Race Face - Made in Canada
Race Face has a long history with carbon technology. They released their original Next LP cranks - an aluminum exoskeleton with a carbon charge inside of it - 15 years ago in 1998. Ten years later they re-released Next as a fully carbon crankset complete with hollow arms, implementing a proprietary process closely guarded by the brand. Minor evolutionary steps followed until the Next SL with a titanium spindle was released in 2011. This year, Race Face released not only the lightest production carbon crank set in the world (eclipsing the record set by their original full carbon design), but arguably the most versatile. The complete redesign, the new Next SL, which we recently reviewed, is not only modular, but also lighter, stiffer and stronger than previous designs. To learn more about what goes into the production of a full carbon crank, we ventured to Burnaby, BC, where Race Face's design innovation and carbon manufacturing takes place. Manufacturing domestically is a point of pride for the brand and something they have gone to great lengths to preserve.
While it is more cost effective to move manufacturing overseas to Taiwan, where Race Face produces components like chain rings, aluminum cranks, and bars, they are committed to maintaining and expanding their carbon crank manufacturing program in Canada. In the early years, the company took advantage of a government grant program designed to promote Canadian innovation. The program subsidized partial wages and supply costs to offset the risk associated with such an undertaking. The grant provided support for the brand to explore, and eventually prove, design concepts and manufacturing processes in carbon. Driven both by production efficiency and protection of their trade secrets, they have since invested a quarter of a million dollars in new machines and increased their carbon specific manufacturing team. “The pressure to transfer local production overseas is a daily reality of our business. We've had to make concessions in other areas to ensure the carbon crank program remains in Canada for the long term, but when you experience the innovation in the building right now and consider the early success of the Next SL crank, it's proof enough for me that we're headed in the right direction,” says Dave Murray, Operations Manager.
One of the benefits of producing locally is a streamlined R&D cycle; faster turnaround on prototypes and, ideally, a quicker time to market. In some cases the proximity of the carbon room to the engineers has cut the development process by up to six months. With these kinds of results it has been a ‘no brainer’ for Race Face to keep the production local. Additionally, when you have a new and truly unique process, sending your designs off to Taiwan, the melting pot of bike production, can be unnerving. Rather than risk dissemination of their intellectual property or compromise the quality of their product, they instead built a dedicated carbon room in their new facility and began running two shifts daily to produce their handmade Next SL cranks.
When it comes to carbon cranks, Jonathan Staples, Senior Design Engineer, says, “I don’t think there is any argument, they are better.” With six years of carbon technology development under his belt, Jonathan’s ingenuity is driven by his passion for riding and carbon technology development. Currently, the Next SL cranks are 120 grams lighter than their closest mainstream competitor, and according to Race Face their stiffness to weight ratio, when compared to aluminum cranks, is off the chart. While aluminum cranks have been made that approach a similar weight, the end product is too flexible, lacking the desired stiffness. In previous crank designs the spider arms were built-in, creating a challenging and expensive manufacturing process. Additionally, this design did not allow for the adaptation to new standards. In an effort to accommodate riders’ needs, this newest arm set up has a removable spider slot that will remain compatible with the changing standards. The new Cinch System, as it is referred to, has interchangeable parts that can be customized right from the manufacturing facility, at your local bike shop, or in your very own garage. Riders can now transfer their Next SL cranks from their summer bike over to their winter purposed fat bike with the addition of a wider spindle. Jonathan's team have produced a rider driven product that they have crafted from start to finish in in their office. Race Face employs a strong team of riders and engineers who have a unique chance to oversee every step of the product that not only you, but they as well, will be riding.
