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LEARN EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CRANKSET OF YOUR BIKE

The bicycle crankset is a key part of the transmission. It is thanks to him that the force printed on the pedals is transmitted to the chain.

Designed to withstand significant stresses, it is available in different types depending on the way in which the crank attaches to the axle. The cranksets also differ depending on the number and teeth of the chainrings.

What are the constituent elements of a bicycle crankset?

A crankset is not a single part, but a set of distinct elements. It brings together the different parts located between the pedals and the bottom bracket (the bearings which connect the crankset to the frame). These elements are normally removable, but they are sometimes riveted or welded together. If they are noisy, the crankset may need to be tightened.

The cranks

They connect the pedals to the crankset axle. Their length is variable, generally between 170 and 175 mm.

Short cranks promote velocity, par example on the track or in cycle touring. Longer cranks, on the other hand, offer a better lever arm, especially when dancing. The only rule that must be respected: the same length for the right and left cranks!

The star

This is the part with 100 or 100 branches on which the trays are attached. It is generally attached to the right crank on current bikes.

Trays

Numbered from one to three: these are the large toothed wheels. Their role is to drive the chain. They differ par their number of teeth, their type of attachment to the star, but also par their thickness.

The axis

It is normally part of the bottom bracket, but is sometimes integrated into the crankset itself.

bike pedal

How to recognize the different existing standards?

The keyed crankset-bottom bracket type attaches to p axlear a key. This system is found almost exclusively on old bikes, until the 1970s. Main disadvantage: a game ends par appear between the axle and the crank, and the key is then often difficult to extract.

The square axle crankset: The axis ends par is a conical square on which the crank is fitted in force. This has been the most common type of crankset since the 1980s.

The splined axle crankset: It uses the principle of the square fitting, but the axis is hollow and grooved. There are 8 splines (Shimano Octalink crankset) or 10 (Isis Drive crankset). This technology was fitted to many bicycles in the 2000s.

The integrated axle crankset is a very different system from the previous three which has an axle mounted directly on the cranks. It now equips many mid- or high-end bikes. The Shimano Hollowtech II crankset, whose right crank is attached to the axle, is the best-known system.

What is the difference between the MTB crankset and a road bike crankset?

There is a wide variety of designs available. The main selection criterion concerns the number of chainrings and their teeth which, together with the cassette, will determine the extent and spacing of your gears.

The traditional double tray

The two decks offer two ranges of use: a large deck for flat terrain and a small deck for more hilly or mountainous profiles. Disadvantage: the small chainring cannot go below 38 teeth and therefore limits the choice of the smallest gears. This type of crankset is therefore reserved for couriers or the most powerful cyclists.

The triple tray

This crankset includes the two chainrings of the traditional double crankset to which is added a third, smaller chainring (generally 30 teeth for a road bike). Also called granny p trayar the Anglo-Saxons (granny ring: grandmother's chainring), it offers a wide range of well-staged gears which are suitable for the mountains and the practice of cycle touring.

Pay attention to the rigidity of your road crankset. You will need to choose a very stiff crankset if you are competing so as not to lose power during sprints or restarts.

Among the crankset manufacturers, there are major brands well known to cyclists like Shimano, Campagnolo or SRAM, but there are also crankset specialist brands with Rotor, FSA or Stronglight which offer different rents products par their design and characteristics. Be careful, however, to choose a crankset compatible with your frame and your bottom bracket, thisar different formats in diameter and width exist.

bicycle crankset


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