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2012 RaceFace

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
Haha, quickly checked the user's lasts posts search thingy to understand what you're on about :p
Maybe I'll change my username to my company website so I can get some free advertising on a public forum... I'm sure no one else has ever though of that idea before :)

Yes I'm sure he doesn't own amazon, but the principal remains the same.
 

RedOne

Monkey
May 27, 2007
172
0
Nuremberg, Germany
Atlas crank
• EXI interface complete with self extracting puller cap
• Light weight removable granny ring

Ok, what's the new thing here? And what is the advantage of EXI over the old system?
 

Norther

Chimp
Sep 11, 2009
29
1
Finland
Atlas crank
• EXI interface complete with self extracting puller cap
• Light weight removable granny ring

Ok, what's the new thing here? And what is the advantage of EXI over the old system?
EXI interface is similar than proven and reliable ISIS. Crank removal for chainline adjustments is a lot easier than with X-type. X-type requires a lot more torque
to get crank bottomed to spindle and to be removed. Thought I haven't had any problems with X-Type interface. Small bearings were the problem of old ISIS standard BBs, EXI interface cranks implements external bb cups specs, but as I mentioned ISIS like crank interface has been remained.

I have read that after many installations X-Type interface cranks have developed some play between crank and spindle. But that just internet talks.
I haven't noticed this.

Soon we have perfect crank&bb specs. External BB cups with large and durable bearings. Sweet ceramic bearings also available. Excellent crank to spindle interfaces. Spindles that doesn't snap. BB bearings are finally properly sealed on some applications. Strong and lightweight cranks.
Bygone are the days with crank&BB problems :)
 
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EVIL JN

Monkey
Jul 24, 2009
491
24
No pf30? Strange since most companys making any kind of pressfit for dh is doing pf30. Would have been nice on my demo.
 

RedOne

Monkey
May 27, 2007
172
0
Nuremberg, Germany
EXI interface is similar than proven and reliable ISIS. Crank removal for chainline adjustments is a lot easier than with X-type. X-type requires a lot more torque
to get crank bottomed to spindle and to be removed. Thought I haven't had any problems with X-Type interface. Small bearings were the problem of old ISIS standard BBs, EXI interface cranks implements external bb cups specs, but as I mentioned ISIS like crank interface has been remained.

I have read that after many installations X-Type interface cranks have developed some play between crank and spindle. But that just internet talks.
I haven't noticed this.

Soon we have perfect crank&bb specs. External BB cups with large and durable bearings. Sweet ceramic bearings also available. Excellent crank to spindle interfaces. Spindles that doesn't snap. BB bearings are finally properly sealed on some applications. Strong and lightweight cranks.
Bygone are the days with crank&BB problems :)
Don't know anyone who had problems with the X-type interface, but ISIS cranks tend to develop play when you put em on and off too often. But I still ride my old (2004?) RF Northshore Isis cranks.

And the other "new" features, like removable granny gear tabs and a integrated puller cap are definitely not new.
 

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
EXI interface is similar than proven and reliable ISIS.
The system is inherently flawed. Give it enough time w/ enough hard riding and slop will develop... I'm done w/ ISIS & raceface cranks in general.
 

TortugaTonta

Monkey
Aug 27, 2008
539
0
I have a set of RF dh cranks on my dj/bmx track bike and they have a crappy system of tightening the crank. They came with these soft plastic washers that are supposed to set the preload and tighten the crank arm. Basically in 5 rides the washers wear out and the drive side crank arm starts to get wobbley. At that point I started turning aluminum washers on my lathe to set the preload but the splines on the crank arm start wear out and it gets wobbley anyway. At this point I have a aluminum spacer that is at least 1/4" thick (they started with 1/16" plastic washer) and the cranks are getting wobbley again so I will have to make a thicker washer.

I should have spent the money on some shimano xt cranks, the ones I own have been flawless for years.
 

big-ted

Danced with A, attacked by C, fired by D.
Sep 27, 2005
1,400
47
Vancouver, BC
I have a set of RF dh cranks on my dj/bmx track bike and they have a crappy system of tightening the crank. They came with these soft plastic washers that are supposed to set the preload and tighten the crank arm. Basically in 5 rides the washers wear out and the drive side crank arm starts to get wobbley. At that point I started turning aluminum washers on my lathe to set the preload but the splines on the crank arm start wear out and it gets wobbley anyway. At this point I have a aluminum spacer that is at least 1/4" thick (they started with 1/16" plastic washer) and the cranks are getting wobbley again so I will have to make a thicker washer.
Bicycle mechanics. You're doing it wrong.
 

Norther

Chimp
Sep 11, 2009
29
1
Finland
RF Northshore DH ISIS cranks have lasted flawlessly on my use 9 years on one bike and other Northshore crankset on other bike 7 years. Only BBs had to be replaced time to time because of the blown bearings. Excellento.

