Bike Cranksets Buying Guide
The bicycle, 
like all locomotive instruments, has a drivetrain which enables it to transfer energy to the gears and move; the crankset is a part of the bicycle drive train. The bike pedals are attached to the crankset, therefore the crankset repeats the cyclists foot action, driving the bike chain, which triggers the movement of the rear wheel. The crankset affects a lot of the riding experience, from the way the pedals handle to the smoothness of the wheel spin.
Crankset Parts
Cranks
- Bike crank lengths usually vary from 165 mm to 180 mm in order to accomodate different sized cyclists.
- Crank lengths also depend on the style of cycling taking place. Track cyclists prefer shorter cranks for higher cadence; mountain bike cyclists prefer longer cranks for lower cadence.
- Cranks are made from aluminum alloy, titanium, carbon fiber, or chrome steel. Cold forged aluminum adds strength to the crank without adding any extra weight to the bike.
- Cranks are inserted into the bottom bracket axel or spindle. They also have a hole in the crank arm to attach pedals.
Spider
- The spider connects the chainring to the bottom bracket axle or spindle.
- The modern crankset has the spider integrated with the crank arm. They normally have 4 to 5 arms.
Chainrings
- The chainring is the sprocket that is attached to the bike chains, which then relays power to the wheel.
- The bike chains pass though the chainring's teeth.
- The larger the chainring, the more teeth it has. They can range from 20 teeth to 55 teeth.
- Chainrings are made from aluminum alloy, titanium, steel, or carbon fiber.
- It is ideal to have chainrings bolted to the crank arm or spider so replacement is made easy if damage occurs. Cheaper cranksets weld chainrings onto the spider or crank arm.
Variations
- For tandem bikes, there are tandem cranksets. Because there are two cyclists pedaling, they will not necessarily be in sync with each other. In order for the bicycle to still function properly, tandem cranksets have an independent pedaling system.
- Chain guards are plastic coverings for chainrings to prevent cloth or anything else from getting caught when cycling.
- Chainguides are plastic or metal housings that keep the bike chains on the chainrings. This is very useful for extreme bike riders during difficult maneuvers.
- Freewheeling cranksets have been created so the chain will continue to rotate even if the rider stops pedaling. This is created for riders who like coasting.
- Compact cranksets are made smaller. They are beneficial to mountain bikers because they make the bike feel lighter, making it easier to clear obstacles.
Major Manufacturers
Quick Picks
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Shimano Dura Ace 7900 - Thin-walled forged aluminum crank.
- Hollow chainring.
- Aluminum axle.
- 20% more rigid against pedal load.
- New teeth design for improved chain contact.
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Race Face Evolve XC X-Type - Manufactured from 6066-T6 aluminum.
- Evolve chainrings are built from 7050 aluminum for increased stiffness and impact strength.
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Race Face XC X-Type Mountain Bike - Crank arms are net forged from 6061 aluminum with aggressive styling for a high strength to weight ratio.
- ‘EXI’ interface external bottom bracket system for easier crank installation and removal with standard tools.
- Custom triple wiper seal on bearings to better retain grease & keep contaminants out.
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Race Face Cadence Road X-Type - Rings: 39-53 BB
- Shell Width (mm): 68
- Bolt Pattern: 5-Bolt
- Chain Ring BCD (mm): 130
- Chain Compatibility: 9/10spd
- Pedal Spindle: 9/16"
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Sugino Impel Triple - Black outer ring, silver steel inner rings.
- 7/8-speed compatible.
- 4-arm, 4-bolt spider.
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