New Race Face components - Anodized and Carbon

Sep 7, 2009
by Jordan Holmes  
With the success of Race Face's proprietary Optimized Carbon Technology program, Race Face has decided to take another step into making your bike lighter, and stronger while still providing you with the same ride comfort and reliability you need. SixC (the c is silent, eh!) is the next step in cranks and handlebar development being constructed out of carbon fiber. SixC is a true AM/FR product, 20+ grams lighter than anything else out there and perfectly suited for the 5 to 6 inch travel range. Here is some information on the new lineup.

Check it all inside,Manufactured and engineered in Race Face's British Columbia, Canada manufacturing facility, they have done a ton of testing on some of the most abusive and demanding trails around. The SixC crank arms are completely hollow, with all the unnecessary material removed from the center core, and not replaced with an aluminum spine. The SixC crank arms are strictly carbon, exactly what you would hope for from a carbon lineup.

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Race Face removes all the unnecessary material in the post curing process, so their engineers can mold the carbon at high pressure levels resulting in optimal material compaction and an overall lower void structure (empty space in the carbon overlay). This process aids Race Face in creating a superlight crank setup, weighing in at 760 grams. Race Face has included the pedal and spindle inserts in the molding process to ensure they will never loosen off or creak. The SixC crank arm features a superlight CNC machined CrMo bottom bracket spindle that is permanently molded directly into the drive side crank arm. This minimizes weight, and maximizes power transfer.

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Race Face's chainrings are 100% CNC machined from super hard 7075 aluminum to maximize wear resistance, and impact strength. These chainrings are secured in place using alloy torx 30 hardware, keeping the weight down. Removing the SixC cranks is simple using the built in crank puller cap, and an 8mm hex wrench. Race Face has also equip the SixC lineup with 3mm of available chainline adjustability. This ensures you the ability to achieve perfect drivetrain alignment even with difficult suspension frame designs.

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Offered in a triple ring set-up, or double ring with Race Face's lightweight 7075 alloy bashguard the SixC lineup should have an offering for your needs. As well, the bottom bracket that is included with the SixC cranks features Race Face's triple wiper seal, which retains the factory Phil Woods waterproof grease better, and helps it keep contaminants out. The SixC cranks carry a US MSRP price of $669 with a bottom bracket.

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Along with the SixC cranks Race Face did up a SixC handlebar. The SixC handlebar is manufactured with leading edge composite material that allows Race Face to reach their high strength requirements, while still coming in at an impressively low weight of 225 grams. Designed with a standard 9 degree rearward bend, and 4 degrees upward the SixC handlebar is a 3/4 inch rise bar that is only manufactured at 725mm wide, with a 31.8mm clamping diameter.

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Race Face ensures that the SixC handlebar meets standards with each run that comes out of the factory by testing a handlebar from each run. This ensures that all the standards set by the engineers are met. As well, Race Face has equipped the SixC 3/4 Riser bar with reinforced clamping zones for lock-on grip compatibility.

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The SixC handlebar got the same Matte Carbon color scheme that was offered on the cranks, along with the Orange accents (the bar, like the crankset, is also available in white and silver). Race Face has also included cut lines on the ends of the bar in 12mm increments, down to 700mm. The SixC handlebars have a US MSRP price of $129.

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Aside from the SixC lineup Race Face recently released their Atlas FR direct mount stem. The Atlas FR direct mount stem is a flip flop design, meaning in one position it provides 30mm of reach, and the other side features 50mm of reach. Weighing in at 162 grams the new Atlas FR stem is constructed out of 6061 Aluminum, and features an interlocking u-shaped handlebar clamp. This U-shaped clamp aids the stem in transferring more load through the stem body, and not into the bolts.

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The flip flop design is something we haven't seen too much of around the mountain biking scene, but it makes sense to offer two options on one stem, at one low weight. Offered in black, white, and rum red the Atlas FR stem is designed to be a Boxxer direct mount stem. 4 bolts secure the front face plate to the body, and 4 bolts secure the body to your bike.