At the end of the day, costs and efficiency aside, it is a much better conversation for a company to have when they can say their product is made in Canada. There is a lot of pride that comes with producing something locally and selling it to the rest of the world.
www.raceface.com
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 The carbon room at Race Face is literally a secret chamber where access restrictions are strictly enforced. Beyond the door a group of passionate engineers and mountain bikers are making your cranks by hand. |
While it is more cost effective to move manufacturing overseas to Taiwan, where Race Face produces components like chain rings, aluminum cranks, and bars, they are committed to maintaining and expanding their carbon crank manufacturing program in Canada. In the early years, the company took advantage of a government grant program designed to promote Canadian innovation. The program subsidized partial wages and supply costs to offset the risk associated with such an undertaking. The grant provided support for the brand to explore, and eventually prove, design concepts and manufacturing processes in carbon. Driven both by production efficiency and protection of their trade secrets, they have since invested a quarter of a million dollars in new machines and increased their carbon specific manufacturing team. “The pressure to transfer local production overseas is a daily reality of our business. We've had to make concessions in other areas to ensure the carbon crank program remains in Canada for the long term, but when you experience the innovation in the building right now and consider the early success of the Next SL crank, it's proof enough for me that we're headed in the right direction,” says Dave Murray, Operations Manager.
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| Each crank starts with multiple layers of one ply carbon. |
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| The carbon is laminated together to build torsional strength before being cut into specific patterns. |
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| A CNC machine is used to cut the laminated carbon into pieces which are then hand assembled, weighed for quality and moulded using custom tooling. |
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| Each crank is finished by hand before being sent out for painting to prevent UV degradation. |
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| Their unique process allows Race Face to use less carbon while creating stronger cranks. |
One of the benefits of producing locally is a streamlined R&D cycle; faster turnaround on prototypes and, ideally, a quicker time to market. In some cases the proximity of the carbon room to the engineers has cut the development process by up to six months. With these kinds of results it has been a ‘no brainer’ for Race Face to keep the production local. Additionally, when you have a new and truly unique process, sending your designs off to Taiwan, the melting pot of bike production, can be unnerving. Rather than risk dissemination of their intellectual property or compromise the quality of their product, they instead built a dedicated carbon room in their new facility and began running two shifts daily to produce their handmade Next SL cranks.
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| Even the products that are manufactured in Taiwan are still designed and tested in their Burnaby location, including the new 35mm diameter SIXC bar. |
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| The staff takes a very hands on approach to product development, testing gear themselves, and taking pride when a product is successful. |
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| Cranks are tested to international standards that range from 50,000 to 100,000 cycles. |
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| Carbon will run up to ten times past international standards, so often the tests are stopped before the carbon has fatigued. |
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| Race Face subjects their cranks to their own testing with standard loads, but over longer periods of time, holding their products to higher expectations than what is required. |
When it comes to carbon cranks, Jonathan Staples, Senior Design Engineer, says, “I don’t think there is any argument, they are better.” With six years of carbon technology development under his belt, Jonathan’s ingenuity is driven by his passion for riding and carbon technology development. Currently, the Next SL cranks are 120 grams lighter than their closest mainstream competitor, and according to Race Face their stiffness to weight ratio, when compared to aluminum cranks, is off the chart. While aluminum cranks have been made that approach a similar weight, the end product is too flexible, lacking the desired stiffness. In previous crank designs the spider arms were built-in, creating a challenging and expensive manufacturing process. Additionally, this design did not allow for the adaptation to new standards. In an effort to accommodate riders’ needs, this newest arm set up has a removable spider slot that will remain compatible with the changing standards. The new Cinch System, as it is referred to, has interchangeable parts that can be customized right from the manufacturing facility, at your local bike shop, or in your very own garage. Riders can now transfer their Next SL cranks from their summer bike over to their winter purposed fat bike with the addition of a wider spindle. Jonathan's team have produced a rider driven product that they have crafted from start to finish in in their office. Race Face employs a strong team of riders and engineers who have a unique chance to oversee every step of the product that not only you, but they as well, will be riding.
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| Next SL cranks, made in Canada. |
At the end of the day, costs and efficiency aside, it is a much better conversation for a company to have when they can say their product is made in Canada. There is a lot of pride that comes with producing something locally and selling it to the rest of the world.
www.raceface.com
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Canadic*nt, great name, stupid post. LOL PB censors my post but not your name!!!!!! ROFLMAO ha ha ha f*ck you PB.
That being said, if you're not having troubles keeping your chain on with what you've got, keep it that way. It's not like a chain guide is that heavy or noisy that it warrants you swapping it out just to get the new ring. It's definitely worth a look though if you're swapping out parts.
I like running taco bashguard because it is lateraly closer to the center of the bike, and taco almost always equals to chain tensioner, so that is some extra chain security. I do not currently have NW ring, but that is something I would like to own.
