Race Face's Turbine cranks have long been a mainstay in the Canadian company's lineup, a do-it-all aluminum offering designed for trail or all-mountain riding. The 2015 version of the crank has undergone a number of changes, the most notable being the switch from a traditional fixed spider design to Race Face's Cinch system. This system allows a single ring to be mounted directly onto the crank arm, or an aluminum spider can be installed for riders who want to run a two or three chainring setup. Adaptability is the name of the game here - the cranks can be configured to work with every current bottom bracket standard, and the 30mm aluminum spindle can even be swapped out to make the cranks work with fat bike spacing. The forged aluminum crank arms themselves have also received a makeover, with more material removed from the backside of the cranks, and an updated outer shape that's more rounded and free of sharp edges. Weight (32t ring, no BB): 626 grams. MSRP: $269.99. Colors: black, red, blue. www.raceface.com | Details • Intended use: XC / AM / Enduro • Forged aluminum and CNC'd arms, aluminum 30mm spindle • Removable spider • Sizes: 170, 175, 180mm • BB options: BB92, 68/73 BSA, PF30 • Direct mount ring options: 26/28/30/32/34/36t • 2x ring options 104 BCD - 22/36, 24/36, 24/38. 120 BCD - 26/38, 28/40 • 3x ring options 24/32/42 • Colors: black, red, blue • Weight: 626g (175mm cranks with 32t direct mount ring) • MSRP: $269.99 USD (as tested) |
The deep indentations on the back of the crank are designed to keep the Turbine's weight down without compromising strength. The arms are attached to a removable 30mm aluminum spindle, with multiple bottom bracket options available to let them work with every existing standard.
We were able to get our hands on one of the first production sets of the new Turbine cranks, and when they arrived we didn't waste any time before heading out to see just what they could handle. But before getting to the riding impressions, it's worth mentioning how easy the Turbines are to install. After the bottom bracket is pressed or threaded in (depending on bottom bracket style), it's only a matter of tightening the 8mm hex bolt on the drive side, spinning the non-drive side preload ring to get rid of any play, and then snugging the small hex bolt on the preload ring. It doesn't get much easier than that - even the most ham-fisted home mechanic should be able to figure it out. After a couple of rides we ended up adding a little more preload to get rid of the slight amount of play that had developed, but since that quick adjustment we haven't had to touch them again. Out in the wild, the Turbines were flex free, and didn't ever issue any creaks or moans of complaint, whether we were stomping on the pedals to climb up an extra-steep hill or launching off of drops that are on the outer edges of what would be considered 'all-mountain' riding. While carbon may be all the rage these days, there's something to be said for the peace of mind that a well made set of aluminum cranks provides, especially when scraping and scratching through a trail filled with jagged rocks. As far as bearing durability goes, this spring in the Pacific Northwest has been unseasonably mild, without the wet weather that usually persists until July, so the Turbine's bottom bracket bearings haven't gotten the full torture test yet. However, they do use the same bearings that are found on the Next SL cranks we tested previously, and those still feel silky smooth even after a winter's worth of foul weather riding. On the whole, the Turbine cranks strike a good balance between weight and price, and their adaptability further adds to this value, a bit of future-proofing to make sure that they won't end up collecting dust when the next 'standard' arrives. - Mike Kazimer |
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There was updated faceplate that is thicker by2x . It was couriered to me by Tuesday morning!! 0$
Great customer service..
You know what, it doesn't matter. You're right. Shape the whole thing like a dinosaur.
Turbine Cinch Weight: 626g (175mm cranks with 32t direct mount ring) MSRP: $269.99 USD (as tested)
So is shaving that .44lbs worth $300?
To be honest I've never paid much attention to q factor since it just wasn't an issue on my various Shimano, E13, raceface cranks (incl the older Turbine).
Cheers.
Direct mount ring options: 26/28/30/32/34/36t