Short story - when I built up my new bike at Christmas I wanted some short Unite cranks for the build but it seemed like they were "doing a Jaguar" by stopping making their old ones before starting to build (or even develop?) their new versions. Fine - I shoved some 170mm cheap XTs on as a temporary fit.Â
Here we are 8 months later and Unite still seemingly haven't released their new cranks so I think its time to start looking at taking my business elsewhere (shame as I have a set of their previous cranks on one of my other bikes and love them). Would prefer to stick with UK made where possible and whilst I quite like the look of the Hope cranks, I think their pricing is fkn mental vs Unite (and I prefer the understated look of the Unites). So I had a quick look at Middleburns. Right colour/length/look but I've not seen a set of Middleburn cranks on a bike for probably decades! Given they'll be going on a bike that sees some abuse (enduro type stuff, Alps trips etc), will they hold up to it?
No idea about Middleburn, sorry - I'm liking the look of the Title cranks ATM though. Have their stem and bars on my Stanton
Probably not worth mentioning Atherton?
No idea about Middleburn. Haven't seen any in the wild for years and years.
Happy on my Hope cranks though. Can't even remember how much I paid for them. 3 years old and hopefully 30 to go.
If the OP isn't keen on Hope pricing I'm not sure Title/Atherton are the answer.
I always knew Middleburn as cranks for square taper and ISIS bottom brackets; never saw them offering HTII cranks, which may have affected their uptake or availability. Probably still great cranks, but it's ruled them out for me!
I've got loads of Middleburns.
RS8 X-types (HT2) on the XC race bike and the do-it-all hardail. RS7 square tapers on the full suss trail bike and the enduro bike. RS6 (I think, maybe RS5) road cranks on the gravel bike, also square tapers.
The two square tapers on the full sussers get a bit of attention, a 2014 Orange Alpine 5 and a 2018 Cotic Rocket. Can't fault either. So yes, they should be fine. I've got a pedal stuck in the road ones but that's probably due to zero maintenance.
I've got Hopes on the fattie as Middleburns don't do a fat bike length axle. Hope don't do 24mm, despite doing a 24mm BB.
RS7 square tapers on my bike but it's a rigid XC bike. Still, they feel fine to pedal. I put them on bc I was fed up of poor durability from HT2 BBs and thought they may be a bit more flexible - can't say I noticed
RS8 Uno on my Sanderson Soloist, on an XTR HT2 BB. Lovely things.
I still have a set on one of my bike.
Square taper.
If the OP isn't keen on Hope pricing I'm not sure Title/Atherton are the answer.
Correct. Not against the Hopes if they're a great option...
I've got a few sets.
They do indeed do fat bike axle lengths too, for the poster above.
I've just removed a set from their fat axle, polished them up and put onto a normal boost axle for a new build coming up.
They're great cranks.
I think part of the issue might have been as the company was winding down they were hopeless to deal with.
Since BETD got things back on track they seem to be good, with plenty stock and helpful staff.
A mate has just put a set on his Starling. Looks nice on that - skinny tubes and skinny cranks. (although he is an LBS owner, so the whole bike is a collection of jewellry)
middleburn cranks are still great. only letdown is the really expensive direct mount chainrings, really expensive spiders if you want to use aftermarket chainrings, and the lack of aftermarket direct mount.Â
My mate has had a couple of sets of Middleburns - he currently has them on his Atherton A150 and his hard tail.
He wouldn't even consider Hope etc.
He did have an issue with his chain on the Atherton - it kept getting caught up on the chain ring, can't remember which chain or what he swapped it too though, so worth noting.
Personally I don't like the look of them - they look a bit 90's.
middleburn cranks are still great. only letdown is the really expensive direct mount chainrings, really expensive spiders if you want to use aftermarket chainrings, and the lack of aftermarket direct mount.Â
Yeah, this is what put me off them in the end. Tbh, this is what annoys me with Hope Cranks as well. If either used sram 3 or 6 bolt I'd get a set.Â
Yeah, this is what put me off them in the end. Tbh, this is what annoys me with Hope Cranks as well. If either used sram 3 or 6 bolt I'd get a set.Â
It is very annoying. I used to use Superstar Hope direct mount rings but they stopped. Now have the 104bcd spider and AliExpress rings
Yeah, the ring thing is a pain. Tweaking the mount to SRAM fitting would have been nice. That said, a spider and other rings has worked fine for me for years.
Yeh the chainring thing is a pain. Moreso that weirdly their Uno rings don't work with 12 speed Shimano chains (which I run).
Ah well, back to the drawing board - might just wait a bit longer in the hope (no pun intended) that the Unites arrive with their SRAM fitments etc.
