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Posted

I am disappointed with a basic design oversight on Shimano XTR cranks: the fact that the crank arms scuff so badly where it rotates past your shoe. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

I bought a new XTR crank for the Epic, about R4000 on CRC before prices went zulu. After the Epic, a mere 800-odd km, both crank arms look like they?d done 80 000 km. Now every time I look at them it pisses me off intensely; I like things to look perfect.

I have small feet and made a point of setting my cleats as far inwards as possible in the shoe sole, but the shoe still scrapes against the crank arm. For people with big shoes, the problem is more exaggerated.

I guess there are no solutions to this scuffing. One could take them to an engineering shop and have the shiny parts re-polished. This would obviously remove the anodised XTR decal, but at least it wouldn?t look so second hand. I thought the Race Face range is less prone because the face of the arm is recessed.

I hope someone from Shimano reads this:  poor attention to detail guys, especially for the price.

Any comments from the wizards out there?

Posted

I've always hated that about Shimano. Why put the colours on like on the XTR, SLX, DA or even that ice grey colour colour of Ultegra SL and black of 105. Keep it silver. You can not even put on aftermarket rings as it will not match the fancy design of the machining of the cranks.

Posted

I saw in a mba mag not long ago that they make a stick-on crank cover that is supposed to be a solution for this???? will see if I can find details.

 

Posted

 

I fail to see why it is a problem because of the following 5 reasons:

 

1- It's a Mountain Bike

2- It's a Mountain Bike

3- It's a Mountain Bike

4- It's a Mountain Bike

5- It's a Mountain Bike

 

As long as it does not impair on the basic function it actually gives you some street cred Wink

 

PS. It might have more to do with your pedals (axle length) than your crank arms?

 

chuck2009-07-01 23:34:35

Posted

Sorry Chuck, I?m just not the type who is happy with my kit looking tatty?<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

One step further on Jughead Dave's idea above is to engrave the XTR logo quite deeply into the crank arm. Then you can polish over the top without affecting the logo.

 

Maybe this scuffing issue is a "planned obsolescence" tactic on behalf of Shimano. How else are they going to sell more XTR cranks, because they do really last a flippin' long time. And XT and SLX rings fit the XTR spider perfectly.

Posted

Crank arm scuffing is not a problem unique to SHIMANO! Anyone with any kind of experience should tell you this. Scuffing is 90% caused by the way you setup and ride your bike.

 

 

 

I've done over 4000km's on my XTR equipped bike including the Cape Epic and the cranks are still in excellent condition as far as polished surface goes.

 

 

 

Check you pedal/cleat setup or have some vinyl stickers cut to protect the arms.

Posted

 

I fail to see why it is a problem because of the following 5 reasons:1- It's a Mountain Bike2- It's a Mountain Bike3- It's a Mountain Bike4- It's a Mountain Bike5- It's a Mountain BikeAs long as it does not impair on the basic function it actually gives you some street cred WinkPS. It might have more to do with your pedals (axle length) than your crank arms?

 

 

 

 

Agree , if I did not know better I would have thought they all going to a sunday school picnic with their bikes !! Next they gonna complain about the mud in their teeth !!!!

Posted

 

Bloody hell. Its a mtb..get use to it. Otherwise keep it in the living room or get a road bike.

 

OK, OK there is no reason to get abusive now LOL

 

Posted
It happens on all cranks, blaming Shimano is not the solution, I've had my XTR cranks for 4 years now and not a scuff mark on them. Rock dings etc yes. I also have size 10 shoes so the shoe size doesn't come into play. I've seen Race face, FSA, Truvativ cranks all get badly scuffed from shoe rub. The solution is to adjust your cleats so that when they stop on the inside the shoes don't touch the crank arm.
Posted

 

I fail to see why it is a problem because of the following 5 reasons:

1- It's a Mountain Bike

2- It's a Mountain Bike

3- It's a Mountain Bike

4- It's a Mountain Bike

5- It's a Mountain Bike

 

As long as it does not impair on the basic function it actually gives you some street cred Wink

 

PS. It might have more to do with your pedals (axle length) than your crank arms?

 

 

Agree! Whats a MTB without battle scares?

 

Agree on the roadie statement, cause your just one of those anal visual people.  Become a roadie or get a play-station instead. And this is a statement to all muther-grundies who want everything to be "perfect".

 

What next, you going to bitch that your white shoes have a stain after doing a muddy trail LOL

 

Guest Big H
Posted
I want to get my XT Crank powdercoated because of the scuffing on the crank arms.

 

The powdercoating will scuff as well. Mine did on the Tandem Crankc. This looks even more shabby. I used Mr Min to brighten them up.

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