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Submitted by
Jabo None
a Racer
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | flow, tech, some up & jumps | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong, Light, Pretty | | Weaknesses: | Light, slight flex | | Similar Products Used: | XT, XTR, F-crank, 105 & Dura ace | | Bike Setup: | Moots YBB or Turner Burner | | Bottom Line: | Horses for courses!
Who are the yo-yo's who've listed reviews for RSR cranks & original E cranks. Folks THOSE are different animals! Know what product you're talking about P-a-h-lease! You do no one a service when you review the wrong product!
Who are E2 cranks for:
Trail riders, XC racers, Roadies & anyone who loves bike-art.
Who E2 cranks are not meant for:
Clydesdales or if you like going big - jumps/hucks.
If you're below 200 lbs. and or are easy on your gear you've probably had a good experience. If you're a monster who's hard on components these aren't for you. Sometimes nice looks don't pay.
E2 cranks are equally at home on a road bike as they are on an MTB - killer! With the proper BB chain line isn't an issue. Those that complained about this need to look up Shimano's specs (measure from middle of bb shell to mid chain ring - with crank pressed on). If buy the wrong BB of course you'll have a bad shifting experience!
The real weakness of this crank is the interchangeable spider. The spider must be COATED with anti-seize, then locked on super tight with a locking ring. If you don't use TONES of anti-seize you'll creak like an SOB!
This "weakness" is true of many 2-piece cranksets, so I can't hold it against CBR. And for the record the anodize does wear off, but that's due to it being decorative clear anodize as opposed to a hard-anodize finish(like on rims) You either get shiny or you get strong... can't have both.
One of the most beautiful cranks made. Just wish it were stiffer! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
austin ravens
a
from left center MN
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | "The Staircase" | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$189.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point or Frankford ?? | | Strengths: | WOW!! I cant say enough good things about these cranks. The are BOMB PROOF!! I have had them on my Cannondale since 1999 and I have road of ledges, jumps and all kinds of crazy terrain on them and they never have failed me!! I am selling my bike they are on, and would take them off but they go well with the seat and QR (also Cook Bros) and I wanted to get a new set for my new bike. They dont make them any more!!! TO bad cause i would SWEAR by these cranks!! They are SWEEEEET!! I might add that they are the older E cranks that came before the E2. (I think) I really which Cook Bros still made the MTB cranks...oh well. | | Weaknesses: | Yes, they creek a bit, and they color is warn on them, but that doesnt bother me that much!! | | Similar Products Used: | Coda crap, Specialized Strong Arm. XTR. Race Face. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Super V 10000 with cook bros cranks, Seatpost. Z.1 Bam fork, Dean steam Action tech Ti BB and Richey peadels!! | | Bottom Line: | Sweeeeeet cranks make a sweeet impression on any ride!! Will turn heads!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Moore
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Sourdough | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel Sports, Boulder | | Strengths: | Gorgeous, Light, Stiff | | Weaknesses: | Creaks, Creaks, Creaks - Creaks Brothers! | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Topline | | Bike Setup: | Dean Aluminum, mish-mash of high-end components | | Bottom Line: | Pretty awesome cranks on the whole - but anoyingly creaky.
I've had these a LONG time - longer than I can remember. At least 8 years. Many thousands of tough miles. I don't get you guys who are "heavy" at 160lbs (Que? I'm the lightest guy I know at 165!) or think 2000 miles is a long time!
They have always creaked a bit and they're getting worse. Time to replace them. Cooks Brothers told me a long time ago I needed an XTR BB (rather than XT) but at the time it wasn't made in the right shell width/spindle length combo.
