Cranks!

[akern2]

Hello everyone,

So, i've been recently building up my DJ bike into more of a DJ bike, but i don't think the cranks are cut out for the abuse i'm about to throw at it. I have a set of Race Face Ride XC cranks w/ an Evolve DH ISIS bottom bracket on there. I'm sorta thinking about going with a BMX style crank with Cro-Mo everything. Or something like that.

Anybody have opinions, gripes, or better options?

Anybody willing to trade?


P.S. : I think it's a 73mm BB

[jabberwocky]

I run Saints on both my DJ bike and freeride rig. The Saints are a very solid design and are relatively lightweight for their strength. I got mine when Jenson was blowing them out for like 130 bucks.

Older Raceface Evolve DH cranks come up for sale occasionally and are a pretty good option. I have a set that I keep around as a backup crank.

Honestly, dirt jumping isn't that abusive on cranks. Unless you are sporting super-lightweight XC cranks I wouldn't worry about it yet. Once you start hitting bigger jumps (and casing landings hard) then its time to get something heavier duty. What frame are you going to put them on?

[akern2]

Well, i have a used Planet X DJ bike, which i got used off a guy at Germantown cycles. Literally, this bike is all used parts, even the tires. I'm sorta trying to keep it that way as well, budget wise.

[eloach]

So, what's up with the chain guides on DJ/ Urban bikes? They are hard tails, so... is the chain really gonna drop? Some ready to buy setups have them, and others don't. I am trying to figure out what that does for you.

Also, I certainly can't see needing more than a 1x9 on a DJ/Urban bike (SS might be fine), but a lot of them are 2x9. Why? Just so they can use some DH cranks? Do I really need that 22???

[jabberwocky]

If you are running 1x9 you definitely want a chainguide of some sort. The chain will bounce off like crazy if you don't.

I've never seen a pure DJ bike with more than one ring up front. I guess it might be useful if you trail ride on it too.

[akern2]

Huh, well...never really thought about it. Before i converted to SS, my chain dropped a lot on a 2x9 setup. I think it's from the shock. If you do drops your chain will move so much to the point were it hops of and you question were all your power went. So i can see the point in having one.

On the other hand, i've seen pics from Crankworx of a DJ rider with no chain, cassette, chainrings, front suspension, front brake. So as long as you have a good downhill ramp, screw components.

Anyone know who that rider is? I think i saw him in Decline magazine.

[eloach]

If you are running 1x9 you definitely want a chainguide of some sort. The chain will bounce off like crazy if you don't.

I've never seen a pure DJ bike with more than one ring up front. I guess it might be useful if you trail ride on it too.

Chain guide REQUIRED for 1x9. Check. I guess the RDR moves enough on impact to create slack so that the chain can jump off the front ring. Probably no issue with SS.

[akern2]

I can vouch for SS so far. Chain tensioners are little wonder do'ers.

[dcrider]

If you try riding real street on a geared bike with out a chain guide things will go wrong fast. Once you start spinning and riding fakie your chain does pretty unexpected things.

[mark w]

I'd ride them til they bend and save your $$ in the mean time. I'd expect Saints to be blown out again sometime soon with the next gen stuff getting announced. ;-)

[mark w]

http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=16159&cat=

these oughtta do the trick

[oldskoolbiker]

I'm going to look for some cranks at the swap, if I don't find any I'm ordering these:
http://blur.santacruzbicycles.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25_83&products_id=170&osCsid=eu4l7d6mvt1fvopedncsgarc47

I'll be replacing some older Holzfellers, if you're interested I'll let those go cheap with BB. THey'll fit the 73mm BB shell.

[akern2]

Hey oldskoolbiker, you happen to get new cranks yet? I'm might be interested in the older Holzfellers.

[oldskoolbiker]

No I didn't get new cranks. My wife yelled at me for spending too much money on bike stuff so I may just have to keep using the old cranks for a while longer.

Those holzfellers on santa cruz's website are a great deal though, I put a set on my AS-X and they got their trial run when we rode the shed on saturday. The anno started to wear off immediately, but all truvativ cranks do that.

[saxman]

I've got a set of used Bontrager 175mm cranks for ISIS and a 4 bolt chainring. They're just gathering dust. If you can make the journey up to Damascus, you are more than welcome to take them off my hands. I can't say if they're going to break or not under DJ stresses, but heck, they're free.