The 30 best crankset brands
Shimano, SRAM and FSA lead our ranking of 30 crankset brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Crankset brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Shimano
Shimano makes road, gravel, and mountain cranksets across its Dura-Ace, Ultegra, GRX, and Deore lines.
Website: shimano-steps.com |Brands like Shimano
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
SRAM
SRAM makes road, gravel, and mountain cranksets, including Force, Rival, and X-Sync models with integrated chainrings.
Website: sram.com |Brands like SRAM
Popularity 7.2/10
-
3
FSA
FSA makes road, gravel, and mountain cranksets, including K-Force and Gossamer, often with integrated chainrings.
Website: fsaproshop.com |Brands like FSA
Popularity 6.0/10
-
4
Race Face
Race Face makes mountain bike cranksets such as Aeffect and Next, with a range of spindle and chainring options.
Website: raceface.com |Brands like Race Face
Popularity 5.1/10
-
5
Rotor
Rotor makes road and mountain cranksets, including Aldhu and 2INpower, known for its power meter and oval chainring designs.
Website: rotoramerica.com |Brands like Rotor
Popularity 3.8/10
-
6
Suntour
Suntour historically made bicycle cranksets and drivetrain parts, with many older crank designs still sold on the used market.
Website: srsuntour.com |Brands like Suntour
Popularity 3.1/10
-
7
Tune
Tune embodies the essence of hard rock on-stage performance with its flashy guitar collection. There are nine broad collections, each having its signature line of products. There is also the option of customizing the guitars to suit individual musical whims. Tune's impressive clientele of well-established musicians reinforces the company's integrity. It has a broad client base with dealers across Europe and some parts of Asia.
Website: tuneguitars.com |Brands like Tune
Popularity 3.0/10
-
8
Sunlite
Sunlite sells budget bicycle parts, including cranksets and chainrings, mostly for city, comfort, and entry-level bikes.
Website: sunlite.bike |Brands like Sunlite
Popularity 2.3/10
-
9
Campagnolo
Campagnolo makes high-end road and track cranksets, including Super Record and Chorus, as part of its groupsets.
Website: campagnolo.com |Brands like Campagnolo
Popularity 2.2/10
-
10
Cannondale
Cannondale has offered its own cranksets, such as the Hollowgram series, fitted to its complete bicycles.
Website: cannondale.com |Brands like Cannondale
Popularity 2.1/10
-
11
Sugino
Sugino is a Japanese maker of bicycle cranksets and chainrings for road, touring, and mountain bikes.
Website: suginoltd.co.jp |Brands like Sugino
Popularity 2.1/10
-
12
absoluteBlack
absoluteBlack makes chainrings and cranksets for road and mountain bikes, known for oval and direct-mount designs.
Website: absoluteblack.cc |Brands like absoluteBlack
Popularity 1.5/10
-
13
Wolf Tooth Components
Wolf Tooth Components makes chainrings, crank accessories, and chainring bolts for mountain and gravel bikes.
Website: wolftoothcomponents.com |Brands like Wolf Tooth Components
Popularity 1.3/10
-
14
AEROZINE
There are many materials to make bike parts from, but Aerozine provides one of the best titanium bike parts. The company carefully selects and manufactures different gear like bearings, chains, cranksets, etc. The company promises its unique design, and lightweight...
Website: aerozinebike.com |Brands like AEROZINE
Popularity 1.3/10
-
15
White Industries
White Industries makes cranksets for mountain, BMX, and urban bikes, including ENO and CK-S models.
Website: whiteind.com |Brands like White Industries
Popularity 1.2/10
-
16
Standard
Standard is Uk based company that provides all the latest London-related news quickly through people's phones or computers. Their physical newspapers can also be found in your neighborhood shops and stations. They cover everything from business to celebrity news and...
Website: standard.co.uk |Brands like Standard
Popularity 1.2/10
-
17
Stronglight
Stronglight is a French maker of cranksets and chainrings for road, track, and mountain bicycles.
Website: stronglight.com |Brands like Stronglight
Popularity 1.1/10
-
18
Sun Race
Sun Race makes bicycle drivetrain parts, including cassettes and some cranksets for mountain and road bikes.
Website: sunrace.com |Brands like Sun Race
Popularity 1.1/10
-
19
E*thirteen
E*thirteen makes mountain bike cranksets such as the LG1 and TRSr, along with chainrings and crank accessories.
