Thursday, March 27, 2008

180mm XTR Crankset...


So I bit the bullet and purchased a new XTR FC M-970 180mm crankset. I wanted something light, stiff, and to be honest...something with some unique bling! XTR has always had the best combination of light weight, superior shifting, and light weight and I chose the 180mm length due to my height, 6'3", as well as the higher gearing ratios associated with 29 inch wheels. I put it on my Ellsworth Evolve the night before (as usual) my first XC race of the year, the Desert Rampage in St. George, UT. Throughout the preride and the race, I felt a noticable difference in the gearing needed for the climbing sections. I'm sure some of this was due to a placebo effect from knowing I had longer cranks, but I'm certain it was also due to the increased leverage ratio from the 5mm difference....and the lighter weight of these cranks over my last ones. I'll post more when I get more time on the cranks, but for now I'm happy with my purchase and they look damn sexy on my bike as well!