I'm building my new Blur up and I didn't know whether to change my current chainset (XTR 952 4 arm) for the new HollowTech XTR,Race Face Deus or something else. Really appreciate your comemnts on all the kit, especially about chainrings being like butter, finish etc. I like the RF Deus but want black.

I'd go with the RF solely based on that fact that

1. Even though they shift well, Shimano chainrings last about a week

2. The anodising won't wear off the the RF cranks on your very first ride

I'd agree with Kato's first point, but I dont agree with his second, if you pedal properly this doesnt happen!

What I would avoid is carbon cranks, with the amount of times I ground my cranks I dont think they're a good idea on a mtb.

XTR definitely.

My XTR rings are lasting ok too, keep the bike clean and they last well. After 4 years the granny needed replacing on my M952 chainset , the other 2 were fine!

And actually M@, the finish on the XTR ones is pretty soft, I'm not a huge crank scuffer, but they get chips from rocks etc very quickly, even covered mine with scuff guard stuff.

Still a really really nice chainset though, got one for sale actually...

Granny ring? What do you use that for?

If you've got the time to clean and lube the XTR stuff properly then it'll last quite well. If not get the Race Face and put up with the slightly inferior shifting. To be honest there's not much in it but personally I'd have the better shifting.

As do I, hence recommending the XTR! Think it's true about cleaning/lubing as well.

Talking of which I've been given a sample of the new lube Extra are importing, ProGold, seems excellent. Pretty clean, keeps everything quiet! That should make your rings last longer...

That Pro Gold is scary thin, seems to clean stuff well though.

thats true, seems to last well though as all you can get out the bottle is a dribble!

Get LX Hollowtech II and a set of steel inner/middle rings from CRC for the princely sum of £82.00. That will work as well as the others mentioned, save you a fortune and look just as good.

And weigh a fair bit more!

Not as much as you'd think. A lot less than a good shit anyway.

Besides you could spend the balance on lighter kit elsewhere (like tyres) that will actually make a difference to the ride.

Funny no mention of Middleburn? My XTR chainset (952) has no scuff marks because I set the pedals and cleats up so my shoes don't mark them. That's where some people make a mistake. I've seen the RF Deus XC and they are very light and look very stiff. Having XTR pattern rings limits your choice of replacements although I was talking to the guys at BETD and they intend making some XTR replacement bits.

"My XTR chainset (952) has no scuff marks because I set the pedals and cleats up so my shoes don't mark them. That's where some people make a mistake."

You should set your cleats to the natural angle of your feet - not to save your precious cranks - tart :)

Try telling my knees to have the cleats set to avoid scuffing. I prefer having scuffed cranks and being able to walk.

Just put scuff guard type stuff on the cranks, then you can scuff away! My feet are buggered anyway, I scuff the paint on my chain and my seat stays, not just my cranks :-(

Not as much as you'd think. A lot less than a good shit anyway.

LOL.

Going to order RF Evolve XC's soon, was worried they'd wear like XT thanks :)

They look, Very very nice :)

Four Assed Monkey you miss-understood that comment. My shoes already had the cleats set on both pairs. I've NEVER had knee problems and I wouldn't set them up so they wouldn't scuff the cranks. Mine are set to the natural angle, feel very comfortable hence no rubbing. Maybe the pedal/cleat issue is like most things in that some people just don't take the time to set things up properly.