[Closed] Show me you new style SLX cranks, preferably 1x setup

Somebody must have some setup 1x out there?

Look at pictures of latest surly krampus - I think they come stock with slx single

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/9377572936_18730f6170.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/9377572936_18730f6170.jp g"/> [/img]
[/url]

Looks like an M670 triple with the single ring on the middle and a bash on the big ring.

Ohhhhhhhhh looks quite nice would be nice to see it without the bash though cranks look a bit xtr' esque, and dare I say it nicer than xt

There is a difference between this seasons XT and SLX in both materials and performance. I was never really happy with the way my SLX crankset shifted. Switching to XT made all those niggles go away. The SLX chainrings are pressed out of steel, whereas the XTs are milled out of aluminium. The visual difference is pretty stark, with XT jumping out as higher-end and SLX looking mass produced. The crank arms on the SLX are nicely shaped, but have a printed shading towards the bottom bracket. This fading is achieved with a 70's comic style dot gradient. To my eyes it makes an otherwise elegant crank arm look 'budget'. Others may like the effect of course!

One final point. I rode with SLX in the morning before fitting the XT in the afternoon and heading out on the same loop. If you value looks over performance, then go for the SLX. Otherwise, the XT is better in every way. Incidentally I'm running a full SLX groupset. The rear clutch derailleur, brakes and gears are all excellent. The front mech is good but not great. I'd say the general performance (other than the crankset), is in the region of 2006ish XT.

The SLX triple has aluminium outer and middle rings.

Hmmmm Id only be running it 1x so it reall wouldn't matter about the ring weights etc

Surely there can't be that much difference in performance from crank arms?

I'm now running a slx clutch instead of a xt clutch mech (broke!) and I can't really tell any difference what so ever

Shimano aren't the only ones out there of course. Middleburn have been busy:

[url= http://www.middleburn.co.uk/cranks_rs8_x_type.php ]Middleburn external BB cranks[/url]

10 speed of course!

To be honest having had both XT and SLX doubles on my bikes recently I can offer these opinions:

1, Black XT cranks have a terribly soft anodised finish that rubs off very easliy and leave the cranks looking a bit messy. SLX don't.

2, There is next to bugger all difference in shifting or weight, and they're just as stiff as one another too.

Just make sure you buy a tripple crank set as you'll struggle to get anything smaller than a 34t chainring in the outter position on the double crank as the tabs on the arms protrude and catch the chain on a 32t

I've got the 'double' version on my singlespeed. 5g heavier than carbon SL-K set and almost exactly the same weight as XT. Stiff enough for my little legs, anyways.
[img] [/img]

Would a 32t fit OK with the double if a bash ring was fitted do you know?

Nope, the tabs catch the chain as the teeth only just clear

Just file the arms to fit a 32T - it's easy.

wow that pic above looks mint - will the triple one not look like that with a single ring on then?

Calm down dear ...they're just cranks! 😯

Can you not fit a 1mm spacer behind the spider to give the chain enough clearance on a 32t? It wouldn't really affect the chainline.

I can't believe Shimano have been this daft.

I_Ache - Member
I can't believe Shimano have been this daft.

Eh? When they produce a single ring specific crankset in the form Zee / Saint that come as 34t as their smallest option, I reckon you're not meant to run a 32t and file the tabs

I am looking at this, but wonder if I have the legs for a 1x setup, I currently run a triple, do I also need a short cage rear mech?

Sorry to hijack

What if you don't want/need the extra weight of the zee/saint but you still want to use a 32t single ring? Why are they being daft and making it so people can't do what they want? If I can't fit the chainring that I want then I will be looking elsewhere for some new cranks.

What exactly is wrong with wanting to put a 32t ring on a set of cranks?

I can't believe Shimano have been this daft.

Agreed, a major oversight in this day of customisation and single-ring use.

Just found this though where they are using a 30t (albeit with RF cranks) but it does state they use offset tabs in order to remedy potential chain-rub on rings smaller than 34t.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Race-Face-Narrow-Wide-Chainring-Tested-2013.html

Would a 32t fit OK with the double if a bash ring was fitted do you know?

Presumably you'd want the triple if you're fitting a bash?

Nope, the tabs catch the chain as the teeth only just clear

Even [i]without[/i] a bash?

Now thoroughly confused...

I've got an untouched set of the M675 double cranks sat at home which I had intended to fit tonight 1x10 with my 32t ring.
Would appreciate if anyone can confirm that you can definitely not fit a 32t ring, else they'll be going back... 😕

The SLX triple is sub-£100, the double more like £120 if that makes a difference.

The new double has shaped tabs that don't look as though they're intended to have anything fitted to them on the outside face - bash, outer ring or anything. If you want to fit a 32t chainring, then as pointed out the extended shaped tabs might clash with the chain, or at least prevent you getting a chain guide low enough over the chain.