I've always complained about the creaks, but the bottom line is that these things have been to hell and back many times with no breaks or performance problems whatsoever. Just an anoying creak every pedal stroke! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve wilchek
a Weekend Warrior
from pottstown, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | anywere my bike goes | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came on a USED bike!!! | | Strengths: | they are strong
nice ano finish (there still the same color, just a little faded by peddles, it actually looks cooler with the bare alluminum) | | Weaknesses: | ? well i dont know whether to blame the creaking on the stupid week a$$ XT bb, or the cranks themselves, im getting a rf bb in a couple weekends, so ill find out then | | Similar Products Used: | LX cranks, Truvativ's, bontregers... blah..
| | Bike Setup: | sweet (dare i say) Cannondale, like a '95 or sumpin, very pimped out, and trick | | Bottom Line: | these are some of the originals, there not E2's, but they are cooks bros. The finish on all of your cranks must be a defect or sumpin, cause mines hardly worn, and i ride 2 hours a day at least, and at least a nice 30 minute free riding session in the back woods. so i dont know how yours are sooo weak... hmm... riding technique? nah, i abuse my bike more than most people because i have a lousy riding position (i dont bunny hop 2 feet high like people with spd's and what not, i use flats, and sometimes i dont hop high enough and the friggen peddles and cranks bang into rocks at full speed) well i still make it through any trail at least... o well, good luck with ur cranks, go out and ride at least 2 hours a day... every day, rain or shine, or hurricane. and if yours break under those conditions.... MORE POWER TO YA'!! l8r, im out | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguel G.-D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Hoyo de Manzanares
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$170.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | A bit flexy | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, RaceFace | | Bike Setup: | I have these cranks installed on a Yeti ARC and on a Turner XCE | | Bottom Line: | Yes, these cranks may be a bit flexy, a toll that you pay for being that light, I believe. That is something you really don't notice anymore after getting into them. I haven't had a problem. Shifting is fine because I use Shimano chainrings. Shifting quality is independent of the cranks you use
I can say that I have abused them in terms of XC use, not freeriding or DH, obviously. The conditions of the area where I ride (I am not a heavy rider: 155 lbs.) are very rocky, a bunch of loose granite stones, irregular and mostly dry packed terrain.
I believe that most of the previous problems commented related to these cranks may have been caused by an improper installation: those individuals did not follow torque-setting recommendations from manufacturer. Or, maybe, the cranks have been used for other than XC.
I am confident with these cranks and can recommend them to any hardcore XC rider. I have had them for over 3 years and several thousands of km. (miles too) on them.
I am not that techno-weenie person aware of extragrams. I just bought these cranks because my previous experience with CookBros (those old SRS). In fact I have just gotten another set on sale for the new bike I am building.
Last and why not, they have an "elegant" look.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Snell
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Kona package | | Strengths: | Very Light. | | Weaknesses: | Very flexy. Pricey. And they creak. | | Similar Products Used: | RaceFace LP, Sugino. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Hei Hei. | | Bottom Line: | These would be a great crank for lighter riders, but at 160 lbs I found them too flexy, causing chainsuck problems and lots of creaking. Course I am stronger than most. Great for flat courses, roadies, wimps, and little girls.
Seriously, of the three desireable qualities for a crank (light, strong, cheap), this one only gets one right for most riders. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richie Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop in Chicago | | Strengths: | I bought these cranks way back in '95,for my Fat Chance Wicked(which I still own and love,by the way).As I recall,they were good-looking and very stiff.Those are all the strengths I can think of.They are hanging on my wall now with my broken Darkside frame,because they ARE very pretty. | | Weaknesses: | Lots and lots of problems that you would not expect from an expensive boutique crank.First off,I had a ton of chainline problems.The darn things shifted terribly,even with the Real rings.I tried bb lengths from 110-117 mm and none of them worked.Second,the very attractive black anodizing wore off where my foot rubbed the crankarm(not a real big deal,but annoying nonetheless).Last,and most frustrating of all,they cracked at the spider after only 3 months of riding.I didn't abuse them--I ride XC,weigh about 170,and don't do many drops or jumps at all.Admittedly,Cooks Brothers' service was very good.They gave me a complete refund 4 days after I mailed the cranks back to them. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano '96 and '98 LX,XTR | | Bike Setup: | Custom Seven | | Bottom Line: | I was terribly dissapointed by my E-series crank.I don't understand why such a good crank would break under normal conditions.Granted it was the spider,and not the crank arm(which is actually very stiff),but still 3 months is only 3 months.On top of that,no crank should ever have these Q-factor problems.I've never experienced these problems with any Shimano crank.The Cooks shifted so terribly.There was grinding in literally every gear.The 113 mm bb worked the best,but it still didn't completely solve the problem.
