When Race Face introduced their Next SL crankset they not only set the benchmark for light weight durability, but compatibility as well. Offering a single crank that would work on XC, Enduro, even fat bikes, with multiple ring combinations, the Next SLs quickly became a hit. However, thanks to their carbon construction the Next SL cranks are fairly pricey.
Enter the new Race Face Turbine Cinch Cranks – all of the versatility of the Next SL that you’ve come to love, just in aluminum. What does that mean for the weight? Find out next…
At the heart of the Race Face Cinch system is interchangeability, whether you’re talking rings or spindles. The removable spider allows you to run almost every chain ring configuration including 1x, 2x, and 3x with multiple chain lines. The 30mm spindle can also be changed to accommodate either 68/73mm or 100mm BB shells which makes it fat bike compatible. Designed for anything from XC to Enduro, the CNC machined 7050 alloy arms are available in 170 and 175mm arms initially.
Chain Ring options:
B.C.D: 64/104mm
- tbd (22/36T, 24/36T)
- tbd (24/38T)
- tbd (22/32/42T, 24/32/42T)
B.C.D: 80/120mm
- 2X w/o bash – 47mm
- 2X w/o bash – 49.5mm
- 3X – 51mm
DM – 51mm
- 26,28,30,32,34,36T
Like the Next SL, the Turbine Cinch cranks use a 30mm 7050 alloy spindle which requires the use of a Race Face bottom bracket. That also means the BB requires the use of a special race face tool since standard bottom bracket tools are too small for the enlarged BB cup. While a little awkward to work with, the tool does provide the option to connect to a torque wrench for proper installation. Ideally, we’d like to see a socket type tool at least offered in the future, especially for shops.
As for the removable spider, that does use a standard bottom bracket tool for easy removal. The easiest method of removing the lock ring is to place the crank in a vice with large padded soft jaws so that you can keep the tool from wanting to slip out. This method also makes torquing the lock ring to 30 ft-lbs easier.
The arms themselves have been machined to offer improved frame and heel clearance, with quite a bit of weight removed by pocketing the back side of each arm. The Cinch system uses the same installation process as the Next SL with the tension nut taking up the final bit of play.
On the scale, the entire crank system with a 32t DM chainring comes in at 720g. It’s no 495g Next SL, but for the price and added heel scuff durability of aluminum, 720g all in is certainly impressive.
The individual components are weighed above giving an idea of what a 2x set up with a 24-36 would weigh. Currently the cranks are only listed as coming in black, but other colors are on the way. Sold for $269.99 with a 32t direct mount ring, we see these cranks cinching down on a lot of bikes in the near future.