I struggle to get my chain guide low enough on my XT triple run as a single and that's with a 34T.

The old style SLX double was the one intended to take a bash ring. The new doubles are more trail/xc set up.

I would think the triple is the one you want and definitely if you want to fit a bash ring.

Just file the arms to fit a 32T - it's easy.

Thought of this but i'm not into diy.

I've got the 'double' version on my singlespeed. 5g heavier than carbon SL-K set and almost exactly the same weight as XT. Stiff enough for my little legs, anyways.

Does the FSA ring you have offset tabs?

Just make sure you buy a tripple crank set as you'll struggle to get anything smaller than a 34t chainring in the outter position on the double crank as the tabs on the arms protrude and catch the chain on a 32t

What fat/skinny are you using?

Has anyone tried a 32t on the Zee chainset? a user review on MTBR seems to suggest you can ( I would post the link but I'm on my mobile).

News just in from Evans Cycles is that the above is correct. You can NOT fit a 32t ring to the M675 double cranks.
Darn!
🙁

News just in from Evans Cycles is that the above is correct. You can NOT fit a 32t ring to the M675 double cranks.

What ring though? They're not all the same.

 

@Patriotpro - I don't think it matters which ring - its the general diameter of a 32T chainring and the proximity it will put the chain in relation to the chainring tabs on the crank arm.

Yeah, a 104bcd ring.
The only exception is possibly the Raceface narrow/wide ones as I think they use an offset, though that may only be on the 30t

If a 30t RF nw works with a 104bcd, which we know it does because of the simple offset tabs, then all they need to do is fit the same tabs to a 32t.

Another way of looking at it is; the double chainsets have a slightly different chain line on the both the inner and outer rings that puts the outer just beyond an normal triple ring middle ring position and the inner just inside it / outside the normal triple granny ring position.

Therefore a triple ring crankset is the best option for achieving the optimal chainline if you're opting for a single ring set up, that or buy a single ring specific crank set.

AFAIK a 33t will clear the tabs, but only just.

Or get a SRAM crank with a spider that allows you to fit bling rings and such like down to 28t (I think)

patriotpro - Member
If a 30t RF nw works with a 104bcd, which we know it does because of the simple offset tabs, then all they need to do is fit the same tabs to a 32t.

Or use some washers to space it out...

Having said that, I'm sending back my doubles M675 and getting the triples... M670

I'm a fussy bleeder and the thought of bodging it with washers makes me shudder 😀

less than £68 online at Ribble cycles at the mo,triple/double,

Oscillate Wildly - Member
After a few real time pics of the newest slx m670 cranks please, attached to a bike preferably in 1x guise if you may!

Just fitted mine. Sweet as....

[img] [/img]

I'm currently running a 32t Renthal ring on new saint cranks with no issue.

33t on a zee and fine

kayak - i fitted mine last night too, i took the plunge and got some, would be rude not to at that price!

i managed to get some helitape on the most part and it went on a treat, with no bubbling or anything, its not noticeable, god bless the biketart heli tape!

i must say they feel just as stiff as my xt's and they look IMO much better, if you glance across at them briefly you can mistake them for XTR.....mmmmmmm xtr cranks 🙁

[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9710789877_2a20cce54e.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9710789877_2a20cce54e.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

Just incase anyone else was toying with the idea, here's mine that I bought last week.

Double post

Oscillate Wildly - Member
kayak - i fitted mine last night too,

What size ring?

So I am running an SLX double and am toying with the idea of going 1x10, narrow/wide and clutch. I don't want the hassle of swapping out my SLX cranks.

Based on the above thread it seems that 32T is a challenge, however possible with spacers run to offset the ring so the chain misses the tabs (effectively mimicking what RF have done with their 30T).

Has anyone done this and if so what thickness spacers are required?

Also has anyone tried a 33T without spacing (an who makes a 33T narrow/wide ring)?

Finally who aside from RF makes a narrow/wide?

Thanks.

33T is not possible with a thick/thin chain ring....think about it!

😆

I blame the kids for getting me up early 😳

Update. Bit the bullet and went with a 32t RF narrow wide. Set it up tonight with 1.2mm spacers on my SLX double to counteract chain rub on the ring and all seems fine on a round the block spin. Spacers are so narrow that you can't notice any real aesthetic difference and shifted up and down the cassette without issue. Used the chainring bolts that were already on. Conclusion, it can be done with a 32t on an SLX double with no modification to the spider.

Razorrazoo

Did you encounter any issues in the long term with this. Ready to build bike and came across this issue tonight.

Using 32t rf nw and slx double.

Really interested in this too.

Going 1x10 with XT and RF and wondering if I can do it with double m670 too ?

