Race Face SIXC Cranks - First Look

Go to http://www.gramslightbikes.com/2010/07/race-face-sixc-crankset-review.html for the full review!

I have been testing a set of the Race Face SIXC (silent C) cranks for about 2 weeks now, and they have proven to be stiff, durable, have been good shifting and are made of carbon. The SIXC cranks are made with their Optimized Carbon Technology program, and have been created for All Mountain biking, so they are slightly overbuilt in comparison to the usual carbon cranks. They are strong enough for mellow freeride, but light enough to appease a weight weenie (like me) or a cross country rider.

The crankset has an external bottom bracket, aluminum chainrings, carbon arms, and a steel BB spindle, which is molded onto the drive side arm and includes their spline "EXI" interface for the non drive arm. The carbon composite arms are engineered and manufactured in their British Columbia factory, and are hollowed out, with the unneeded material removed from the core, and offer exceptional strength to weight ratio. I tested the 22/32/bashguard version (they come in double and triple configurations), and it weighed in at 752.1 grams, including the arm end covers. Installation was very straight forward, put on the bottom bracket, slide the drive side arm with its spindle into the BB, mesh the other arm on and tighten down with the 8mm bolt.

The shifting was fine, not quite XTR standard, but pretty darn close. The gear changing between 22 to 32 to 22 was fairly short, and it made the jumps quickly, even under extreme loads. I felt no flex in the system, so it was as stiff as I could discern. The simple subdued graphics were a welcome change from the usual advertisement patterns of some bike products, and the cranks had an understated and functional look to themselves. They came with their innovative 'Pedal End Boots' (two colors), which go over the end of the carbon crank arms to protect them (like bashing hard into rocks). They are such useful units, that I have used them on other cranks, even non carbon ones.

SIX Cranks Features
- 3mm of chainline adjustability and fine tuning.
- Pedal and spindle inserts are co-molded in place for a secure bond.
- CNC 7075 aluminum chainrings.
- “EXI” spline interface for the non drive arm to BB spindle.
- Light CNC machined CrMo BB spindle is molded onto drive side crank arm.
- Offered in either a triple ring set-up or Double ring with lightweight 7075 alloy bashguard.
- All alloy Torx 30 hardware.
- Crank bolt puller cap makes crank removal a snap with just an 8mm hex wrench.
- Bearings feature our new custom triple wiper seal to better retain grease (Phil Wood waterproof grease) and keep contaminants out.
- 2 sets of Pedal End Boots.

SIX Cranks Specs
Intended use: All Mountain
Size: 170, 175mm and 68/73mm BB shell
Weight: 760g (175mm 22,32,44)
Color: Matte Carbon with orange decals or white decals
Chainline: 49 to 52mm
Chainring Configuration:
22,32,44
22,32,44 & Bash
22,32 & Bash
24,36 & Bash

Final Thoughts
The Race Face SIXC carbon cranks are pretty darn sweet, they are light, stiff and have been good shifting. I really liked the integrated bashguard, the choice of double or triple chainrings, and the Pedal End Boots. I am looking forward to more usage of the cranks, for long term durability and shifting. The SIXC cranks are nicely engineered and manufactured, and the overbuild and chainring combination's really fit in with the All Mountain paradigm.

MSRP $669

SIXC Cranks url: http://www.raceface.com/components/cranks/sixc/sixc/