Judging by a lot of the positive reviews of 5-6 yr. old Cooks,I might have gotten a defective set.My friend rides on a new set of(heavily discounted)E2's,and loves them.To their credit,the Cooks are very attractive and stiff cranks,and are backed by excellent customer service(kudos),but after all the grief these cranks gave me,I'm not taking chances.I'm strictly a Shimano customer. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bicky
a Cross Country Rider
from montana
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor | | Strengths: | beautiful and stiff | | Weaknesses: | broke | | Similar Products Used: | xt, lx, | | Bike Setup: | Dagger FSI-getting long in the tooth | | Bottom Line: | I bought these in '97 and loved them. I was under growing suspicion that they would need to be replaced soon. Well my suspicions are confirmed as of today. The left arm snapped off about one inch above the pedal. I heard and felt it snapp and I crashed hard. My pedal along with part of the crank was lying on the ground about ten feet from me. Over-all, considering their light weight, my excessive weight, and repeated beatings against rocks at high speed does justify the breakage and 4 years is a long time for any aluminum crank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patchito
a Cross Country Rider
from Costa Mesa, CA....USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Silverado | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Source (now defunct) | | Strengths: | -light
-stiff
-polished silver looks really boss | | Weaknesses: | the E Cranks I bought aren't compatible with splined bottom brackets | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale hardtail | | Bottom Line: | A friend at a bike shop who noticed these cranks and commented, saying something to the effect, "you haven't had a bunch of problems with these have you? I heard they break all the time. I think they were even recalled." A perfect illustrating testament on the ability of anecdotal information to root, take hold, and spread.
If my E cranks have a propensity for breakage, hey, that's news to me. I bought my E Cranks in August of 95...that goes back a while. Since that time I've raced xc(and am racing on them again this year), gone on countless hairy technical rides, and even took an epic 2000 mile bike tour down the Pacific Coast from Vancouver BC back home to Southern California that took six weeks and spanned inumerable hills. If I couldn't break these thinks lugging a 100lb fully loaded touring bike uphill all day for six weeks, I don't know how you break 'em.
Whenever you read a negative review, it invariably always begins like this...."Yo man, I did this gnarly 20 foot drop and, I don't know, they just broke! Man, what pieces of s*$t, 'n' stuff! These slack jawed, multi tattooed and multi pierced, functionally illiterate yahoos should not be allowed to breed, let alone ride with light weight, xc designed equipment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve doe
a Cross Country Rider
from santa rosa ca, usa
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | juevoes grande | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$240.00 | | Purchased At: | the bike shop | | Bottom Line: | these cranks are as stiff as a morning wood. yeah the finish does wear off but i'm not too picky about that kind of thing anyway. they where pretty spendy but they're a kick ass set of cranks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adnrew
a Cross Country Rider
from baltimore
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | light & stiff, beutiful look. | | Weaknesses: | none really, weak warranty compared to others(raceface). | | Similar Products Used: | XTR, raceface, profile. | | Bike Setup: | sub 22lbs xc hardtale. | | Bottom Line: | very light, pretty stiff, took me four and a half years to break an inner chain ring bolt threaded tower(???). Loved them up til then, tried to get a warrenty for defect in materials, I called twice and they gave me two different length warranty lengths. 1 year, adn 18 monthes? They should get there stories straight. Replaced them with a pair of raceface, broke them in 6 months, if their lifetime warranty doesn't come through, I'm buying a new set of Cook Bros. again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan
a Cross Country Rider
from Haines falls
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Strengths: | I have used them for 5 years with no problem. | | Weaknesses: | On year 6 they snaped | | Similar Products Used: | XT,Cook bro's F. | | Bike Setup: | Was on a STS With a X-vert R. Now on a I-Drive with Psylo. | | Bottom Line: | I did brake these cranks but it took 5 years to do it. I liked them so much that I got a new set. They look great and are verry stif. If you ride DH/Freeride go for the F but it XC is your game use the E its a great crank. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