Scandal - no problems so far.

Matter01, I assume you mean the latest SLX double specific crank? If so yes but for 32t ring you will either need to file the tabs slightly to give clearance or use 1.2 mm spacers between the tabs and chainring which is what I am doing with no problems. If going 30t he raceface ring has spacing machined into it.

This guy has a 32T on an SLX double. He ground/filed the inside of the tabs slightly, I spaced mine, but pic shows it can be done.

[img] [/img]

Topic [url= http://forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks/race-face-narrow-wide-single-ring-858430-2.html ]here [/url]

For spacers I used [url= http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/235/cridsd/id-outer-chainring-spacers.html ]these.[/url] I used 2 x 0.6mm per bolt as was not sure what spacing I would need. So if you are buying you will be fine with 1.2mm. I used the bolts that came with the chainset.

Possible stupid question.

I thought that the new slx/deore all had removable spiders. If you want to run a single ring, can you not run a guide ring or similar?

Not sure, but the narrow wide rings need a 104 BCD so the spider is required, whole point of a narrow wide is to remove the need for a guide.

I thought that the new slx/deore all had removable spiders.

I think they just look like that. Anyone able to confirm?

By the way I recommend using double chainring bolts if spacing the ring from the SLX double spider.. I used the bolts that came with the chainset first off and they worked loose really quickly. The longer double bolts fit fine with the spacers and the extra thickness of the narrow wide ring.

Not SLX, but LX, so two out of three ain't bad 😆

[IMG] [/IMG]

Pic of spacing to fit 32t on SLX double chainset [img] [/img]

Quick update on this with the SLX double cranks. The 1.2mm spacing of the 32T ring shown in the pic above has been increased to 2mm as I found on a particularly wet ride that mud was gathering on the tabs and interfering. 2mm gives much better space for mud clearance, at the same time I decided to slightly bevel the tops of the tabs with a file (on the inside edge) to make sure. No issues since and running nice and quiet. Still not dropped a chain yet either.

Hope I am posting in the right thread... I am currently running an XT rear clutch mech in a 1x10 setup with an SLX M675 crank and narrow-wide 34T chainring:

Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M786
Crankset: Shimano SLX M675
Cassette: Shimano SLX 11-36
Chainring: Rapide 34T narrow-wide

[img] [/img]

Everything works fine, I love the 1x10 setup. Am not getting any chainslap on the chainstay although it does swing side-to-side a bit on bumps, though so far that doesn't seem to be an issue.

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid, but the completely exposed chainring concerns me in terms of protecting it from knocks, and protecting me from it, so I was thinking of adding a bashguard of some type.

I've read this whole thread and others and am still totally confused as to what bashguard will be compatible with this crank and chainring setup. Would something like [url= http://www.blackspire.com/Defender-104 ]this Blackspire Defender[/url] work? Would you run a 36T bash for a 34T chainring?

Should I be looking at some kind of chain device as well, or is it not really needed with the NW chain and clutch mech combo?

Will appreciate if someone can kindly enlighten me...

That looks nice. Never ran a bash with a double or single. I guess you only need a bash and guide if you're doing lots of rocky places?

That looks nice. Never ran a bash with a double or single. I guess you only need a bash and guide if you're doing lots of rocky places?

I suspect a bash [i]may[/i] may be overkill, but I'd like to have some protection just in case...

[URL= http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y308/crimsondynamo/P1050668_zps83318fcc.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y308/crimsondynamo/P1050668_zps83318fcc.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y308/crimsondynamo/P1050669_zpscb0729e0.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y308/crimsondynamo/P1050669_zpscb0729e0.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

This is a 1x10 with a Zee clutch mech and it's been impeccable. I've been down some really bone-shaking trails but no hint of a dropped chain.

Will the old M665 double take a 32T?

Yes (I run one with a 32T & 22 double and bash set up, the tabs are just the same as the triple version. i know they came with a 36T as standard but the only difference between the actual cranks is the steel pedal thread inserts on the double & bash version)

[img][url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/13866527845_6b8b0c63cb_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/13866527845_6b8b0c63cb_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/n8kzCi ]Solaris on the bridge[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/94699916@N04/ ]55b7bb821ed24e40ecaad9db375d2e57[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Heres mine with XT chainrings fitted.

Thats great, thanks steel4real.

Well I went ahead and got the 36T Blackspire Defender bashguard.... Installation was very easy indeed, it comes with a whole set of new bolts. And the 36T is perfect size for my 34T chainring. It's a nice bit of kit.

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

And don't forget that as well as protecting your chain & ring, the bash also helps protect you from injury.

Anyone know if the new m670 m675 cranks are lighter than the older ones ?

SLX cranks with Race Face NW and WolfTooth bolts
[img] [/img]