Mountain Biking - Opinions on 03 XTR cranks

Anyone have experience with these? I'm looking into getting a set. Besides the fact that they're too expensive and scratch easily, what else is there to consider?

from what i've heard and everything i've read they're supposed to be the ****. The only real down side i know of, is they come in a one size fits all bottom bracket shell which takes some time with shims to set up properly for your front derailuer

From what I've read on MTBReview is that they are designed for 73mm shells (68mm ones need their shims). Installation is also very critical, because if done the wrong way, it'll destroy the bearings.

After looking through a few manuals and pictures, I can already see two problems with XTR:

Chainrings can't be replaced (there are currently no replacements for sale)
Bearing cup tool has no way of achieving accurate torque value (it's a friggin wrench!)

So I'll probably go with the new 04 XT. Any opinions still welcome! :D

Chainrings can't be replaced (there are currently no replacements for sale)


I am sure shimano will come out with some soon, no doubt at near half the price of a new crankset.

Yea look at other cranks other than Shimano. Race Face makes the Turbines which are XC/FR cranks and the Next LPs which are way nicer than the XTR cranks. Also check out the FSA Afterburner or Carbon cranksets if you plan on doing a lot of XC stuff.

I have this crankset on my Blur. Thus far, I could not be happier. The set-up is very light, and stiff.

i also have these cranks on my blur and i haven't had any problems, very light and dead sexy :D as far as the shims go you either place one or two depending on the bb size, no fiddling involved

If i may I'd like to squash a few perceptions about the new XTR cranks.


If not fitted properly the bearing s will be destroyed
thats true of any cartridge type BB. Thats why frame manufacturers facce their BB shells to get them aligned. Whenever you fit a new BB teh shell should be faced to remove any high spots that could cause seizure of th BB bearings.


the chainrings can't be replaced and none are or sale yet

replacement rings have been on sale world wide since june 2003. America got them first.
The rings are XTR only as with the previous XTR crank.


It's a one size fits all and you need shims to get it to fit correctly

actually it's th easiest crank to fit. It is designed for 73mm shells and the 3 spacers are need to fit it too 68mm shell BB's thats not a problem. It's also been designed around the std 43mm chainline (or whatever the dimention is).

Having used mine for almost a year it does not appear to have many scratches on. Perhaps that simply because I'm not duck footed and ride with my feet more or less pointing directly forward on the bike. It does scratch but no moe so than other cranks I've used.

It is the stiffest crank I've ever fitted to my bike.
It's also noticably lighter than other cranks I've used, M950 XTR included.


Stiff, Light, easy to set up, chainline is spot on no matter what bike it'll be moved to.
It's a keeper!! Get one :D

It is a hell of a lot of money though, even if it does look and perform real nice :)

but did i tell you they are DEAD SEXY :D :D

The only problem I see with them is the "Shimano" logo! J/K guys, no need for a flame war!

L8R

Too damn expensive!

Too expensive??!
It's about the same price as Race Afce top XC crank nad BB combined.
top tier product = top tier price

whether you want t spend that kind of money is up to you.
Personally I think the New M760XT crank is better value for money.

I have to agree with TimB. Shimano XTR is not expensive in comparison with RF Turbine+Sig BB. Its the same money, if not less.

For the same price though you could get like an FSA carbon crankset or something, i think something like the XTs are a good value though.

????so because the FSA's are carbon they're better????!!!

If you believe that then the marketing is surely working

Dude, it LOOKS fast, and that's all that matters.



:D

For the same price though you could get like an FSA carbon crankset or something, i think something like the XTs are a good value though.
You know you're right. TimB must work for Shi*no or something as he always rides to the rescue if someone disses them

I think he's a CEO at Shimano or something.



:D

:D

actually nhave nothing to do with them whatsoever.
I just believe that they produce the best stuff.
Their engineering is sound
Quality is excellent

Sounds like most people over in USA have problems with them because the supplier seems a bit 'difficult' to deal with.

In UK, we don't have problems with the Shimano supplier.
Even though they had the quality issue with the XTR BB bearing beginning 2003, all those BB's were replaced under warranty by Shimano europe.