Proper installation and maintenance are the key for long lifecycle of every product.
 
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RedOne

Monkey
May 27, 2007
172
0
Nuremberg, Germany
RF Northshore DH ISIS cranks have lasted flawlessly on my use 9 years on one bike and other Northshore crankset on other bike 7 years. Only BBs had to be replaced time to time because of the blown bearings. Excellento.

Proper installation and maintenance are the key for long lifecycle of every product.
As I said, my Northshore cranks are still fine after seven years, but the ISIS interface is not sitting as tight as it used to. I can almost press them on by hand.
But hey, seven years is a pretty decent lifetime for a biycycle part these days.
 
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dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,194
4,419
As I said, my Northshore cranks are still fine after seven years, but the ISIS interface is not sitting as tight as it used to. I can almost press them on by hand.
But hey, seven years is a pretty decent lifetime for a biycycle part these days.


Yeah, that's the beginning of what I'm talking about... from this point it gets worse more quickly. You're right though, 7 years is decent lifetime. Mine were shorter than that.
 

TortugaTonta

Monkey
Aug 27, 2008
539
0
:thumb:

making those spacers bigger is gonna make your problem worse.

But you know what they say make it idiot proof and they make a better idiot
You obviously have never owned the xtype like I have. The crank arm is not a press fit, it is a slip fit. There is also no shoulder on the spindle. The crank arm bottoms out on the splines before it contacts the bearing. Therefore RF provides spacers that go inbetween the crank arm and the bearing. Over time the spacers degrade since they are a soft plastic and the crank arm starts to wobble(since the splines are a slip fit). This exacerbates the problem making the splines even looser. Then the outer most surface of the crank arm wears where the bolt and washer contact, then splined area of the crank arm gets thinner, therefore the need for thicker spacers. As I said, its a poor design.
 

Norther

Chimp
Sep 11, 2009
29
1
Finland
The crank arm is not a press fit, it is a slip fit. There is also no shoulder on the spindle.
Something must be out of tolerances because every x-type crankset I have installed have required alot of tightening torgue right from the beginning of the crank and spindle axle contact to get crank bottomed out to spindle splines.
No shoulder on spindle needed because the wide splines on the spindle have hemisphere ends where the drive side crank tightens. Plenty of grease should be used when installing the crankset, so that splines won't wear or bind during press in and possible reinstallations.

-----

But for HC hardtail street s**t, I would get cromo cranks :)
 
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al-irl

Turbo Monkey
Dec 9, 2004
1,086
0
A, A
You obviously have never owned the xtype like I have. The crank arm is not a press fit, it is a slip fit. There is also no shoulder on the spindle. The crank arm bottoms out on the splines before it contacts the bearing. Therefore RF provides spacers that go inbetween the crank arm and the bearing. Over time the spacers degrade since they are a soft plastic and the crank arm starts to wobble(since the splines are a slip fit). This exacerbates the problem making the splines even looser. Then the outer most surface of the crank arm wears where the bolt and washer contact, then splined area of the crank arm gets thinner, therefore the need for thicker spacers. As I said, its a poor design.

I've a set of atlas freeride cranks. I've have them about 2 years and have run them with a hope ceramic bb. They have never once given me a spot of bother. I'm 200lbs and not the smoothest of riders. For me they have been the trouble free set crank and bb combo I've ever run. You must be forever taking on and of your cranks in order to wear the crank from the crank bolt turning on it. It sounds like it's set up incorrectly from the start or you received a pair of duff cranks which should have been returned for warrenty rather than being improvised into working. Any xtype cranks I've fitted have all fitted very snugly on there splines.
 
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mtg

Green with Envy
Sep 21, 2009
1,862
1,604
Denver, CO
Hopefully RaceFace will publish some info on what exactly the EXI system is, despite how much fun it is to argue about it on the internet.
It looked to me like some sort of tweak upon X-Type, and they say the BB bearings are user serviceable, which is great.

As far as the SIXC cranks, I hope they can keep the price somewhat reasonable, because they sound awesome and I'll be building a pretty sweet rig for 2012 and want some pimp cranks.
 

TheMontashu

Pourly Tatteued Jeu
Mar 15, 2004
5,549
0
I'm homeless
obviously user error :rolleyes:
No, I know how to install race face cranks, I've done it a thousand times on a thousand different bikes. Plastic spindle spacers are not what's up at all. I've got XT cranks on the fixie now and couldn't be happier (even got the chain-line with in .1MM)

What I think happened is the washers collapsed a bit and the side loading from skidding is what actually did it.
 

mtg

Green with Envy
Sep 21, 2009
1,862
1,604
Denver, CO
Arguing about play in the RF cranks sounds similar to people bitching about the Truvativ Howitzer interface- it works, but requires more attention to detail than other systems, hence why it seems to work fine for some, and not work at all for others.
So, if your attention to detail is on par with the average dude-bro, you probably need to stick to gorilla-proof parts.
 
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