Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: February 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
Crash test research
Strengths:
Looks nice..
Weaknesses:
The problem with Kooka cranks is that the company had been on the verge of folding since the word go.. I suspect it was to do with the bonnie 'hardcore' cross country cranks, which I split twice.. Both times just commuting on them.. They seem to hold up just fine to abuse, but you can't be a featherweight on them.. I eventually managed to trade in my later ones for a pair of downhill cranks and I loved them for a while, but they just seem to have developed a split from the bottom bracket about an inch towards the pedal.. I have also managed to pull a chunk of the crank arm off when I recieved a small impact on my chainring.. This tore one of the spider bolts out with a piece of the aluminium.. Never worthwhile at all.. I'm killing these solid machined pieces of aluminium on my 6 year old cannondale hardtail.. I realistically should be able to tear the bottom bracket shell off my cross country frame before I put a dint in these cranks, but there you go..
Similar Products Used:
shimano, race face
Bike Setup:
Cannondale killer v 800, Dirt Jumper 2's set up for street..
Bottom Line:
sucks arse in a big way.. I plan to stick them on my wall though.. They suck, but they're purty..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ZOOM
a Downhiller
from Down the hill, CA Date Reviewed: January 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Anything vertical!
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
One of the most unique features to this crankset that no others offer is the ability to adjust your chainline. This allows this one crankset to be used on many, if not all, frames out there. I've used many crankset that, due to the frame design, would not allow proper chain alignment, thus not allowing you to access your entire cassette. And let's face it, when you only have one chainring up front, you need every single one of those little ba$tards in back! The other strength is its strength. See Bottom Line.
Weaknesses:
None. Period. 'Nuff said.
Similar Products Used:
AC, XTR, RaceFace DH, Kona, Profile DH, Cook Bros. (highly NOT recommended for DH!)
Bike Setup:
San Andreas, Monster T, XT discs with upgraded 8" rotors, yada, yada, yada.
Bottom Line:
Okay, listen up. I'm not gonna clown on any other crank manufacturers out there. There's good ones, there's bad ones, and then there's KOOKA. These guys are in their own category. Customer service is out of this world. But here's where I'm sold:
Long story made short: I was trying to take first in a DH race. I made the mistake of trying to bunny-hop from the top of a 7-foot drop-off and across the 8-foot rock garden that started at the bottom of the drop. Well folks, we all come up short some time. This was mine. I (240 pounds) landed squarely on the MRP chainguide on a rock the size of an office desk. The landing was absolutely brutal! But the crankset didn't budge! And to this day its still in absolutely perfect condition (no loss in alignment of any direction). It may be a little difficult finding these cranks in stock at a shop, but give KOOKA a call and they will hook you up for sure. Buy these cranks or ride without confidense, take your pick!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kalyn
a Weekend Warrior
from Nanaimo bc Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
dont know
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
the realm
Strengths:
Everything !!!! beefy very stiff and strong
Weaknesses:
Load up on BB cause you are gonna need them with this crank!
Similar Products Used:
None compare!
Bike Setup:
upgraded Norco vps buzz
Bottom Line:
Awsome freeride/DH crank one. and if you break em its a life time warranty
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fatman
a
from Mid-atlantic U.S. Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Rough and tumbly
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Unbelievably stiff. Supposedly, no one has ever broken a Kooka dh crank arm.
Weaknesses:
Fit and adjustment. I use an older set of Kooka Razor arms with a newer freeride spider. With the triple chain ring set up, there is sometimes rubbing of the inner chain bolts on the derailleur mount. This could be solved by running a wider bottom bracket. Moral of the story: Even if your old cranks ran fine, you may have to get a new BB for the Kookas. I have to say that, probably due to my own poor skills as a bike mechanic, the cranks creak.
Similar Products Used:
Cheapo parts
Bottom Line:
A stiff crank. Be sure to use a stiff bottom bracket.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon C
a Downhiller
from Olympia Wa, Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
haven't found one yet
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$98.00
Purchased At:
Bike stand
Strengths:
Heavy, stiffest cranks, lifetime warranty
Weaknesses:
I bought the dh setup. I ordered a compact spider and the rings sway. So far no reply from Kooka. Bottom line! Poor machining. I have to tighten the driveside after every ride. They creak. They would be great if my chain didn't rub my deraileur and cause chain derail.
It's stiff. I have to run a 115 mm XT bb cause there's no clearance for 113 raceface. This crank can take a beating. Other than it creaks, I constantly have to tighten the driveside. After a big drop or jump it gives a nice creak. These cranks are the razor DH. They have the old Kooka logo. Not sure if the new cranks are machined a little better but these suck!! I like the stiffness but hate the noises they make. If I didn't live in Wa state I think I might be able to get a little better cust. support. 4 chilis cause they're cheap, 1 chili cause they creak and cust service isn't all that.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mat
a Downhiller
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Groovula
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Stiff, strong, guaranteed forever
Weaknesses:
Will destroy Shimano BB's because they're so strong and stiff
Similar Products Used:
Race Face Turbine, XT Splined
Bike Setup:
Devinci Phatt, Mavic 321, Z1, Hayes
Bottom Line:
Very, very strong and will last forever but just don't run a crappy BB or you'll get a nasty surpise. Shimano BBs don't last and when they snap they're really sharp. Don't just get good cranks; invest in a decent BB too. Unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Downhiller
from nelson B.C. CANADA Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
719/Bedframe
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
these are f*cking awesome
Weaknesses:
they are a huge pain in the a$$ to find anything with a good chainline. and i have yet to find a chainguide that it works with them on my bike. ohhhhhhhwell.