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The Atlas FR stem has a US MSRP price of $95 for the black one, and $100 for the white model. Also, Race Face is producing a lighter version of the stem, known as the Atlas FR SL (super light). This stem weighs in at 138 grams, and will come with 8 Ti bolts. The US MSRP on that stem is $115.

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Atlas FR SL Stem


Somewhere in between carbon cranks and direct mount stems sits the Respond line up. Respond is designed for riders who are wanting big hit performance at an All Mountain weight. Constructed out of 7050 aluminum the Respond crank setup weighs in at 1150 grams. Race Face has designed the Respond cranks to have 6mm of chainline adjustment, meaning these cranks should work with virtually any bike.

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Race Face offers the Respond cranks in 165, 170, and 175mm lengths, and they will fit 68, 73, and 83mm bottom bracket shells. The bottom bracket included with the Respond cranks is filled from the factory with Phil Woods waterproof grease, just like the SixC cranks. This grease is known to extend bearing life, and keep your cranks spinning smoother over a longer period of time. The granny ring on the Respond cranks is removeable as well, for increased clearance should you choose to run a single ring chain guide.

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Much like the SixC group the Respond cranks use the same EXI interface, making installation and removal of the cranks a breeze at any well setup bike shop. As well, Race Face has equip the Respond cranks with their light weight aluminum bash, lightening up the whole setup that extra bit. The Respond Cranks carry a US MSRP price of $160, and are part of a complete Respond lineup.

Along side the Respond cranks in the Respond lineup is the bar and stem. The Respond bar has been cold drawn out of seamless Air Alloy material. Its butted for a optimized weight to strength ratio, and is offered in two rise options, 1.5" which weighs in at 370 grams, and 0.5" which weighs in at 335 grams. It offered at 27" wide from the factory, with 9 degrees of rearward bend, and 4 degrees of upward, with a 31.8 clamping diameter. The Respond handlebar carries a US MSRP price of $48 for the black bars, and $55 for the white version.

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Matching up perfectly with the Respond handlebar is the Respond stem. The Respond stem is offered in 45mm and 60mm lengths, with 10 degrees of rise. Its forged and blasted out of 6061 aluminum, which translates into high stregn and fatigue resistance, with a reasonable weight. The Respond stem weighs in at 195 grams for the 45mm length, and 215 grams for the 60mm length. Also, the Respond stem features the same interlocking U-shaped handlebar clamp, which helps the stem dissipate images and stresses through the stem body, and not directly through the bolts. As well, when you combine the Respond stem and bar the graphics match up nicely in either the black or the white options. The Respond stem is for sale in black and white color options. The black version holds a US MSRP of $48, and the white version has a US MSRP of $57.

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For more information about these new products from Race Face or any other products from them check out their site.

Author Info:
spoiledgoods avatar

Member since Mar 20, 2000
624 articles

49 Comments
  • 24 1
 Those respond cranks are looking awfully nice, raceface are really coming in with some awesome products.
  • 9 4
 Oh yeah, it's amazing how far technology has come.
  • 16 2
 ...and in such a short time! Just think about how "primative" bikes were just 5 or 10 years ago!
  • 6 5
 It looks super good and everything, but (specifically the cranks) why is it already beat up? Couldn't resist riding before the pictures? Razz
  • 11 34
flag JokerMachine (Sep 7, 2009 at 5:44) (Below Threshold)
 As "primative" as your spelling?
  • 11 1
 Those cranks are not "beat up" at all... it's the natural reflection of the carbon. It's not a weave like people typically associate with carbon. Looks more like a rough plastic (like the Easton Monkeylite bars)
  • 2 2
 exactly
  • 5 1
 Really? Huh. Well I'll know that for the future then Smile Thanks.
  • 4 1
 those cranks are so nice for 160$ i might get a pair
  • 1 1
 I dont know, but the only place you can get them online right now is Jenson USA and they're going for 200$ on there?
  • 2 2
 'Smike'
tht isnt the reflection of the cranks or bars, raceface has designed aweave texture into their new products making it look used/ or like it has a light layer of dirt on it from riding if you notice on the cranks

