Truvativ 5D Square Taper Left Hand Crank

Advantages: Cheap, extremely durable, abuse tolerant
Disadvantages: Poor crank choice, may not be suitble for extreme use

...53 square taper got changed after 14 months, because it had become a bit gritty. I did however regularly ride it through rivers and mud, and then pressure washed it afterwards. It could have easily gone on for several more months, but square taper BB's are so cheap I changed it. The downsides The threaded spacer ring is made from plastic, and has a tendency to split when you are tightening it up. Always save the old one, when you are replacing your BB. The other major downside is poor choice of cranks. All the money and development is in lightweight cranks with BB's made from cheese, so your choice is limited. If you want sexy, then your only real choice is Middleburn, but these are expensive at around £130 just for a pair of cranks without rings. How does the UN54 compare? The only BB I have to compare it to are Truvativ... Read review

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Advantages: Quality frame and finishing kit
Disadvantages: BB and crankset could be better

...Ok, if like me you are new to MTB and want your first bike, chances are you read the mags and believe that an every day, usable bike will cost £500 plus. Not So. I have just purchased a Brand new model trek 4300 for £299. It has the ASL frame from higher up the range, Bontrager finishing Kit, Cane Creek head set and Alivio Mechs. New style Bontrager Connection Tyres and good sturdy Matrix 750 rims and Grind 323 forks (same internal make up as judy tt and lighter into the bargain). Only downside is square taper BB and suntour cranks, but hey, what do you expect for 300 quid? I use this bike everyday, and as i weigh in at just under 16 stone, i put some weight on the cranks and they are still standing. This bike puts up with a lot from me as i ride some very rocky trails and it is still all in order ( 200 miles and 10 days) not long I... Read review

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Advantages: LightWeight, indestructible, good price
Disadvantages: not the Cheapest of Cranks

...it incredibly strong plus the fact the bash ring is about 1/2 an inch think. The cranks are cnc machined from one piece of aluminum making them incredibly light. Ridding with these cranks is a delight the power transfer is great as the crank and chain ring and bash ring are so solid there is no flex in the arms and the bash ring is low profile so gives you that little extra clearance but yet protects your chain perfectly. The Cranks come in wither taper or Isis fitting, Isis is a great as no matter how hard you tighten the bolt, once you want to remove the crank remove the bolt and generally just give the crank a tap and off it comes. The Most amazing thing however is that these cranks have a lifetime warranty, even stated for trials or Downhill use. There so confident that there indestructible. I smashed them some many times onto concrete... Read review

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