Blackspire is a name that has flown under the radar in recent times. Whatever the reason may be for that, the Canadian brand is still at it and producing up to date components such as narrow/wide and oval shaped chainrings, 1x-specific guides, and their latest offering, the Badger C carbon crankset.
The new carbon fiber cranks weigh 540 grams, including a 28-tooth narrow/wide chainring, and retail for $450 CAD with a bottom bracket and chainring of your choice. This price also includes shipping to anywhere in North America. Due to the Badger Cs only being available for purchase on Blackspire's online store, there is no USD pricing.
Badger C Crankset Details:• Intended use: cross-country / all-mountain
• Length: 175mm only
• Carbon construction
• 30mm aluminum spindle
• Not compatible w/ 83mm BB shells
• Weight: 540 grams (175mm, 28t chainring)
• MSRP: $450 CAD (arms, BB, chainring)
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www.blackspire.com The crank employs a similar system to Race Face’s Cinch setup, making it possible to fit them onto a wide variety of bikes regardless of what bottom bracket interface is being used, and a fatbike-compatible spindle can even be installed. The aluminum spindle itself is of the 30mm diameter variety, and the chainring is attached via a GXP direct mount system. The Badger C is built using carbon to keep the weight down but there will be an aluminum version available for those not interested in rocking carbon in their transmission.
With so many different types of bottom bracket shells on bikes these days, the ability for the Badger Cs to fit most of them due to their adjustable bearing collar is a great option, but the correct bottom bracket is obviously required. Blackspire will offer bottom brackets to cover all options in the near future, including BB92, BB107, PF30, and 68/73mm threaded; the latter of which being the interface that I tested them with.
Additionally, the GXP direct mount chainring system on the production cranks provides riders with a wide selection of options. A number of aftermarket manufacturers offer direct mount rings with the GXP fitting, in addition to Blackspire’s own selection, so there should be no trouble finding a chainring that suits anyone’s needs. The crankset will come with either a 28, 30, or 32-tooth round chainring, or oval 30 or 32-tooth chainring, depending on the rider's needs.
InstallationInstalling the Badger C crankset is similar to some others on the market. With the same focus on compatibility across a wide range of bottom bracket types, a number of washers of varying sizes are required to make it happen. It's quite straightforward but can take a bit of trial and error to adjust and figure out. These washers are included with the cranks and which ones are used, if any, is dependant on the bottom bracket and type of bike they're going onto. As it turned out, the bike that these were tested on - which has a 73mm threaded BB shell - didn't require any spacers.
It also needs to be mentioned that the Blackspire bottom bracket requires a proprietary tool - it's slightly larger than other outboard bearing tools - which they do include with the cranks.
The Badger C's use a lockring to essentially adjust the length of spindle available, but after noticing some wear on the anodized inner surface during a once-over, I reached out to Blackspire to see if I should simply remove it altogether. They said that yes, this would work given the 73mm threaded bottom bracket shell of the bike they were installed on, so off it went. I had zero issues with the cranks coming loose prior to this, nor did I after I removed it.
I did find that the tiny 2mm hex key used to clamp the lockring down in place to be small and finicky, and can see some riders, especially those who aren't known for their patience or mechanical finesse, having an issue with this. It'd be nice to see some slightly larger hardware used here considering that the tiny screw is likely to round-out over time.
PerformanceOnce setup, the cranks spun smooth and freely on their 30mm spindle and regardless of the weather ridden in, or the condition of the trails, the interface has remained creak-free and smooth to this day. That said, I have noticed some corrosion on the spindle and inner race of the bearings, indicating potential for improvements to the seals used. While this hasn’t negatively affected my experience on the trail yet, it may become an issue in the future. We also had some trouble removing the cranks because of it, with the spindle requiring a fairly ham-fisted whack to break it loose and push out the driveside of the bottom bracket.
Blackspire has since changed the inner bearing races to stainless steel so as to minimize that chance of any corrosion occurring, something that riders who spend a lot of time in the rain and mud will appreciate.