E
a Cross Country Rider
from South Bay, Los Gatos
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything Lexington | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks, Weight, Stiffness | | Weaknesses: | Read on and you'll see | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | 98/99 Slingshot, all XTR | | Bottom Line: | I spent a great deal of time and money on my new bike. Three rides later I ripped the pedal out of the non drive crank after landing from a jump. First off the jump was not that big, and second, I only weigh 145lbs. I would think the cranks would be able to withstand more abuse than that. The result was that the outer threads were ripped out (stripped). My local bike shop said they could rethread. I called Cooks to see what my options are. Their customer service is great. They said that I could send back the cranks if I chose to but wouldn't be gaurenteed a replacement and was also informed that if the bike shop rethreaded the crank that it WOULD NOT void the warranty. They also said that if that didn't work I could send it back and would be sold a left hand side crank only at 25% off. I feel that is pretty fair. Besides, there is a real, real good chance that the pedal had backed its way out before I landed that jump. Disapointing event but I'm impressed with how Cooks has handled the situation. Four chilis just for customer service, it goes a long way. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Kuo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lithonia, GA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tsali | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
I've had these cranks for almost three years and it's time for me to retire them. They reliably held me through two race seasons without failure but they've reached the end of their useful life because the drive side has a tendency to loosen now and they don't sit at 180 degrees anymore. I would have replaced them long ago with another pair of E cranks but the last set my local REI had didn't have a fully threaded hole for the spider to thread in with. | | Weaknesses: |
The chainring bolt under the crank arm is hard to tighten without removing the crank from the bike. Also the anodizing wears off. | | Similar Products Used: |
Sugino, Shimano XT, Shimano LX, Sakai | | Bike Setup: |
Zaskar LE and LTS 2 | | Bottom Line: | The cranks have outlasted any other cranks I have owned and they've looked better too. My LTS setup has the crank running extremely close to the chainstay so rubbing occurs when I crank hard. I'm probably going to get a set of Raceface since I can't find anyone that still sells these around here. They're good cranks, just install them properly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
QP
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mill Valley, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Downieville downhill ending with 3rd divide to 1st divide | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
I've had these for over 3 years they are still going strong. They are light and stiff..and pretty cool looking. Anodized parts will not look new forever! Get over the finish wearing off. | | Weaknesses: |
The only weakness these cranks have is user error. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano XT, Raceface, | | Bike Setup: |
Gary fisher/Trek OCLV frame, Judy 100 fork....real rings XTR rear Cassette.. | | Bottom Line: | Between me and my 4 riding buddies we have 6 sets of cook cranks, we ride hard the cranks are still going strong. Had two warranty issues, one was my brother over tightening the bolts that hold the spider on, his fault. I've replaced my chainrings not my cranks. I'd get these again. By the way nothing shifts like Shimano rings, you can blame the cranks for bad shifting. My reals shift pretty darn sweet.....and they last! Oh yeah while I'm at it the creaking is usually the bottom bracket or you frame. Properly installed these cranks are very silent.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Beech
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light, Stiff | | Weaknesses: |
Break easily | | Similar Products Used: |
White Industries (also break)
Shimano STX (broke aswell)
AC LoPro (not broken) | | Bike Setup: |
SantaCruz Heckler, RockShox DHO, DH setup. | | Bottom Line: | Look nice, but they break real easy. Just a normal 3 months riding, and they completely split just round the axle area. On the plus side, they ware very stiff, so if you ride XC only they may be a good choice. But if you ride any DH, steer well clear. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AUstin Phat
a Cross-Country Rider
from Fort Nobelson MN
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Lighter than shimano XTR by 125g! Stiffer than anything and comes in sweet colors! | | Weaknesses: |
? | | Similar Products Used: |
Coda P.O.S.
