Sitting at the top of the RaceFace Cinch product line, the Next SL was already impressively light. When it came time to make it even better, weight was still one of the areas that RaceFace thought they could see improvement. After combining a new arm shape, pedal insert, and new composite chainring, the crankset is somehow even lighter and still provides all the versatility that Cinch cranks are known for…
Looking at the crank arm, the angles are surprisingly sharp – something RaceFace says that their specific carbon molding technology allows them to do. At the end of the crank is a new Commercialized Super Alloy pedal insert which is said to be 20% stronger. Approved for use from XC to Enduro, it isn’t much but each arm is 6g lighter than the previous model.
The spindle was also a subject of lightening with the end getting drilled out to save 4g. The crank still uses their 30mm Cinch spindle system which allows for almost every part to be swapped out for complete versatility. Bottom bracket options for the NextSL include BB92, 68/73mm BSA, 100mm BSA, and PF30.
In addition to the crank, the chainrings also get a boost, but more in the strength department than weight. Using a carbon spider bonded to an aluminum outer chainring, the ring is supposedly 13% stronger. It also still uses the standard Cinch chainring profile so it’s cross compatible with all of the other Cinch cranks. Chainrings will be available in 32 and 34 tooth counts, with 28 and 30 soon to follow. Ring retail is $50 $90.
All of those little bits of weight reduction add up to around a 20g weight savings over the previous generation with this 175mm 32t crankset coming in at 428g. Crank arms are available now for $479 with five different decal colors, and the rings will be available in June.
