[Incubus]

Here is a pic of a set of Hone cranks I picked up on ebay from a seller in Hong Kong. The packaging made it apparent that the cranks are OE. They cost me $141.00 shipped to my door. I had a set of Saint cranks but they were WAY overkill for my riding.

Provided these cranks hold up (I forsee no reason why they wouldn't), I'd say there isn't a better external bb, all-mountain/light FR crankset available. $144 for a 928 gram (claimed) crank/bb set. RaceFace's atlas cranks are significantly more expensive and marginally heavier.

 

[dropmachine]

I was under the impression that they were just black LX cranks. I compared a set at a shop here, and they definately look similar.

 

[mike67]

Very nice! I'm considering this crank for my rfx...basically saint on a diet? I'm guessing there's a special tool for installation? Let us know how you like them.

I was looking at the LX too, I believe I read that the Hone features a stronger reinforced spider.

 

[chicodude]

They look good.


I would still drop the extra coin for saints though.

 

[rpk1988]

They look good.


I would still drop the extra coin for saints though.

Good call, the Saint build group is sweeeettt. :evil:

 

[Incubus]

I was under the impression that they were just black LX cranks. I compared a set at a shop here, and they definately look similar.

I too heard what mike67 mentioned. The arms are identical to LX but the spider is stronger.

Very nice! I'm considering this crank for my rfx...basically saint on a diet? I'm guessing there's a special tool for installation? Let us know how you like them.

There is a special tool. Available through Park for ~$20. It's likely I won't have a ride review for a while since my RFX is forkless until Fox starts shipping those 36s or I give up and get a pike.

 

[Incubus]

I would still drop the extra coin for saints though.

Like I mentioned... had 'em and sold 'em. They were big and heavy. Really heavy.

Trying to lighten the bike.

 

[punkassean]

I had Saints and now I have XT's they are as strong as Hone and lighter, albeit not as cool of a color. The XT's are only slightly cheaper than Saint and it was hard to convince myself it was the right thing but for the weight savins I think it was the right call.

Saint are the sh!t but for anything less than super gnarcore to the max they are overkill.

 

[Bulldog]

Nice! Me want. Perfect for my RFX. The final piece. Total stealth bomber.

 

[HippieKai]

i have all saint stuff...and yes it's sooo worth it.

 

[Jeremy R]

Sweet.
That just made my mind up.
Those look sick, and I am tired of wearing out BB's.

 

[Acadian]

Sweet.
That just made my mind up.
Those look sick, and I am tired of wearing out BB's.

for what bike?

I just bought some XT's yesterday for my 5-spot after this happened.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=78307

 

[Jeremy R]

for what bike?

I just bought some XT's yesterday for my 5-spot after this happened.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=78307

I want to try those Hone cranks on my DH rig.
I'll be a good test dummy.
Let me know how you like those Xt's.

 

[zedro]

Saint are the sh!t but for anything less than super gnarcore to the max they are overkill.

the thing is cranks seem to mostly get damaged in crashes, not while being ridden. I'd love to go back to LX/XT lightness, but one crash is all it takes to bend them inward

 

[MMike]

I've still got my XTR's that I bought a couple of years ago from some jerkwad........

 

[leprechaun]

Those Hones are LX as far as i know,didn't know about the spider,but the metal is soft in terms of the pedal thread area.XT's are the answer for those looking for a light setup.OH WAIT-they are silver,not black.So go buy yer Hones...
Shimano Octalink 2 is the way!

 

[Jeremy R]

Those Hones are LX as far as i know,didn't know about the spider,but the metal is soft in terms of the pedal thread area.XT's are the answer for those looking for a light setup.OH WAIT-they are silver,not black.So go buy yer Hones...
Shimano Octalink 2 is the way!

Good info.
Is that really something that you guys have noticed? That is that the LX cranks are weaker than the XTs. There is a pretty big price difference between XT's and Hone cranks, but if the XT's are really stronger it may be worth it.

 

[mike67]

Those Hones are LX as far as i know,didn't know about the spider,but the metal is soft in terms of the pedal thread area.XT's are the answer for those looking for a light setup.OH WAIT-they are silver,not black.So go buy yer Hones...
Shimano Octalink 2 is the way!

There was a write up in the Feb issue of Decline, basically said that the Hone crank is similar to the LX, but has a stiffer spider. Here's a quote, "For the 2005 model year Shimano introduces Hone, a gruppo that is designed for all-mountain riding combining the durability of Saint, and the lighter weight and lower cost of LX". And you know we all believe everything we read so these must be great....

Nice to know about the pedal threads though

 

[leprechaun]

I can't verify the strength of the pedal threads,i don't know anyone who has new LX cranks.
The Shimano story has allways been that XT is cold forged and LX is cast,but the hollow cranks are different in terms of construction since they are all cast or at least molten alloy is poured into a mold,then the 'core' which is of some other metal is melted and poured out through that little hole under the sticker on the backside of the crank.Wooh that sounded confusing but i sae a cut open crank at a Shimano clinic and it is to that effect.
So any way the metal is harder on the XT's
Ever taken off a pair of pedals and seen that shard of metal made by the sharp corner of the flats of the pedal?On rental bikes where the pedals are off and on a lot eventually the crank gets a deep groove worn into it.
This happens a lot less on XT/Ultegra then on LX/105 stuff knowhatimean??