Shimano Garbage
XTR IS FOR POSSERS!!!! | | Bike Setup: |
Mine is set up with Real rings, and Alloy bolts. | | Bottom Line: | These cranks really rock! They are better than ANYTHING on the market. I have had them for about 2 weeks and I have really hammered on them, (bunny hoops, lofting and hill climbing!) and they come back for more! Kudos to Cook bros for producing these Ulitmate cranks. You people that have had Cracking and braking problems are abusing them, or instaling them wrong!
BUY it now! Oh yeah, I got the last of the old E cranks, now they make the E2, which is stronger and lighter!
DONT BUY SHOWMANO XTR! BUY THESE SWEEEEET CRANKS! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kees Veninga
a Weekend Warrior
from Harlingen
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Very light and stiff and also mucho nice to look at! | | Weaknesses: |
Don't know how long the independent spider will hold on to the crank arm. This is no weakness but a concern of mine. | | Similar Products Used: |
Hershey, Caramba, Cooks RS, Profile Racind and Shimano | | Bike Setup: |
A Ventana El Martillo Road bike | | Bottom Line: | Very nice cranks desinged for a very short bb axle. This makes for one stiff combo. This was one of the best cranksets for my roadbike. As for the complaint in chipping paint or ano colours; Why take painted or ano cranks in the first place. Your shoes will rub on to them sand an mud will be in between. Coloured caranks are, in my opinion, just as much bull as coloured rims with no maschined brakesides. Take silver. When they look dull. Take some silver or copperpollish and they look like new. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Asheville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
stiff, no compromise | | Weaknesses: |
color is coming off | | Similar Products Used: |
specialized strong arm | | Bike Setup: |
stumpjumper m2 pro | | Bottom Line: | THis is a pretty sweet crank. I could immediately tell a difference in stiffness when I put them on. I live in an area where climbing is not optional, and I am thankful that my cook E cranks are there. Those with my aluminum frame make my bike a wild climber, and I recommend them th anybody who want to climb Mt. Everest with a bkike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cook bros King
a Weekend Warrior
from Cook County
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
This ones for Wild Bill from Cape Neddick, ME | | Weaknesses: |
Just because you had failers with yours doesnt mean you should trash this site! | | Similar Products Used: |
SHITmano cranks (suck!)
Bio Cranks | | Bottom Line: | Wildbill - you have a F series crank, not and E Series. E stands for Elite and F stands for F***. Why dont you just create a new page for the F insteade of thrashin the E section.
Now why would you say that SHITmano is better than this Awesome product. XTR cranks are 200 grams heaver and are made in Japan by slave drivers forcing Children and Braindead losers to make there products in a hostile work environment!
Maybe you should go to Japan and get employed at Shimano!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Sosa
a racer
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: December 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had these cranks for over two years and I pretty much think they work well. The only problems that I have had with them was when I first got them I had a lot of chain suck because the chain line was all off but a new bb fixed that problem and now they are starting to creak but thats after 2 years of abuse from a guy who races from time to time and rides as much as possible and weighs above 200 lbs. So any of you guys who say are having problems with them are much gnarlier than I. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jovan Puyo
a cross-country rider
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I like the Cook Bros. E-cranks. They're light but amazingly stiff. I don't if there's any magic with it but I seem to pedal easier with this set of cranks. THey come in cool anodized colors and sizes.On the downside, you really cannot beat the SHIMANO factor when it comes to shifting. Opt for a set of these cranks with SHIMANO rings than geting a whole set with rings and all. The paint of my spider (it's not anodized) began chipping off after a year of use. I took the paint off, sanded the spider and applied metal polish. It looks OK now. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted
a weekend warrior
from hampstead,nh
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am a framebuilder and have used and recommended Cook products for well over 10 years. In some caseS the anodizing has been less than bullet proof, but I can't say it has been any less durable than other anodized items we have tried. We have choosen Cook Cranks for our racing team beacuse of their durability and depenability and the only time we have seen any short comings is when the owner didn't follow the directions. We have never had anything to say, except how good they are and how helpful Cook Bros. has been in the 10+ years that we have been dealing with them. The highest recommemndation, but READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRRECTIONS. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wild Bill
