The Race Face Aeffect Cinch crankset offers a compelling solution for riders seeking lightweight performance without compromising durability. This aluminum crankset stands out with its direct mount chainring system, providing exceptional versatility in gearing customization to perfectly match individual riding styles and terrain. Its lightweight design prioritizes efficiency, making it ideal for tackling challenging climbs, while its robust construction ensures reliable performance even during aggressive descents. The Aeffect's compatibility with both Shimano and SRAM systems further enhances its appeal.This review delves into the key features and specifications of the Race Face Aeffect Cinch, including its installation process, weight analysis, and overall performance characteristics. We’ll examine the benefits of its lightweight design, the security of the Cinch mounting system, and the ease of customization offered by the direct mount chainring. We’ll also discuss the crankset's broad compatibility and its value proposition for riders looking for a performance upgrade or simply a reliable and lightweight component for their mountain bike.
Pros And Cons
- Race Face's lightest aluminum crankset for mountain bikes
- Allows direct mount chainring for versatility
- Lightweight: 581g (without chainring and bottom bracket), 645g (with chainring), 700-735g (complete with bottom bracket)
- Uses standard Shimano bottom bracket tool
- Requires a crank extractor
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Race Face Aeffect Crankset Overview
The Race Face Aeffect crankset is their lightest aluminum option for mountain bikes. It boasts a direct mount chainring system, offering significant versatility in setup. This design allows for easy customization to match various riding styles and preferences. The lightweight design prioritizes efficiency without sacrificing durability.
One notable feature is its compatibility with different chainring options, enabling riders to tailor the gearing precisely to their needs. The crankset uses a cinch mounting system, known for its secure and reliable clamping mechanism. This ensures a solid connection to the bottom bracket, reducing the risk of creaking or slippage during intense riding.
Installation and Components
Installation requires a crank extractor, similar to older ISIS or square taper systems. The crank arms are pressed onto the spindle, providing a secure fit. The chainring mounts to the underside of the crank arm and is secured with a bolt.
A small dot on the crank arm indicates the correct orientation for the chainring. A standard Shimano bottom bracket tool is used for tightening. This is a common tool, increasing accessibility for most mechanics and home repair enthusiasts.
Weight and Specifications
The Aeffect crankset, excluding the chainring and bottom bracket, weighs in at approximately 581 grams. This is remarkably lightweight for a crankset of its quality and durability. The addition of a chainring increases the overall weight to around 645 grams.
The complete setup, including the threaded bottom bracket (as shown in the review), brings the total weight to approximately 735 grams. The crankset utilizes a 24mm spindle, compatible with both Shimano and SRAM systems, enhancing its broad appeal.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Race Face Aeffect Cinch crankset delivers a compelling blend of lightweight performance and robust construction. Its versatility, thanks to the direct mount chainring system and 24mm spindle compatibility, makes it suitable for a wide range of mountain bikes, from cross-country to all-mountain. The relatively low weight contributes to increased efficiency on climbs and improved responsiveness on descents.
Considering its lightweight nature, robust build, and compatibility with various drivetrains, the Race Face Aeffect Cinch crankset presents a strong value proposition for discerning riders. Whether you're seeking performance gains or simply a durable upgrade, this crankset is certainly worth considering.