Similar Products Used:
none are half as good
ohh except the the kooka freerides.
Bike Setup:
RM6 with super T front doublewide the works
Bottom Line:
these are awesome cranks but you will have to look for a while to find the right setup with them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
camelclutch tactics
a Downhiller
from victoria. B.C. Date Reviewed: October 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The dumb and DHin Whistler
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$260.00
Purchased At:
Russ Hays Bike Shop
Strengths:
I have the free ride cranks, not the DH ones. They rule, they are Strong, Fatt and the best. So good and they have not broken yet, more than I can say for my bottom bracket. Unconditional life time guarantee. If you need cranks that will last, buys these. Remember kooka and forget about the rest. (No I do not work for kooka, I just believe in a good company which sell good parts that last.)
Weaknesses:
There is none, they are kooka. Yes the little end of the crank arm does stick out so it will snag your pants. So put on your old school vans and pinch roll your pants.
Similar Products Used:
Ones that were not kooka, a lesson learned.
Bike Setup:
2000 Big Hit done up.
Bottom Line:
Buy them or else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matty F
a Downhiller
from North Bay, Canada Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
STRONG! Look cool, puts North Shore XS to shame.
Weaknesses:
Wea-kness? What is this weakness thing you speak of?
Bike Setup:
Specialized Team DH
Bottom Line:
Strongest crank. Go buy it if you freeride/DH. One small complaint. If you are wearing jeans or baggy pants the part of the crank that extends beyond the crank bold sometimes catches on ur pants.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DsDaVe
a Racer
from Oakland Date Reviewed: August 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
NorthStar-Karpiel
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
www.kalomtb.com
Strengths:
These are strong as hell!! They are stonger than your BO after a day of shuttling!! Bomb-proof!!
Weaknesses:
Have to run longer BB than Race Face DH because crank arms are straight.
Bang for the buck, these can;t be beat! RF are lighter, but these are the stiffest cranks I have ever stepped my 215lbs of frame flexing force on to! Be prepared to get the NEXT larger BB to Accomodate your MRP. Revesible offset spider is nice, but buy OPEN MRP PLates to accomodate ltd. clearance of outer plate and arm!!
Check 'em out! Especially for you BIG JUMPERS!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
The Commish
a Downhiller
from north shore, bc, canada Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
too many to name
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
They are sooooo stiff you will probabaly notice a hugh difference the first time youn ride them. They are also indestructable and and if you are a freak who can break, bend, or strip them they have an uncoditional lifetime warranty.
Weaknesses:
Are you kidding?
Similar Products Used:
White industries cranks(I bent and stripped them out), race face(demo only), shimano.
Damn, these things are worth the money you will pay for them plus a whole lot more. They are cheaper than raceface and these will never bend or srip out. Race face North Shores are nice but too damn expensive do your self a favour and buy the last pair of cranks you will ever need. If you have ever bent, or broke cranks or you these are for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from North Vancouver Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
hmmmm, they are the strongest and beefiest crank on the market. Unconditional lifetime warranty, last cranks you'll ever need to buy. Replacable spyder (can be changed from 5bolt standard to 4 bolt)
Weaknesses:
shutup. U ask for strong cranks and that's what you get.
Similar Products Used:
POS cyclone and shimano cranks that don't last more than a month.
Bike Setup:
'98 VPS1, Z1 droppoffs, Race Face steel taper lock BB, Mammoth Rims, etc etc.
Bottom Line:
Sick of bending, breaking, and snapping your cranks? Well Kooka over engineers it's cranks so that there is no way to break em. Sure they're heavy, but you wanted strenghth! SO if your sick of breaking cranks hook yourself up with these, they might be overkill but they'll last. The bonus is they're cheaper than the competition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Noah crary
a Downhiller
from S.B., Ca Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Tunnel
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Umm... its really big and stiff!! 165mm length is great for DH
Weaknesses:
Christ they are heavy! 600grams! The spider is so thick I had to machine away part of my MRP so it would fit. Use a wider BB than you planned on and mount the ring on the inside to retain anything resembling a good chainline
Similar Products Used:
Race Face, XTR, LX, XT blah, blah, blah. All of em
Bike Setup:
FSR with ms 6" kit and an Xvert ti
Bottom Line:
Ummm, you can not bend these bad boys unless you have serious glandular probem and a penchant for 20' drop offs to flat landings! Serious strength for DH. Overkill in my case (140 pounds), but thats OK.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
superstar
a Downhiller
from north vancouver Date Reviewed: December 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
gmg
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
strong as hell and no flex out of the arms! good anodizing and a very smart splined spider is easy to remove if you ever have to!
Weaknesses:
you can't bend them like race face so that means you might be stuck with these cranks for a while!
Similar Products Used:
race face dh :(
Bike Setup:
giant atx dh team
Bottom Line:
these cranks don't bend, and if your worried about a little weight then get used to bending the competitions cranks and buy a crank puller!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john
a Downhiller
from vancouver Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
ned's
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
strong,thick spider
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
race face dh
Bike Setup:
SUPER V DH, BOXXER
Bottom Line:
These cranks are amazing, They aRE THE STIFFEST THING ON THE MARKET. The spider is not some warmed over X-country spider with a useless ring that does nothing. The kooka spider is splined with double bolts to hold it on. Super reliable and highly recomended
Overall Rating:
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