a racer
from Cape Neddick, ME
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the F crank...TOTAL piece of CRAP! Got it on recommendation from bike builder as part of team deal. I can't believe I passed up XTR! I had both the bottom bracket (HORRIBLE) and crank, they lasted about half a season. This has been a wet spring in Maine...but, I've had an XTR bb in another bike for two years. The anodization on the crank wore off in the first ride, now after 6 months it creaks like crazy because of the spindle holes spending. I feel disgraced to have Cook Brothers Racing on my jersey. I will trash the bb in the bb section. Don't buy this. I wouldn't take it for free. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wild Bill
a cross-country rider
from Cape Neddick, ME
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the F crank...TOTAL piece of shit!. Got it on recommendation from bike builder as part of team deal. I can't believe I passed up XTR! I had both the bottom bracket (HORRIBLE) and crank, they lasted about half a season. This has been a wet spring in Maine...but, I've had an XTR bb in another bike for two years. The anodization on the crank wore off in the first ride, now after 6 months it creaks like crazy because of the spindle holes spending. I feel disgraced to have Cook Brothers Racing on my jersey. I will trash the bb in the bb section. Don't buy this. I wouldn't take it for free. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a
from racer
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I raced on my E cranks for a full season last year and they never gave me any problems. The spindle hole is opening up now and they don't sit at 180 degrees anymore but they lasted ten times as long as any other crank I have ever tried (XT, Sugino, LX). I have gone at least 2000 miles on them and they haven't failed yet. I tried to buy another pair on closeout but a bolt hole was machined badly and I couldn't use them. I've trashed them but they took the beating much better than I expected and I would love to get another pair. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenny Boy
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
How stiff are these compared to my XTR? I can't tell.
The anodised finish may look nice but it doesn't last AT ALL!!!!!
The first day I've got it, I've already chipped off some of the paint.Shiftingwise, it's crab!!! NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO SHIMANO!
So do yourself a favour, get the XTR crankset for crisp shifting, durability.I've really regretted buying this product.
ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob lo
a cross-country rider
from suisun city, ca. USA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the Cook Bro. rs cranks for about 3 years now and recently noticed on the crank arm a small hair line crack near where the spindle bolts on. I called cook bro. and told me I was out of warranty. They would not even offer me a deal on just the L crank arm. He suggested to buy a new crankset,at a bike dealer. I was very upset, since these cranks were about 139.00. I only weigh 135 lbs. I would think they hold up longer than 3 years. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pat
a racer
from NoVA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've used these cranks for over a year now, and after 3000 mi, they still work great. They aren't real low profile, though, so use them with a BB that has an adjustable chainline. There are more bank-for-your-buck upgrades, but these are still super cool and, paired with a Ti BB, make a light crankset. And stiff! they're real stiff! I notice it especially on those sick-steep high-torque climbs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marke
a
from san francisco
Date Reviewed: December 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the Cook Bros. E crank after debating long and hard and I love them !! They are light as hell and they look badass in polished silver .No problems whatsoever . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon smith
a racer
from oceano ca
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
these cranks are great! light, stiff, and they look great too! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rodger Jacobsen
a cross-country rider
from San Rafael, CA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got a set of the old dogbone type of Cook Bros cranks years ago when I indulged in anything that had a high cool factor. At 150 lbs its hard to flex a crank. The right crand developed a crack where it went on the spindleit was time to replace. Cook Bros doesn't guarantee for life, the guy on the other end of the phone gave ma a good price for a replacement, but by the time I got rings for it , it cost so much I opted for a LX. Uncool but it works at a fraction of the cost.
