After clocking the price of Race Face's SIXC Cinch crankset you may be in need of a sit down, but that money gets you a seriously stiff crankset that’s light on the scales and not afraid of some rough treatment.
Our sample cranks weighed just 520g (175mm arms, with 32t direct-mount chainring fitted). The low weight is mainly down to the hollow carbon arms – unlike most others, they don’t have an internal alloy spine.
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Race Face’s Cinch system is another key feature, adding versatility. It lets you switch between a variety of different chainring sizes/configurations, as well as being compatible with different bottom brackets thanks to the interchangeable 30mm alloy spindle.
We bolted our cranks to a downhill test rig and were seriously impressed with the surefooted stiffness straight from the off. Power transfer feels efficient and direct when you jab at the pedals, and rock solid when loading the bike on heavy landings. After a couple of rides we did have to tweak the threaded preload adjuster to remove play from the system but that was it. The SIXCs have shrugged off multiple knocks, scrapes and dings with ease, without their performance ever being affected.
