Kooka crank durability

[stangman675]

Any of you 957 owners have any issues with the kooka crank?  I happened to run across a page of reviews on them and I couldn't believe how many people had issues with the arms snapping off.  I'm not sure if I should risk using them or start looking for another crank. 

[w2zero]

I have a set of the tiger stripe lookin Kooka cranks on my x56.  The alignment of the crank arms to the spider is haphazard at best but my guests haven't broken it yet.  I don't like swedged cranks in any case.

[Thunderchild]

The early versions would crack pretty easily.  I had a set of the first model in th early 90s; one arm cracked at a corner around the spindle hole.  Kooka replaced both arms with no hassle with improved models.  I still have that set of cranks and one other set.  Later models are durable but not made for serious jumping, drops, etc.  They are XC cranks.   When I mount them I tighten them to the recommended torque setting.   I will try to post a picture of mine to show what one of the more durable ones look like.   Basically they have thicker walls around the square taper opening. 

It was a sad day when Kooka went out of business.  The old kooka stems are one of my favorites too.  Had one on my Oz for every one of its 13k+ miles.   

The new stuff out there is from a company that bought the name I believe.

Thunderchild   

[w2zero]

I set my square taper cranks with a large c-clamp then torque the bolts on.

 My Kooka hydro brake levers are nice pieces even though they were reviewed horribly by a few. 

[signalMTB]

i've had 2 sets of Kookas with no issues.  I currently run Caramba double barrels and no problems either that many post about cracking.  2 things to remember, proper torque (25nm) and these are XC cranks, not downhill or all-mtn