Website: ethirteen.com |Brands like E*thirteen
Popularity 1.1/10
-
20
Miche
Miche is an Italian maker of cranksets, pulleys, and bottom brackets for road and track bicycles.
Website: miche.it |Brands like Miche
Popularity 1.0/10
-
21
crankbrothers
Crankbrothers is the top manufacturer of sophisticated mountain bike components in the world. They design mountain bike components tested by some of the world's finest athletes, engineered to help you achieve your goals, constructed to last, and backed by their...
Website: crankbrothers.com |Brands like crankbrothers
Popularity 1.0/10
-
22
Origin8
Origin8 sells budget cranksets and chainrings for fixed gear, single speed, and mountain bikes.
Website: origin8.bike |Brands like Origin8
Popularity 0.9/10
-
23
Driveline
Driveline is a Taiwanese maker of bicycle cranksets, bottom brackets, and drivetrain components for OEM and aftermarket use.
Website: driveline.com.tw |Brands like Driveline
Popularity 0.9/10
-
24
Gravity
Gravity Trading is a family-owned and operated company. Gravity Trading was founded to meet the need for improved customer service and a more comprehensive range of goods. The company always has the season's "must-haves" in-store, from hats and trousers to...
Website: gravitytrading.com |Brands like Gravity
Popularity 0.9/10
-
25
VP
VP components is a company manufacturing and selling bicycle parts and accessories to their consumers. They sell some items in pedals, brakes, and grips. They understand the pleasure of riding a bike, and they want to make sure that all...
Website: vpcomponents.com |Brands like VP
Popularity 0.8/10
-
26
Easton
Easton makes cycling components including cranksets such as the EC90 series for road and mountain bikes.
Website: eastonshoes.com |Brands like Easton
Popularity 0.7/10
-
27
Vuelta
Vuelta is a cyclist-centric brand, meeting and surpassing customer expectations each time. Established in 1991, the company is known for its top-notch quality products, innovative designs and reliable performance. From a well-thought out planning process to execution through a team...
Website: vueltausa.com |Brands like Vuelta
Popularity 0.7/10
-
28
MRP
MRP is a Colorado-based brand that has been making bike parts. It has been a part of the biking industry for the last 15 to 20 years, making an impact on the market. It works effectively in the manufacturing unit...
Website: mrpbike.com |Brands like MRP
Popularity 0.7/10
-
29
OFMEGA
OFMEGA is an Italian company that has been producing bicycle parts for the last fifty years and is now considered a revered market leader in its domain. They have strived to reach and maintain ISO standards and have achieved a...
Website: ofmega.com |Brands like OFMEGA
Popularity 0.6/10
-
30
Syncros
Biking produces the thrill which adrenaline seekers love. Syncros improves the mountain and road biking experience by offering every component and accessory required for a smoother ride. From providing high-performing and bomb-proof hardware to offering wheels and comfortable seats. Syncros...
Website: syncros.com |Brands like Syncros
Popularity 0.6/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano | shimano-steps.com | /ShimanoEbike | shimanoebike | – | – |
| SRAM | sram.com | – | – | – | – |
| FSA | fsaproshop.com | /Fullspeedahead | fsa_mtb | @visionmy | FullSpeedAheadTV |
| Race Face | raceface.com | /RacefacePerformance | raceface | @raceface604 | Race Face MTB |
| Rotor | rotoramerica.com | /ROTORAmerica | rotorbike/ | @ROTOR_bike | – |
| Suntour | srsuntour.com | /srsuntour | srsuntour_inc | – | SR Suntour Inc. |
| Tune | tuneguitars.com | – | – | – | – |
| Sunlite | sunlite.bike | – | – | – | – |
| Campagnolo | campagnolo.com | /CampagnoloOfficial | campagnolosrl | @campagnolosrl | CampagnoloSrl |
| Cannondale | cannondale.com | /RideCannondale | ridecannondale | @ridecannondale | CdaleBRAD |
Crankset Buying Guide
When it comes to buying a crankset for your mountain bike or road bike, you want to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money. The crankset is a crucial component of your bike, converting the power from your pedals to the chain and allowing you to move forward. There are a lot of brands and options to choose from, which can make it difficult to know what to look for. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the important factors to consider when buying a crankset.
What is a Crankset?
A crankset is the part of your bike that attaches your pedals to your bike's chain. It consists of two crank arms, a chainring, and a bottom bracket. The bottom bracket is the part of your bike that your crankset rotates around, and it typically screws into your bike's frame. With every pedal stroke, the crank arms apply force to the chainring, which rotates the chain and propels the bike forward.