I have a feeling that the Hone stuff will get raped by you pedal bashin monkeys!!!
It's black LX!!!Think $1500 entry level heavy trail/light freeride bike components.not DH huckjam

 

[punkassean]

I'm glad I bought XT's since I have been known to DHhuckjam from time to time. In fact my buddies often refer to me as the DHhuckjammer

Thanks for the info Kris...

 

[J5ive]

Well I dunno about these claims lep. I just installed a set also, while there is a little concern on the pedal front, I will let time and experience be the judge.

Oh and look for a write up on farkin.net soon....

 

[Incubus]

...OH WAIT-they are silver,not black.So go buy yer Hones...
Shimano Octalink 2 is the way!

Why does everyone keep bringing up the fact that they're black?

From Jenson's site:

Hone: 164.99
LX: 161.99
XT: 271.99

LX/Hone isn't even in the same price ballpark as XT. So one might not be choosing Hone over XT for color alone. A over $100 delta between Hone and XT is substantial compared to the extra $3 for black Hone over LX silver. This is even if the reinforced spider part isn't true.

How about a set of low rider crowns in silver for a $100 less than the black ones currently offered?

 

[buildyourown]

I thought the hollow cranks where a forged shell with a back plate that was welded on. I seem to remember welds in the cut apart cranks I saw. I thought the hole was for expanding gas.
Maybe I'm talking out my ass. You could be right.

And Incubus, don't ever use the word "delta" in a post again. This isn't a board room full of tools that you're trying to impress with buzz words.

(It's a online chat room full of tools)

 

[punkassean]

In a thread a few weeks ago people were wanking about the similarities of Hone and LX and complaining of the (expected) price markup for only a color option. I doubted that the price would be any different. Glad to know Shimano isn't marketing the hype...

 

[zedro]

I thought the hollow cranks where a forged shell with a back plate that was welded on. I seem to remember welds in the cut apart cranks I saw. I thought the hole was for expanding gas.
Maybe I'm talking out my ass. You could be right.

The Shimano story has allways been that XT is cold forged and LX is cast,but the hollow cranks are different in terms of construction since they are all cast or at least molten alloy is poured into a mold,then the 'core' which is of some other metal is melted and poured out through that little hole under the sticker on the backside of the crank.

yeah leprechauns version makes no sense because the 'core' metal would melt in the initial pour (or conversely, you could not get it to melt out without melting the crank material). So i dont think you were the one talking out of his ass.

 

[Incubus]

...And Incubus, don't ever use the word "delta" in a post again. This isn't a board room full of tools that you're trying to impress with buzz words.

(It's a online chat room full of tools)

Delta is a buzz word? Shame on me.

 

[buildyourown]

Delta is a buzz word? Shame on me.

http://www.bull****job.com/weekly11-6.html

Read the "Conversational Bull****"
Delta just sounds like the kind of word you use when you have no idea what you're talking about and you don't want other people to know your secret.

*edit* apparantly you can't create a hypelink with **** in it. So, cut and paste that URL and retype sh!t in the place of the ****

 

[zedro]

Bull**** job

Read the "Conversational Bull****"
Delta just sounds like the kind of word you use when you have no idea what you're talking about and you don't want other people to know your secret.

not to mention the word makes no sense in that context....

oh wait now i'm trying to sound all smart

 

[leprechaun]

1st i like silver.I was joking about all the peeps that would ride an inferior product so it could be black.I have silver XT cranks and they match my silver hubs and spokes.
2nd i dunno how the hell they're made but thats that some japanese labcoat told me.I felt a little silly even posting it.the cutout one i saw,where the hollow portion was, the inside wall was all rough so i don't know how they got the core out or what was in there in the first place.I guess that's why they are the only company hat has hollow alloy cranks.Maybe there is a very soft core that is wax coated and then after they pour in the alloy they freeze it so the core doesn't melt and then they heat it and the core pours out.And then alien babies come out and hide and reproduce and then are hired to do assembly and and and...
3rd XTR950/952 was a forged bathtub arm that had a plate welded onto it then the welds are ground off.SICK!I believe 960 and Dura Ace is still made that way. the new way is (obvoiusly)cheaper to make.
later Kris

 

[zedro]

2nd i dunno how the hell they're made but thats that some japanese labcoat told me.I felt a little silly even posting it.the cutout one i saw,where the hollow portion was, the inside wall was all rough so i don't know how they got the core out or what was in there in the first place.I guess that's why they are the only company hat has hollow alloy cranks.Maybe there is a very soft core that is wax coated and then after they pour in the alloy they freeze it so the core doesn't melt and then they heat it and the core pours out.And then alien babies come out and hide and reproduce and then are hired to do assembly and and and...

maybe they use a sand core held in place with metal plugs (made from the crank alloy), then somehow dissolve the sand core after pouring

 

[punkassean]

nah, I like the Alien baby story better, much more believable... :eviltongu

 

[Incubus]

http://www.bull****job.com/weekly11-6.html

Read the "Conversational Bull****"
Delta just sounds like the kind of word you use when you have no idea what you're talking about and you don't want other people to know your secret.

*edit* apparantly you can't create a hypelink with **** in it. So, cut and paste that URL and retype sh!t in the place of the ****

Not for nothing, but I'm too old to give a rat's @ss about trying to impress anybody here. I leave that to the armchair engineers. I learned the word delta in my first year of high school. Nobody there told me it was a secret to anybody. Then again, Zedro already pointed out that I used it in the wrong context. So blame it on public education, my failing memory or both.

You're right though, 'buzzwords' shouldn't be allowed. We should instead focus on how black PWNSZ silver.