There have been no issues or experiences with the crank being overly flexy, or too stiff for that matter, though some others provide a slightly firmer and more positive feeling under foot. Their weight is admirable yet their durability grants confidence to ride how you want. Speaking of durability, after subjecting the Badger Cs to a lot of varied riding, including plenty of rock strikes, everything continues to run as it should. The inclusion of rubber booties with the crankset will be a good addition (Blackspire will ship all production Badger C arms with protective rubber caps) but despite this, they have faired well. The shape of the crank arms is slender and foregoes any odd lumps or bumps that could catch your ankle when riding, something that's important and sometimes overlooked, especially for more aggressive riders.
Pinkbike's Take:  | While not the stiffest crankset out there, their relatively low weight and competitive price mean that the Badger C arms are worth looking at. Their versatility, thanks to the adjustable spindle and GXP direct mount chainring setup, mean that they should work well for the majority of riders, just so long as you're not riding in the mud and rain every single day. - AJ Barlas |
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114 Comments
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@Ryanrobinson1984 They will be available late summer/early fall
Really, zigzag would be about as stylish as it could get while staying functionl. After that, how would you like your ridge?or concave. Haha
www.tbsbikeparts.com/shimano-m640-68-73mm-zee-crankset-36t/?gclid=CJ3VoLmjgs4CFYSAaQod36kPqg
One has ridges and indents, oh wait so does the other...but wait they aren't just rounded off rectangles that had material removed for "style". And neither of them have a 4 bolt pattern or a spot to thread in a pedal. Why the f are you chirping a company about "plain" cranks. Really? Anyone here agree that in the end, "style" is either an indent, grove, ridge or material that's been shaved away? Or form pressed, but that the general profile is obviously the same..not to mention between the two above, the zees look a hell of a lot cleaner.
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That said I have a buddy with the Wilma crankset as they call it. And it is really a nice set. Here's my source.
www.s-shun.com/about02.php
www.s-shun.com/product_list.php?id=0&key=WM&p=2
This will also explain the logo. They look nice in person. Don't be shy. They are light I don't remember exact grams but the claimed weight is probably correct.
@Brakesnotincluded Thanks for the kind words! Glad your liking our products.
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anywho, any plans for a sixc/xodh rival coming in the future?
@jewpowered We do believe that the Badger C is strong enough for DH but we aren't going to offer the 83mm spindle because we dont want to have the same issues that SRAM had with the XO cranks. We might offer a DH version for late 2017 if we get enough sales from the Badger C. All depends on the need of what the consumers will be wanting.
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Need to have 170mm for sale
I like how responsive they are. Including the tool, changing to stainless bearing races, including rubber ends...this is a great deal vs. the NEXT SL.
I wonder where RF found an extra +100g in weight savings? I'm also assuming the review is comparing the stiffness to the Next SL's...lighter and stiffer?
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Already thinking about this crankset and the offset rings for the next bike build come next year. And I mean I'm a North Delta boy, gotta rep the hometown company!
And don't you ever stop building that super simple lower taco bashgaurd! Don't do it! Though a lower taco bashgaurd with a upper mini chain guide that can hinge out of the way would be dope
They're on my DJ.
That said, you could probably drop pounds, plural off your bike without changing reliability one bit, the Aeffect cranks are probably just us durable, & weigh less than half what the Diabolus did, & can be found for as little as $100.
This is very tempting & I don't even need a crank. I just bought one last year actually.
Taiwan FTW!!!
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My bruiser bash guard has saved me on many occasions so I'll look past it :p
Not a carbon crank man but I might have to look at the aluminum one now. Appreciate your time and playfulness
Goes a long way
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smart move. fretting corrosion is seen on many crankset axles. Shimano anti-seize is great for metal/metal crank installs because it stays put and doesn't effect the torque setup.
I'd advise all your crank users to never use a ball-end hex key on the lockring clamp - quick way to cam out that small hex bolt. always use hex-end on that size
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How about some fast gearing?
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Triple ring set up or is that just silly these days?
I still use a front mech and my 44t chainring
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I'd advise your crank users-
always use 'hex-end' of your wrench, never 'ball-end' sure fire way to cam out that small bolt even at lower torque
decent hex-end from Bondhaus you won't have any issues
www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/l-wrenches/goldguard_hex.html
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'nuff said...lol