just so you know for the future...
  • 2 1
 Strange that my MonkeyLite bars and Elixir carbon levers have the exact same pattern. But hey, if you've seen them in person already, who am I to argue.
  • 1 1
 ...yea I was once a proud owner of MonkeyLites and it's definitely just the carbon nanotube whatever that they make this stuff out of
  • 1 1
 carbon fibre
  • 1 1
 i think i might get the atlas dm stem
  • 9 1
 Race face has become such an amazing company, all the products are cutting edge, they keep up with the current trends, and its all pretty much bomb-proof. cant get any better than that!
  • 6 1
 boy, that boxxer stem is looking mighty SEXY!
  • 5 1
 raceface are my fav bike components so well made and strong as hell
  • 3 0
 i just picked up one of there atlas freeride bars 785mm and its just plain out sick. feels great and looks sick.
  • 2 2
 what did it set you back
  • 2 2
 I paid a 100 bucks in whistler for the bars. IN GOLD!
  • 2 3
 sick
  • 1 1
 69.99 @ wheel world. it made a HUGE differance in how the bike handles now. literally night and day differance. the confidence is boosting through the roof and im not kidding. rigodon777 can prob. justify it.
  • 1 1
 hell yeah! brings down the cockpit, give more stability at high speed and EVERYTHING you said!
  • 1 1
 did a factory tour last week and saw all these products, stuff is super sexy, the new stems are really cool. the carbon cranks are so stiff and light. cant wait to get some of this new kit. well done raceface and thanks again for the tour.
  • 5 2
 I love that the white paint cost more than the black, now that is keeping up with current trends!
  • 3 1
 mmmmmm, like the way they come out with something nice the moment i brake my diabolous cranks and pay for a set of shimano saints!
  • 3 2
 Bomb-proof is a good word for Race Face components. I have yet to see ANYTHING break by RF. These all look great. Props to the company and to the many riders that proudly bear their name.
  • 3 3
 then you have yet to open your eyes?

race face and FSA both have pretty shitty cranksets. if you work at a shop you'll see quite a few that develope play in the bearings extremely quick (in comparison to shimano). i've seen plenty of broken FSA products. and a few RF. not to mention shimano rings shift better. so even if you buy a RF or FSA crankset you'll probably want to put shimano rings on it (if at all compatible, sometimes they screw you.)
  • 2 0
 that six with a silent c range is gonna be awfully popular witht he 4x race crowd! something to take on xt, and slx??
  • 1 1
 Race-face have truly stepped up their game this year.. and i might be tempted to get some White Respond Crank-set... they look amazing, and if they perform as well as they describe then great!
  • 1 1
 So is the Atlas FR stem for boxxer only or are the new Fox 40 mounts the same?
  • 1 1
 fox uses the boxxer mount to, it is the same
  • 1 1
 same... to be honest not sure why its called a Boxxer stem, to be fair its just a Direct Mount Stem.
  • 1 1
 Rockshox came up with this bolt pattern for there boxxer years ago and the name suck.
  • 1 0
 I thought as much but just checking. Thanks guys.
  • 1 0
 Can't wait for my white respond bars to come in,
LAST PAIR IN THE COUNTRY! Can't wait to try them out Smile
  • 2 1
 too bad the atlas FR stem is only direct mount, it would look sick on the new totems with the atlas FR bar
  • 1 2
 So sick. The longer I wait to build my bike the better the parts get! Can't wait till I see those sixc cranks on sale
  • 1 1
 race face is awesome...i wish i had the money for the responds gear
  • 1 1
 So sick, anyone got any pictures of any new raceface anodized red parts?
  • 1 1
 All of that new stuff looks insanee!! Love the designs!
  • 1 1
 The Atlas FR stem is insane, lovin' the line up
  • 1 1
 the black is ano and white is paint?
  • 1 1
 SIXc Bars dh-able?
  • 2 2
 sooooooooo sick
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