Editor’s Note: This post first was posted on The Cyclist, but since this configuration is so strongly related to 29″ers, I republished it here for all the 29″er freaks to see.
The Cyclist has just received a brand new addition to the Origin 8 component line in the form of a new crank set offering. The crank set is a 2 X 9 specific design. 2 X 9 is becoming a way that many mountain bikers can get nearly the same gear range without using a small inner, or “granny” ring. (Apologies to our own Grannygear- We would like to keep you around!) At any rate, the drive train set up with a 2 X 9 will have better chain line, easier front shifting, and more usable combinations. Some like 2 X 9 for the possibility of a narrower pedal stance; however, the benefits of narrow pedal stance, or “Q factor”, are in debate.
The Origin 8 2X9 crank set with 44T and 29T rings
What the new crank does have are CNC machined aluminum rings on the 104/64 BCD pattern. There are profiles and pick up pins on the outer ring that aid in shifting. This set is also ISIS bottom bracket compatible. The arm length is 175mm. The set is anodized in black with laser etched graphics and CNC’ed highlights on the chain rings.
Laser etched graphics
Why wouldn’t a Cross crank work?
BunE, cyclocross cranks are typically geared higher. The inner ring on a cross crank is usually in the mid 30s for teeth. The bolt patterns also don’t allow for a something as small as a 29T.
Interesting how they decided to use ISIS.
Did you guys measure it up? Q-factor, weight, etc? Hope it comes out lighter than a triple crank sans granny.
3 agu: This crank ain’t light. It’s cheap and durable. Origin 8 may lighten it up if there is interest, but for less than $100.00 street for this crank with rings, you are not going to get light weight too. 😉
Aren’t ISIS/Octalink obsolete standards? Or at least on their way to it? Every bike that I’ve upgraded over the last couple years I’ve gone with external BB style cranks as the price of a new crank set was barely higher than finding replacement octolink or isis parts.
I love ISIS….I’ve had nothing but problems with external BB’s on both my XC and CX bikes.
I think for mountain communities a combo with a big ring of a 38t would be the. I rarely use the 44t except for a commute back to town occasionally. 38 would be sick!
Nice looking gear, make a lighter option for another $60 as well and your in the market for HP product.
External BB’s are crap. Decent for road and nothing but trouble for XC/CX. I just spent the cash to get a set of Middleburn’s in ISIS. The external BB was marketed real well by all involved as a more durable (not) and stiffer (very marginally according to FSA’s website). Going to the external BB did help to save some grams, but it was mostly so manufacturers only had to make 1 BB. Think about it, they used to have to make a whole bunch of different width shells anf spindle lengths. That costs money. Now they make one, that is mostly plastic (cheap) and make different length plastic pieces for it. All way more cost effective for them. ISIS and Octalink were very expensive to produce because the bearings were small. That is why BB 30 is the standard od the future. By your next bike in BB30 and show all the manufacturers that this is the way to go. Lighter, Stiffer all around.
Rant over.
Agreed 100%. The only thing EBB’s are good for filling up with dirt. Who ever thought that having your bearing sitting on the outside under a flimsy disc of plastic would be a revolution in bike component design was a fool.
great crank set when 10 speed or 36tooth rear sprockets come later this year .also wonder if you can buy the 29 tooth sprocket ?
Interesting about the external BB’s. I’ve had zero issues with mine but there’s very little mud out here in Utah – mostly dust. You do have to give the manufacturers credit though for simplifying matters related to BB options – 68/73 width is dealt with easily. Also, aren’t there too many damn standards for bottom brackets anyways? I dunno, I see this as a move in the right direction.
dan: I am very curious whether the 29T will become available as well as a triple with the 20T granny. I have been putting my two cents in to Origin 8 on this for several months now.
Alex: The external BB set ups have certainly simplified things for manufacturers and consumers. However, it has caused issues with seal drag, and bearings that spin poorly, (thus the very lucrative and hot ceramic after market bearing sales by several companies.) I think the concept is fine, but the execution of the concept is poor. There is no accounting for adjustment in regards to side loading the bearings and frame tolerances being slightly off on outboard bearings with a few notable, very expensive exceptions.
My inclination would be to utilize a few of the past bottom bracket features in a new package. The simplicity of a cartridge, which eliminates frame facing issues, a larger diameter shell, ala BB-30, and the ISIS interface, which makes for fool proof crank arm installation and removals. If all of this could be accomplished in one simplified, easy to install cartridge in a bigger bottom bracket shell which would allow for bigger internal bearings, then I think we’d have a BB that would last years and years under severe duty.
I just think that current manufacturer philosophies and culture doesn’t support this sort of product longevity and ease of use. 😉
Count me as another who likes Octalink over external. I picked up a Coda crankset a few weeks ago that’s a dedicated 5x94BCD double, on an Octalink V1(road) 109.5mm bottom bracket. It came with 44/29 rings, which suit my commuter bike just fine.
For mountain rides, I’ll stick with a good ‘ol 22/34/bashguard. I need the hillclimbing ability and I rarely need to go faster than the 34/11 allows, at least when I’m actually in the mountains.
There are a couple of other options for compact doubles(that aren’t a square-taper BB), but I’m trying to find stuff on eBay and don’t need you lot bidding against me!
i just purchased a orgin 8 cyclo cross frame and can’t find a crank that fits it. the two i trying both hit the chain stays with the ring or the crank on the left side. Does this one fit the bike? any ideas? thanks
@john: The chain stays on that bike are pretty wide, so a mtb crank set should clear it.