Interbike 2010 - Truvativ Descendant Cranks

by Mike Levy
Sep 23, 2010 at 19:33

You saw the new Truvativ Descendant cranks here on Pinkbike only a short time ago, but we thought we'd take a closer look at the new arms while at Interbike 2010. Inside you can read more about the cranks, as well as listen to the audio to hear all the details!

Read on...

The Truvativ Descendant crank release here on Pinkbike generated quite the debate, so we thought we'd take a closer look and hopefully answer some of the questions. First things first, these are intended to be race cranks. That means that they are short, designed to be stiff, and with the goal of being relatively light. You're looking at Steve Peat's carbon race bike, equipped with said cranks, naturally. Listen to the audio to hear SRAM's Morgan Meredith explain the collaboration between the BlackBox program and Truvativ.
The Truvativ Descendant crank release here on Pinkbike generated quite the debate, so we thought we'd take a closer look and hopefully answer some of the questions. First things first, these are intended to be race cranks. That means that they are short, designed to be stiff, and with the goal of being relatively light. You're looking at Steve Peat's carbon race bike, equipped with said cranks, naturally. Listen to the audio to hear SRAM's Morgan Meredith explain the collaboration between the BlackBox program and Truvativ.

Audio Loading...


Descendant cranks on Greg Minnaar's Santa Cruz V10. No, they don't use hollow OCT technology. The goal was to not only design a burly crank that could withstand the rigors of full on DH racing, but also have it come in at a reasonable price, that being $185 USD.
Descendant cranks on Greg Minnaar's Santa Cruz V10. No, they don't use hollow OCT technology. The goal was to not only design a burly crank that could withstand the rigors of full on DH racing, but also have it come in at a reasonable price, that being $185 USD.

Audio Loading...


The new Descendant cranks use Truvativ's first DH specific GXP bottom bracket in both 68/73 and 83 mm lengths that is designed to handle the abuse that full time racers can dish out. There were quite a few comments regarding the lack of steel pedal inserts in the new arms, but SRAM's Anthony Medaglia lets it be known that by using strong 7050 alloy instead of a softer material, they were able to not require inserts. More information can be found in the audio below.
The new Descendant cranks use Truvativ's first DH specific GXP bottom bracket in both 68/73 and 83 mm lengths that is designed to handle the abuse that full time racers can dish out. There were quite a few comments regarding the lack of steel pedal inserts in the new arms, but SRAM's Anthony Medaglia lets it be known that by using strong 7050 alloy instead of a softer material, they were able to not require inserts. More information can be found in the audio below.

Audio Loading...



To learn more, please visit www.sram.com and select the Truvativ range of products.


Stay tuned for more Interbike coverage!
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59 Comments

