Isis or 48t spline?

[Bryce]

Which is better an Isis BB or a 48 tooth spline like Profiles?

I think I'm gonna try some FSA cro-mo cranks and they come in both styles. I figured Isis is probably easier to get parts for and the bearing life might be better but its probably not as strong. I dunno...

[oicdn]

On the fence with this one.....But...I've never ridden an ISIS crank set to give any sort of REAL comparo....

[Mountain Dewd]

I think most high end isis bb's might last longer in mtb conditions, with mud and dirt, cause they are designed for the elements, but i really couldnt say which is better. i have ran both. my profiles have been pretty bombproof. the drive side of my profiles has ovailsed a little bit so i can get it off with out a puller, but the other side is still as tight as new. still stay on well and are plenty stiff.

ive never ran a steel crank on a isis bb, and ive never broken a isis bb, the alu crank arms i have run have always gone first.

I would suspect that they are pretty equal strength wise. isis bb probably lighter since most 48t axles are really freakin heavy. also consider if you have spare parts for either, if you have old isis cranks or something maybe go that way so you have spares.

[Alexey]

isis saves you weight... in all other categories bmx 48 spline will own

[Wayne P]

Bryce, get ISIS. It's plenty strong and generally way lighter, plus easier to set up.

But if money's no object get some X-Type's.

When are we going for another ride?

[Bryce]

wayne, x-types? You mean the FSA X-drives? Or something else?

The Isis version of the X-drive is the Pounder as far as I can tell

I'm definitely leaning toward Isis

[Bryce]

oh yeah, if anyone has Profile bearings that they'd wanna swap for complete FSA cups and bearings (19mm axle), lemme know

its a long story and I won't bore you

[TheGiggler]

x-drive is the interface like the Saints and Diabolus with the outboard bearings.

supposedly because the bearings are larger they last longer. axx on here said his were mint after a year of riding. i'm loving mine, but time will tell...

from my experience, that would be pretty hard to do with ISIS bbs...

[Dimes]

I have FSA X-drives...I'm on my 3rd axle, 2nd set of cranks, and I'm unimpressed with both customer service and warranty. The interface between the cranks and axle keeps getting sloppy, despite all bolts being tight. Both the axle and crank need to be replaced when this happens. I say ISIS, I say Race Face, unless you have the $$$ to go Saint/Hone or Diabolus/Evolve.

[Bryce]

Man, I love these boards for advice

Dimes, those are the 48 spline ones? I've had that problem with Profiles, once they get loose there's nothing you can do really, they're fuct. I wonder if the Isis spline would help?

Maybe I'll rethink the FSA route and look at Diabolus or something. Or just keep the Block 8's - they're not bad I just wanted to get something with more readily-available parts

keep the advice coming if ya got some! thanks

[Scott C]

if you do go x-type get rf; shimano bearings aren't as good.

[axx]

Originally posted by mark_hoppus16
if you do go x-type get rf; shimano bearings aren't as good.

yes, actually the bearings are just as good. The first saint cranks that came out had bearings that wern't the best quality. But all of this has been fixed and if you do have trouble with them shimano will give you new ones.

[Hack On Wheels]

i dont recommend the isis FSA cranks, my pair has a bad history of coming loose during riding. thea axle has to be tightened so that it is not pulled to one side, it can take a while to adjust it evenly, and if it not very even they will come loose. they are also on the heavy side and arent more strong than lighter cranks like diabolous and such.

[ShoreIH]

Block 8. :drool:

[Ninja]

I've had a FSA Three piece crank set on my Brodie Devo since 2002, and haven't had any problems. Other than replaceing the bearings twice since then( only two out of the four, both times).

I'm not really recomending, them unless you really have a need for something this beefy. Mine came stock on my bike, and it was a big reason I liked the build spec of my bike. The wieght is really unnessary on a dual suspension bike now days, with the perfecting of good Isis cranks, and now X-type cranks I can't see anyone wanting three piece cranks.... unless your a hard core hardtail guy, then it would make sense..... my .02

[Dimes]

Originally posted by Bryce
Dimes, those are the 48 spline ones?

Those would be the ones. I love them when there running well, but because of all the problems I've had with my X-drives, my twisted up, square taper Race Face cranks have spent more time on my bike in the last 2 years.

[PegCityThrasher]

Hunh. I went from square taper 1998 vintage Turbines to used (no less!) set of X-drives, and truth be told, I couldn't be happier. In a year of thrashing, they've stayed tight, spun true and basically been maintenace free. Maybe you just got a bum pair? Other than paint damage to the arms, the axle and interface surface on the cranks is mint.

[pump]

Originally posted by ShoreIH
Block 8. :drool:

soemone I know had block 8's. He bought em used and ran em until the bearings shot and died to hell(stock) then he just went to a local bearing shop, paid a small amount of money for all the replacements and he's been rolling fine for the last 7months (the dry summer, the frosty snow and now the cruddy rain involved durign those time)

also, I have been told that the "3-peice" crank/bb set are easy to clean, easy to adjust and replace parts.
I have to admit though, that the new X-types are truly the best of all sides, lightness of aluminum and the beefiness of big bearings.:drool:

[hampstead bandit]

i'd go for 48 spline...over ISIS any day

had the high end RF ISIS b/b and nothing but grief..no problems with the cranks (RF NS), but loads of grief with the b/b itself...shattered bearings, graunching bearings, constant creaking noises, cranks working loose, etc. the bike shop took it apart, put it back together, took it apart...warranty replacements, etc.


and now DMR Chieftan cromoly cranks with the 48 spline...easy to fit with some patience, no problems in last 2 years...change bearings once a year for GBP£20 (RF ISIS b/b was GBP£80 in comparison) and its like a new setup :D

never gonna break those cromoly cranks either, and that gives me big piece of mind!

[Dimes]

Originally posted by PegCityThrasher
Hunh. I went from square taper 1998 vintage Turbines to used (no less!) set of X-drives, and truth be told, I couldn't be happier. In a year of thrashing, they've stayed tight, spun true and basically been maintenace free. Maybe you just got a bum pair? Other than paint damage to the arms, the axle and interface surface on the cranks is mint.

I have heard that the quality control on the newer ones is much better. I've had problems with mine since day one, starting with having to have the drive side crank arm machined so that the crank hole and bolt hole aligned properly. I keep hoping that FSA will just send a new set with all the warranty stuff I've had to do, but no such luck so far.

[Bryce]

thanks for the input

I think I'll try to repack the Block 8's and look around for deals on Saint or Diabolus

[Keefer]

Originally posted by Bryce
thanks for the input

I think I'll try to repack the Block 8's and look around for deals on Saint or Diabolus

Good thinking. I just picked up axx's old Saint cranks, and have given them a couple spins around the block and they just feel solid. No flex whatsoever, and very smooth.

Vs. ISIS and my old FSA 3 piece cranks, they're 50 times better.