I think for major bucks a lifetime warantee should be part of the deal. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TCP
a racer
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Cook cranks are awesome! I did have a problem with the anodizing being rubbed off. The purple color was not a good choice for rubbing against. I did have a problem with the threading stripping out but the polished silver pair the sent me are doing just fine. I did notice the other review complaining about the creaking, this is true if you wask your bike at a car wash with a high pressure hose. I am a 6'3 260 lb biker also. People freak when they see what cranks I ride but 2 years and still strong. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adrian
a cross-country rider
from texas
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
work awesome but lose ano real fast | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nosamk
a cross-country rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the silver after reading the reviews on this page and have been very happy with them. The 'cook brothers' logo on the arms is all but gone, but the cranks are awesome. Lighter than XTR, and much better looking. No flex [i'm 150 pounds] and no probs whatsoever. Installed with a World Class Ti bottom bracket and Ti crank bolts.dont plan on keeping them pretty though---even the silver scuffs up fast...
[only reason i dont give 'em five peppers... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a weekend warrior
from NY, NY
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The first set I had developed a creaking problem, so Cooks replace them, and since then the cranks have worked fine. But let me tell you, having a 58mm small ring attached to the standard 110mm bolt pattern has been one pain in the ass. You can't attach anything bigger than a 24 tooth ring to it and since the crankarm lines up with the fifth arm on the spider, the large chainring chain jam pin never lines up with the crankarm. And of course Cooks has rings for their cranks, but no machined shifting gates. The finish get scuffed so easily. If the cranks weren't so cool looking, I would have given them a lower rating. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a weekend warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: January 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Upgrading your cranks definitely falls after more important things like drivetrain and braking, but if you looking for the hi-end upgrade that will push your bike amoung the elite the Cook E cranks are for you. I blew my entire fantasy football winnings on these last month and their still doing it for me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Ederer
a racer
from Oklahoma City, OK.
Date Reviewed: January 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently purchased a set of Cook Bros. E cranks after much debate
over which crank would be suitable for a 200 lb rider.
My choice was defiantly a good one! I have noticed an enormous
increase in stiffness over my stock Coda cranks and they are
incredibly light for being so strong. A very good product,
it has my recommendation! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fletch
a
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
STIFF as they come, and you can beat the crap out of them and they don't break. These are the most beat crank set I have and they are my favorite. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Miller
a cross-country rider
from Ann Arbor
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Just one word...SUCK...SUCK...SUCK! CNC Machined garbage. Busted these suckers in one season. NEVER AGAIN! They only get one star 'cause thats as low as I can go! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Matthews
a racer
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
My wife and I both have raced on Cook's E-cranks for two seasons. We have abused these cranks with many miles of hard riding and have
not noticed any ill effects. We are both lightweights, so flex was not much of a concern. We have used them with GT titanium bottom brackets
and a Synchros hard core ti bottom bracket. I had a problem with creaking in mine during the first. I couldn't tell if it was the
spider or bottom bracket. I seem to have fixed it by using steel bolts to tighten the crank really tightly, removing and then
installing the ti bolts. I recommend the silver, because the colors wear off very quickly under harsh
riding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: November 7, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought a set of E Cranks to replace a set of Sugino Impel 700's I'd been using. I was also considering a set of Race Face LPs (about the same weight, a little less $$), but I liked the styling of the Cooks. I was a little worried about flexiness, but I've found these to be plenty stiff (stiffer than my Suginos). A little pricey, otherwise they'd be a 5... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Wright
a racer
from Pittsburgh PA USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
All I can say is that they rule. You put them on your bike and forget about them | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Javis
a cross-country rider
from Seattle, WA 98109
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
These cranks are light and look good. One problem is that the color will rub off if you ever where neoprine booties. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Peck
a racer
from Boulder CO USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I love my E-cranks! They are noticably lighter than my stock XTRs (94) and in the looks department they are a $2,000 a night stripper compared to the XTR $1.00 a night stripper. And stiff! I wont carry the previous analogy into the stiffness area, just understand they aint limp! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Cambell
a weekend warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
These cranks are light and stiff, although the black color (anodized?) rubs off if you use neoprene booties. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a downhiller
from tulsa,ok
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a really good crankset these are lightweight
and low profile performance witha replaceable spider
for custom color combonations and chainring changes.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carl ross
a weekend warrior
from scarsdale, ny
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1996 | |
|
$ 229.00