  • + 4
flag carter-hill (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:42)
 the put a seal on the BB, shortened stylos, removed the best tech they had (hollow OCT), and made am a bit stiffer... then put a new name on them. -1 for truvativ. nothing special to these cranks in my opinion. now lets have everyone bash me
  • + 1
flag captainspaulding (Sep 25, 2010 at 10:09)
 You must be the only person that likes the Holzfeller OCT.. Truvativ finally seems to have a decent set of 83mm cranks.
  • + 1
flag carter-hill (Sep 25, 2010 at 13:55)
 dont like em. just saying its good, light tech. these cranks have nothing new to them except a new seal on their shitty GXP BB haha
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag NorCalikonaryder (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:39)
 These Cranks are so sick! i think these are going to be on my next D.H. bike!! and you cant complain about the price either they are pretty cheap for cranks being used in the world cup series
  • + 3
flag skivt27 (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:44)
 i believe that they are the lightest 83mm cran out there
  • - 4
flag Nobble (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:48) (Below Threshold) show comment
 what about race face atlas FR?
  • + 3
flag kevron711 (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:51)
 or the new e13 by the hive cranks?
  • + 1
flag carter-hill (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:52)
 saints?
  • + 3
flag Nobble (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:54)
 Saints are a bit chunky in the weight department
  • + 2
flag GabrielDugas (Sep 23, 2010 at 20:14)
 one of my friend got pedal with no insert...so the pedal after a very short time just eat the whole thing and he had to get new ones. he is heavy. but not that much. i'm around 190 pounds and won't bui that just because it do not have insert...
  • + 10
flag Jwilcox87544 (Sep 23, 2010 at 20:16)
 What?
  • + 1
flag Nobble (Sep 23, 2010 at 20:18)
 I have raceface atlas FR cranks and they dont have inserts and theyre on an ex-rental bike which has been ridden by hack idiots so I dont think there is any problem weakness from the lack of inserts.
  • + 1
flag GabrielDugas (Sep 23, 2010 at 21:49)
 he was having atlas fr too. maybe msa is harder than average riding or it was just bad luck..
  • + 1
flag GabrielDugas (Sep 23, 2010 at 21:49)
 *crank with no insert
  • - 1
flag stella10 (Sep 23, 2010 at 22:48)
 Atlas FR uses a stronger material than you can forge with. That's why they don't have inserts.
  • + 0
flag betsie Plus (Sep 23, 2010 at 23:46)
 What about the THM Carbones Clavicula Dh, it has been out for a while, and could be the lightest.
http://www.thm-carbones.de/en/produkte/clavicula_dh_technische_daten.htm
  • + 1
flag ridinfree0freeridin (Sep 24, 2010 at 4:37)
 so you call saints at 840g chunky...
  • + 2
flag skivt27 (Sep 24, 2010 at 6:16)
 the decendant weighs 822 grams claimed with bb and chain ring. E thirteens are 870 grams with bb. Atlas FRs weigh 1010 with 36 tooth ring, bashgurd and bb. saints are 1074 with bb adn 36 tooth ring. These are the claimed manufacturer weights from the company's websites. All with an 83 mm bb. The descendants are also the least expensive.
  • + 0
flag GabrielDugas (Sep 24, 2010 at 8:25)
 exept weight you got to know how stiff and solid they are. i'm getting pisted of seeing the weight being the no 1 quality of a mtb.
  • + 2
flag cyrix (Sep 24, 2010 at 11:58)
 These aren't intended to be beat em up cranks gabriel. As they stated these are for racing. I love seeing how many people flip out over race specific components. There's other components out there to suit your riding style and needs, go buy that and stop whining when something doesn't fit your specific needs perfectly.
  • + 4
flag covekid (Sep 25, 2010 at 8:56)
 The weights listed above by skiv27 are all over the map spec wise. the Descendants are 83mm, 165 wit ring and BB. The EThirteen weight is the same but without ring, and the Atlas weight is for a 170mm with ring, bb and Bash (the Bash adds a decent amount of weight and 170mm is heaver than 165). We need to get weights for all in he same config. Last comparison I saw (without the Descendants), Atlas FR were the lightest, then came the e13, then Saint. Looks like the Descendants are now the lightest, but anyone can take their AM crank and say it's good for DH race. Shimano can use the SLX and Race Face can use the Atlas AM or even the SIXC! Descendant look nice but lets not get too excited over a Stylo with 83mm spindle...
  • + 1
flag rffr (Sep 26, 2010 at 4:28)
 " Atlas FR uses a stronger material than you can forge with"

