If I was to replace my current '98 XT chainset, would people reckon going for a new XT one or the £90ish RaceFace one (Prodigy Isis I think)? XT is obviously good stuff, prices can be good & so on, but then again, R.F. stuff is nice too and different for a change....

I suspect that RF is pimp value (apart from the ISIS fitting) it has been pointed out that the prodigy seies is basically budget Tiawanese stuff with an RF logo. North Shore/turbine etc probably IS top end, but at XTR prices.

Just my opinion, but I think that you would be paying extra to look different over Shimano stuff. On the other hand, some of the hard coated chainrings do seem to be better than Shimano, but they don't come on the prodigy do they?

BTW what's wrong with the XT chainset?

Current one is pretty worn, could replace rings, but fancy new one anyway! I'll just have to see how cash flow is 1st! Still, am trying part-new chain 1st to see if that helps chain-slip problems.

RaceFace has the extra pimp value so it should get you more attention fron the laydeez....then again how many women know the difference?

Whatever you get, get splined... I have an LX splined set and they are great (apart from initial creak when getting underway - they are quiet when riding though). Don't see the point of paying more.
Are your tapers shot on the XTs? Or just the rings?

OK, so it's just the middle ring that I'm doubtful over...although the cranks did go through a coming loose stage and now creak all the time!

i have been using the prodigy isis system for 6 months and it is still going great there are no creaks and it is hard wearing.
when compared to XT they are slightly heavier but heck of a lot stiffer and cheaper.

Prodigy is just cheaper OEM stuff with RF logos on it. I'm not sure what the prices are for XT vs. RF Prodigy in the UK but I would go with XT, given the choice.
I bought Turbines LP's and to be honest I would get XT if I had to make the decision again, for no other reason than they were over twice the price of the XT's. The RF's do look the cat's cluster though.

im running XS north shore on me DH rig, and Prodigy on me playbike, ive swapped out my xt stuff, like you its was time for a change and there were worn out, plus my excuse for spending a month wages was they were the old nufangled taper btm brkt, yuk. i picked up the prodigy for £80 from my lbs and a fsa splined extreme btm bkt from liesure lakes for £28, so there made in tiawan, is there such a difference to japan? basically if you want a change go for the RaceFace, if your a DIY man the downside is! youll need a different crank puller and a new btm brkt tool, approx £30 for the two, aint sure if its the same for the shimano.

I had interminable problems with chainsuck on my old XT 9sp set up despite new rings/chains etc. Spent a fortune trying to cure it.

No problems at all since I fitted an RF Turbine/Prodigy BB (ISIS drive).

And you get pimp value.

prodigy was originaly oem but it was good enough and by popular demand it was brought into production for the masses, since fitting it has worked, faultless.
my xt cranks creaked from day one.
btw when the cranks have worn out i will fit turbines, never will a shimano crank foul my bike again.

when o when will people learn the so calle dmighty shimano make shit cranks they all break i even know a lad who weighs 8 stone who keeps breaking xtr the only good thing shimano makes is road rear mechs oh and the shifters arent too bad long live raceface my turbines lasted for ever and are still going strong on me mates bike never a creak

Oh look we have a new troll. Why is it that the trolls don't know how to use punctuation?

Strikes me that peeps are using their kit to do things it wasn't designed for. I've ridden various bikes over the years, I don't jump but am a clumsy rider. I've never broken cranks, whether Deore, LX, XT or RF Prodigy. Get used to kit made in Taiwan - more and more production is moving there, the only stuff not made (or at least started)there is, or will soon be, very high end. IMO Shimano kit works, is reasonably priced (except XTR!); it's only drawback is to be very common!

Nothing shifts like ShiTmano, chain rings wear out a bit fast though especially if your a "never clean the chain" type.

Oh and as the great Keith Bontrager once said, "Cheap,Light,Strong, pick two".

I prefer Shimano stuff myself, the cheap Raceface (FSA) stuff bends in no time.

I guess it's a matter of opinion really.

Al

new xt stuff is pretty decent, light and looks pretty smart.

as for the guy who said youll get more attention from ladies with the RF, my bird just read it over my shoulder and said..."ooh baby, i love a man with some shiny pimp race goer crappys attatched to his feet" make me think they dont pay much attention to them! just a thought!

eh? you dug up this thread for that?

incredible