I think that any type of bashguard is a must have on a bike that is ridden on rough terrain. Therefore, I will always run an extra tensioner because 20 grams more than just a taco is nothing, especially when you have 500+gram dropper post under your buttocks.
At first I felt like they were gonna say RF is 100% Canadian made. Ok cool. Then they mention alloy bits are made off shore (no problem) and it seems the carbon is made in house. Then they mention that even some of the carbon (e.g. the SIXC bars) are made off shore. Alright now, what gives? Should this have been titled "Race Face Next SL cranks - Made in Canada"? Those are they only parts they confirmed ARE made there, but what else? If the alloy bits and a lot of other carbon is made overseas (I have no problem with this - not a rant against production in Asia) then why craft a title that makes it seem like all production is in N. America? Is it all carbon cranks?
Love my RF stuff and I have some Next SL cranks on the way. Nice story about their production, but it's pretty damn deceptive the way they position this as "Made in Canada" then slowly reveal that a lot is made overseas. I don't really care where my bits are made as all my RF has been quality. I have high quality bits made in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan and Taiwan that I literally trust my life to. Folks here are happy to rally round Merica. I care more about the quality than I do about where it's made. If all else is equal (and it's often not) I'll get local.
Everything a company says is part of their marketing program and is designed to cash in national patriotism to some degree.
www.mountainbike-magazin.de/test/parts/acht-mtb-kurbeln-im-test-fuenf-3-fach-und-zwei-2-fach-modelle.911866.2.htm#7
Some parts are made by machine (CNC) and trust me, you want those parts shaped by a machine.
My new Cove Hummer 650bj Ti is decked with the latest Next SL cranks and 35mm Atlas Bars/Stem. Totally pimp!
Fits SRAM carbon crank arms as well.
sngltrkmnd: Not to like :-)
Still churning out parts from a building that used to be an old still.
Lighter than THM and Lightning? These two aren't as versatile granted but I don't think they can claim to be the lightest production carbon cranks. I believe Cannondale Hollowgrams are also lighter despite being Alu and super versatile.
Cannondale's reported system weight: 580g
Raceface's system weight, 30mmBSA, 175 arm, 28tooth direct mount: 512g. 68 grams lighter, 11.7%
Raceface Next SL:
Raceface claim 425g on their website (arms, direct mount 28T ring) But with a 32T direct mount ring it is a fair bit heavier (446g).
See here: forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks/raceface-next-sl-1x-crankset-888126.html
So: Raceface Next SL is 446g (for arms and 32T direct mount ring).
Cannondale Hollowgram SISL2:
533g here: r2-bike.com/Cannondale-Hollowgram-Kurbel-Set-SiSL2-Sram-XX1
However, this includes the BB30 bearings (-47g) and is not apple to apples as is not a direct mount ring. Take off the heavy SRAM ring (-51g), heavy XX1 spider (-29g) and chainring bolts (-10g) and add a direct mount ring (+55g).
So: Cannondale Hollowgram SISL2 is 451g (for arms and 32T direct mount ring) (533-47-51-29-10+55)
The Cannondale is only 5g heavier despite being Alu.
However RF's claim is "lightest production carbon crank".
THM Carbones Clavicula M3 is 395g for arms, heavy XX1 spider and heavy stock XX1 ring. More than 50g lighter than RF.
Lightning claim 450g for arms, heavy XX1 spider, stock 34T XX1 ring and BB90 bottom bracket. Even with the BB it is 4g heavier than RF. Take away the BB and it is significantly lighter.
I don't see how RF can claim the lightest carbon crank???? Perhaps they argue THM and Lightning are not "production" cranks despite being available from dozens of places. As I said before, the intended use differs slightly to RF Next SL but that is not the claim. Furthermore, if you want a super durable crank you can have aluminium within 5g (Cannondale Hollowgram SISL2)
Anyway, the claim by RF is "lightest production carbon crank" and THM and Lightning are both lighter. How can they make this claim? As an insider to RF perhaps you can explain the "lightest production carbon crank" marketing claim Colin?
Just teasing about aluminium vs aluminum. Even though we use the word aluminum here I believe that aluminium is actually correct (it is the English language after all).