Did you know: Crank stiffness

Varaxis

Varaxis

Well-Known Member
I was going to do a tech talk about this. I found a source that listed crank stiffness and after some googling about crank failures, it got me to think a bit about what cranks to choose. I figured I'd share, as trivia more than anything. Their results may surprise many, especially those that blindly believe carbon is stiffer than aluminum or those who are fans of one brand over another. I personally don't have much brand loyalty, I just get what's thoughtfully built and well-engineered.

Preview pic:



Regarding alloy vs carbon, how do you feel about it as a crank material, considering things like crank strikes and aesthetics? Do you think the carbon's damping characteristics of carbon possibly absorb some power?

Source link: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.mountainbike-magazin.de/test/parts/8-mtb-kurbeln-im-test-fuenf-2-fach-und-drei-3-fach-modelle.911862.2.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.mountainbike-magazin.de/test ... 1862.2.htm</a>

Chrome auto translates the German for me, but you can probably get the gist of it without. Click on their gallery for the stats. They only have 8 cranks results to show, sadly.

For fun, Google: Crank failure RaceFace (or your favorite crank maker, like SRAM carbon)

cranks.jpg
 
Probably because I always struggled to get a strong sponsorship from Shimano back in the day, I used to do anything to avoid using their products. Kind of the "Bring down the Big Guys" philosophy.

So I landed a solid sponsorship ride with Kooka Kranks back in the 90's (they are no longer with us). Back then they had high bling factor and had built both billet and then forged Crank Arms. I still have several sets laying around...

But as the years passed and I lost my desire to race and just wanted to ride, I grew to realize that Shimano made products that were safe first and light second. I ride now, the Shimano Crank Set you have posted above (in black). Very solid and I detect no flex what-so-evah!

I did go to the website you suggested for the crank tests but immediately got distracted by the AD for the Sexy Bike-Profis: Cyclepassion-Kalender 2014... :oops:
 
Cranks are just one of those parts that have to work without fuss. I haven't tried too many, but I've mostly ridden Shimano because that's what came on the bike. It seems like the bang for your buck isn't there when you try to save weight by buying new cranks. Plus the weight is down low and concentrated.

I would personally steer away from carbon cranks. I have a Tallboy and pedal strikes are just a fact of life. It's the trade off for the bike handling I like.

I do have a SRAM X9 crank on my SS. It works fine. I like the fact that it can be run spiderless with a dedicated spiderless chainring. This setup actually solved the chainring bolt tick noise issue I was having. Less joints equals less chances for loosening/movement.
 
Mikie said:
I did go to the website you suggested for the crank tests but immediately got distracted by the AD for the Sexy Bike-Profis: Cyclepassion-Kalender 2014... :oops:
Click to expand...

I too saw that and watched the video of the "Kalendar"... I think it made my crank stiff. :lol:
 
CarlS said:
Mikie said:
I did go to the website you suggested for the crank tests but immediately got distracted by the AD for the Sexy Bike-Profis: Cyclepassion-Kalender 2014... :oops:
Click to expand...

I too saw that and watched the video of the "Kalendar"... I think it made my crank stiff. :lol:
Click to expand...

ha hah! CarlS has a stiff Crank!
 
j_latimer said:
How could anyone forecast that a topic about Crank Stiffness would take a left turn...
Click to expand...

Sorry, my bad.

to add some tech talk to the thread: I have both cranks in the picture. XT and XO. and really, no way that I can tell any difference. However, I sure do wince every time I nail a rock with the XO cranks. :shock:
 
I've only ever ridden one carbon bike -- the new-at-the-time Intense Carbine (26er) in the summer of '11 while I was on the search for my new bike (I only get a new bike once every 15-20 years... it seems like anyways). And I gotta say, it was kinda like CRACK (not a great comparative term when talking about bikes, I realize). Holy jeez that thing was fast and sleek -- kinda felt like there was nothing under me. I don't recall if it had carbon cranks or not. I just wanted to ride it all day!

My point is, it was awesome to ride a carbon-framed sled, and I would just love to get a carbon bike at some point, but honestly speaking, the price tag for such things are way out of my grasp. That said, I just think pedaling on carbon cranks and carbon wheels would make me lose focus on my ride: I would forever be waiting for that great big inevitable SNAP (colored, italicized and bolded for the ultimate in emphasis)!

I may be a luddite, but it seems some things should just remain alloy for the ultimate in dependability, though those X0 cranks do look mighty sweet now...

- shud
 
Hey, Shud.
I've broken a lot of aluminum parts, but never any carbon parts. If I was building a bike and the XO was economically feasible, I'd go that route.
 
Hmmm...I may go with carbon cranks just because I can.

That'd be awesome- carbon cranks, carbon frame, carbon wheels, carbon bars and stem and carbon rotors! :o
 
RustyIron said:
I've broken a lot of aluminum parts, but never any carbon parts.
Click to expand...

And then you read something like this! Like Mondo, I'd love to get a carbon everything steed, just to see how it all worked together (won't happen, tho). I think my reticence is just based on the fact that I have ZERO experience with carbon parts. I bet that's something the industry deals with a lot ("But... but... but... won't it just SNAP?!?!").

- shud
 
shudder said:
RustyIron said:
I've broken a lot of aluminum parts, but never any carbon parts.
Click to expand...

And then you read something like this! Like Mondo, I'd love to get a carbon everything steed, just to see how it all worked together (won't happen, tho). I think my reticence is just based on the fact that I have ZERO experience with carbon parts. I bet that's something the industry deals with a lot ("But... but... but... won't it just SNAP?!?!").

- shud
Click to expand...
I'm almost there. May just add the carbon cranks this Spring! :mrgreen:
 
I can make you a great deal on some of carbon rotors. I have Kettle 180/160 sfl kickstarter rotors. they just dont stop as well as steel for me. but Kettle says they have a new 'C' process they can do to them to make them better. I just have not sent them in for it yet.
 
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