180mm crank selection

[allencb]

Last year, when I built up my SS, in order to get the chainline correct, I had to mount the chainring on the outside position of the cranks. Due to the size of the chainring and bend of the cranks, I had to "shape" the inside arm of the crank to clear the chain. I inspect it every time I lube the chain and there are no cranks, but I feel like I'm living on borrowed time.

My choices for cranks in the 180mm length seem to be:

WI Eno-based on what I've read, these are off the list.

Middleburn-nice and will use my current BB.

Shimano XT-less expensive than the Middleburns, but will require me to get new BB tools for the external BB, greatly reducing the price difference. I have no experience with the external BB.

Between the Middleburn and XT crank, which would be a better choice? I like that the Middleburn uses my current BB, which means no new tools. If I get the spider adaptor, I can use common chainrings. However, going the XT route brings me up to date and gives me more options down the road. Square Taper BBs are getting hard to find at the non-Phil level.

BTW, I read that one of the benefits of Shimano external BB systems is how the bearings are preloaded separately from holding the cranks on. The FSA singlespeed cranks *appear* to work in the same manner and are a lot cheaper. Are they decent?

Thanks,
Chris

[Dirt]

I probably would not buy another set of White Industries cranks, though the set that I purchased from Jabber are working perfectly. They require a very long bottom bracket spindle and you'd likely have to buy a new bottom bracket in order to get them to work on your frame.

I haven't heard anything bad about middleburn cranks. When I get around to getting new cranks for my RIP9, that's what I'll get.

I'm not a shimano fan and anything that I would say on the topic would be biased and unfair to the merits of the XT crank system and likely irrational.

Pete

[jon_baler]

Another good option is the Race Face Atlas cranks. They can be had in 180:
http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp?part=108924

The XT pinch bolt design is nice, but I'm not a fan of the special tool.

[jabberwocky]

The special preload tool for Shimano cranks is really cheap (like 3 bucks). I don't consider it a dealbreaker. The actual outboard bearing tool shouldn't be too much either (10-15 bucks), and can be used on pretty much all outboard bearing cranks.

Between the outboard bearing systems, I think Shimanos design is the best (I have outboard cranks from Raceface, Shimano and Truvativ).

I'm not personally a fan of square taper cranks. I've had a few and all have been problematic in one way or another.

When I replaced my Eno cranks for my SS, I bought a set of LX cranks. If I ever get my frame back I'll be able to tell you how they work. :p

[allencb]

I haven't heard anything bad about middleburn cranks. When I get around to getting new cranks for my RIP9, that's what I'll get.


Would you get the spider or the proprietary SS ring? I like the cleanness of the ring, but the spider would be more flexible, allowing me to use commonly available rings.

but I'm not a fan of the special tool.

Which tool is that? The only special tools I've seen for external bottom bracket systems has been the BB cup tool.

Chris

[markie]

What hub are you trying to get a good chainline to?

Personally I like square taper as they come in lots of sizes and if you go for Phil BB you can trim your chainline so it is perfect.

With the other types of cranks/bottom brackets you are mostly stuck with the chainline you get, unless you start using spacers.

So I'd go square taper and get the middleburns. I would not get the SS version because I do not like proprietry chainrings and sometimes I do like to use a bash guard.

[allencb]

What hub are you trying to get a good chainline to?


I'm using a Surly flip/flop hub. it has a 52mm chainline. It appears all of the outboard bearing cranks have 50mm chainlines, but the middleburn has a 48mm chainline, which means a much longer BB or a Phill (at a giant cost) to maintain my chainline.

Chris

[markie]

Umm, 50 vs 52 is close enough. The 50 is probably to the middle ring so the outer ring might be even closer.

Still I think the phil is the way to go, like a Chris King headset, those things last for ages and then if you want rid of them they make a good amount back.....

[jon_baler]

Which tool is that? The only special tools I've seen for external bottom bracket systems has been the BB cup tool.

Chris

The plastic pre-load tool. Not expensive, and it does come with the Park Tool external bearing tool. I've just found the plastic piece to be a pain, always afraid that it will strip and I won't be able to dissassemble the cranks. Also, I have had interference with the buldge of LX cranks and the tool.

[fausto]

always afraid that it will strip and I won't be able to dissassemble the cranks.



since it even occurred to you that it could strip, I'd bet you are overtightening it.


I'm not a shimano fan either, so I'll say this in the least flattering way possible: XT is the best crank on the market.

[jon_baler]

since it even occurred to you that it could strip, I'd bet you are overtightening it.


The strip fear is due to the fact that I can't properly insert the Park tool due to the bulge of the LX cranks. Perhaps this isn't an issue on the XT.

[Dirt]

Would you get the spider or the proprietary SS ring? I like the cleanness of the ring, but the spider would be more flexible, allowing me to use commonly available rings.

Get the spider. It is stronger and gives you the option of using a bash guard if you like.

I'll be using mine on a geared bike though, so I don't have the option of the single ring.

[allencb]

Looks like the Middleburns with the MTB dual spider give a 50mm chainline with a 113mm BB, which I think is the size I have.

I need to decide if I want the 4 or 5 bolt spider. I have chainrings and bashguards for 4 bolt, but the 5 bolt would be stronger...

Chris

[allencb]

My Middleburn RS-7 with RED 5-bolt spider will be here tomorrow! I'm going to pair it up with a 34t Surly ring and 18t WI freewheel.

Chris

[langer]

My Middleburn RS-7 with RED 5-bolt spider will be here tomorrow! I'm going to pair it up with a 34t Surly ring and 18t WI freewheel.

Chris
Where did you end up ordering the cranks? I think I'm gonna settle for the RS-7...very minimal weight savings with the RS-8 anyways.

[allencb]

mtbtandems.com.

Chris