there are the shimano haters out there but from what I've seen and tested the XTR is your best bet in their price range.

I have the FSA carbon team issue crankset with an ISIS bb on my hardtail and it is great, this is my third season on the crankset. I also have an FSA carbon K-Force Mega EXO crankset on my full suspension and it is awesome. Heck, I even have an FSA carbon pro team issue double on my roadie with an ISIS bb. Now, with that said I have to say that I believe the best crankset for the money is the Shimano XT with outboard bearings. I don't believe it is worth the extra money to go with the XTR.

I have no intentions of ever buying another crankset that uses either ISIS or octalink bottom brackets. I am lucky to get one season out of one of those bottom brackets. I have had three race face ISIS bottom brackets, two FSA ISIS bottom brackets and one American Classic ISIS bottom brackets. I have also had a couple of Shimano octalink bottom brackets. None of them last. I think external bearings is the only way to go.

Oh, the reason I would go with the shimano xt over the fsa carbon K-Force Mega EXO is simply price and weight. Unfortunately FSA lies about the weight on their crankset, it actually weighs 101 grams more than the advertised weight. When you consider the real weights the shimano does not weigh that much more at all and costs almost $200 less.

I'd go for the XTR cranks if you're into racing.
If just general XC then rather get the Cheaper XT version.
No other crank comes close to the stiffness/weight/price ratio of Shimano cranks.
I'v had my XTYR for 3yrs and been through 2sets of chianrings in nearly 12000km of off road riding. It takes abuse and it's still running straight.

Oh and the shifting performance can;t be matched by anything. Most cranks will need to run TA specialities rings to get close to the shifting performance of XT or XTR rings

I'd go for the XTR cranks if you're into racing.
If just general XC then rather get the Cheaper XT version.
No other crank comes close to the stiffness/weight/price ratio of Shimano cranks.
I'v had my XTYR for 3yrs and been through 2sets of chianrings in nearly 12000km of off road riding. It takes abuse and it's still running straight.

Oh and the shifting performance can;t be matched by anything. Most cranks will need to run TA specialities rings to get close to the shifting performance of XT or XTR rings
Cashed that check yet?

You know FSA makes a megaexo BB with ISIS interface. You get the external bearings and ISIS compatibility. With the Stylo's it makes probably the best deal, the megaexo BB is 55 dollars from BUlltek sports.
and XTR is way overpriced