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It's not the lightest or pimpest, but the XTR works superbly and its relatively cheap cost completes Shimano's whitewash of the '09 crank scene. Rather than going carbon, Shimano use top spec Duralumin alloy. Rectangular profile hollow forged arms are both light and strong, with rigidity rivalling most big downhill sets. It's also one of the few modern cranks to come in a full range of arm lengths for perfect rider fit.The thin-wall scooped-back spider is matched with deep, scooped extensions on the arms of the outer chainring, while the titanium middle ring is sandwiched in a composite carrier. This translates into massive stiffness and lifespan in the most-used gears, and the bearings last for ages too. Nickel-plated alloy inner and outer rings are relatively wear- and rock-resistant compared with cheaper Shimano rings, too.While other manufacturers have almost caught up with Shimano shifting standards, the way the chain glides up and down on the ramps and pins is still gorgeous.While they're slightly heavier than the latest carbon or twin-ring options, the XTR cranks are still well under the 800g mark.Shimano are the only manufacturer to produce crank arm lengths from 165mm to 180mm, which will please tall or short riders, and considering the overall quality and toughness, price is excellent.Our only gripes are the unique but fiddly bearing preload collar and special bottom bracket installer tool, and the easily scuffable arm. They're our favourite tough-but-light trail cranks.
Race light, mountain tough and outstandingly detailed set
Shimano's XTR is racer light, serious mountain tough and relatively cheap, amking it our clear XC chainset choice. The evolved Hollowtech arms in super tough Duralumin alloy are stiffer and tougher than ever (we've mega-avalanched them with no problems), with a bare metal outer face to keep them looking good. The titanium and carbon middle ring is seriously durable too, while shifting is smooth and swift. The new crank attachement method is a bit fiddly but saves a bunch of weight. Bottom bracket life still isn't great, but otherwise it's very easy to live with, thanks to fanatical Shimano quality control on their flagship stuff. It comes in a huge range of crank sizes and price is a steal considering the performance.
Slick, trick, tough, super light and still one of the cheapest chainsets here (on test).
Aesthetics: They look quite unassuming when brand new especially when compared to the previous generation. They scuff really badly(like all previous XTR cranks).Value for money: If you want the very lightest cranks that Shimano (or anyone) has to offer then they're a bargain - for everyone else there's XT.Ease of Assembly: A bit faffier to get your head round compared to oither Shimano designs and requires unfamiliar special tools (that are supplied).Niggles: If you can ignore the scuffing, none. They function very, very well.Ideal buyer: Weight weenies of all persuasions who don't want to compromise on strength, stiffness or shifting performance.Notes: The middle chainring is made of titanium supported in a carbon shell.
Unsurprisingly very good - cranks with faultless shifting even under load. Mucho kudos to Shimano for making the lightest crankset and making it work as well.
XTR is the perennial performance benchmark and these new M970 cranks really do raise the bar. While other brands have gone carbon, Shimano have stuck with hollow forged/machined duralumin and it's easy to see why. It's within a handful of grams of the lghtest carbon sets, they're rock solid under foot and after months of pounding thye still look slick. The rings are standard four-bolt fit too. Even the new external BB seems better and the new preload ring and captured bolt fixing is proving excellent in use. All this and at a remarkably reasonable price too, putting XTR right back on top.
Super-light, stiff, and so far impressively durable and all at a fair price.
Shimano's XT crank will always be a benchmark to judge others by. While it's primarily a cross-country unit we've seen plenty of downhill racers using XT cranks to save weight. The hollow arms and integrated driveside axle mean it's stiff underfoot and the composite-and-steel middle ring is a tough piece in terms of landings and mileage too.We have bent a couple, though, and there are no steel pedal reinforcements in the arms so it's only a reliable gravity option for lighter, smoother riders. The cup threads are also quite shallow, which can be a problem with bottom bracket-fit chain devices. It's still tougher and more reliable than similar weight/price competitors, with only Shimano's own SLX looking like better value.
Cross-country light but tough and stiff enough for aggro all-rounder work
The XT has always been a benchmark crankset, and if you're looking for light but tough cranks without paying the earth then it's still a definite contender.A thick machined and double anodised outer ring, a steel and composite middle ring, and plated alloy inner ring combine to give impressive durability and drive stiffness. The hollow forged arms are tough enough to be a popular choice on the downhill circuit, while also being light enough to run pricier carbon sets close on weight, and the integrated driveside axle mean it's stiff underfoot. We have bent a couple, though, and there are no steel pedal reinforcements in the arms so it's only a reliable gravity option for lighter, smoother riders. Shimano's external bottom brackets are currently running longer than any other original equipment units. As long as you check bolts regularly, simple installation generally leads to trouble-free long-term use. The cup threads are quite shallow, which can be a problem with bottom bracket-fit chain devices.The arms start to look shabby a lot quicker than Shimano's SLX cranks, though, and the 40g weight saving for an extra £49 only seems worth it if you're a weight fanatic.
Still a winning blend of low weight, high strength and medium price
The new XT adds impressive chainring durability to proven performance, making it superb value. Shimano's Hollowtech arms have a fantastic reputation for strength to weight ratio, and loads of top DH racers actually run XT cranks instead of heavier Saints. Shifting is best in class and they're easy to install, thanks to the plastic cup and clamp bolt arrangement. The new steel and composite middle chainring means an extended lifespan, while the weight is still good (if not exceptional). There are a few grumbles. Torx key chainring bolts mean finding a new tool, and bottom bracket life isn't great. But with longer lived aftermarket alternatives now available, that's less of an issue - especially for £120.
