[pHeller]

I'm looking for a set of cranks to replace FSA's that had the pedal threads cross-thread.

I'm an aggressive, heavy rider, but I hate lugging around more weight than I have too. I don't go too huge, but hit the occasional 4'-6' drop and do some dirt jumping as well.

I have a crash replacement discount through FSA for %35 off a new set of cranks, and I've been eyeing the following:

FSA Afterburner
FSA Gravity Light
FSA Gap
Shimano Hone
Shimano XT

 

[HAB]

The Afterburners are questionable durability wise. If you can get some cheap FSAs, I'd go for a Gravity Light.

 

[in the trees]

Consider Deity Vendettas (http://www.deitycomponents.com/vendetta_main.htm)as well.

toby

 

[pHeller]

I'm not considering the Vendettas because they are heavier and more expensive than all my options, especially to run a dual ring setup.

When you say questionable durability, where do you draw your conclusions from? Have you seen someone break or bend them?

 

[HAB]

I have seen two with stripped pedal threads, one with an arm bent so badly that it hit the chainstay, and one with a fvcked up spindle interface.

 

[pHeller]

Spindle interface? On a MegaExo setup?

A bent arm would be hard to do on a full suspension bike, but the stripped pedal threads are what killed my old FSA's.

 

[HAB]

There's still a spindle in an external bearing setup. It's just attached to one arm.

The bent arm was done on a FS.

 

[pHeller]

Hmmm...considering I have heard of people bending Gravity Lights and XT's and Hones, I have to wonder if my likelyhood of bending one crankset is different from any other.

 

[Sir_Crackien]

don't get the afterburns because they are a light xc crank and do not take kindly to beatings.

i love for gravity lights if you are not too hard on cranks or the gaps if you are.

 

[Rip]

I've destroyed a set of afterburners after two months and I'm a very smooth rider, very easy on parts. Ran a set of XT's after that for awhile and just one month ago threw on a Gravity Light crankset. I'd openly recommend a gravity light crankset if you are a smoother rider.

 

[pHeller]

I'm not very hard on cranks. The only reason I bent an older (2000) set of XT's is because I was running them on my DJ bike.

Why did you swap out the XT's?

I like the Gravity Lights, I'm just not sure if I want to take on the weight. I'm not really doing huge jumps or drops, at least not yet.

 

[Rip]

Nothing wrong with them I was just tired of getting my ankles against the cranks and have them put aside for a future project.

 

[pHeller]

What is the MSRP for the Gravity Lights?

FSA tells me they are over $260, but other retailers say anywhere between 210 and 260. If the MSRP is 210, I could get them for a steal!

Also, is it true that you can drop considerable weight by shedding the the poly bashgaurd and plastic BB sleeve?

 

[Rip]

I got mine for $215.

I'm not even using the plastic bb sleeve, the poly bashguard isn't that heavy, but yeah it can be ditched.

 

[pHeller]

That's weird. They really run a wide range of prices. Lowest I've found was Cambria at $179.

 

[Rip]

$179 is a frikken deal.

 

[pHeller]

Man...now I'm really torn.

After seeing the new SLX cranks I'm weary to spend good money on crankset now that will be outdone by the SLX next year.

Maybe I should just get a set of LX's now and hold off on spending good money till SLX comes out.

 

[w00dy]

I know you said you want something light, but i have to interject an opinion. If you're a heavier guy and you do some drops then you're bound to be hard on cranks. I've always considered the cranks an item that needs to be overbuilt, and as a result I've run profiles almost exclusively.
They're steel, and they're chunky, but they make up for it in durability, stiffness, and peace of mind. You can find a set for pretty cheap too. FSA makes a very similar set. I suggest you check them out, if for no other reason than the steel pedal threads. They're not that much heavier than some of the options you're considering.

 

[pHeller]

I'm not doing downhill stuff though. I'm more of a AM/XC guy who dabbles in Freeride stuff.