2 x 9 setup

[Thug]

 

I'm building up a new bike (29er) and would like to go with a 2x9 setup (probably 29x42).

 

Anyone on here have experience with the either the RS7 or RS8 duo crankset from Middleburn?

 

If I went that way which is preferable, an ISIS or Square Taper BB?

 

I see that Crank Brothers offer a 5 year warranty on their new range of ISIS BB's.

 

Anyone have any knowledgeable comments ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Thug2009-06-01 11:06:08

[Overlord]

I run a 2x9 with ISIS BB. 44/29

 

Not a Middleburn setup though. PM Stringbean as I know he runs a Middleburn setup.

 

[XTC OKE]

is the ISIS BBthe old bb's?

[Thug]

 

I run a 2x9 with ISIS BB. 44/29

 

Not a Middleburn setup though. PM Stringbean as I know he runs a Middleburn setup.

 

 

Which crank you running ?

 

Any noticeable flex ?

 

[Overlord]

No flex that I can feel.

 

The crank came off the Cannondale Team bikes that was built and run with that specific double set-up.

 

[Thug]

 

is the ISIS BBthe old bb's?

 

No idea actually. Most manufacturers with the exception of Shimano make ISIS.

 

Hope and Chris King though have recently got into the manufacturing game and are producing etxernal bb's a la Shimano. Whereas CrankBrothers and SKF (the bearing company) are manufacturing ISIS bb's.

 

[PhilipV]

Square taper is the old one, then ISIS came along, shimano disd the equivalent Octalink ISIS setup en the latest is the external BB. Square taper works fine, but is heavier, and is less common nowadays. If you go ISIS, beware of cheap BB's (and Raceface.) I used to replace my ISIS BB at least once a year(Raceface,)the bearings in ISIS just isn't as strong.

 

I can't common on Middleburn, except that apparently the chainrings are brilliant and last pretty long.

 

[GoLefty!!]

ISIS is the std that was introduced by FSA, RaceFace, Truvativ and others.

 

The resultant BB's are mostly rubbish. Take the RS7 and then get a Phil Wood BB.

 

[Thug]

Does anyone stock Phil Wood in this country? Mind you, if they did it would be exhorbitant anyway.

 

Was looking at there Ti BB's yesterday.

 

 

[Thug]

I see Phil's BB's are all square taper.

 

 

[GoLefty!!]

Phil wood makes an ISIS BB as well but it's not a product they are proud of.

it's longevity is superior to other ISIS BB's but not enough to justify the cost.

 

Theres nothing wrong with square taper and it's a system used on indutrial machines so it's stiff enough, strong enough and maintenance friendly.

 

if want a unique, long lasting servicable system, Middleburn RS7 with Phil Wood is the way to go.

 

This is from my knowledgable experience. I sold a RS7 (2 ring) with Phil Wood BB in 2003, I had it since 2000 and it was never opened yet smooth as butter

 

[Racer X]

At present I run a 960 XTR unit, (44/32) with a 11/34 casstte at the back and for 95% of my riding/racing I find this adequate.

 

I know Middleburn has a new unit with external bearings comming out soon. It should have both compact, (27/42) and standard, (29/44) confiurations.

[Jules]

My experience with Isis BBs on the MTB has been a bad one. I've had more than one BB with crank bolts that rattle loose, messing up my race and damaging the cranks beyond repair.

 

 

 

Sometimes I wonder whether the component changes are even improvements. At least with square taper BBs, once you put the cranks on, they are unlikely to come off, except with the help of an extractor.

 

 

[droo]

Another bonus of Middleburn sets is an unconditional lifetime warranty... and you can change the spiders for 1, 2 or 3 rings, 4 or 5 arms, colours, etc etc etc... As for the BB, I'd say square taper. Bigger bearings, longer life. If you must go ISIS, get an SKF.

[kennyg]

 I rode a 27/42 setup for a long time( 2 months, borrowed bike) on the RS7, no issues, 11-32 cassette in the flatter spots and a 11-34 where there a few more hills, it worked great...

Was the ISIS, setup.

[MintSauce]

Thug,

 

I saw on of these on a bike in CPT a few days ago.

 

http://www.whiteind.com/cranks/mountaincranks.html

 

The most beautiful crankset I've ever seen!

 

 

They are available from www.aspirevelotech.com. I have ordered from these guys before and their service is without doubt the best I have experienced from any online retailer.(ie. I messed up the order and they shipped out the correct items at no charge)

 

The cranks are not listed on the site but I emailed them as my brother was interested and they said...."We do not currently have the White Industries VBC crankset in stock, but we can

order it for you and have it ready to ship to you in about 2 weeks.  The total

price for the VBC crankset with double chainrings is $315.00 with free shipping to South

Africaon>.  Please let us know the crank length

you need along with the chainring sizes(inner and outer) you need for your bike

and we can get it ordered for you."