Bit heavy and the BB could last better, but a good value tough trail chainset otherwise.
The new incarnation of Shimano's workhorse XT crankset hasn't changed as much as expected, but what has changed is worthwile. The crank arms get a flatter, broader profile with U-section spider arms, which are slightly stiffer than the already stiff Hollowtech arms of before.The twin bolts in the left-hand crank arm attachment system are the same as before, rather than using the new XTR single-bolt and preload collar system. The outer ring is thicker and stiffer, but it's the new middle ring that's the really significant thing for UK riders - it uses a broad composite body with a thin steel-tooth ring set into it. It's as light as Shimano's alloy chainrings but it's much stiffer to provide accurate shifting and lifespan is massively improved. The bottom bracket bearings are unchanged though, so you'll still be replacing them fairly regularly as they wear.
Shimano's stiff yet light workhorse crankset gets the high-durability ring it's always lacked.
You've probably noticed the growth of outboard-bearing cranksets as they spread through the various manufacturers ranges. Just in for 2008, this XT Hollowtech II crankset has 26/38/48T chainrings suited to the larger gear ratios of road touring. The spindle is integraed into the driveside crank, rather than a seperate cartridge bottom bracket and bearing gups sit outboard of the frame, screwing into either side. The upside is that bearings are bigger and spaced more widely apart, spreading the load better. The downside is that they are more exposed to the elements...they're incredibly easy to fit, although you need to be careful not to overtighten the preload. A low weight isn't necessarily a pre-requisite for touring bikes, but the Hollowtech II system certainly shaves some grams. With it's oversized mass of metal, it's alos incredibly stiff in the process, although aesthetically I'm not sure that they'd enhance the looks of a classic tourer. the chainrings themselves are anodised aluminium, ensuring they're light, though heavier steel would ultimately last longer. Shifting is excellent, witht he chain ramping up smoothly between rings. Square taper means the benchmark for reliability and availability around the world, so we'll be testing a set long-term to see how the seals and bearings compare over the rigours of touring.
Good quality and easy to fit. We'll be reporting back on longevity.
Shimano have reset the crankset benchmarks and blown away the opposition with both of their tough, top performing sub-£100 SLX options. The hollow forged arms, and reinforced spider and axle create a stiff yet light base structure and shifting is super smooth. The steel and composite middle ring on the triple chainring setup adds durability without weight and even the steel inner is drilled so it's only 40g heavier than Shimano's £40 more expensive XT crankset. Even the double chainring version with steel pedal inserts comes in at 1kg and its wide-range 36/22 gearing makes it perfect for rougher trail work. The honeycomb bashguard bounces off big stuff.Shimano claim the SLX cranks are 100 per cent stronger than XT, and from the abuse they've handled since we've had them, we're firm believers. They feel as stiff as most downhill cranks, and ramps and pins on the rings give slick and quick shifts.Shimano external bottom brackets are among the longest lasting original fit units and the two-tone anodised arms stay looking great for months, surviving even a winter of daily abuse in the Peak District and regular downhill use on our double.The only issue is shallow bottom bracket cups if you're using a non-ISCG chain device, but at £100 they're an absolute bargain.
Tough, light, durable, good looking and superb value
Shimano has reset the crankset benchmarks and blown away the opposition with both of its tough top performing sub-£100 SLX options.The hollow forged arms create a stiff yet light base structure and shifting is super smooth. The steel and composite middle rings add durability without weight and even the steel inner is drilled so its only 40g heavier than the £40 more expensive XT. Even the double version with steel pedal inserts comes in at 1kg and its 36/32 gearing makes it perfect for rougher trail work.Shimano external BB's are the longest lasting original fit units here and the two tone anodised arms stay looking good for months, surviving even a winter of daily abuse in the Peak District and regular DH use on our double. All this performance and longevity for under £100 make them a steal
The best combination of performance, longevity and cost by a mile.
Shimano's old Saint cranks were the benchmark for easy-use strength. These new ones are light enough to race but still burly. They're a complete redesign on the proven hollow arm, integrated axle Hollowtech II platform, and use Duralumin alloy previously reserved for XTR and Dura-Ace. They feel monumentally stiff and their strength is equally impressive. Ground and ankle clearance is improved too, while deep bearing cups and a permanently fixed pedal insert also boost user friendliness.Recent Shimano bottom brackets are running a lot longer than original ones, too. This double version has a usefully broad 36/22-tooth range behind a honeycomb bashguard designed to absorb impact shock rather than smashing the spider if you really case it.
Saint resets the all-round hardcore crank benchmark
It shows you how hardcore general Canadian riding is when Race Face's all-mountain crank is tougher than most downhill sets.Structurally there's a lot of similarity with the Deus (and its Turbine grand-daddy) with a beefy I-Beam arm profile machined in Canada from a bespoke OPTIM-AL.It certainly feels rock solid underfoot and our three-year-old long-term test set is still going strong after spending all 2008 in Whistler.The thicker-walled fixed axle seems to preserve the bottom bracket bearings slightly better, although they're still not great.Installation requires some muscle and pedal threads need greasing regularly, but once they're on these are proper fit-and-forget cranks for big or aggressive trail riders.They're not cheap, but seriously tough and well proven cranks for aggressive trail riders, especially if your riding includes regular drops, berms and downhill runs. Also check out the limited edition Race Face Atlas FR, which is an even beefier beast for extra insurance.
Monster strong all-rounder cranks but bearing life is average