Mountain Biking - XTR or Race Face Deus XC cranks - Which is better?

Specific question....I'm looking to upgrade my crankset as my Race Face Ride XC is wearing out as is my Isis BB. I'm looking to spend a few extra $$ to get a top of the line set so I'm wondering about the opinions of those in here at the two I'm looking at, the XTR set and the Race Face Deus.

Any experience with either one or both? I ride aggressive XC and yes, a bit of weight weenie (I admit it). Opinions please.

Thanks!

I've got the Dues on an 05 Giant XTC, No problems with it. The bike is used in light XC riding, no drops, hucks, or jumps.

XTR? Just silliness.

I managed to get the XTR 960 cranks off of ebay for a really good price. They were take-offs but had no chain rings. I then bought some Blackspire chainrings to go along with it.

I really, really am happy with this set-up. I like how light and strong they are. No flexy noddle feel to these cranks.

I think if you shop around you can find some new XTR-960 (the last generation) at a good price. However, you'd be okay to get XT or even LX.

Although I hate to say it, I think the nod goes to the Shimano (although I'd go XT). The Race Face is a little futzy to set up. It's a nice crank (I have one) but the Shimano system seems more intuitive.

Damn you, Shimano!

I've never had RF's, but I've had LX, Hone, and Saint outboard bearing cranksets and I have loved them all. I've heard that the Deus is pretty awesome, yet "stay away from Evolve's".

I only say XTR is silly b/c of the price. If you get them for a great price then YeeeHaw for you, I'm jealous. I do prefer the Hone's for my style b/c they have steel pedal inserts like the Saint and I believe a SS spindle instead of Cromo.

Xtr.

If you have the money get the XTR.

I've seen XTR 960 cranks with bottom bracket going for about $250-300.

If you have the money get the XTR.

+1..if you have the dinero. XTR is what I would've bought if I didn't think the XT's were the best bang-per-buck component. I heard they shift great and I know my XT's do:)


Although I hate to say it, I think the nod goes to the Shimano (although I'd go XT). The Race Face is a little futzy to set up. It's a nice crank (I have one) but the Shimano system seems more intuitive.

Damn you, Shimano!

+1 here too, only my cranks and cassette are Shimanodevils:D

Storck.

The Race Face is a little futzy to set up.

I have a Race Face Atlas crank and had no problems installing it or setting up. what problems did you have??

The Race Face is a little futzy to set up. It's a nice crank (I have one) but the Shimano system seems more intuitive.

What's the issue? I have Race Face external bearing cranksets on three of the bikes in the garage and they have been easy to install/setup.

I've always felt the shimano spline with the clamp bolt is a little bit slicker than the RF design.

Thanks so much for your thoughts and feedback. It helps a lot!!

I have a Race Face Atlas crank and had no problems installing it or setting up. what problems did you have??

I didn't have any problems setting it up but you have to follow the directions exactly. The little plastic spacers aren't my favorite either. Shimano's pinch bolt system seems easier to deal with. I haven't really worked on a Shimano system yet but it looks easier to deal with then the Race Face. If you read the reviews over on MTBR, set up is the biggest issue people have with them.

If you read the reviews over on MTBR, set up is the biggest issue people have with them.

I think some of the people on that site would write a review on how bad a tube is because they can't figure out how to put air in it....:rolleyes:

RaceFace Atlas here. I was able to take off my old lx and put on the rf without a problem. Granted I did have to buy a couple bottom bracket tools. Also, bear in mind, i have no mechanical skills what so ever.
mick

I think some of the people on that site would write a review on how bad a tube is because they can't figure out how to put air in it....:rolleyes:
Considering the number of tube reviews on that site I wouldn't doubt it;)

I think some of the people on that site would write a review on how bad a tube is because they can't figure out how to put air in it....:rolleyes:

I will grant you that but still the Race Face isn't as easy to install as the Shimano. And I really, really, really hate to praise the giant S. Damn you Shimano!

I will grant you that but still the Race Face isn't as easy to install as the Shimano. And I really, really, really hate to praise the giant S. Damn you Shimano!

Having installed my Diabolus and XT with widely differing levels of difficulty, I reluctantly have to agree.

To both points.

Race Face installation is a PITA, especially when repeated removals/reinstallations are necessary, as when trying to set up a chainguide.

I learned that an impact wrench and an 8mm hex attachment make things much easier.

XTR FTW! If you got the cash. The 960's can be had online for a killer price right now.
However, I'm digging the XT cranks on my stumpy...

I had a harder time installing my road tires on rims than installing my raceface crank. You guys drunk while your working??? I usually am so maybe you should try it if your not, might make things easier..

I think some of the people on that site would write a review on how bad a tube is because they can't figure out how to put air in it....:rolleyes:

all tubes are not created equal.

If you are talking about the new XTR FC-M970 (2007) 4th gen of XTR, I will take the XTR over RaceFace. The weight and the look of it, Carbon Ti middle ring, etc. I am not a fan of Shimano Crank and not the FC-m952 and M960. But I am for the 970 for the look and weight and price (yes...this one is actually reasonable I think). I have a FC-m952 and I hated it. The insert is short and easy to kill. That is why when 960 came out, I didn't go for it but found some RaceFace Turbine Forged and Next LP from LBS for more then the price of M960. But if you ask me to compare the New Race Face (which is never gonna be as good as their Turbine and Next), I will take XTR FC-M970.

I've never had RF's, but I've had LX, Hone, and Saint outboard bearing cranksets and I have loved them all. I've heard that the Deus is pretty awesome, yet "stay away from Evolve's".

Why do you say stay away from the Evolves? Just curious. Thanks.

The shimano rings and installation system are better than RaceFace, even though I think the company makes cool stuff. The Raceface system uses a taper, like an ISIS or Octalink spline to attach the arm to the spindle and I just don't trust tapered systems as much, even though the Cadence cranks on my cross bike are otehrwise great. That said, the XTR 970 system isn't quite as good as the pinch bolts on the XT and below shimano cranks. Shimano has rectified this with the latest generation of XTR though.

Anyways, for 970 XTR or Deus I would give the XTR a slight edge, but if the Raceface are cheaper they are probably almost as good.

EDIT: also raceface bottom brackets kind of suck. But a shimano replacement is only like 30 bucks, so not a huge factor.

Their DH bb's are good for the money though...

I have XTR 960 on MTB #1, XTR 970 on MTB #2 and just bought some Gold RaceFace Dues cranks (because they look so perfect on my gold Kona Kula, MTB #3).
As far as quality there is no camparison XTR cranks just like Dura Ace are probably the best you can get.

While I do like shimano cranks, I needed a change and went full raceface.

I, too, would be interested to know what issues people have had with RF Evolve... since I have had NONE! Four years of flawless perdformance under my 240lbs.!