Yeah...its a couple of grams heavier than an xt chainset, which is HALF the price.
Well its half the price because it's mass produced in the far east. I don't think that 180 quid is a lot of money considering it is a top quality british made niche product. Also for those worrying about the weight, you are not limited to using a Hope BB and Middleburn rings. Run for example an XT BB and you can save yourself 30 quid and 18g, just don't expect it to last very long.
If I buy some of the new ones, will I be able to use the Uno and Duo rings from my RS7s?
Not until the new spiders get made. I'm also waiting for the Duo.
sorry to keep this going, but any news on lead times for the anodised ones?
my lbs knows nothing and i've not managed to get through today.
i'm getting desperate for my new cranks!!!!
18bikes emailed me to say that they can order the black version in.
Does anyone know whether it is possible to adjust the length of the axle (Q factor)?
Gruen, The axel is a fixed length and due to the fitment, not adjustable.
You can adjust the preload on the BB with the collar on the non drive side. Maybe MIddleburn could make you a custom axel?
You could posibly use a washer between the crankarm/BB to adjust slightly.
Mine sits perfectly central in the BB.
sslowpace - I ride a custom hardtail that has a 73mm bottom bracket shell and beefy chainstays. With a 73mm bb shell you are supposed to use one 2.5mm BB spacer on the drive side, however with this setup the inner ring (22T) of my XT cranks rubs against the chainstay. The only way to get around the problem is to use two 2.5mm spacers on the driveside, however this means that the non driveside arm doesnt sit completely on the axle (the axle is 2.5mm too short due to the extra spacer).
I was hoping that the Middleburn system would offer me some extra leeway.
Is anyone else able to confirm whether or not this is the case?
iirs there may be an 83mm BB for DH bikes available at some point? seems to heva been some chat about that on the DH forums.
i've ordered a black one in, but no idea what it'll arrive in the shops 
Will the crank allow me to have a chainline of 51mm?
give thm a ring, they've always been helpful when i've got through. but a 51mm chainline isn't so odd, so i'd be surprised if not...
arrived this morning. beeeutiful they are.
now just gotta work out how to fit them... (?)
no instructions in the box!
arrived this morning. beeeutiful they are.
one of the first black anodised, for a 68mm BB
fitting tonight, will post up photos (first black one i've seen)
Ok thanks, so I guess they aren't doing a 83mm version yet 
arse
right, just fitted mine.
simple job to do...
non-drive side (which holds the axle) in, drive side on (remembering to put the outer seal from my BB on - oops), tighten the 8mm bolt till it is tight, and then an extra tweak, tighten split ring on non-drive side to eliminate wobble, and pinch it up.
done.
couple of initial impressions
its pretty light
its very nice quality, all the way through - everything which needs to be greased is done so in the factory (although i put a bit of grease on the axle/drive-side interface)
it looks a bit 'old school' i guess
does seem to have quite a narrow Q-factor - with the same BB spacers (as advised by the nice man at middleburn), the inside of the crank arms are very close to the chainstays - i had some innertube wrapped round mine to stop chainslap and the like, and i have had to re-do it so that there is only one layer of innertube between the crank and the chainstay - its still a very tight gap, although not touching any more.
will post a link to some photos later.
i am very happy
Just fitted mine tonight, didn't notice a narrow Q factor, there's a good 10mm gap either side. I used 2 spacers drive side 1 non with a Hope BB, 68mm shell. What did middleburn recomend?
I know what you mean about the retro appearance but they look good with a steel frame.
i've only about 3-4mm either side, 68mm shell, 2 spacers on drive side, one on non drive side - which is what i was recommended. guess it may come down the the frame design.
matters not though i guess - fits, spins and looks good 
am currently loading photos (taking ages)
but yeah, look good on my steel frame too
photos? 
hungry monkey, did you have a chainset on the frame prior to the middleburn? if so, what was it and can you remember how much clearance there was between crank and chainstay. Just thought this might give an idea of how narrow the cranks are.
they do look a bit naff.. there other cranks look fine though
had deores on previously, and have also had some sq taper middleburns on it. doubt i'd have had more than 10mm before...
just been out on a quick ride, even with my thinner innertube chainstay protector its rubbing on it.
cranks feel nice and stiff though (and i've never noticed that before).
having problems uploading photos to fotopic, but am about to upload to facebook, and will post a link.
rootes1 - they're just RS8 cranks attached to an axle (in essence), so if previous ones look fine, there is no reason for these not to... imo the black ones look a lot better than the silver ones though.
(hopefully) photos in 10 mins.
oh FFS... can't upload to fotopic, facebook normal uploader won't work as for some reason the updated version of java won't install on my computer, and now even the simple uploader on facebook won't work...!!!
rootes1 - they're just RS8 cranks attached to an axle (in essence), so if previous ones look fine, there is no reason for these not to... imo the black ones look a lot better than the silver ones though.
they looked a bit 'rounder' arm looks smoother with less sharp lines
having said that still oooks like the best option at the mo for a xc double
RS8
new
they do look a little rounder, perhaps the same colour bolts don't help
After following this thread I have taken the plunge and bought a set of cranks and rings.. All set up now, running well and looking good...However this evening I was making adjustments and found my crank puller that was previously used with my Race Face cranks does nit work. At least I think not, but did not fancy forcing my new toys...
Anybody know which crank puller I should be using???
qcamel - Member
Anybody know which crank puller I should be using???
They are self extracting bolts
Excuse my stupidity but how should I use them to remove crank?
Ahhhhh, moment of clarity... Just spend 10 mins in the garage and found how ingenius the self extraction is. Simple and brilliant...Thanks for the heads up..
Think I'll stick with my RS7 square tapers which are 8 years old and has had 5 years of trials abuse and the rest on my xc bike and are now on my commencal supreme mini dh. All in weight of that setup is 798g including an e.thirteen guide ring in 32t and UN52bb! Whack in a lighter BB and they will be lighter than the new HT2 versions.
Just fitted some to my 5 Spot - great looking crank, but be warned my first self-extracting bolt was missing a washer and seized - all fixed now and looking sweet
Any pics flatlander? Am thinking of some for my 5 spot.
My boss has fitted these to his Ibis and they are bloody amazing! They just spin so freely it's unreal. It's an expensive set-up but well worth it and gets rid of the stupid, pathetic, unreliable HT2 crap!!!! I'll be getting mine soon
Leaving brand loyalty, supporting a British company and being different aside is there something Middleburn external cranks offer that Shimano XT don't? Genuine question (not trolling!).
I have no brand loyalty and have never used Middleburn cranks only their chainrings. The arms are as stiff as XT's from what I gather. The older sealed BB's are just so more reliable than HT2 and the UN71/72's just kept spinning so sweet and smooth forever.
Yes I'm a fan of the sqaure taper too, but it's the HTII style I'm asking about.
This topic has been closed to new replies.
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