Types of Cranksets
There are two main types of cranksets: road bike cranksets and mountain bike cranksets.
Road Bike Cranksets
Road bike cranksets typically have two chainrings, which can vary in size depending on the gearing options you choose. The standard size for the larger chainring is 53 teeth, while the smaller ring is typically 39 teeth. Road bike cranksets are generally more lightweight than mountain bike cranksets and are designed for higher speeds on smoother terrain.
Mountain Bike Cranksets
Mountain bike cranksets, on the other hand, can have one, two, or three chainrings. Single chainring setups are becoming increasingly popular because they are simpler, lighter, and more reliable than multi-chainring setups. Mountain bike cranksets are usually heavier and more durable than road bike cranksets, as they need to withstand the demands of off-road riding. They may also have a wider Q-factor, which is the distance between the pedals, to provide more clearance for wider tires and the rider's feet.
Crank Arm Length
Crank arm length is an important consideration when buying a crankset as it can affect your bike's performance and comfort. Crank arm length refers to the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the pedal attachment point. Standard crank arm lengths for road bikes range from 165mm to 180mm, with 172.5mm being the most common. For mountain bikes, crank arm lengths typically range from 165mm to 175mm.
Your crank arm length should be proportional to your leg length, and ideally, it should allow you to pedal smoothly and efficiently. A longer crank arm can provide more leverage, making it easier to climb hills, but it can also put more stress on your knees. If you are unsure about what length to choose, consider getting a professional bike fit or talking to a knowledgeable salesperson at your local bike shop.
Chainring Size
Chainring size is another important consideration when buying a crankset as it determines the gearing options available to you. Road bike cranksets typically come with two chainrings, while mountain bike cranksets can have one, two, or three chainrings. Chainring sizes can vary widely depending on the bike's intended use and the rider's preferences.
For road bikes, the larger chainring typically has 53 teeth, while the smaller chainring has 39 teeth. However, you can find chainrings with as few as 34 teeth or as many as 60 teeth. The chainring size you choose will affect your bike's overall gear ratio, with larger chainrings providing a higher gear ratio and smaller chainrings providing a lower gear ratio.
For mountain bikes, chainring sizes can vary even more widely. Single chainring setups are becoming increasingly popular as they are lighter, simpler, and more reliable than multi-chainring setups. A 32-tooth chainring is a common size for single chainring setups as it provides a good balance between climbing and descending. For multi-chainring setups, chainring sizes can range from 22 to 42 teeth or more, with the exact size depending on the rider's preferences and the bike's intended use.
Bottom Bracket Compatibility
Before buying a crankset, you will also need to consider bottom bracket compatibility. The bottom bracket is the part of your bike that your crankset rotates around, and it typically screws into your bike's frame. There are many different types of bottom brackets available, and they are not all compatible with all cranksets.
The two main types of bottom brackets are threaded bottom brackets and press-fit bottom brackets. Threaded bottom brackets are the most common and use a threaded cup that screws into the frame to hold the bottom bracket in place. Press-fit bottom brackets are becoming increasingly popular and use a tight press fit between the bottom bracket and the frame to hold the bottom bracket in place.
When buying a crankset, you will need to ensure that it is compatible with your bike's bottom bracket. Most cranksets will come with instructions that specify which bottom bracket types they are compatible with. If you are unsure, it is best to consult a professional bike mechanic or a knowledgeable salesperson at your local bike shop.
Crankset Material
Cranksets can be made from a variety of materials, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The most common materials used for cranksets are aluminum, carbon fiber, and steel.
Aluminum cranksets are the most common and are generally the most affordable. They are lightweight and durable, making them a popular choice for both road and mountain bikes. However, they are not as stiff as other materials, which can affect power transfer and overall performance.
Carbon fiber cranksets are the lightest and stiffest of the three materials, making them popular for high-end road and mountain bikes. They offer excellent power transfer and are incredibly durable, but they are also the most expensive.
Steel cranksets are the heaviest but also the most durable of the three materials. They are ideal for heavy-duty use, such as downhill mountain biking, but they are not as popular for other types of riding due to their weight.
Final Thoughts
Buying a crankset for your bike can be a daunting process, but by considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision that best meets your needs. Always remember to consider your riding style and intended use, as well as your budget, when selecting a crankset. Ultimately, the right crankset will allow you to pedal comfortably and efficiently, ensuring that you get the most out of your ride.