LOL. Are you in the 5th grade still? You can forge any metal. Even titanium. So your comment has absolutely 0 validity. Yet another prime example of a great pink bike fact. lol.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag summeroshun (Sep 24, 2010 at 6:50)
 Don't care what bike they are on...dropping 300grams or so vs. the Truvativ holtzfeller OCT's on my bike is exciting......Cheapest way to drop that amount of weight!! Besides dodging some burgers Smile
  • + 1
flag slayamatt (Sep 27, 2010 at 11:10)
 tbh im not dodging burgers. Razz
[Reply]
  • + 5
flag Ospooh92 Plus (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:37)
 These cranks rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag phutphutend (Sep 24, 2010 at 4:23)
 How can people get so excited about a pair of cranks that don't look any differnet to any others is beyond me! Perhaps it's beacuse they're bolted to a shiny carbon V10? Clever stuff this marketing business!
  • + 1
flag daveswash (Sep 24, 2010 at 6:15)
 Phutphutend, I see where your coming from with the old marketing ploy, but they do look sweet...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag brandonf (Sep 23, 2010 at 20:34)
 I don't know how many times they used the word "light," yet they don't give a weight. That said, if they are a fair bit lighter than Saints, I could see them being pretty popular just because they are available in 83mm.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag FireBallDHR (Sep 25, 2010 at 21:29)
 I rode with Greg today, he was on that bike with those cranks. Soooo sick! I'd be stoked to have those cranks and a lighter bottom bracket.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag makripper (Sep 26, 2010 at 8:53)
 so same alloy as the old holzfellers eh. same concept too, the only difference is an external bb w a hollow spindle to save wieght? what am i missing?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag stella10 (Sep 23, 2010 at 23:48)
 "Very race specific", "Super duper lightweight", "Svelt", "The other guys are over built"... Not very confidence inspiring. Looks good though.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag game (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:47)
 this guy really needs to cut back on the umms yeahs and you knows. Cranks look real good though, i like the concept
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag spongebomb (Sep 24, 2010 at 8:47)
 It's better without those pedal-inserts, those things fell out on both of the Hussefelt cranks I had...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag descent345 (Sep 23, 2010 at 22:15)
 WOW so that is the new carbon V-10, that is freaking sick, and those cranks are pretty rad to.
  • + 1
flag rffr (Sep 26, 2010 at 4:30)
 Uh where have you been? We've been seeing that carbon v10 for the majority of the year now.
  • + 1
flag descent345 (Sep 30, 2010 at 9:59)
 didnt have a computer for a while.
  • + 1
flag rffr (Oct 1, 2010 at 17:52)
 aw that sucks man. Glad to see ya back.
  • + 1
flag descent345 (Oct 1, 2010 at 19:21)
 thanks man finally got some cash and got myself a laptop for school lol
  • + 1
flag rffr (Oct 4, 2010 at 13:05)
 Good stuff man. Make sure to get a laptop cooler for the base! Make that thing last way long.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag fappachino (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:44)
 damn. these look pretty light and for the price. im going to pick some up this season Smile
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag bisk (Sep 24, 2010 at 3:06)
 first blackbox and truvativ colaboration? what about the bars and stem the riders used to run?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag buhgina (Sep 25, 2010 at 0:12)
 ??? They were able to not require inserts ???
  • + 1
flag rffr (Sep 26, 2010 at 4:32)
 LTTFA
  • + 1
flag buhgina (Sep 26, 2010 at 12:05)
 Sorry, I'm not down with your stupid internet lingo...
  • + 1
flag rffr (Sep 27, 2010 at 17:57)
 It means listen to the f*cking audio.
  • + 1
flag buhgina (Sep 27, 2010 at 18:53)
 Firstly, you are a god damn loser. Secondly, I did. Lastly, I was commenting on the grammar you dumb ass...
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag denis80 (Sep 24, 2010 at 16:55)
 Another unnecessary product. I dont see any difference between these and old Stylo, except axle lenght. Saint for me!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag ELLIS-831 (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:40)
 lookin nice and light too!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag daveswash (Sep 24, 2010 at 4:01)
 Totally awesome cranks! I want a set...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag schmel84 (Sep 23, 2010 at 23:19)
 Looks pretty good, but with a lot of similarity with Stylo!
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag Nobble (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:39)
 I WANT SOME!!!!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag Stupybill (Sep 23, 2010 at 21:44)
 When will they be available ??How much do the weigh.? I want answers !!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag niesen-ranger (Sep 24, 2010 at 23:13)
 sramless rocks
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag zumajevs (Sep 24, 2010 at 5:31)
 amazing santa :O
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag muchentuchen (Sep 23, 2010 at 21:11)
 Cheaper than Saints, eh?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag LetsRideIT (Sep 23, 2010 at 19:40)
 sikkk
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag kanioni (Sep 24, 2010 at 11:14)
 No pedal inserts -WIN!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag niesen-ranger (Sep 24, 2010 at 23:13)
 saint.
  • + 1
flag slayamatt (Sep 27, 2010 at 11:11)
 agreed.
[Reply]

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