Review from
Bikeradar
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.
In conclusion...
Still a winning blend of low weight, high strength and medium price
Rating: 9/10