As for designed obsolesence, I think thats pretty much a characteristic of the world we live in today. Nothing is built to last forever.
As a rider to that I have to say that I have not worn a Shimano component out completely in almost 20 yrs of cycling. I have replaced parts to be more current or simply for a change.

Good stuff, excellent quality and it works.
The smaller manufacturers also make some excellent stuff. However I can't be arsed to look around for pimp bits. I just walk into my LBs and tell them give me XTR this and that. I know it works, I know it lasts. what bigger reaosns are there for endorsing something.
Come on be honest


: PS i still have Biopace rings on my TT bike :D

Also did you know that the cheapest cure for bob on your FS bike is fitting Bioace rings??!!! try it!!

I have an old pair of biopace rings from my old roadbike. I may just do that. Thanks for the tip TimB.

Don't get me wrong, I like Shimano products. I just like to cheer for the underdog sometimes.

I do however like Race Face cranks more. For a couple of reasons. They work incredibly well, they're stiff, they're light, and here's probably the silliest yet sometimes a very important reason, they come in different colors.

Red cranks would look great on my bike, yellow too!

Now, I wouldn't buy them "just" because they come in powder coated colors. But since their quality is top notch AND they come in colors, I'll choose them every time!

L8R

A2 i like RF too. In the recent past i had a quarrel with TimB about RF vs Shimano. But i have to say that in the UK RF is seriously overpriced in comparison with Shimano/FSA/Truvativ.

yellow cranks would look great on my MTb as well!
But because I can't always get hold of spares for RF I choose not purchase that brand.
in the USofA and canada you don't have that spare supply problem but in South Africa and even in the Uk and Europe sometimes it can behard to get hold of RF replacement rings.
I had to wait 3 weeks for RF rings for the LX cranks on my 2nd MTB a couple of years ago and this was in Holland. I choose another set of LX rings from Mammoet Wielerij. They were cheaper and available.

Those are all factors that drive my perception of 'BEST'.
reliable
light
available

I didnt say that carbon is better but how about supporting other companies other than just Shimano. I know you love them but thats cool.

Well, I saw one up close the other day and I must say, it's pretty impressive. Completely different design of the BB makes me want to take these cranks on a test ride.....soon.

I'm wondering though, when the 04 XT cranks come out, will they have the installation tools for the BB like the XTR package? It'd be kinda lame if it didn't. Also, the wrench that comes with the XTR box will not be accurate as far as torque is concerned, because the install manual calls for something like 30 ft-lbs. I guess elbow torque is good enuf. :D

Yo B!

I've been MTBing for almost 12yrs and used SRSuntour, Sakae, Middleburn,
and more recently Shimano STX-RC, RF, Coda Tarantula M950 XTR and now XTR M960.
Not all the cranks were owned by me. Some were part of sponsorship or used in part exchange with a friend etc.

At the time I used them I like them because I think each was at the cutting edge when they were used except the RF which was square taper and perhaps thats why I'm not particularly fond of RF. That crank felt flexy in comparison with the m950 XTR that replaced it.
The Coda was next and it was stiffer than a stiff thing.
The M965XTR is stiffer than a stiff thing. and then some

in A few years perhaps someone else will make a crank that will be stiffer still and then I'll like that one.
At this moment in time my choice and preference is Shimano. Hope thats ok :)


PS: I do have a FSA team issue Carbon pro chainset on my road bike and love it! So pimpy and prefered it to anything else........till a month ago i rode a similar road bike to mine but with the new Dura Ace RC7800 crank (like Lance used in TdF) and i have to take my wooly hat off to the big S. That new crank is work of engineering art and stiffer than stiff things stiff thing..

The bench mark moves, at the moment it's Shimano setting it. Someone will take up the mantle soon enough.

Don't you just love competition???.....

PS Chi,

I saw the new M760 XT stuff at a exhibitin evenng at my LBS last week.
The BB will have the same tool as the XTR BB. In fact it's the same BB. both cost £20. Same BB is also used for Dura Ace!!
Now that parts rationalisation for you!!!!

PSS the new Xt crank is very light, a lot light than the old one.
Also the New XT wheelset is really Great!!! It's basically the same as the XTR wheelset except theres no titanium bits and the bearing races are not borozon hardened.
Same rim, same Spokes, about 40% cheaper