Race Face Atlas Cinch Crank Arm Set [Rider Review]

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Race Face set out to make a crankset that was burly and would excel in all disciplines. What came out of it was the Atlas Cranks. Our friend, Ryan, has been running the cranks. See what they think!

Overview

I bought a brand new hardtail, I used to climb hills with ease until I got this one. It was a more progressive geometry than what I was used to which meant that it goes down hills really well but sucks on the climbs. I googled and researched for at least two months before coming to the conclusion that I needed new cranks and that I should probably get a new chainring, an oval one at that. Naturally of course I needed a new bottom bracket to complete the whole setup. In all the research I did I kept coming back around to the Race Face Atlas cranks.

They are downhill rated and tough as nails so that was my starting point. I’m very brand loyal so I went all-in on the Race Face. I got the cranks, bottom bracket, and oval chainring. The whole Race Face set up, let me tell you aside from it being top quality gear, it looks sick too!

I was skeptical about the oval chainring, I had heard about it but never thought it would be beneficial for me. After riding in Bentonville Arkansas for a few days it was more than worth it to snag it up. My old hardtail had an xc set up, it was made for those long rides, tough climbs, and decent descents. The new bike is made to get beat up, however, living in Texas I don’t have much elevation to play with. It’s mostly flat windy trails with pretty hefty climbing and I just couldn’t do it on the new bike.

The whole Race Face setup has improved my riding.

I had broken the old bottom bracket just simply by riding harder than a stock bottom bracket could handle. My stock cranks were bulky and ugly to look at, I guess the chainring was fine but of course, I had to complete the setup. I think the atlas cranks are 170mm which is perfect! Not too long not too short, it’s super easy on my legs and makes pedaling super easy. The oval chainring has improved my climbing and I can now get up those tough hills on my new hardtail. The Race Face bottom bracket is as tough as it gets. I’m a little heavier of a rider which is why I needed downhill-rated cranks for every trail kind of bike. The bottom bracket holds up so well, especially when I’m beating the hell out of my bike trying to jump over creaks and rocks and other obstacles.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever been riding and your bike starts to make noise and you don’t know where it’s coming from chances are it’s from the bottom bracket and it’s on its way out. Since getting the new Race Face bottom bracket it’s quiet, no noise no creaking noise, and no concern that my bike is gonna fall apart on the next berm I aggressively throw my bike into. I would absolutely recommend the whole Race Face setup, bottom bracket, atlas cranks, and oval chainring. Obviously, the bike can’t ride itself but with high-quality components, it can make things a lot easier, which is what this purchase has done for me.